Social Work CE

Our library of on-demand webinars were designed to meet the needs of today's adoption professionals, offering:

Experts with specialized areas of experience in adoption

Relevancy for a broad range of professional skill levels

Professional development and continuing education for professionals

An affordable option that's easy to access

Upcoming Webinars

Adult Attachment Styles: A Home Study Assessment Tool

August 1st | 1:00pm -2:00pm EST
1 CE/Contact Hour | Free for live attendees
Recorded version: $15 for non-members / $7.50 for NCFA members

Speaker: Jennifer Knight, LISW

Attachment issues are a common topic of discussion in adoption circles, which frequently focus on the child’s early trauma. But attachment is a dance that occurs within a relationship. How do parents’ attachment styles impact an adoption, and how can we assess that during the home study process? What can we learn from adult attachment styles to help us equip adoptive families to be more successful? This presentation will look at the steps taken to identify and assess adult attachment styles during the home study process. Strategies for using this data to inform training and preparation will also be explored.

More information on this webinar and continuing education is available at the links below. Please note that NY Contact Hours are only offered for the live webinar (not the recorded one).

CE Credits / NY Contact Hours

Social Work CE Courses

Click on a course title for a dropdown with more information and the link to each course. For more information about NCFA's provider status and requirements for social work CE credits, please visit our FAQ page.

General
Trauma

Birth Family Relationships
Medical, Mental, and Educational Wellbeing

General

Best Practices in Home Study Assessment

3.5 CE Credits / $30 non-members / $15 members

Speakers: Ann Cleary, LCSW, Carolyn Cain, MSW & Gary Sampson, LICSW

In Part 1 experienced social workers outline the most critical parts of a comprehensive home study assessment and provide their expertise on best practices.

Speakers: Deborah Fields, MS, LMHC, Amber Lewis, MS, LPS, Sophia Gardner, LMSW, Amy Imber, & Emily Marshall, LCSW-C, LICSW

In Part 2 an experienced panel addresses best practices for responding to complex situations that arise during the home study assessment.

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Supporting Adoptive Families at Risk of Disruption or Dissolution

Post-Adoption Preservation and Support: A Panel Discussion

1.5 CE Credits / $20 non-members / $10 members

Speakers: Sarah Horton Bobo, MA, Britt Cloudsdale, MSW & Anna Pawley, LMSW

Panelists review the current state of post-adoption supports around the nation, discuss effective post adoption support services, and provide suggestions for agencies and adoption professionals to enhance these services. The panel also engages in a Q&A discussion addressing common hardships families face post-adoption, education and training needed to adequately parent in unique situations, and strategies for meeting families’ diverse needs in a comprehensive and long-term way.

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Understanding the Impact of Adoption on Siblings

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Jana Hunsley, PhD, LCSW

This presentation considers a question many caregivers may ask as they consider adoption for their families: "What about my other children?". This presentation shares real-life stories of an adoptive sibling, results from a study of 200+ siblings' experiences, and evidence-based, effective tools and strategies for meeting sibling needs.

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Genetic Testing and Adoption: Clinical Panel Discussion

Genetic Testing and Adoption: Important Considerations for Adoptees

Parenting Like A Neuroscientist: Application of the Neurosequential Model in Post Adoption Support

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Allison Cooke Douglas, MS

This presentation introduces the basics of the Neurosequential Model, including principles of neurodevelopment and the effects of childhood trauma on the brain. Utilizing Dr. Perry's "6 R's" (Relational, Relevant, Repetitive, Rewarding, Rhythmic and Respectful) the speaker examines how to meet children's needs through neurodevelopmentally-informed parenting and interventions.

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Adoption Options for Military Members

Post Adoption Connection Center

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speakers: Heather Sloan, LBSW & Lisa Prather, LMSW

This presentation examines a model for post-adoption support based on Nightlight Christian Adoptions’ Post Adoption Connection Center. They offer details on their Placement Stabilization Team, outline the steps of the crisis response process and offer ways to create a similar structure within your own agency.

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Trauma

Child Sexual Abuse: What Adoptive Families Need to Know

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Alyssa Layne, MSW, LCSW

This presentation provides information on sexual abuse prevalence, dynamics and offender characteristics, how children disclose abuse, and how parents can effectively respond to disclosures and problematic sexual behaviors. The speaker also provides tips for establishing body safety boundaries and messages to empower children to talk to their parents if they are exposed to sexually inappropriate contact.

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Trauma in the Attachment Relationship

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Diana Osipsov, LMSW

This presentation dives into the intergenerational effects of complex trauma within the attachment relationship, with specific consideration for prenatal and preverbal trauma. The speaker explores the effects of prenatal trauma on the nervous system and brain development, and provides information on current research and effective treatment approaches.

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Adoption After Infertility: Assessing, Recruiting, and Preparing Families for Adoption

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Anna Koehle, HS-BCP, CCTP

This presentation walks through one family's journey from infertility to adoption and provides prospective adoptive families with tools for selecting and adoption agency and identifying needs and barriers. The session also addresses how adoption professionals can best support families after infertility by accurately assessing adoption readiness, dispelling common adoption myths, and developing comprehensive aftercare plans with families.

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Grief and Loss in Adoption: Helping Children Process Their Pre-Adoption History

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Mari Itzkowitz, LCSW

This presentation discusses the factors that influence children’s reaction to loss, the four psychological tasks of grief work, the healing therapies for children and teens, critical aspects of loss in foster care and adoption, and how those losses impact children. Participants will also learn effective interventions for opening communication with children and strengthening transitions and attachment to new families.

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Supporting Adoptive Parents with Histories of Loss

1.5 CE Credit / $20 non-members / $10 members

Speaker: Anna Koehle, HS-BCP, CCTP

This presentation helps adoption professionals better understand the grief and loss of adoptive families with histories of infertility or miscarriage. Ms. Koehle provides resources for better-supporting parents with histories of loss. She also discusses strategies for assessing adoption readiness, preparing parents for adoption, and sensitively navigating discussions about their loss.

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Birth Family Relationships

Search and Reunion: Important Considerations for Adoptees

1 Ethics CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Debbie Riley, LCMFT

This presentation prepares and guides members of the adoption community to navigate the search and reunion process and how to participate in birth family relationships, including setting expectations, understanding motivations, and options for utilizing intermediaries and others to help facilitate a smooth and healthy relationship.

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Grandfamilies through Adoption - Working with Kinship Placements

Contemporary Realities in Search and Reunion

Medical, Mental and Educational Wellbeing

Adoption Competence: What Mental Health and Child Welfare Professionals Need to Know

An Adoption Professional's Guide to School-Based Support

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speakers: Ryan Hanlon, PhD & Dana Poynter, MS

This presentation helps adoption professionals understand educational options and prepare parents who are navigating school-based support. Speakers focus on factors affecting an adopted child's academics, common school-related behavioral challenges and diagnoses, and interventions for a child's success.

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Counseling Expectant and Birth Parents

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Adoption

Autism and Adoption

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speakers: David Brown, MSW & Anjali Van Drie, MA, MSW, BCBA

This presentation provides information about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presentation, practical resources, and parenting strategies for families. Speakers discuss the intersectionality of ASD with other issues connected to adoption, such as grief, maintaining relationships, and understanding the adoption story.

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The Intersection of Adoption and Addiction

Special Considerations for Adopted Teens

1 CE Credit / $15 non-members / $7.50 members

Speaker: Elaine Schulte, MD, MPH, FAAP

This presentation offers insight for agency personnel into the special challenges of adopted teens as they transition into adulthood, particularly with a sense of self, attachment, and sexuality. She discusses issues related to birth search, integrating family medical history, and navigating discussions about an adopted child’s early history.

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Click here for our Continuing Education Refund Policy and our Continuing Education Grievance Policy.

Other Questions? For questions, concerns or to request special accommodations, please contact us at ncfa@adoptioncouncil.org or 703-299-6633.

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A listing of recent and past articles from NCFA staff and guest authors on a range of topics pertinent to professionals and the broader adoption community.

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Social Work CE Courses

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2023 National
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Social Work CE