Coming Soon... Breakout Session 1 2023
Friday, 3 – 4 pm
The Role Parents Play in Preventing and Treating Self-Harm in Teens
This study reviewed the literature and presents original research results from a recent survey conducted on an Adventist campus, examining suicide ideation and attempts and the role that parental communication plays. Self-harm research is examined in this population. The goal is for family life professionals to know how best to support families in order to address these very serious and challenging issues.
PRESENTER
Alina Baltazar, Ph.D., MSW, LMSW, CFLE
MSW Program Director, Professor of Social Work
Co-Associate Director of the Institute for Prevention of Addiction
Andrews University
The Impact of Incarceration on Families: How the Church Can Assist in Effective Prisoner Reentry and Diversion
Overburdened prison systems and a record number of prisoners returning to communities each year exacerbate challenges that include escalating confinement cost in an economic climate of increasing demand for services and declining resources. A significant number of individuals entering the criminal justice system have underdeveloped social and communication skills that severely limit their ability to secure gainful employment. In many cases, the lack of marketable skills, in addition to substance abuse issues, contributes to the likelihood of their continued contact with local probation, parole and the criminal justice system at large. This dilemma negatively impacts their ability to remain in the community.
It is necessary to note that amidst all of this, families of incarcerated individuals are also affected and is in need of support to help them cope and eventually thrive in the face of difficulties. This presentation will discuss some of the challenges facing families of incarcerated individuals and suggest ways in which the church can be a support system.
PRESENTER
Dr. Ivan Godfrey, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice & Behavioral Science at SUNY Ulster Community College, a Visiting Professor in the Forensic Mental Health Department at Russell Sage College, and The School of Social Welfare at the SUNY University at Albany.
Parenting with Resilience: Hope, Heal, Thrive!
The role of parenting can be challenging, especially in the absence of one parent. This presentation is based on qualitative, narrative, case study approach in exploring how a single parent with a PreK child balances life, overcome setbacks, and uses resilience. Two issues presented within this research were whether being able to overcome setbacks contributes to the mother’s strength of life and what type of life experiences bolster self-reliance. The findings have implications for our community to offer more social, financial, and mental health support to single mothers with young children.
PRESENTER
Dionne Gittens, MDiv, MA, interest in research is in the area of family resilience, particularly resilience in single parents
Family Education Through Supportive Groups: A Model for Developing Family Resilience
Beliefs or philosophical foundations add a variability component to Family Life Education (FLE) program curriculum. According to research, “Having a sense of our role as a family life educator and its philosophical underpinnings provides a basis for creating a working philosophy of outreach FLE.” (Duncan & Goddard, 2017)
The focus of FLE program is preventive. Support groups are instrumental in helping individuals develop functional autonomy in relationships with other families in the church setting. In FLE support groups, individuals experience growth and cultivate skills that enhance family resilience. This presentation highlights some family relational challenges and suggests approaches and tools to help individuals grow and thrive in families.
PRESENTER
Willian Oliveira, PhD (candidate) is Professor at Northeast Adventist Brazilian College. His area of interest in research intersects Theology and Psychology.