NIEAPA Labor Committee Presents

Suicide: Knowledge to Aid Prevention (3.0 CEU)
Friday, September 19, 2025 • 12:30pm - 4:00pm

Graciously hosted by
International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Union Local Chapter 701!

Join us for this exciting event!

Dan will present an overview regarding the progression of historical perceptions, stigma, and efforts by society to dissuade suicide.  He will discuss how the manner in which we absorb this information shapes our understanding of suicide and mental health.  Dan will then focus on risk factors, warning signs, characteristics of suicidality, as well as, protective factors and lethal means safety to aid in efforts to effectively intervene and limiting suicide as an option.  

PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES:

• Gain an understanding of historical perceptions and stigma of suicide, and efforts to dissuade it
• Expand awareness on conditions and circumstances linked with suicide
• Identify inherent characteristics we possess and the strengths they offer
• Learn that to prevent suicide we must educate and train ourselves on multiple levels

PRESENTER

Daniel DeGryse
Battalion Chief (Ret.), Chicago
Consultant, DCD Consulting

Dan is a nationally recognized leader in first responders’ behavioral health and peer support programming.  A retired Battalion Chief from the Chicago Fire Department and former coordinator of the Chicago Firefighters Union Employee Assistance Program, Dan has spent four decades in the clinical arena while advancing mental health awareness, crisis intervention, and substance use recovery among first responders. He now serves as a consultant for Recovery Ways, Responder Strong, NVFC, and other first responder organizations where he offers his expertise towards training, curriculum development, and connects emergency personnel with culturally competent care. Dan is a sought-after speaker and trainer, known for blending professional expertise with lived experience, practical strategies, and deep compassion. His work has shaped peer support systems across North America.

REGISTRATION RATES:

General Admission - FREE

The Ethical Therapist: What's New in Illinois Mental Health (3.0 CEU)
Friday, October 24, 2025 • 9:00am - 1:00pm

Graciously hosted by
International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Union Local Chapter 701!

Thank You to Our Generous Food Sponsors

Join us for this exciting event!

This engaging 3-hour CEU-approved training is designed for Illinois-licensed mental health professionals seeking a deeper understanding of ethical practice in today’s evolving clinical landscape. Through real-world case discussions and practical tools, participants will explore current Illinois laws, professionals standards and emerging ethical issues in telehealth, social media, AI use, and culturally responsive care.

Emphasis will be placed on managing risk, maintaining boundaries, and cultivating therapist self-awareness as essential components of ethical decision-making. Ideal for clinicians with intermediate experience across licensure types.

PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES:

• Identify recent updates to Illinois mental health law, including changes in license portability, mandated reporting, and telehealth regulations.
• Apply risk management strategies to common ethical challenges, including documentation, termination, and responding to subpoenas.
• Analyze ethical implications of therapist self-disclosure, dual relationships, and the use of AI or social media in clinical practice.
• Demonstrate increased self-awareness of personal and cultural factors that may impact ethical decision-making and client relationships.
• Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of Illinois-licensed therapists in promoting social justice, equity, and culturally responsive care.

PRESENTER

Valerie Jencks, LMFT, LCPC
Owner and Executive Director -
Prairie Family Therapy

Valerie Jencks is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Professional Counselor with over 30 years of experience in private practice. Known for her expertise in ethics, supervision, and systems-based practice, she has served as a regulatory leader, educator, and advocate for ethical excellence in clinical work. Valerie is the founder of Prairie Family Therapy, a culturally responsive, trauma-informed practice grounded in family systems theory. She brings a dynamic, accessible teaching style to complex topics like legal compliance, practitioner identity, and risk management.

REGISTRATION RATES:

NIEAPA Members - FREE

As part of your membership benefit, all Chapter Meetings are free! Members are allowed to share one free pass with a guest. We invite you to share this pass to connect and build relationships with friends and colleagues.

Non-Members - $40
Other EAPA Members - $10 (discount code required)
Students - FREE (discount code required)

MEMBER NOTE:  To receive your complimentary member rate, NO PROMO CODE REQUIRED! Simply enter the email address associated with your NIEAPA membership. If you cannot remember your email address contact the NIEAPA office at board@nieapa.org

Discount codes are available for students and other EAPA members. To receive the discount code, please contact the NIEAPA office at board@nieapa.org.

The Future of Care: How Emerging AI Technologies Will Transform Treatment and Recovery (2.0 CEU)
Friday, December 5, 2025 • 9:00am - 12:00pm

This workshop explores the impact of Imposter Syndrome, particularly for People of Color who navigate spaces where they may not see others who look like them. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of Imposter Syndrome, address self-doubt, and build confidence in acknowledging their abilities and accomplishments. 

PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES:

• Describe at least three ways AI can enhance assessment, engagement, and recovery outcomes.
• Identify leading AI companies and technologies relevant to SUD and mental health treatment.
  
• Evaluate AI solutions using key criteria: effectiveness, privacy, ethical use, and cultural fit.
• Explain the EAP’s role in advising organizations on AI adoption in behavioral health.
• Recognize the opportunities and limitations of AI in treatment and recovery contexts.

PRESENTER

Bob Poznanovich
Senior Fellow and Recovery Ambassador
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation 

Bob Poznanovich is a nationally recognized leader, speaker, and advocate in the field of addiction treatment and behavioral health. With decades of executive experience—and as someone who has personally walked the path of recovery—Bob brings a unique combination of professional expertise and authentic credibility.

As Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s former Chief Growth Officer, he spearheaded innovative partnerships with health systems, payers, employers, and community organizations to expand access to care and advance new models of recovery support. Today, as Senior Fellow and Recovery Ambassador, Bob continues to serve as a trusted voice on the future of treatment, recovery engagement, and the role of innovation in behavioral health.

REGISTRATION RATES:

NIEAPA Members - FREE

As part of your membership benefit, all Chapter Meetings are free! Members are allowed to share one free pass with a guest. We invite you to share this pass to connect and build relationships with friends and colleagues.

Non-Members - $40
Other EAPA Members - $10 (discount code required)
Students - FREE (discount code required)

MEMBER NOTE:  To receive your complimentary member rate, NO PROMO CODE REQUIRED! Simply enter the email address associated with your NIEAPA membership. If you cannot remember your email address contact the NIEAPA office at board@nieapa.org 

Discount codes are available for students and other EAPA members. To receive the discount code, please contact the NIEAPA office at board@nieapa.org.