This training will give participants tools to enable them to see the child/family/client through a trauma-informed lens. Participants will be able to define what implicit bias is, how it manifests in their work as a helping professional, and discuss how the lack of cultural competency has historically and contemporarily reinforced barriers and created greater disparities within minoritized and marginalized communities through the policies, and practices and procedures in the field of the helping professional. Participants will also be challenged to consider the narratives that have been created about the people they encounter and how this may impact practices. We will model the creation of a safe space to discuss our own judgmental thoughts and how to acknowledge and then address them in a productive way.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Utilize self-awareness to identify their own implicit biases and the ways in which these biases impact their practice.
- Address the ways helping professionals acknowledge or do not acknowledge diversity in their work with colleagues, students, and clients/communities and the ways that social workers may make judgments based on implicit biases.
- Engage in reflection on ways that they can approach their work with respect and appreciation of diversity as well as being challenged to consider how their implicit biases have impacted their direct client practice and their perceptions of colleagues and clients/communities.
- Engage in strategies to acknowledge and address such biases so as to reduce the impact of implicit biases on practices as well as describe strategies for addressing implicit bias in practice.
Syllabus:
Introduction to the Journey of Awareness
- Set expectations for a safe, open, and non-judgmental space
- Embrace discomfort as a necessary part of growth
- Reflect on personal intentions for learning and self-discovery
Objective #1: Defining Implicit Bias
- Define implicit bias based on the Kirwan Institute framework
- Understand how unconscious attitudes affect understanding, actions, and decisions
- Differentiate implicit bias from explicit bias
Objective #2: Origins and Evolutionary Purpose of Bias
- Explain the role of mental shortcuts for survival
- Discuss how biases are human and natural but must be examined
- Recognize how unexamined biases become harmful
Objective #3: Recognizing Bias in Ourselves and Others
- Explore how we perceive others upon first impressions
- Reflect on the narratives we create about those we serve
- Acknowledge the influence of our cultural scripts on perception
Objective #4: Addressing Implicit Bias Internally
- Increase awareness of personal thoughts and reactions during interactions
- Understand the power of words in framing perceptions and responses
- Reframe internal narratives and challenge biased language
Objective #5: Impact vs. Intent and the Role of Microaggressions
- Define microaggressions and discuss their effects regardless of intent
- Recognize how language and behavior can unintentionally harm others
- Reflect on the distinction between impact and intention
Objective #6: Cultivating a Curious and Critical Mindset
- Practice asking questions rather than making assumptions
- Differentiate honoring differences from judging differences
- Emphasize curiosity and humility in cross-cultural interactions
Objective #7: Creating Safe Spaces and Honoring Experiences
- Define what safety means personally and collectively
- Acknowledge the subjective and emotional nature of feeling safe
- Affirm each individual’s right to feel secure in any space they occupy
Objective #8: Personal Responsibility and Commitment to Growth
- Recognize that everyone holds biases and the goal is not to eliminate but to challenge them
- Understand that caring and empathy are foundational to meaningful change
- Commit to ongoing learning, reflection, and compassionate action
Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1.5 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Yolanda Brown-Spidell, MA, CTRT
Recording Date: October 6, 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 1.5hrs 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.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com