On May 4, 2018, the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) will provide a free, all day training on the opioid crisis called The Opioid Crisis: Creating Church and Community Collaboration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Director Shannon Royce will participate in an afternoon panel discussion on church and community partnerships.
The opioid crisis, which President Trump declared as a national emergency, made up 75 percent of the 64,000 overdose deaths last year alone.
Tim Clinton, President of the AACC, says, “Churches must be agents of healing in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Our hope is that, by building effective and helpful relationships with community institutions, churches can complement and amplify the good work already being done.”
During the morning session, attendees will learn the basics of substance abuse and addiction before a more detailed presentation on opioid addiction, treatment and recovery. Special emphasis will be given to how the church can effectively respond as lay, pastoral and mental health care providers.
The afternoon session will feature a panel of clinical, government and nonprofit experts who will discuss strategies for how churches can develop collaborative relationships within their communities. The panel will be moderated by Dr. David Jenkins, professor of counseling and director of the M.A. in Addiction Counseling program in the department of counselor education and family studies at Liberty University.
The all-day training will take place Friday, May 4, and will be hosted at Grace Fellowship Church in York, Pennsylvania.
For more information and to register, visit: eventbrite.com/e/a
Kenza Haddock 
Larry Tomczak 
Marilyn Hickey Ministries 
