2024 Empowering AYAs: Understanding Psychosocial Challenges, Overcoming Barriers to Care, and the Integral Role of Oncology Social Workers
March 13, 2024
Empowering AYAs: Understanding Psychosocial Challenges, Overcoming Barriers to Care, and the Integral Role of Oncology Social Workers
Session Description:
Join us for a thought-provoking webinar that delves into the intricate landscape of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) psychosocial challenges, barriers to care, and the pivotal role of oncology social workers. Adolescence and young adulthood present unique psychological and emotional challenges for individuals facing cancer and understanding these is crucial for providing effective support. We will explore the multifaceted psychosocial issues AYAs encounter during their cancer journey, illustrate the barriers that impede timely and comprehensive care, and will offer insights into how we can collectively contribute to overcome these. A key focus of the webinar will be on the indispensable role played by oncology social workers in the AYA cancer care continuum. Through real-world experiences, we will illustrate how oncology social workers contribute to enhancing the overall well-being of AYAs facing cancer. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and foster a greater understanding of how we can collectively address AYA psychosocial issues and improve equitable care delivery!
Learning Objectives:
CE credits: 1.0, which will be available for $25.
Category: Clinical/General
Session Description:
Join us for a thought-provoking webinar that delves into the intricate landscape of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) psychosocial challenges, barriers to care, and the pivotal role of oncology social workers. Adolescence and young adulthood present unique psychological and emotional challenges for individuals facing cancer and understanding these is crucial for providing effective support. We will explore the multifaceted psychosocial issues AYAs encounter during their cancer journey, illustrate the barriers that impede timely and comprehensive care, and will offer insights into how we can collectively contribute to overcome these. A key focus of the webinar will be on the indispensable role played by oncology social workers in the AYA cancer care continuum. Through real-world experiences, we will illustrate how oncology social workers contribute to enhancing the overall well-being of AYAs facing cancer. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and foster a greater understanding of how we can collectively address AYA psychosocial issues and improve equitable care delivery!
Speakers:
Julia Leavitt, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C / Self-Employed & Cancer Support Community of LA
Julia Leavitt is a psychotherapist who works with adolescents, young adults, and adults experiencing life transitions. She received her master’s in clinical social work from New York University. Julia is a Psycho-Oncology Board Certified Specialist. Julia holds a Post Masters Certificate in End-of-Life Care and Bereavement from New York University. Early in her career she provided supportive counseling to those facing a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers, in major cancer centers. She now runs a private practice in California and facilitates the weekly young adult support group for Cancer Support Community of Los Angeles. Much of her career has focused on working with Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) as they navigate the unique challenges often faced as a AYA patients during treatment and thrivership. She serves as Co-Chair of the AYA SIG for Association of Oncology Social Workers.
Lauren Broschak, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C / Inova Life with Cancer
Lauren Broschak is an oncology-certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in young adults, sexuality, and cancer. She received her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, as well as certificates in sex therapy and sexuality education from the University of Michigan’s Sexual Health Certificate Program. Lauren works as the Survivorship Program Manager at Inova Life with Cancer in Northern Virginia where she leads an interdisciplinary team which developed and launched a Survivorship Clinic and survivorship programming at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. In addition to her survivorship programmatic work, Lauren offers individual counseling, facilitates support groups, and instructs educational classes for those touched by cancer. She is a co-author of the chapter Intimacy and Sexuality Needs of Children and Adolescents at the End of Life in the book Intimacy and Sexuality During Illness and Loss, published by Hospice Foundation of America in 2020. Lauren serves on the Board of Directors for After Cancer and is a Co-Chair for the Association of Oncology Social Work’s Adolescent and Young Adult Special Interest Group.
Alison Silberman/ CEO of Stupid Cancer, Inc
Alison Silberman is the CEO of Stupid Cancer, Inc., a national nonprofit organization whose mission it is to help empower everyone affected by adolescent and young cancer by ending isolation and building community. Alison brings nearly twenty years of public service experience in government and nonprofit to the organization. With passion and dedication honed from her personal caregiving experience, Alison is committed to ensuring adolescents and young adults affected by cancer are supported, understood, and accepted throughout their cancer treatment and survivorship. Prior to joining Stupid Cancer, Alison served as the Senior Program Director at Tuesday’s Children and was the Director of Field Engagement at the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance where she was responsible for increasing the organization’s national presence in the community, as well as leading advocacy efforts in individual states and on Capitol Hill. Before this, Alison worked for the City of New York in Mayor Bloomberg’s Office where she collaborated with state and local leaders to address the City’s criminal justice policy priorities.
Alison graduated with a degree in government from Colby College and a Masters in Urban Planning from Columbia University. She has been involved in community service for over two decades as a mentor, team participant and member of the Young Leaders Cancer Council of LIVESTRONG and a volunteer coach with Girls on the Run NYC. Alison lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two children.
Julia Leavitt, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C / Self-Employed & Cancer Support Community of LA
Julia Leavitt is a psychotherapist who works with adolescents, young adults, and adults experiencing life transitions. She received her master’s in clinical social work from New York University. Julia is a Psycho-Oncology Board Certified Specialist. Julia holds a Post Masters Certificate in End-of-Life Care and Bereavement from New York University. Early in her career she provided supportive counseling to those facing a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers, in major cancer centers. She now runs a private practice in California and facilitates the weekly young adult support group for Cancer Support Community of Los Angeles. Much of her career has focused on working with Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) as they navigate the unique challenges often faced as a AYA patients during treatment and thrivership. She serves as Co-Chair of the AYA SIG for Association of Oncology Social Workers.
Lauren Broschak, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C / Inova Life with Cancer
Lauren Broschak is an oncology-certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in young adults, sexuality, and cancer. She received her Master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, as well as certificates in sex therapy and sexuality education from the University of Michigan’s Sexual Health Certificate Program. Lauren works as the Survivorship Program Manager at Inova Life with Cancer in Northern Virginia where she leads an interdisciplinary team which developed and launched a Survivorship Clinic and survivorship programming at Inova Schar Cancer Institute. In addition to her survivorship programmatic work, Lauren offers individual counseling, facilitates support groups, and instructs educational classes for those touched by cancer. She is a co-author of the chapter Intimacy and Sexuality Needs of Children and Adolescents at the End of Life in the book Intimacy and Sexuality During Illness and Loss, published by Hospice Foundation of America in 2020. Lauren serves on the Board of Directors for After Cancer and is a Co-Chair for the Association of Oncology Social Work’s Adolescent and Young Adult Special Interest Group.
Alison Silberman/ CEO of Stupid Cancer, Inc
Alison Silberman is the CEO of Stupid Cancer, Inc., a national nonprofit organization whose mission it is to help empower everyone affected by adolescent and young cancer by ending isolation and building community. Alison brings nearly twenty years of public service experience in government and nonprofit to the organization. With passion and dedication honed from her personal caregiving experience, Alison is committed to ensuring adolescents and young adults affected by cancer are supported, understood, and accepted throughout their cancer treatment and survivorship. Prior to joining Stupid Cancer, Alison served as the Senior Program Director at Tuesday’s Children and was the Director of Field Engagement at the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance where she was responsible for increasing the organization’s national presence in the community, as well as leading advocacy efforts in individual states and on Capitol Hill. Before this, Alison worked for the City of New York in Mayor Bloomberg’s Office where she collaborated with state and local leaders to address the City’s criminal justice policy priorities.
Alison graduated with a degree in government from Colby College and a Masters in Urban Planning from Columbia University. She has been involved in community service for over two decades as a mentor, team participant and member of the Young Leaders Cancer Council of LIVESTRONG and a volunteer coach with Girls on the Run NYC. Alison lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and two children.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to explain the unique psychosocial challenges faced by AYAs diagnosed with cancer.
- Participants will be able to recognize and evaluate the barriers the impede timely and comprehensive care for AYAs in their practice.
- Participants will be able to apply strategies unique to oncology social workers to support AYAs well-being and navigate barriers to care in their practice.
CE credits: 1.0, which will be available for $25.
Category: Clinical/General