8:30 am: Welcome Message by Chad Pitts

8:40am: SBIRT-SC presented by Katie Gallant and Dr. Andréa Kaniuka
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment-Suicide Care (SBIRT-SC) Training 

A 3-hour interactive training that integrates the elements of suicide care – screening, risk assessment, safety planning, and structured follow up – into the evidence-based SBIRT model for substance use prevention and early intervention. Participants will learn about the AUDIT, DAST, and CRAFFT for substance use screening and the Brief Negotiated Interview as a brief intervention for substance use.  For suicide care, the training includes instruction on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and SAFE-T for screening and assessment; the Stanley Brown Safety Plan for brief intervention; and Structured Phone Follow-up and Caring Contacts for follow up and monitoring. Because substance use and mental health conditions often co-occur, developing the clinical skills to jointly address substance use and suicide helps providers and clinicians deliver care that is both efficient and effective. 

12:00pm: Lunch (Lunch will be provided)

1:00pm: Navigating Resources for LGBTQ+ People in North Dakota presented by Faye Seidler 

Designed to give individuals a comprehensive overview of the state resources that can be utilized to help and protect LGBTQ+ individuals, participants will learn how to utilize the North Dakota LGBTQ+ Directory to find all of the states affirming providers and support groups. Participants will also be taught how they can get involved in these support networks and what to do when there isn't local support. This training will give professionals and LGBTQ+ allies and family members confidence in making referrals to LGBTQ+ folks of any age. Learning Objectives Participants will be able to identify the existing support structures for LGBTQ+ individuals in North Dakota. Participants will be able to utilize state tools and resources to improve outcomes and support to LGBTQ+ individuals and will be given tools to develop problem solving skills for helping
LGBTQ+ folks who find themselves in unsafe environments. 

2:00pm: Brief DBT-Informed Interventions for Suicidality in LGBTQ People presented by Dr. Tiffany Russell

This session will provide an overview of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), then describe ways in which it can be utilized with LGBTQ patients presenting for treatment of suicidality. Attendees will learn brief, DBT informed distress tolerance and emotion regulation skills to reduce patient acuity. DBT-informed skills will be presented with a focus on affirming patients’ sexual and gender identities. Recommendations for safety planning will be provided. 

3:00pm: Equity and LGBTQ+ in VA presented by Dr. Samantha Oliver

The presentation focus will cover a variety of topics, all of which fall within the focus of LGBTQ+ Health Equity. First a summary of the Minority Stress Model and Intersectionality will be provided along with their impact on health. Next, discussion of barriers to adequate and affirming care for LGBTQ+ Veterans will be reviewed and how we can increase protective resilience factors. A summary of VHA policy related to LGBTQ+ care will be provided. We will define and summarize health equity, health disparities, and equity in care in VA. Review of Health Equity as a priority in VA. Education and discussion will be provided on what Affirming Care is and how one can increase affirming care in their practice. Lastly, we will discuss LGBTQ+ resources available.

4:00pm: Queer Youth Panel

The Queer Youth Panel will address what the experience of being a Queer youth in 2024 is like. Discussion will cover what services have been the most helpful to this group and what queer youth would like service providers to know. 

4:45pm: Closing 

Chad Pitts will close out the Professional Development Day session.