Speakers | Training and Consultation

Looking For A Speaker?

Tap into The Change Companies®’ staff of experts. Whether you are looking for a dinner speaker, someone to set the theme for a meeting or seminar in a keynote address, to lead a class, direct a workshop or provide in-depth training on the latest change theory, our speakers will both educate and entertain your audience. We have a menu of topics from which to choose or we will customize a presentation to your specific needs. And all of our programs include printed materials, video or PowerPoint presentations.

To view a full description of each topic of discussion click the [+] sign.

	*Don Kuhl, M.S., is CEO of The Change Companies® and the developer of Interactive Journaling* ®.** Don founded The Change Companies® in 1988 and has served as its CEO since that time. Under his leadership, The Change Companies® has remained profitable each quarter for the last 21 years while consistently growing in both clients and revenue. Earlier in his career, Don served as the VP of Business Development for a large healthcare organization, Director of Student Services for a thirteen campus system of the University of Wisconsin and founder/owner of two regional publishing companies. Click to Contact
Thrive, don’t survive… Seven rules for small business Presenter: Don Kuhl, M.S. Presentation Overview: This is a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves presentation that shares lessons learned in the trenches and can be applied immediately to your business. Despite economic downturns, changes in the delivery of healthcare and continuing shifts in industry demands, The Change Companies® has been profitable every business quarter for the past 21 years. Kuhl outlines the seven business rules that have guided the financial and management decisions of The Change Companies® and shows how they can work for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Learning Objectives: -Learn to thrive even in the most difficult business environment -Identify the seven principles of success and develop strategies for applying them to your business

	David Mee-Lee, M.D., Senior Vice President. David’s philosophy of promoting empathy, compassion, communication and flexibility is precisely aligned with The Change Companies®. He's well known for focusing on participant-centered services that uphold clinical integrity, high quality and cost-consciousness. David has long believed in empowering and engaging clients to be active participants in their own treatment. A noted expert in the field of behavioral change, David has authored numerous articles and training materials to serve a treatment-focused audience. Click to Contact
Keynote Presentations Presenter: David Mee-Lee Co-occurring Disorders ASAM Patient Placement Criteria Helping People Change Maintaining A Healthy Team Treatment Planning and Documentation Basics Of Substance Use Disorders
Workshops Presenter: David Mee-Lee Co-occurring Disorders ASAM Patient Placement Criteria Helping People Change Maintaining A Healthy Team Treatment Planning and Documentation Basics Of Substance Use Disorders

	Frankie Lemus, M.A., L.M.F.T., L.A.D.C., Vice President of Clinical Development, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and Supervisor. He is the liaison to the national research community and ensures the effective integration of evidence-based strategies in all of The Change Companies® programs and curricula. He has contributed his clinical oversight to more than 50 of The Change Companies®’ curricula in the substance abuse, offender treatment, impaired driving and health improvement programs. Click to Contact
Using behavioral change strategies with offenders through Interactive Journaling® Presenter: Frankie D. Lemus, M.A., L.M.F.T., L.A.D.C. Presentation Overview: What good is the research if you can’t implement it in a practical, user-friendly way? This 60-90 minute workshop focuses on the use of Interactive Journaling® as an effective delivery mechanism for applying evidence-based approaches with offender populations. Moving beyond traditional educational materials, the Interactive Journaling® process is an application-focused strategy that assists offenders in using core cognitive-behavioral skills in making positive and lasting life changes. Capitalizing on the processes of change and motivational enhancement strategies, Interactive Journaling® meets participants where they are and helps guide them through change while offering facilitators a structured method of maintaining consistency within their programs. Learning Objectives: -Gain an understanding of the research on structured writing and its application with substance abusing and offender populations -Specific offender curricula for co-occurring, residential and outpatient populations will be briefly discussed along with resources for re-entry and transitional settings -Models of care including cognitive-behavioral strategies and motivational enhancement techniques will be addressed in relation to their application within the Interactive Journaling® process

	Kevin “Kip” Lowe, Ph.D., is Vice President of Training for The Change Companies®. After 28 years of state service, Dr. Lowe retired in 2005 as Chief of the Office of Victim and Survivor Services for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He began his career as a Youth Correctional Officer in the California Youth Authority and served as Deputy Director for the Office of Prevention and Victim Services, and Assistant Deputy Director for the Institutions and Camps Branch overseeing correctional treatment. He is a nationally recognized expert in adult learning and has presented workshops on training techniques in several states. Click to Contact
Applying a total health model to offender populations Presenter: Kevin “Kip” Lowe, Ph.D. Presentation Overview: It is widely accepted and research-proven that individuals who take responsibility for their health and make positive lifestyle choices related to diet and exercise enjoy not only better health, but a better quality of life, reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity. Conversely, poor lifestyle choices can lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other diseases. These conditions have an impact not only on physical health, but also on mental health and impact the overall cost of the individual’s healthcare. The presenter will discuss the evidence related to this research and the positive impact of implementing a total health model. Learning Objectives: -Describe the research supporting a total health model -Identify the positive impact of implementing a total health model -List effective health behavior change strategies for implementation in correctional organizations Presenting with impact: Engaging the adult learner Presenter: Kevin “Kip” Lowe, Ph.D. Presentation Overview: While community corrections departments across the nation are implementing risk/need assessment tools, a service gap has developed between assessment data and its effective application in the field of supervision. Community corrections departments have consistently identified this service gap – case planning – as a critical training need. This workshop will improve participant skills for developing focused, targeted, individualized case plans for community supervision of offenders. Learning Objectives: -Review principles of individualized case planning and how to engage the offender in a supervision contract -Identify how evidence-based principles of effective correctional intervention are incorporated into workable and accountable case plans -Apply methods to individualize problems, goals and strategies into case plans that have offender “buy-in” and collaboration From assessment to community supervision: How to develop individualized case plans for community supervision of offenders Presenter: Kevin “Kip” Lowe, Ph.D. Presentation Overview: While community corrections departments across the nation are implementing risk/need assessment tools, a service gap has developed between assessment data and its effective application in the field of supervision. Community corrections departments have consistently identified this service gap – case planning – as a critical training need. This workshop will improve participant skills for developing focused, targeted, individualized case plans for community supervision of offenders. Learning Objectives: -Review principles of individualized case planning and how to engage the offender in a supervision contract -Identify how evidence-based principles of effective correctional intervention are incorporated into workable and accountable case plans -Apply methods to individualize problems, goals and strategies into case plans that have offender “buy-in” and collaboration The magic of facilitation: Skills to maximize the delivery of behavior change curricula Presenter: Kevin “Kip” Lowe, Ph.D. Presentation Overview: Behind every learning opportunity there is a facilitator, an individual who assists us in exploring ideas and feelings, assessing, analyzing and implementing new ways of thinking and behaving. Certainly these individuals have special gifts, but underneath all that magic are some easily identifiable basic skills that make it all work. This presentation identifies these skills and explores how they can be incorporated into the delivery of behavior change curricula. Special attention is given to the role of the facilitator as a change agent and the specific skills that best assist individuals in making positive behavior changes. Learning Objectives: -Describe the role of the facilitator in the delivery of behavior change curricula -Identify coordination, presentation and facilitation skills essential to effective facilitation -List strategies to assist participants in the acquisition of new skills/behaviors

	Scott Covert is the National Training Director for The Change Companies® and a certified Change Agent. Covert has conducted training for the United States Administrative Office of Courts – U.S. Probation, the Wyoming Dept. of Corrections, Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections, Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health, Colorado Dept. of Human Services and the Kentucky Dept. of Mental Health among others. With more than 30 years of experience, Covert has honed his ability to lead and teach group techniques, developed strong presentation and facilitation skills and effective communication and consulting skills. Click to Contact
Change is only 12 steps away: How Interactive Journaling® supports a 12-Step Program Presenter: Scott Covert, Certified Change Agent Presentation Overview: Twelve-Step Programs have proven effective in helping people make changes in their lives, but not everyone is comfortable attending meetings and working with a sponsor. Interactive Journals can bridge the gap and guide individuals through the 12-Step process. This workshop defines the effectiveness of 12-Step Programs and demonstrates how Interactive Journaling® can support your program efforts. Learning Objectives: -Assess the evidence of 12-Step success in treating addictions -Discover how Interactive Journaling® can bridge the gap between your current program and traditional 12-Step curricula

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