Families face risks for addiction, child sexual abuse, violence, and other major causes of toxic stress. This course will review the evidence provided by research and teach participants how to integrate interventions to reduce risks and build resiliency into their practice.
Areas of focus for the course will include the impact of risk factors on individuals, families, and communities. From there the interventions that can be used to reduce these risks will be discussed including examples of how to implement them into practice. Research on the current understanding of efforts of building resiliency versus reducing risks if further discussed in the context of using the information in a psychoeducational way. The clinical use of these strategies, handouts, and Socratic values-based questioning will be completed.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify risk factors & protective factors and provide examples while identifying intervention
- Identify the impact of ACES on communities, families, and individuals
- Identify risk factors for sexual assault and provide intervention for use with families
- Identify prevention (resiliency) for individuals, families, and communities
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Foundations of Family Support and Risk Identification
- Defining risk and protective factors in individuals, families, and communities
- Understanding the differences between fixed and variable risk factors
- Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as a foundational measure
- Overview of toxic stress and its long-term impact on mental and physical health
Objective #2: Cultural and Ethical Considerations in Family Support
- Defining “family” from the client’s perspective
- Balancing autonomy and interdependence in culturally responsive practice
- Navigating ethical decision-making when working with diverse family systems
- Applying a client-centered approach to defining goals and boundaries
Objective #3: Measurement and Scientific Context
- Using validated tools: ACEs, resilience scales, and risk assessments
- Summary of relevant meta-analyses on violence, PTSD, and mental health
- Application of research findings to clinical and community-based interventions
- Understanding protective mechanisms like self-regulation and peer support
Objective #4: Risk Factors in Family Systems
- Common family-level risks: unemployment, food insecurity, domestic violence, illness
- Recognizing patterns of stress and breakdown within household systems
- Role of caregiver trauma and untreated ACEs in family functioning
- Case study discussion: trauma symptoms and protective responses in children
Objective #5: Addressing Risk in Special Populations
- Addiction-related risks: genetic, behavioral, and environmental contributors
- Sexual assault risk factors and family dynamics contributing to vulnerability
- Recognizing patterns of perpetration and the role of trusted individuals
- Red flags for unhealthy relationships in children and teens
Objective #6: Resiliency and Prevention Strategies
- Strengthening individual resilience: emotional regulation, skill mastery, safe routines
- Family-based interventions: shared experiences, daily connection, shared meaning
- Community-level strategies: access to care, safe spaces, trained services
- Promoting consistent adult support and skill-building in children
Objective #7: Practical Interventions and Community Resources
- Parenting and caregiver tools: reflective listening, fair fighting rules, psychoeducation
- Community supports: food banks, housing resources, religious and social groups
- National and online programs: Thrive, FOCUS Project, Incredible Years
- School and extracurricular engagement as protective pathways
Conclusion and Long-Term Application
- Summary of the lifelong importance of family support and stable adult presence
- Discussion on the limits of individual effort without community engagement
- Encouraging cross-sector collaboration for holistic resiliency building
- Final reflection: personal takeaways and application to practice
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Leo DeBroeck, MS, LMHC, CMHS, MHP, CBT+
Recording Date: 06/22/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com