‘Social Work Day’ conference is March 3

February 10, 2015

‘Social Work Day’ conference is March 3

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Ginger Meyer, a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with children and child welfare issues for more than 15 years, is the featured speaker for an upcoming workshop at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

Meyer’s presentation on March 3 at the Student Center is part of Social Work Day. “The Complexity of Complex Trauma” is the theme for this year’s event, which is from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This workshop will help clinicians and professionals who work with children and families who experience trauma to understand that complex trauma can often be mistaken for other common diagnoses seen in children such as ADD/ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bi-Polar Disorder and other Anxiety and Mood Disorders. It’s important to look at the timeline of an individual and any adverse childhood experiences which may lead to co-morbid diagnosis or misdiagnosis. 

Meyer, who is with the SIU School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics in Springfield, is program coordinator and lead trainer for the Trauma Focused Behavioral Health Fellowship Program for the university’s School of Social Work. Meyer is also clinical director for the Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network based in Anna. 

A 1994 graduate of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School, Meyers earned her Master of Social Work degree from SIU Carbondale in May 2001. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Southeast Missouri State University in 1998 and an associate degree from Shawnee College in 1996. 

Registration and check-in is from 8:30 to 9 a.m., and the workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon in the Student Center ballrooms. A luncheon and awards program will follow. 

The awards will recognize outstanding students, faculty and alumni. The awards are: undergraduate and graduate social work students of the year; social work undergraduate and graduate student alliance students of the year; the Auerbach Recognition Award, non-traditional student of the year, and the alumni achievement award. 

Social work professionals may earn up to three continuing education credits for participating.

The workshop’s registration deadline is Feb. 24. The cost is $80 for social work professionals and practitioners, and $15 for SIU Social Work faculty and students. There is an additional fee for lunch. To register, or gain additional information about the program and workshop fees, contact Continuing Education and Outreach at 618/536-7751, or visit the website at continuinged.siu.edu/conferences/social-work-day.html.