National Council For Adoption Launches Online Adoption-Sensitive Clinical Care Training for Healthcare Professionals
Alexandria, VA — National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Adoption-Sensitive Clinical Care training in partnership with Spaulding for Children, the Adoption and Foster Care Clinic, and the University of Washington School of Social Work, in cooperative agreement with the federal Children’s Bureau.
“NCFA is proud to lead the launch of this vital asynchronous training designed to equip medical professionals with the tools they need to provide adoption-competent care to expectant mothers,” says Ryan Hanlon, president and CEO of NCFA.
The Adoption-Sensitive Clinical Care (ASCC) project exists to help hospital-based staff feel more confident talking about adoption with women facing unintended pregnancies and to serve those patients considering adoption or who have made adoption plans for their child.
“Every woman facing an unplanned pregnancy is navigating a deeply personal, life-changing decision,” says Hanlon. “She deserves medical practitioners who offer not only best-in-class care but also a clear, compassionate presentation of all her options, adoption included. Each mom who makes an adoptive placement decision for her child deserves unbiased and supportive care throughout the process.”
The core curriculum for the project, titled Understanding Infant Adoption version 7, or UIA 7, covers professional standards for pregnancy options counseling, typical adoption processes, key adoption laws, potential influences on adoption decision-making, hospital adoption policy, and more.
UIA 7 builds on a successful foundation of work that Spaulding for Children and previous project partners completed over the past 20+ years to develop, refine, and deliver the UIA curriculum to thousands of healthcare and adoption professionals. The ASCC project partners have given the UIA curriculum a thorough refresh, with updated data, important new content, current research and examples, newly added resources, and more.
This is the first UIA training available in an online, asynchronous format. It provides essential skills- and knowledge-based instruction to support front-line workers who may interact with those facing unplanned pregnancy. The initial offering will be 6.5 hours, with abbreviated training lengths (1.5, 2.5, and 4.5 hours) to be made available in the near future. Free Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Social Work Continuing Education (CE) credits will be offered.
Spaulding for Children remains a national leader in the foster care and adoption world. The Spaulding team provides critical support services, resources and training to child-welfare professionals, prospective adoptive parents, and others interested in ensuring children have permanent, loving homes.
“We’re proud to collaborate with NCFA to support medical professionals in providing compassionate, adoption-competent care to adoptees, adoptive parents and expectant parents,” says Kris Henneman, Vice President of the Spaulding Institute for Family and Community Development.
“Together, we aim to equip hospital-based healthcare providers with the tools and understanding they need to guide patients through the emotional and practical aspects of an unplanned pregnancy—ensuring every parent is informed and supported in whatever path they choose.”
The folks at the Adoption and Foster Care Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, similarly help families impacted by adoption. The team provides initial and ongoing physical, developmental, and emotional care to children and families in the foster care system as well as providing care to families and children pre- and post-adoption.
“The Adoption and Foster Care Clinic is thrilled to partner with NCFA to equip medical professionals with the tools they need to support expectant mothers navigating complex and often emotional decisions,” says Dr. Jennifer Chambers, medical director at the Adoption and Foster Care Clinic.
“This partnership will help ensure that more healthcare providers deliver compassionate, adoption-competent care—presenting all available options clearly and respectfully to those facing an unplanned pregnancy.”
“At the University of Washington School of Social Work, we are deeply committed to advancing ethical, inclusive, and trauma-informed care for vulnerable populations,” says Tamarie Willis, PhD, teaching associate and lecturer at the University of Washington School of Social Work.
The University of Washington School of Social Work emphasizes education, research and public service. It encourages students to promote a more humane society, understand and help solve complex social problems, and dedicate their careers to enhancing the well-being of disadvantaged communities.
“Through our partnership with NCFA, we are equipping medical professionals to engage with expectant mothers facing unplanned pregnancies in a thoughtful, respectful way, ensuring they receive non-judgmental, non-directive, adoption-competent support and have a clear understanding of the full range of options available to them,” adds Willis.
The ASCC team is grateful for the support of a robust National Advisory Committee. Committee members have been instrumental in the curriculum development and review processes, providing important perspectives and expertise and representing a broad range of experiences. The committee comprises medical professionals, hospital social workers, adoption attorneys, birth parents, adoptive parents, and mental health professionals, among others.
Click here to sign up for the ASCC newsletter for regular updates. Access the training portal to take the free online training and visit the ASCC website to learn more about the project, Train-the-Trainer opportunities, and the UIA 7 curriculum.
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About National Council For Adoption
Founded in 1980, NCFA is a leading authoritative voice for adoption and is passionately committed to the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a nurturing permanent family. NCFA’s nonprofit work promotes a culture of adoption through education, research, advocacy and collaboration that aims to serve children, expectant parents, birth parents, adoptees, adoptive families, adoption professionals, policymakers, and all others impacted by adoption. adoptioncouncil.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Carolyn Bolton, 703-299-6633 cbolton@adoptioncouncil.org
