Continuing Education Units:
The State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers has approved each module for 1 CEU. A certificate of completion will be mailed to you for each module successfully completed.

The following modules are currently available:

Laurie A. Smith, Ph.D.

This training module covers current policies and trends affecting youth who age out of the foster care system, national and Nevada-based studies on the needs and issues confronting these youth, thoughts from youth who have aged out of the system on their experiences, programs available in Nevada, and recommendations for practice and policy enhancements.

Sandra Owens-Kane, Ph.D.

This training module educates participants about the use of Appreciative Inquiry theory as a vehicle for accelerating positive change in organizations such as the child welfare system. Participants completing the one-hour session will: (1) learn the history and applicability of using Ai with organizations, (2) observe Ai in action via role play situations, and (3) learn about the findings of a Ai research study of foster youth and foster parents in Clark County, Nevada.

An-Pyng Sun, Ph.D.

This workshop presents and discusses five components related to drug-exposed infants:

1. Nevada laws and regulations concerning drug use during pregnancy and drug-exposed infants.
2. Characteristics of drug-exposed infants and their families in Clark County.
3. Factors related to case substantiation of maltreatment allegation involving drug-exposed infants.
4. Factor related to the occurrence of subsequent child maltreatment among drug-exposed infants.
5. Relevant implications of child welfare practice and research.

Vicky Albert, Ph.D.

This training aims to increase the knowledge of child welfare workers regarding the prevalence of sibling groups in care, factors linked to the decision to place siblings together or apart, and the impact of sibling placement decisions on foster care outcomes such as reunification. The session aids practitioners and policy makers in responding to their concerns about sibling placements. It also enables workers to identify ways to overcome the barriers to placing siblings together in out-of-home care.

The following modules are under development and will be offered soon:

Adrienne Ekas, M.S.W.

This training module addresses issues regarding the adoption of special needs children who have been involved in the Nevada child welfare system. The module will discuss findings from studies of special needs adoptive families, and provide you with insights from Nevada parents of special needs adoptive children, and insights from the children themselves. Policy and practice improvements will be proposed.

Ramona Denby, Ph.D.

Individuals who care for their relatives’ children are a tremendous source of strength in the community. Unfortunately, there are many unanswered questions regarding kinship care. For example, what are the experiences and needs of relative caregivers? Additionally, what are the factors that lead caregivers to become a permanent resource for the children in their care? This training module is based on a three-year study of kinship care in Nevada. The training includes a panel discussion with select kinship caregivers and professional child welfare workers. Training participants will develop an increased understanding of, and ability to enhance, the intricacies associated with successful kinship care outcomes for children involved in the child welfare system.

Center for Urban Partnerships
4505 Maryland Parkway
Box 453061
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3061

 For more information contact Sandra Owens Kane (702) 895-2898