The 10 modules focus on assessment, support and therapeutic interventions which promote permanency and improve well-being for children and youth and their foster, adoptive and guardianship families. The Mental Health Professional curriculum is 30 hours and provides clinical skills and therapeutic approaches for work with adoptive and guardianship families, including child welfare, private/domestic and inter-country adoption.
Topics include:
- The Need for Adoption Competency
- Understanding and Addressing Mental Health Needs of Children/Adolescents
- The Impact of Loss and Grief Experiences on Mental Health
- Trauma and the Impact of Adverse Experiences on Brain Development and Behavior
- Promoting Attachment and Security in Adoptive and Guardianship Families
- Understanding the Impact of Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Class, and Diversity on Children and Families
- The Impact of Adoption and Guardianship on Identity Formation
- Family Stability and Wellness Post Permanency.
Two additional modules are added to the curricula for Mental Health professionals: Assessment and Treatment Planning Through an Adoption Lens and Using Therapeutic Parenting Strategies to Address Children’s Challenging Behaviors.
These aligned, state-of-the-art, web-based training utilize adult learning principles to actively engage the user. Each self-directed module includes a mix of text, video and audio and includes links to resources, activities, and opportunities for reflection using examples and stories from adoptive parents, children, and experts for each content area.
You may take the training through NTI, but if you are looking for reduced cost for the credit-granting version of the course, register here!
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Module 1: Course Overview
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- Course Overview and the Need for Adoption
- The Language of Adoption
- Guiding Principles that Support Effective Mental Health Practice
- Achieving and maintaining Permanence is Key to Well-being and Mental Health
- Pathways to Adoption and Guardianship Today
- Core Clinical Issues in adoption and Their Link to Mental Health
Module 1 Quiz
26 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 18/26 points to pass
26 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 18/26 points to pass
Module 1 Quiz
Module 2
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- The Big Picture: Understanding the Factors that Shape Children’s Adjustment
- Understanding the Impact of Early Childhood Experiences on Mental Health
- Tools and Techniques for Helping Children Integrate Their Life Stories - Family Life is Paramount in Healing
- Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment of Adopted Children's Mental Health Needs
Module 2 Quiz
27 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 19/27 points to pass
27 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 19/27 points to pass
Module 2 Quiz
Module 3
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- Understanding Attachment as the Foundation for Child Development
- The Implications of Attachment Challenges in Treatment
- Assessing and Addressing Attachment Challenges in Children and Parents
- Practice Models to Address Complex Attachment Challenges
- Practice Models for Enhancing Parent-Child Attachment
Module 3 Quiz
26 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 18/26 points to pass
26 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 18/26 points to pass
Module 3 Quiz
Module 4
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- The Impact of Ambiguous Loss and Unresolved Grief on Emotional Adjustment
- Understanding Loss and Grief Issues in Adoption
- Understanding and the Stages of Grief in Adoption
- Impact of Abandonment and Rejection on Children’s and Youth’s Mental Health
- Preparing and Helping Parents to Support Their Child’s Grief
Module 4 Quiz
28 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 18/28 points to pass
28 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 18/28 points to pass
Module 4 Quiz
Module 5
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- Traumatic Experiences of Children Achieving Permanency
- Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Children's Mental Health
- Assessing Trauma Exposure and Its Impact on Children
- Treatment Goals for Remediating the Consequences of Trauma
Module 5 Quiz
27 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 19/27 points to pass
27 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 19/27 points to pass
Module 5 Quiz
Module 6
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- The Impact on the Adoption and Guardianship Experience and Your Practice
- Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Children in Diverse Families
- Talking About Race and Racial Identity
- Working with Parents to Address Issues around Race, Ethnicity, Culture
Module 6 Quiz
25 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 17/25 points to pass
25 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 17/25 points to pass
Module 6 Quiz
Module 7
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- Overview: Identity Matters- Identity Formation During the Adolescent Years
- Therapist’s Role in Working to Support Positive Identity Formation
- Helping Parents Support Positive Identity Formation
- Mental Health Professional's Role in Supporting Youth Search and Reunion
Module 7 Quiz
25 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 17/25 points to pass
25 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 17/25 points to pass
Module 7 Quiz
Module 8
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- Assessment Through the Adoption/Guardianship Lens
- Unique Assessment Issues when Working with Relative Caregivers
- Utilizing the Assessment in Goal Setting and Treatment Planning
Module 8 Quiz
19 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 13/19 points to pass
19 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 13/19 points to pass
Module 8 Quiz
Module 9
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- Laying the Foundation for Change
- Therapeutic Strategies for Children and Youth Who Push Parents Away
- Teaching Self-Regulation Skills through Therapeutic Parenting
- Addressing Especially Challenging Problems with Youth and Families
Module 9 Quiz
22 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 15/22 points to pass
22 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 15/22 points to pass
Module 9 Quiz
Module 10
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package.
Included in this module are the following lessons:
- Matching Child and Family Needs After Permanency with Effective Services
- Post-Adoption Therapeutic Services: Working with Families
- The Impact of NTI Training on Your Clinical Practice
Module 10 Quiz
17 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 12/17 points to pass
17 Questions | Unlimited attempts | 12/17 points to pass
Module 10 Quiz
Certificate of Completion
30.00 CEU credits | Certificate available
30.00 CEU credits | Certificate available
This certificate is awarded for successful completion of all course components.
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The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) is a research initiative, funded through a 5-year, $9 million-dollar cooperative agreement (#90CO1121) between the Children’s Bureau, and the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) working alongside the University of Maryland School of Social Work, Institute for Innovation and Implementation. NTI developed, piloted, and evaluated two state-of-the-art, standardized, web-based trainings to build the capacity of the child welfare and mental health workforce in all States, Tribes and Territories, to better understand and address the mental health needs of children, youth and their families moving toward or having achieved permanency through adoption and guardianship.
Because of traumatic life experiences and compromised beginnings, many children who are adopted or in guardianship experience elevated risks for developmental, health, emotional, and behavioral challenges. The impact of these experiences and challenges compromises well-being and family stability. NTI seeks to improve these outcomes by infusing enhanced adoption mental health competency in the provision of casework and clinical practice.
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