Webinar Schedule
April 8th, 2025 @ 10:00AM-11:30AM
"The Impact of Parental Substance Use on Child Abuse"
Childhood is arguably the most vulnerable period of human life. Children are highly dependent on others to satisfy their basic needs, and this makes them particularly vulnerable. Research shows more than 1 in 8 children in the United States (approximately 8.7 million) live with at least one parent who abuses alcohol or other drugs making parents less effective to function in a parental role. In this workshop we introduce the resources that The Illinois Family Resource Center has to offer to the community. We will go over data on both substance use disorders and child abuse. Participants will become familiar with the impact that substance has on children and the potential for abuse in the family because of a substance use. Participants will also learn about the resource available for support and how to report child abuse to the proper authorities.
Presented by: Cristina Banda
Cristina Banda is the Education Coordinator at the Illinois Family Resource Center, with over ten years of experience supporting families and children. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from Illinois State University and has worked with the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, organizing programs on child sexual abuse prevention and internet safety. Cristina is passionate about educating underserved communities on substance use disorders and related issues.
April 9th, 2025 @ 3:00PM-4:30PM
"Parental Substance Use and Children Impacted by Addiction: A Deep Dive into a Complex Challenge"
Parents with substance use disorders face unique challenges that can impact their ability to
provide stability and care for their children. This webinar explores the complex intersection of
parenting and substance use, offering insight into the barriers parents face, the stigma they
experience, and the support systems that can help them in their recovery journey. Participants
will learn strategies for engaging parents with compassion, fostering family-centered recovery,
and promoting protective factors that strengthen parent-child relationships
Presented by: Megan Ragan, LCSW, Executive Director
Megan Ragan, LCSW, is the Executive Director of the Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy
Center. Megan has over a decade of experience working in southern Illinois child and family
serving systems. With a background in clinical social work and special education, Megan brings
a unique perspective shaped by years of working with at-risk populations. Megan has presented
many workshops and trainings to a variety of local, state and national audiences, with a special
emphasis on content related to familial substance use, trauma-informed practices, adverse
childhood experiences, and neurodiversity. Megan is a fiery presenter who prides herself on
delivering lively and engaging presentations that foster deep discussion and critical thinking to
enhance learning and application of knowledge.
Brought to you by: Chestnut Health Systems and IFRC
May 7th, 2025 @ 3:00PM-4:30PM
"How to Talk with Children about Family Addiction"
Talking to children about family addiction can be challenging, but open and honest
communication is essential for their emotional well-being. This webinar will provide
developmentally appropriate strategies for discussing substance use in the family, helping
children understand addiction in an age-appropriate way while fostering resilience and
emotional safety. Participants will gain practical tools for creating supportive conversations that
reduce stigma, validate children's feelings, and promote healing within the family system.
Presented by: Megan Ragan, LCSW, Executive Director
Megan Ragan, LCSW, is the Executive Director of the Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy
Center. Megan has over a decade of experience working in southern Illinois child and family
serving systems. With a background in clinical social work and special education, Megan brings
a unique perspective shaped by years of working with at-risk populations. Megan has presented
many workshops and trainings to a variety of local, state and national audiences, with a special
emphasis on content related to familial substance use, trauma-informed practices, adverse
childhood experiences, and neurodiversity. Megan is a fiery presenter who prides herself on
delivering lively and engaging presentations that foster deep discussion and critical thinking to
enhance learning and application of knowledge.
Brought to you by: Chestnut Health Systems and IFRC
May 8th, 2025 @ 10:00AM-11:00AM
"Maintaining Safe and Substance-Free Traditions for All"
Traditions are like the glue that sticks generations together, boosts our values, and sprinkles a dash of magic into our memories! Celebrating substance-free traditions can be a blast, adding joy and fulfillment to recovery journeys. The trick? Dive into activities that spark joy, connection, and happiness without the need for any substances. The Illinois Family Resource Center (IFRC) invites you to explore the significance of traditions and rituals that are cherished within our families and communities. Whether large or small, these gatherings exemplify our bonds as a "family" and a "tribe." However, it is important to note that many of these events often involve alcohol or other substances, which can detract from their positive impact. With the increasing prevalence of substance misuse, mental health challenges, and gambling, this concern is particularly relevant. So, the IFRC invites you to rethink the power of tradition and discover fresh ways to create healthy memories year-round for your family and community! Let’s make some magic happen!
Presented by: Nancy Phillips
Nancy J. Phillips, M.S-PSY, CAADC, CFPP, coordinator of the Illinois Family Resource Center (IFRC), has been active in the substance use disorder field working in both prevention and treatment services. In 2018 she was honored as Professional of the Year by the Illinois Certification Board, Inc. During her years in the SUD field, she has developed and trained human service providers.
May 27th, 2025 10:00AM- 11:00AM
"Manteniendo tradiciones seguras y libres de sustancias para todos"
Las tradiciones actúan como el vínculo que une a las generaciones, fortaleciendo nuestros valores y añadiendo un toque de magia a nuestros recuerdos. Celebrar tradiciones libres de sustancias puede ser una experiencia maravillosa, ya que aporta alegría y satisfacción a los procesos de recuperación. ¿Cuál es el secreto? Involúcrate en actividades que generen felicidad, conexión y bienestar sin la necesidad de recurrir a ninguna sustancia. El Centro de Recursos para la Familia de Illinois (IFRC, por sus siglas en inglés) te invita a explorar el significado de las tradiciones y rituales valorados en nuestras familias y comunidades. Ya sean grandes o pequeñas, estas reuniones reflejan nuestros lazos como "familia" y "tribu". Sin embargo, es fundamental señalar que muchos de estos eventos a menudo incluyen alcohol u otras sustancias, lo que puede disminuir su impacto positivo. Ante la creciente prevalencia del abuso de sustancias, los problemas de salud mental y el juego, esta preocupación se vuelve especialmente pertinente. Por ello, El Centro de Recursos para la Familia te invita a reconsiderar el poder de la tradición y a descubrir nuevas maneras de crear recuerdos saludables a lo largo del año para tu familia y comunidad. ¡Hagamos que la magia suceda!
Presentado por: Cristina Banda
Cristina Banda es la Coordinadora de Educación del Centro de Recursos Familiares de Illinois, con más de diez años de experiencia en trabajo con familias y niños. Cree en la educación como clave para prevenir trastornos por consumo de sustancias. Licenciada en Educación por la Universidad Estatal de Illinois, ha trabajado en el Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center y ha organizado programas sobre prevención del abuso sexual infantil y seguridad en Internet. Su objetivo es apoyar a comunidades desatendidas afectadas por problemas de consumo de sustancias y otros problemas concurrentes.
June 17th, 2025 @ 10:00AM-11:00AM
"Exploring Multiple Pathways in SUD Recovery"
Once upon a time, treatment professionals emphasized one major pathway to recover from substance use disorders (SUD) – complete treatment and attend 12-step meetings. Since then, a wide range of recovery pathways have opened for individuals and their families. In this webinar, we discuss the importance of these expanded options, including but not limited to 12-step fellowships, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery!, Medication-Assisted Recovery, harm reduction, and others. Special emphasis is placed on helping people find a pathway that meets their specific needs to heal and experience a sense of belonging.
Presented by: Bob Carty
For more than forty years, Bob Carty has served in the behavioral health profession in various roles – counselor, supervisor, trainer, mentor, and board member. In his career, he coordinated Grant Hospital's Clinical Training Program for Addictions Counselors, worked as a Deputy Director at TASC, and started his own consulting company. In 2011, the Illinois Certification Board presented him with the Professional of the Year award, and in 2019, the Illinois Association of Addictions Professionals presented him with the William White Lifetime Achievement Award. Five years ago, he retired from his position as Clinical Director at the Chicago facility of the Hazelden-Betty Ford Foundation. Since his retirement, he continues to provide training and consultation in Illinois and Wisconsin while also writing his first novel.
June 24th, 2025 @ 11:00AM-12:00PM
"Healthy Parenting in Early Recovery"
If you are working with caregivers during their early recovery journey, join us as we explore many of the issues children and their caregivers experience as they navigate life in the recovery environment. Help children and caregivers address one of the most challenging issues, the need to repair the parent-child relationship that was impacted during active substance use. We will share issues often present for many parents in early recovery, offering tools for moving forward since many did not experience a positive childhood journey themselves. As you work with families, remember early recovery usually involves other caregivers who were the primary safe place for their child(ren). Join us. Share. Support healthy recovery for families as we move forward.
Presented by: Nancy Phillips
Nancy J. Phillips, M.S-PSY, CAADC, CFPP, coordinator of the Illinois Family Resource Center (IFRC), has been active in the substance use disorder field working in both prevention and treatment services. In 2018 she was honored as Professional of the Year by the Illinois Certification Board, Inc. During her years in the SUD field, she has developed and trained human service providers.