Clinical Issues in Adoption – Post Master’s Certificate Program

Clinical Issues in Adoption is a Post Master’s level academic course which has been offered annually since 2006. The program is primarily funded by the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families Training Academy (DCF), and co-sponsored by the Continuing Education Department from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work (Uconn SSW) and Southern Connecticut State University Social Work Program (SCSU). The purpose of the course is to educate community mental health providers and child welfare professionals about adoption competent practice with adoptive families and children. Application of family–centered, child- focused practice and systems collaboration is emphasized in the course curriculum.

Students who complete the course are granted a Clinical Issues in Adoption Post Master’s Certificate of Completion and earn 45 continuing education credits. In order to receive the Certificate students must attend all classes and present a final capstone project to demonstrate they have mastered the theoretical knowledge and core adoption competency skills that are required for treatment of the complex clinical issues of adoption. Adoption competencies as identified by Freundlich et al (2010) include such areas as trauma and brain neurobiology, diversity and cultural issues, openness and birth family, ethics, cross systems work and therapeutic modalities.

Classes are held once a month over a 9 month period; usually from October through June. Each class meets from 9:00 - 3:30 in alternating locations between SCSU and UConn SSW. Participants may accumulate up to 45 continuing education credits by attending all classes. Those students who miss more than one (1) class will receive a Certificate of Attendance that will document the number of continuing education credits they have accumulated accordingly.

The topics covered in each class build upon each other and reflect the Core Competencies of Adoption. Course content topics include: New Perspectives in Adoption-Child Welfare and Systems Collaboration; The Family of Adoption- A Normative Approach; Clinical Practice with Adoptive Families-Attachment, Grief and Loss; Diverse Adoptive Families-Transracial/Transcultural, Gay and Lesbian, Kinship; Impact of Trauma on Brain Development; Therapeutic Intervention Strategies; Family Focused Treatment Approaches; Educational Advocacy. The course instructor is Cathy Gentile-Doyle, LCSW. Nationally recognized experts in specific areas of adoption such as Joyce Maguire Pavao, Heather Forbes and Deb Riley are guest presenters in the course.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Social Work or in a related discipline and should possess experience or specific interest in the adoption field. Individuals who are interested in this course for the 2011-2012 academic year should contact Reesa Olins at UConnSSW Continuing Education Office by email reesa.olins@uconn.edu or call 860 570-9129.