9-Month Adoption Competency Certificate

The 100% online Adoption Competency Certificate will provide you with an exciting opportunity to expand your knowledge and expertise in working with children and families touched by adoption. This certificate is beneficial to anyone working in the field across the United States. You will receive foundational information regarding adoption, a review of the unique journey of this ever-growing population, and a specific focus on attachment, trauma, and brain development. There also will be discussion regarding core issues associated with adoption, and the approaches that are most effective when working with adoptive families.

*CEU application with the National Association of Social Workers in process.*

Sample Courses:

Adoption History and Process

Psychology of Adoption and Clinical Practice

Grief and Loss in Adoption

Trauma and Neurobiology

Family Systems

Adoptive Families Stories

Trauma and Attachment

Identity and Adoption

Multidisciplinary Approaches

Advocacy and Support

Structure of the Program:

The program format includes a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Live classes will be held via Zoom and include lectures, group discussions, breakout rooms, videos, case studies and role-play/skills practice. The course utilizes multiple instructors who are leading experts in their fields. The program also includes panel discussions featuring birth parents, adoptive parents, relative caregivers, and adoptees.

This program includes 18 live classes held twice per month on Saturdays, 10 a.m. EST – 2 p.m. EST (with a half an hour break for lunch), as well as two hours of required pre-recorded content per month. In addition, there will be approximately two hours of pre-work per month in preparation for each class.

Earning the Certificate

Upon completing the program, you will earn the certificate in adoption competence. You must complete the entire program to earn the certificate.

Faculty

Sessions are led by experts in the topic presented for each session.

Tuition: $1,195*

*(Delaware-based counselors actively working with foster and adoptive families may be eligible for reimbursement. Contact Moira Dillon at moira.dillon@delaware.gov for details. If the upfront cost is a barrier and you are a Delaware-based professional actively working with foster and adoptive families, please reach out to Meg Garey at mgarey@abcfoc.org. Financial support may be available.)