Continuing Education

Child Welfare

Early Intervention Techniques for Family Support

Mental Health Education

About The Course

Course Title: Child Welfare

Learning Method: Record asynchronous distance (non-interactive). This course includes a recorded video and access to the presented resources.

Amount of CE Credit Offered: 1 credit (general). ASWB ACE and NBCC.

Fees: This course can be purchased individually for $25 or as part of an annual unlimited continuing education subscription available for $99/year.

Posttest: Following the course, the participant will take a 10 question posttest. A score of 70% correct is required to pass and obtain a certificate. If you do not pass the posttest, it can be re-taken after fully reviewing the materials again.

Certificate of Completion: In order to receive a certificate of completion, you must indicate that you’ve watched the entire video portion of the course, earn a passing grade on the test, and complete the requested course evaluation.

Description of the Course:

Why is understanding this topic important?

1. Early Intervention Shapes Lifelong Outcomes:

Early intervention in child welfare can significantly influence the developmental trajectory of children facing social, emotional, or physical challenges. By providing timely and appropriate support, social workers and mental health professionals can help mitigate potential long-term negative outcomes, enhancing children’s abilities to succeed in school, relationships, and eventually, in their professional lives.

2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration Enhances Holistic Care:

The complex needs of children and families in the child welfare system necessitate a collaborative approach among various professionals, including social workers, educators, healthcare providers, and legal advocates. Such teamwork ensures that all aspects of a child’s well-being are addressed, from physical health and safety to emotional support and educational opportunities.

3. Advocacy Drives Systemic Change:

Engaging in advocacy and policy influence within child welfare is essential for addressing systemic barriers and enhancing service delivery to vulnerable populations. Social workers and mental health professionals play a pivotal role in advocating for policies that protect children’s rights, improve access to services, and allocate resources more effectively.

Learning Objectives:

Analyze Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration: Evaluate the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in child welfare settings and identify strategies to enhance teamwork and communication among healthcare professionals, social workers, mental health professionals, and community resources to provide comprehensive care to children and families.
Assess Early Intervention Impact: Assess the role and impact of early intervention in child welfare, including how social workers and mental health professionals can effectively support families with young children facing developmental delays or disabilities, and the long-term benefits of early support on child development and family well-being.
Apply Advocacy and Policy Understanding: Apply knowledge of advocacy and policy influence in child welfare to real-world scenarios, understanding the key areas requiring attention or improvement, and developing strategies for social workers and mental health professionals to engage in advocacy efforts that contribute to systemic change and improved outcomes for children and families.

Target Audience:

Masters and Clinical level licensees pursuing continuing education and mental health professionals.

Content Level:

Both beginning and intermediate-level content are included in this course.

Instructor Bio(s):

Meagan Mitchell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group instruction for over 5 years.

Meagan is currently a Child and Adolescent Therapist in Washington, DC. She is working towards her Play Therapy credential. Meagan is also the founder of Agents of Change Social Work Test Prep – a learning platform and community designed for social workers preparing for their licensing exams.

She loves combining her passion for learning and sharing her knowledge with the social work community. Meagan has a strong interest in tech & and innovation, specifically exploring the intersection of technology with social work practices. She is also passionate about multicultural supervision & and ethics; ensuring diverse voices are heard, understood, and supported in supervision and consultation.

Lastly, Meagan is currently a DSW student at SUNY Buffalo.

Tahisha Martelly, LSW, Early Intervention Social Worker

Tahisha embodies a dynamic and impactful career in social work, marked by her dedication to serving vulnerable populations across a broad spectrum of care settings. Her educational background includes a Master’s of Social Work from Barry University and a Bachelor’s of Social Work from LaSalle University. Tahisha has built a foundation that combines academic rigor with heartfelt compassion.

Her professional journey is highlighted by roles including Early Intervention Social Worker at Brighter Days in Philadelphia, where she provided crucial coaching and services to families with children facing developmental delays and disabilities. Her tenure as a Renal Social Worker at DaVita Dialysis illustrates her adaptability and commitment to assisting patients and their families in coping with kidney disease, showcasing her ability to navigate complex medical and emotional challenges with empathy and expertise.

Beyond her direct service roles, Tahisha’s experience spans several critical areas of social work, including neurological rehabilitation case management, community case management, and child welfare aftercare services. This diverse experience underlines her approach to social work, where she has effectively bridged the gaps between healthcare, community resources, and child welfare.

Course Outline:

1) Introduction to Early Intervention

Overview of Early Intervention
Importance of Early Intervention in Social Work and Mental Health
Introduction to Taisha Martelly’s Expertise

2) Key Components of Effective Early Intervention

Identifying At-Risk Children and Families
Strategies for Early Detection and Support
Preventive Measures vs. Reactive Measures

3) Challenges in Child Welfare and Early Intervention

Lack of Trained Professionals
Insufficient Funding and Resources
Barriers to Accessing Services

4) Collaborative Approaches in Child Welfare

Importance of Community Resources
Building Strong Support Networks
Case Studies and Examples of Successful Interventions

5) Professional Development and Best Practices

Training and Development for Social Workers and Mental Health Professionals
Continuous Improvement in Practices
Future Trends and Innovations in Early Intervention

Course Creation Date: 5/16/24

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations:

Please email [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations.

System Requirements:

The most recent version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge browser
Javascript enabled
PDF plugin
Graphic and audio output capability
Broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps (recommended)
TLS 1.2 supported by your web browser

Refund Policy: In general, refunds will not be provided. However, if you do have any concerns or grievances, please contact us at the email address below. Registrants who do not complete their course(s) will not receive a refund. Registrants who purchased the course but did not achieve a passing grade will not receive a refund. The Agents of Change Grievance Policy can be viewed here.

Cancellation Policy: If an Agents of Change Continuing Education course is canceled, a full refund will be provided to all participants.

Please email [email protected] with any questions about the course.

Agents of Change is Approved by ACE

Agents of Change, #1919, 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: 7/26/2023 – 7/26/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.

Agents of Change is Approved by NBCC

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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