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Community Partners Address Gaps in Substance use Treatment and Intervention With New Program Aimed at Women

by pmnationtalk on October 5, 2021463 Views

 

Community partners address gaps in substance use treatment and intervention with new program aimed at women

TREATY ONE TERRITORY _ Not-for-profit agencies in Manitoba have joined together on a pilot project to address a demonstrated gap in substance use treatment for women with intellectual disabilities and/or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Winnipeg, Brandon, and Thompson.

“Treatment and intervention are overlooked for the most vulnerable members of our communities. There is a serious need to fill this gap immediately. We have developed treatment and intervention models that are effective and specific for women with intellectual disabilities or FASD,” said Kathryn Levine, Associate Professor with the Faculty of Social Work and chair of Opportunities for Independence.

White Polar Bear Teachings for Healing & Recovery, rooted in traditional First Nations knowledge, is federally funded by Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program. This four year project is developing a trauma-informed substance use treatment model specifically for women with intellectual disabilities or FASD in conflict, or potential conflict, with the law.

It is informed by a professional advisory committee composed of advocates in the disability community and existing practices around the world. White Polar Bear Teachings for Healing & Recovery will be introduced to participating support agencies in Manitoba in Fall 2021 through a train-the-trainer approach with an online manual available for ongoing support and collaboration. Facilitators are now being trained in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario as a first step towards introducing this program to their communities.

“People are telling me they need services that work with their strengths and support them with their challenges,” said Debbie Cielen, Elder and Director of Indigenous Spiritual Care Services at Life’s Journey Inc. “I am honoured to be a part of a project that is bringing us together to help our folks heal – they are sacred and deserve support that understands them.”

“We are hopeful lives can be changed for the better, and women with intellectual disabilities or FASD will have proper treatment and intervention options available to them,” said Levine.

Please visit the website for more information at www.whitepolarbearcircles.org/resources.

List of community partners:
Opportunities for Independence, Inc.
Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba
Life’s Journey
Inclusion Winnipeg
Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
Healthy Child Manitoba
Onashowewin Justice Circle
Leila Pharmacy
New Directions – For Children Youth Adults and Families

About Opportunities for Independence

Opportunities For Independence is an established non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the development and delivery of community based programs specifically geared towards developmentally disabled youth and adults who are struggling with conflict in the criminal justice system, or are at risk of becoming in conflict. Opportunities For Independence, Inc. offers a wide range of person centered, strength based, residential, alternative vocational services, living skills training and therapeutic programs for this population. In addition to the clinical and support services available, Opportunities For Independence, Inc. provides staff training, program development and professional consultation in a variety of areas related to the community based treatment of intellectually disabled adults and youth engaging in high risk behaviors.

“Production of this document has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.”

Le présent document a été produit grâce à la contribution financière de Santé Canada. Les opinions exprimées ne représentent pas nécessairement celles de Santé Canada. »

For more information or to book an interview please contact
Kim Wheeler at kimage.wheeler@gmail.com.

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