YOU, Inc. and the Institute on Loss and Trauma are pleased to announce that registration is now open for our 20th Annual Loss and Trauma Conference on September 18th at the College of the Holy Cross.
 The national addiction epidemic has exacted an equally significant toll on our local communities. Recognizing that there is a palpable link between trauma , loss, and addiction , this year’s conference will bring together experts in the addiction treatment and recovery field. Participants will have the opportunity to hear personal stories, and learn best practices in working with families impacted by addiction.   
Keynote Speakers 
Ginger Katz is a nationally-recognized figure in drug prevention education, and CEO and founder of The Courage to Speak® Foundation. Following the death of her 20 year- old son Ian from a heroin and prescription drug overdose, Ginger dedicated her life to ensuring this tragedy would not happen to another family. In addition to creating her foundation, she chronicled her son’s story in the compelling book  Sunny’s Story ( told from the perspective of the family beagle), which serves as an outstanding tool for those working in the drug prevention field. Alongside teams of experts in the drug prevention field, Ms. Katz led the development of the Courage to Speak Drug Prevention Education Curriculum. The programs include: elementary, middle, high school and after-school programs taught by health class teachers nationwide, and Courage to Speak®-Courageous Parenting 101®, a multi-session course offered in both English and Spanish. 
Romas Buivydas, PhD, LMHC has more than twenty-five years of experience in the behavioral health field. His expertise spans program development and implementation, training, quality assurance, risk management, compliance and data management. As Vice President of Clinical Development at Spectrum, Dr. Buivydas provides training and consultation in clinical methods and instructional techniques to program staff throughout the organization. Previously, Dr. Buivydas provided consultation to numerous behavioral health organizations and was formerly the Director of Evaluation at a hospital-based psychiatric/addiction department for six years. He is also a national presenter/trainer at conferences/symposia across the country.
Workshops
A. Best Practices in Treating Traumatic Experiences and Opioid Use Disorder
Romas Buivydas, PhD, LMHC
VP, Clinical Development | Spectrum Health Systems 
B. The Impact of Addiction on the Family
Susan Hillis, LICSW, CADC-II, LADC-I
VP, Clinical Services | Adcare Hospital 
C. The Impact of Caregiver Substance Use on Young Children: Strengthening Attachment
Karen Gould, LICSW
Director of Childhood Trauma Services | Institute for Health and Recovery
D. Filling Your Toolbox for Working with Grieving Youth and Their Families
Shelly Bathe Lenn, M.Ed./C.A.G.S
Bereavement Coordinator | The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children andTeens 
E. Human Trafficking and Its Connection to Addiction
Brenda Tirado
Child and Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer | The Children's Advocacy Center for Hampshire County
The first 50 conference registrants will receive a complimentary copy of Ginger Katz' book, "Sunny's Story".