November Member Meeting: “Creating a Trauma-Aware Workplace: Supporting Employees with PTSD”

Did you know that approximately 6 percent of the U.S. populations will experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime? Join Disability:IN Minnesota in partnership with Center for Disability Inclusion, Disability:IN Chicagoland, Disability:IN DC Metro, Disability:IN North Carolina, and Disability:IN Wisconsin:, for a virtual conversation on the impacts of trauma and how to create an inclusive and supportive work environment for trauma survivors. During the event, participants will have the chance to learn from clinical professionals, hear personal stories from trauma survivors, explore tools and resources, and ask questions during a Q&A session. Learn about the different types of trauma (i.e. acute, childhood, intergenerational, systemic, etc.) and best practices for fostering an accessible, trauma-aware workplace that will benefit all employees on your team.

Discussion topics:

• What is trauma?
• How does trauma manifest in daily life?
• Strategies for coping
• Best practices for supporting survivors
• Resources for survivors and employers

About the Presenters:

• Dr. Allison Battles, Psychologist, PhD, PSYPACT

Dr. Allison Battles is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System where she works in trauma recovery and vocational rehabilitation. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from the Virginia Consortium in 2020 and completed both her pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral residency at the Minneapolis VA specializing in the treatment of trauma-related conditions. Dr. Battles area of clinical specialty is in the implementation and advancement of treatments for chronic and complex traumas. Additionally, Dr. Battles has conducted research for over a decade on trauma responses among Veterans, particularly combat-related PTSD, moral injury, and comorbid substance abuse. She continues to conduct research and has shifted the focus of work to the evaluation and implementation of advancements in psychological treatments. Most notably, she developed a novel group therapy at the Minneapolis VA that combines recreational therapy with traditional psychotherapy.

 

• Kevin Rumely, Vet. Purple Heart, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, musician

Kevin is a combat wounded (32 surgeries) Marine Corps veteran, receiving a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. Kevin is also a person in long-term-recovery, remaining a vocal community advocate for harm reduction modalities, including medication assisted therapy.Kevin serves as the Program Director for the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court (VTC), a treatment-based alternative to incarceration for justice-involved veterans. He completed his Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 2024. In his free time he enjoys playing music. He released his first ever solo album in April of 2024.

 

 

 

 

This event will be held on Zoom. Registration is required to attend.

Accessibility: Live captioning will be provided for this event. If you need accommodations to participate, please register at least 5 days prior to the event. Contact info@DI-MN.org with questions.

Registration Fees:

• Free for all staff of Disability:IN Minnesota Member Companies
• Free for Disability:IN Affiliate Member or Partner
• $20 for non-members

• Prospective Disability:IN Minnesota are welcome to attend their first meeting free. For additional details and discount code, contact us at info@DI-MN.org.

For more information about Disability:IN Minnesota membership, visit our membership page.