Meridian Health Services: Preparing for the INARF 2020 Annual Conference

Meridian Health Services is very excited to present a Dual Diagnosis track at the INARF Annual Conference again in 2020. Connxxions, our program for persons with intellectual or developmental disorders and mental health needs, is celebrating more than 15 years providing services including therapy, mental health skills building, case management, psychiatric services, primary medical care and a 24-hour crisis line.

“Proper support of mental wellness among persons with IDD requires a significant body of information and knowledge.” – Dr. Robert J Fletcher, DSW, PhD, ACSW, NADD-CC

Meridian is excited to be able to offer sessions that will provide some of that body of information at the 2020 Conference. Meridian will be presenting information at the Conference on two significant topics. One topic the track will focus on is trauma. Meridian is aware that persons with IDD are far more vulnerable to experiencing trauma for a variety of reason and that as IDD service providers we must all become more trauma-informed. In order to do this Meridian is sponsoring three different sessions exploring trauma. The first of these sessions we will explore the way that trauma shows up in behaviors and health needs and will move those participating to an understanding of how to adapt evidenced based trauma interventions to support persons with IDD. In the second trauma focused session participants will explore ways to support individuals with IDD to connect to and share their personal histories. Finally, in the third trauma focused session participants will take a look at how trauma informed systems benefit those we support and those we employ.

The second topic of interest for the track relates to physical wellbeing. Meridian is aware that biology and physical health can impact behavior and wellbeing. The 2020 Meridian’s dual diagnosis track will present a session on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), industry leader Robin VanEerden will discuss the criteria for diagnosing FASD, and then support participant in learning strategies that are FASD effective and friendly. Meridian will also be presenting a session from Dr. Vahid Osman. Dr. Osman will be discussing the practice of prescribing multiple medications to the IDD population, including how diagnostic confusion exacerbates this practice and the potential consequences of poly-pharmacy.
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We are hopeful that you will join us for some or all of these sessions and will visit us our booth to learn more about our Connxxions Program. If you would like information regarding services prior to the Conference, please feel free to reach out to Meridian Health Services at 765-288-1928 or visit www.meridianhs.org.