Hānai Ahu: Anchoring Culture in Substance Use Treatment & Prevention Models – Trauma Tips and Tools

Hawaiʻi Opioid Initiative (HOI) Workgroup members, social workers, health care providers, and community members will learn about the importance of a cultural foundation when applying trauma tools and tips to self care, community care and professional care in response to collective trauma and grief. The connection between trauma informed care and to substance use and recovery will be discussed in its applications to The Impacts of Colonization on Ahupuaʻa. Conceptualization, V3.0. This is the 12th session of the Māpuna Lab’s virtual summer training series Hānai Ahu which focuses on adopting cultural anchors for substance use treatment and prevention strategies. This series provides a tri-lens cultural view of substance use emphasizing “The Impacts of Colonization on Ahupuaʻa. Conceptualization, V3.0” framework that recently launched with the Hawaiʻi State Plan for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health.

What will attendees learn?

• Participants will learn how to utilize The Impacts of Colonization on Ahupuaʻa. Conceptualization, V3.0 to understand the historical importance of the impacts of colonization on the indigenous connection to ʻāina and the disconnection to ʻāina, as it relates to substance use and recovery.
• Participants will identify strategies related to culturally anchored trauma-informed care in response to acute, collective trauma and grief as primary prevention for substance use and mental health disparities.
• Participants will apply trauma tips and tools to self care, community care and professional care in response to collective trauma and grief guided by the clinical expertise of a licensed clinical social worker.

Who should attend?

• Hawaiʻi Opioid Initiative (HOI) Workgroup members
• Social workers
• Health care providers
• Community members

Workshop Presenters

Christy Werner, LCSW

Christy Werner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who was born and raised on Maui, and has been living on Oʻahu for the past 20 years. She is a mother of two wild boys, a wife to a hard working sawyer, the daughter of a retired ER nurse mom, and construction worker dad. She has 3 siblings. Her life’s work has thus far been dedicated to helping others heal from trauma. She is a feeler of feels and a lover of humanity, despite how complicated humans can be. Her invitation to joining you all at this event is not taken lightly and she hopes her offerings are helpful.