Faith and community leaders are facing historic challenges, testing the limits of our creativity, strength, and resilience. In this webinar series, experienced specialists in disaster response, recovery, health, mental health, and congregational & family life offer their expertise to help leaders gain new skills and knowledge to face the difficult crises impacting our communities.
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Attendance certificates are available for all webinars.
Check with your accrediting body for qualification.
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Detailed Schedule
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Tuesday, September 29, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
COVID Conversations for Faith Communities
Learn and share insights about the impact of COVID-19 upon our faith communities with Oklahoma denominational executives.
Facilitators: Rev. Derrek Belase, Director of Connectional Ministries, Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, Rev. Pam Holt, Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma
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Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Where are We? The Spiritual and Emotional Phases of the COVID-19 Disaster
Our experiences with COVID-19 seem to be moving through emotional phases experienced in other disasters. What can we learn from the commonly seen emotional trajectory as we look forward to recovery?
Facilitator: Rev. Mary Gaudreau Hughes, LPC, Director, Crisis Care Ministries
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Thursday, October 8, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Explaining COVID-19 to Children
Germs are scary, and in today's world even scarier. Especially for kids. This webinar will give you the confidence to address, and teach the kids in your life about viruses, germs, and COVID-19.
Facilitator: Taylor Snider, St. Joseph’s Counseling Center, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
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Tuesday, October 13, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
The Disillusionment Phase: Assisting Others & Ourselves in Long-Term Recovery
Well into long-term recovery from disasters and other crises events, discouragement can take its toll. Stresses caused by our current historic circumstances can push even the most resilient among us to the limits of our emotional and spiritual resources. In this webinar, participants will learn how to address emotional & spiritual risk factors and to amplify emotional & spiritual protective factors for ourselves and others.
Facilitator: Rev. Mary Gaudreau Hughes, LPC, Director, Crisis Care Ministries
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Thursday, October 15, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Ministry in an Age of Pandemic
We must be the voice and hands that prepare others for the devastation of pandemic. We must minister to the sick and distressed during the havoc, and we must minister to the living after the pandemic has taken its toll.
Facilitator: Dr. Naomi Paget, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
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Tuesday, October 20, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Providing Support to Schools After a Traumatic Loss
When schools are faced with emerging needs due a traumatic loss, faith communities are the natural responders to provide support functions for the school community. The workshop will discuss all levels of support and responsible roles for the faith community.
Facilitator: Julie Geddes, Sr. Prevention Program Field Representative, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
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Thursday, October 22, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
In Good Faith: Why Legal Services are Critical for Disaster Survivors Including COVID-19
The vital role of faith community leaders in recognizing issues and referring congregants for help with civil legal problems after disasters. LASO is grateful for funding from Legal Services Corporation via the Midwest Legal Disaster Coordination Project to provide community trainings on this important subject.
Facilitator: Christa Figgins, Director of Mission Advancement, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma
Tuesday, October 27, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Providing Support to Your Community After a Traumatic Loss
As communities experience deaths due to traumatic events, there are many ways faith communities can respond and provide stabilization from the onset until the crisis subsides. Faith participation is critical and there are many roles for these events.
Facilitator: Julie Geddes, Sr. Prevention Program Field Representative, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Thursday, October 29, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CDT
Introduction to Stress First Aid
SFA is a set of supportive actions designed to help you with self-care and peer support & to mitigate the negative impacts of stress. This presentation will provide a brief introduction & overview of the technique.
Facilitator: Dr. John A. Call, Director, SRT, Inc. and Coordinator of the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps Stress Response Team
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Thursday, November 5, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
Taking the Long View with Faith
Rabbi Vered Harris leads a discussion about theodicy, a dynamic and changing faith, and how humans have adapted with wisdom throughout our long history.
Facilitator: Rabbi Vered Harris, Temple B’Nai Israel, Oklahoma City
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Tuesday, November 10, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
In Good Faith: Why Legal Services are Critical for Disaster Survivors Including COVID-19
The vital role of faith community leaders in recognizing issues and referring congregants for help with civil legal problems after disasters. LASO is grateful for funding from Legal Services Corporation via the Midwest Legal Disaster Coordination Project to provide community trainings on this important subject.
Facilitator: Christa Figgins, Director of Mission Advancement, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
Managing Holidays in a COVID-19 Environment
This webinar explores strategies for experiencing meaningful holidays even in the midst of the forthcoming season’s unique challenges.
Facilitator: Dr. Candace Fish, St. Luke's United Methodist Church
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Tuesday, November 24, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
Navigating Political and Cultural Polarization Among Family and Friends
This webinar explores strategies for maintaining personal boundaries while remaining connected to those we love who may hold differing perspectives.
Facilitator: Dr. Mickey Potts, Heart and Mind Pastoral Counseling
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
Personal and Family Disaster Preparedness
Protect your family and build a more resilient community by learning how to be more prepared for any disaster. Bonus content: Hear ideas for holiday gift-giving that will help your loved ones be more prepared.
Facilitator: Roxie Beall, Preparedness Public Outreach and CERT Training Coordinator, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security
Thursday, December 3, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
Caring for Those with Access and Functional Needs
This presentation contains information on "No Box" accessible planning and ideas for people who have access and functional needs. Suggestions on reducing the feelings of “isolation” and ensuring accessible information for the whole community.
Facilitator: Glenda Ford-Lee, MHR, At-Risk Populations Coordinator, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Emergency Preparedness & Response Services
Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 10:00 am – 11:00 am CST
National VOAD Disaster Emotional Care & Disaster Spiritual Care Guidelines Implementation at the State and Local Levels
The National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) provides guidance on best practices for disaster response and recovery. This webinar, designed especially for disaster emotional and spiritual care operational decision-makers, discusses pertinent issues and challenges as we seek to adopt important national guidelines. Key national leaders in the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster’s Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee will lead this presentation.
Facilitators: Dr. Naomi Paget, Chair, National VOAD Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee; Dr. Kit O’Neill, Chair, National VOAD Disaster Emotional Care Guidelines writing group; Rev. Mary Gaudreau Hughes, Chair, National VOAD Disaster Spiritual Care Guidelines writing group