NNHVIP 2015 Conference Call for Workshops Page 5 of 5
2015 NNHVIP Conference Call for Workshops
“Healing is Justice: Helping Systems of Care Promote Equity”
September 28-29, 2015
The California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities, Los Angeles, CA
The National Network of Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs’ annual conference draws a diverse audience committed to breaking the cycle of violence and promoting healing in communities where violent injuries occur. The over 200 attendees include: frontline gang intervention workers, pediatric and adult physicians, public officials, experts and emerging researchers from various academic fields, crisis responders, community-based programs and organizations, social workers, mental health providers, nurses, members of state/local/federal government, and community members affected by and/or responding to violence. Presentations are encouraged that honor, promote and build upon the expertise of conference attendees.
Proposed Session Title: Truths vs Myths: History and Trends of PTSD in South LA
Suggest a title (8-10 words) that is informative and clearly reflects the presentation content.
PRESENTER(S) BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Name of Lead Speaker/Proposal Submitter: Leslie Hagan-Morgan
This person will be the contact and is responsible for all session logistics
Job Title: Program Coordinator Organization: Soledad Enrichment Action, Inc
NNHVIP affiliation (i.e. member program, emerging program, other.):Click here to enter text.
Street Address:222 N. Virgil avenue
City, State, Zip: Los Angeles, CA 90004
Telephone: 213-321-9966 Email:
Additional Speakers: If applicable, identify any additional speakers below with e-mail and phone information.
Name E-mail address Phone #
Dagoberto Ramirez 213-321-9696
Professional Background: Provide a 1-4 sentence biography for each speaker to be used as an introduction as well as an overview of your knowledge and experience related to the proposed session topic and HVIP field; i.e.: years of experience in the related field, degrees held and from what academic institutions, current appointments, concurrent responsibilities, areas of specialty, past speaking engagements, etc.
Leslie Hagan-Morgan is the Program Coordinator of Soledad Enrichment Action, Inc. He works on the Mayor’s GRYD and Re-entry program in South LA. Leslie was raised in South LA, in the past 10 years he has work with youth anfd families in South Los Angeles.
His educational background includes a MS in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing a degree in Government from Harvard University. He also has a B.A. in Global Studies from the University of West Georgia.
Dagoberto Ramirez was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to his father and mother who migrated from El Salvador. He grew up most of his life West of Downtown Los Angeles in the Westlake District. He frequently visited; and many times lived with family in South Central Los Angeles. Dagoberto and his younger sister were left most of the time to care for themselves due to both parents working long hours. Gangs, violence and drugs were prevalent in his neighborhood; making it easy for youth to access. He started hanging out with local gang members at the age of 13, shortly after began using drugs and drinking alcohol. Dagoberto has been shot 5 times on two different occasions. Once at the age of 15 and the other at 17. Dagoberto has also experienced incarceration. He went to Juvenile Hall at age 14 through the age of 17, he turned 18 in Eastlake Juvenile Hall. He was then transferred to the Los Angeles County Jail and trialed as an adult. He went on to serve a sentence in State Prison before realizing that he needed to change his life or he may lose it.
In the year 2000, Dagoberto met his wife Roberta. The two shared common interests and similar backgrounds. They fell in love and were married in June 2007. In 2009 Dagoberto was offered an opportunity to serve and be an agent of hope in the community as a Gang Intervention Worker. Since then he has had the opportunity to work in several undeserved communities where gangs, violence and drugs are prevalent. With a great support system, amazing mentors and spiritual guidance; Dagoberto's life has been completely transformed. Because he has experienced many of the hardships that those encounter in our communities; he has committed his life to walking this journey with them. He believes his life was spared so he could be a testimony of transformation, change and hope for others. Today, Dagoberto is in the process of becoming an Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselor (AOD). He is a Case Manager for the GRYD-Newton area at Soledad Enrichment Action. Dagoberto has been a guest speaker on many occasions. From USC, School of Social Work, various community based organizations and events to New York City. Dagoberto is an agent of change and a walking, breathing testimony of hope.
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION
Presentation Learning Objectives: List 3 educational goals of the presentation that specify what participants will learn as a result of attending the presentation. (NNHVIP reserves the right to edit objectives to meet requirements for CEUs)
1. Truths vs Myths
2. History and Trends of PTSD in the Hispanic community
3. History and Trends of PTSD in the African-American community
Session Categories: Check one or more categories that best represent the focus area of the presentation.
NNHVIP 2015 Conference Call for Workshops Page 5 of 5
☒ Promoting Equity / Addressing Bias
☐ Policy and/or Advocacy
☐ Bridging Direct Service & Advocacy
☐ Research
☐ Other: Click here to enter text.
☐ Best Practices in Direct Services
☐ Trauma-Informed Care
☐ Mental Health
☐ Hospital-Community Partnership
☐ Healing the Healers / Self-Care
NNHVIP 2015 Conference Call for Workshops Page 5 of 5
I submit this workshop proposal for consideration for the preferred following event format(s): (Check all that apply)
Presentation Length:
☒ 90 minute breakout session
☐ 40 minute presentation to be paired with another presentation on a similar topic
Presentation Format:
☒ Presentation (with or without Q&A to follow)
☐ Interactive training or conversation
(At this year’s conference, the planning committee is giving special consideration to interactive workshops that build on the skills and expertise of audience members. If checked, please specify what methods will be used to ensure audience participation and interaction on the topic presented.)
Click here to enter text.
Session Narrative: Please summarize the presentation in no more than 500 words).
This will be utilized to evaluate the overall relevance and quality of the proposed presentation. If your presentation is selected, this narrative will also be adapted for the Conference Program.
Eric was a young African American man living and working in South, Los Angeles. Although he enjoyed his neighborhood and valued his job, he struggled with the way he was often treated. He was frequently demeaned, given menial tasks, and even required to track African American customers at his workplace to make sure they weren’t stealing. After work catching the bus to go home he would often be harassed by gang members, police officers and sometimes solicited by prostitutes. He began to suffer from symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, low self-esteem, and feelings of humiliation. After filing a complaint at work, he was laugh at by his boss and told he was not a soldier and did not have PTSD. Eric’s symptoms worsened. He had intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and jumpiness – all hallmarks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Later that night Eric was walking home and was approached by a gang member and was asked what gang he was from, feeling hopeless and angry Eric began to attack and assault the gang member. Eric blackout and brutishly beat the gang member with an inch of his of his life. The LAPD arrested Eric and he later was convicted of attempted murder. If Eric’s employer knew he was suffering from PTSD and helped him get the services he needed, his life might be a lot different today. Eric would have been found to be suffering from race-based trauma (from Carter & Forsyth, 2009). PTSD is a severe and chronic condition that may occur in response to any traumatic event. The National Survey of American Life (NSAL) found that African Americans show a prevalence rate of 9.1% for PTSD versus 6.8% in non-Hispanic Whites, indicating a notable mental health disparity (Himle et al., 2009). Increased rates of PTSD have been found in other groups as well, including Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islander Americans and Southeast Asian refugees (Pole et al., 2008). Furthermore, PTSD may be more disabling for minorities; for example, African Americans with PTSD experience significantly more impairment at work and carrying out everyday activities (Himle, et al. 2009). One major factor in understanding PTSD in ethno racial minorities is the impact of racism on emotional and psychological well-being. Racism continues to be a daily part of American culture, and racial barriers have an overwhelming impact on the oppressed. Much research has been conducted on the social, economic, and political effects of racism, but little research recognizes the psychological effects of racism on people of color (Carter, 2007).Chou, Asnaani, and Hofmann (2012) found that perceived racial discrimination was associated with increased mental disorders in African Americans and Hispanic Americans that racism may in itself be a traumatic experience. I believe ground zero for PTSD within the African-American and Hispanic is in South Los Angeles, the narrative of this workshop will be to expose Truths vs. Myths about blacks and Hispanics in South LA and understanding the history and trends in the area which led to such high PTSD rates.
Presentation Agreement:
· Submit my PowerPoint presentation via email or flash drive no later than September 21, 2015.
· Provide all required information and affirmations for CEU certification, by due dates requested.
· Prepare, duplicate, and distribute handout materials for my presentation at my expense.
· Allow NNHVIP to list my contact information on printed and online materials.
· Presenters may not sell, promote or pitch any specific product or service.
· I understand NNHVIP cannot pay honoraria, travel, per diem, handouts or other costs for speakers. In appreciation for your contribution, one approved speaker may attend the conference at no cost for registration.
By submitting your presentation, you are agreeing to the presentation agreement.
*** Email submissions by May 1, 2015, to Ahmed Ali-Bob at ***