Addiction Ontario Conference Dee Bisson, Karon Brown, Kim Cruz,

1. Women’s vision and design of an After Aftercare in an addiction service Addiction Ontario Conference Dee Bisson, Karon Brown, Kim Cruz, Karen DeSilva, Sue Dumoulin, Pat Hutton Introduction by Debbie Bang & Sylvia Johnston St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Womankind Addiction Service May 30, 2011

2. Objectives • To share the process used to better understand the needs of women for “something” to assist them in maintaining their recovery from substances. • To hear from the women who defined, designed and implemented the program about what they wanted/needed in the new program. • To share early experiences and evaluation findings –“have we got it right”? • To dialogue with participants about their experience working with women in recovery through a facilitated open forum discussion to consider the relevance of this program in their community.

3. “We are not ready to stop coming to the Aftercare group!”

4. The beginnings … • Meetings to better understand what was wanted • 4th year McMaster student nurses • Stage 1 September 2009 to December 2009 • Stage 2 January 2010 to April 2010 • Making it happen … June 2010 to August 2010 • First group September 2, 2010

5. What was it like to be involved in the beginning process?

6. Stage 1 • The purpose of the first study was to identify the needs of women in the Aftercare group and what their plans were post Aftercare to assist them in maintaining recovery and preventing relapse. • Two focus groups • 23 women’s voices represented Results ~> • Establish a post-Aftercare or alumni group • Provide volunteer opportunities such as leadership roles, offering support and hope to others • Peer support role

7. Stage 2 • The purpose of the second study was to identify post Aftercare programming interests from the women, the skills women in the Aftercare groups already have, and the skills they need to develop in order to accomplish their goals. • Two focus groups • 18 women’s voices represented • 4 in-depth interviews Results ~> • Defined goals of a post-Aftercare group • Clarified the needs to be addressed in the Aftercare group • Clarified interest in gaining skills in mentorship, facilitating group roles

8. 9 dynamic women in recovery3 fascinated facilitators7 meetings later …

9. Decisions & Commitment to: • Reason for the group • Eligibility criteria for the group • Education/learning needs • Weekly group format • 4-Month plan • Ongoing evaluation • Name for the new group • Opening celebration planned

10. Who should come to the group • Quality of time without substances vs. Quantity • Solidly in maintenance stage of change • Continuing to grow in recovery • Honesty • Womankind facilitators to be involved in screening new participants Discussion about how to handle Relapses • Womankind facilitators to assess and recommend with woman “next steps” / involvement in After Aftercare group

11. Consider becoming involved if … You are a woman with quality time in recovery, who would like to connect with other women and be part of a group to grow and gain strength, ideas, inspiration and support in order to continue to discover and redefine who you are meant to be.

12. What will you get from the group? • Fun • Friendship • Support • Motivation • Connection with other women in recovery • A place to share our wisdom • Opportunities for continued growth • Opportunities to inspire others “I am giving back, what was so readily given to me”

13. Design & Development Costs

14. Invitation to the Launch Celebration

15. Agenda of Launch Celebration

16. Introducing WISDOM Women Inspiring Strength Determination Optimism Motivation

17. What was it like to be involved in the design / creation process?

18. Initial aspirations … • Speaker group • Community / recreational group • Book club • Group day • Desire to host 2 events each year for women in early recovery • Interest in community presentation with Womankind team – using their voice of experience

19. Early activities … • Launch of the program • Take Back the Night involvement • WISDOM group members acknowledged / won an award at the annual Hamilton Recovery Breakfast • Assessment of learning styles • Hosted community presentations – several topics • Started a book club – Adversity Advantage • Created Dream Catchers, Christmas arrangements • Christmas celebration

20. Current activities … • Design & involvement in a Participatory Action Research (PAR) process to evaluate the program • Interview / promotion of the program on CHCH • Presentation to a women’s group (YWCA) • Involvement in Girls Night In programming at Womankind with women in treatment • Extreme make-over for women in treatment • Ongoing group once per treatment cycle re: recovery • Design of a brochure • Invited to participate in Trauma/MH/ADD webinar • Submission of an abstract & presentation at AO

21. What are my aspirations for the group?

22. Exciting Outcomes

23. WISDOM Evaluation • Participatory Action Research (PAR) • WISDOM group members • Group facilitators • 4th year Nursing research student • Involvement • Defined the purpose of the evaluation • Development & testing of the evaluation questions • Presentation on the results • Validate the findings, next steps & recommendations

24. WISDOM Evaluation Questions • What does the WISDOM group mean to you? • What are your expectations of yourself in the group? • How does the WISDOM group meet your expectations? • What are some changes that have occurred as a result of the WISDOM group; on a personal level, group level and community level? • How has the WISDOM group changed you? • Describe your personal aspirations for the WISDOM group in the future • Describe how you would know if the WISDOM group is thriving? • What are some challenges the WISDOM group has faced?

25. Emerging Evaluation Themes

26. Strength “I’m not hiding myself anymore, in addiction you tend to do that”

27. Support “I stay connected with all of these women who are on the same journey”

28. Destiny “Involvement in WISDOM encourages the continuation of my journey of life”

29. Inspiration for others “I am giving back, what was so readily given to me”

30. Challenges Identified • Attendance • Identifying and confirming eligibility for involvement in WISDOM • Growing together as a group • Promotion of the group

31. WISDOM is working • Themes reflect acronym WISDOM • WISDOM is on destined path • WISDOM has provided strength and support to the women • WISDOM has helped the women to carry on their destined path and they are inspiring others • WISDOM has overcome challenges; growing together as a group, promoting & expanding • WISDOM still facing challenges establishing meetings that accommodate all members

32. CHCH interview - http://www.chchnews.ca/index.php/home/item/1642-women-of-wisdom

33. New brochure

34. What comes next? • Defining & creating our action plan / direction • Book club formalized • Increased membership • More community awareness activities • Schools • Community agencies • Distribution of brochure • Attending provincial conferences • Advisory Board / working group / task force involvement

35. Our dreams and the infinite possibilities …

36. Questions …

37. Womankind Addiction Service Withdrawal Management / 24/7 Telephone Support 905 545-9100 Treatment Inquiries 905 521-9591 ext. 237 Taking Steps (registration) 905 521-9591 ext. 240 Aftercare Inquiries 905 521-9591 ext. 240 WISDOM Inquiries 905 521-9591 ext. 240 Administration Debbie Bang, Manager 905 521-9591 ext. 231 dbang@stjoes.ca Kari Whitelaw, Clinical Supervisor 905 521-9591 ext. 232 Laurel Whalen-Curran, Senior Addiction Counsellor 905 521-9591 ext. 238 Lynda Barry, Secretary 905 521-9591 ext. 235