NYSED Courses

Attachment Theories offer an ethological approach to social and personality development. These theories propose that evolutionary forces have endowed infants with genes that predispose them to form emotional bonds with their caregivers. In this module, emphasis will be placed on the significance of early childhood relationships. Further focus will be given to clinical treatment, case management, child welfare and protective services to individuals and families within the continuum of the social work field.

Learning Objectives

• Define Attachment Theory
• Define Ethology
• Apply attachment theory in the context of typical child development
• Apply attachment theory in the context of early childhood education and school socialization
• Apply attachment theory in the context of child maltreatment
• Identify the (4) phases of attachment as defined by John Bowlby
• Identify the (2) forms of attachment as defined by Mary Ainsworth
• Identify the (4) categories of attachment as defined by Mary Ainsworth
• Compare and contrast Object Relations and Attachment Theories
• Apply attachment theory as it relates to early and adult interpersonal relationships

Description

Cognitive and Developmental Learning Theories, a body of theories that emphasize mental aspects of development (i.e. logic and memory). Emphasis will be placed on theories of operational learning, psycho-social stages of development, ethics of justice and moral reasoning. Participants will be able to apply these concepts to garner a more holistic understanding of the typical child development in the context of social work practice with children and families.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the (4) stages (sensori-motor, pre-operational, concrete operational, formal operational) of Piaget’s Cognitive Developmental theory.
• Define the (4) stages (sensori-motor, pre-operational, concrete operational, formal operational) of Piaget’s Cognitive Developmental theory.
• Define Egocentrism in the context of children’s ability or inability to differentiate between two points of view, and how this concept applies to their comprehension of family dynamics (conflict, roles, interpersonal relationships).
• Define Moral Reasoning as articulated by Kohlberg’s theory on Moral Reasoning.
• Identify the specific (6) stages of moral development that constitute Kohlberg’s Theory on Moral Reasoning.
• Identify the (3) structural levels that constitute Kohlberg’s theory on Moral Reasoning.
• Identify the implications of cognitive and moral development to human behavior and social work practice.

Description

Compassion Fatigue: Heal Thyself explores how vicarious stress and trauma can impact a clinician’s emotional health. Consideration is given to the importance of being mindful of one’s personal wellbeing. If we are compromised with stress and experience “burn-out,” we potentially place our clients at risk of receiving less than quality support. Focus will be placed on identifying signs of secondary trauma and self-care strategies for stress reduction. Lastly, the efficacy of these integral therapy practices as a part of stress reduction for patients in clinical treatment will be considered in conjunction with other psychodynamic and behavioral modalities.

Learning Objectives

• Define Compassion Fatigue also known as secondary trauma.
• Identify the signs of “burn-out.”
• Identify self-care strategies (mindfulness, meditation, breathing and progressive muscle relaxation).
• Recognize ways to draw healthy boundaries.
• Identify ways to advocate for your professional and personal needs in the workplace.
• Course will provide tools of mindfulness, meditation and relaxed breathing as ways to minimize negative impact of compassion fatigue.

Description

The Developmental Life Course Perspective provides a unique framework for understanding individual lifespan development anchored within the social, political, and historical context. Salient themes are—historical timing of life events and transitions, facets of human agency and self-determination. From this angle, the multidimensional aspects of human development will be examined.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the relevance of the Developmental Life Course Perspective (DLCP) to Social Work Practice
• Identify the Five Key Concepts (cohorts, transitions, trajectories, life events, turning points) of DLCP
• Define each of the (5) Key Concepts of DLCP and its relevance to human development.
• Identify specific issues related to the biological, social, psychological and economic aspects of human development over the life course.
• Identify healthy behaviors used to cope with traumatic life events (ex. grief/loss, mental/medical illness) over the life course.
• Identify maladaptive behaviors used to cope with traumatic life events (ex. grief/loss, mental/medical illness) over the life course.
• Identify Risk and Protective Factors as it pertains to life transitions between childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
• Identify interventions that have been proven to be effective in working with clients in crisis.

Description

Ecological Theory provides a holistic perspective for understanding the environmental conditions that stimulate or thwart individual development (i.e. person-in-environment fit) and behavior across the life span (i.e. poverty, class, policy, discrimination). Practitioners will explore how environmental conditions can promote or inhibit development and behavior. Specific emphasis will be placed on issues of socio-economic status (i.e. poverty, class), discrimination, and oppression. Practitioners will consider effective strategies in their professional settings to promote economic and social justice.

Learning Objectives

• Identify how environmental, socio-economic, cultural, political factors shape and influence human behavior and development over the life span.
• Identify the (5) subsystems (micro, mezzo, exo, macro, chrono-systems) as articulated by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological theory.
• Define (5) subsystems (micro, mezzo, exo, macro, chrono-systems) as articulated by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological theory.
• Identify the impact of inequality as it relates to the economic and social determinants of health (mental/medical) over the life span.
• Identify social and mental health interventions to remediate the impact of inequality.
• Apply ecological theory as framework for conceptualizing how people (client-hood) grapple with poverty, community violence/trauma, and environmental stressors across the life-span.
• Identify environmental conditions that promote or inhibit development and behavior (i.e. poverty, class, discrimination, and oppression, and to recognize the necessity of promoting economic and social justice).

Description

The Impact of Health Care Reform on Social Work: Quality vs. Quantity explores the implications of healthcare policy on social work practice. This course offers a comprehensive review of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) within the context of medical and mental health service delivery. Among the issues explored are: health insurance reform, cost-containment and limitations. Participants will be able to evaluate the impact of ACA’s new integrated health care models, which mandate participating exchange programs to cover behavioral health care, expanded role of health homes in providing inpatient care to those diagnosed with chronic mental illness, and the shift to community-based mental health services. Practitioners will also learn how to decode common healthcare jargon into simplified terms such that they can help educate their clients and effectively advocate on their behalf.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the key concepts and regulations delineated by the ACA.
• Evaluate the financial stipulations that MHPAEA (2008) places on health insurance issuers/managed care providers within the domains of medical and behavioral health services.
• Define Health Outcomes.
• Define how Access-to-Healthcare is measured.
• Evaluate Quality of Care as it pertains to: competent care, medical negligence, and the capitation and reimbursement system.
• Identify Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• Identify the challenges faced by the underinsured as it pertains to: insurance deductibles and copayments, gaps in Medicare coverage, lack of coverage for long-term care.
• Articulate the terms and conditions of the Individual Mandate to obtain health insurance benefits.

Description

Intimate Partner Violence: The Two Faces of Love provides a post-structural view of abuse across, cultural and social norms, gender and sexual orientation. Drawing from a psychodynamic perspective, the practitioner will be able to cast a more holistic and nuanced understanding of IPV. Moreover, participants will be able to strengthen their assessment skills— identify the signs of abuse, consider evidenced-based clinical models for treating affected populations, such as trauma-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy; and ascertain legal and advocacy resources.

Learning Objectives

• Define Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Identify at-risk populations whom are affected by IPV.
• Identify prevalence rates.
• Identify age of onset of both victim and perpetrator (i.e. developmental stage of life at victimization, including but not limited to: stalking, physical abuse, rape).
• Identify and recognize the Warning Signs of Abuse Define the 4-types of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and economic).
• Identify the challenges and obstacles of abuse (not limited to: psychological and economic entrapment, physical isolation and lack of social support, immigration status, religious belief system).
• Identify ways to assess for trauma and risk factors for IPV.
• Identify Interventions and Resources (counseling, health and wellness, legal and advocacy services).

Description

Interpersonal Neurobiology: A New Perspective provides a framework for understanding the contributions of brain development to human behavior (i.e. cognitive, emotional development, reasoning). Emphasis is placed on neuroplasticity, early vulnerabilities in child brain development, executive functioning, memory recall, interpersonal relationships, and impact of trauma across the life course. Practitioners will be able to consider and appreciate how experiences shape gene expression. Specific emphasis will be placed on how traumatic life events (i.e. abuse, exposure to violence, complicated grief/loss) can be a risk-factor for developing symptoms of psychopathology (anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse). Practitioners will be able to identify methods for ameliorating the long-term effects of trauma.

Learning Objectives

• Identify four quintessential perspectives pertaining to how early experiences contribute to brain development
• Identify the key structures (higher, central, lower, hind) of the brain.
• Define the functions of the key structures (higher, central, lower, hind) of the brain.
• Apply concepts of Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) to how experiences influence Parent-Child Relationships
• Define Neuroplasticity
• Identify the implications of neuroscience and brain development on social work practice.
• Define and identify Epigenetic Factors—the ways in which specific experiences directly influences how genes are expressed.
• Define Susceptibility in the context of how certain early experiences (supportive and neglectful) significantly prepare or deter young children from developing effective capacities (executive functioning) to regulate their behavior.
• Define Memory recall (implicit/explicit memory) and how this function contributes to human behavior in the context of healthy and traumatic life experiences.
• Identify healthy and maladaptive mechanisms in the context of coping and adapting to life crises.

Description

Oppression Theories provide a framework for understanding power and privilege and the intersectionality of class, race, gender, self and group identity within the context of social work practice. Reflective exercise will be offered such that participants can begin to explore personal biases and stereotypes that can affect the understanding of human behavior and dynamic in the practitioner-client relationship. Readings from Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed will be introduced as a framework for understanding oppression on a systemic level (macro) and in the context on the practitioner-client relationship (micro).

Learning Objectives

• Define social justice, economic security, equality as well as oppression.
• Identify the (7) core concepts as posited by Paulo Freire.
• Define the term ‘praxis’ as conceptualized by Paulo Freire.
• Apply Freirian thought as a catalyst for change within multi-social system levels (i.e. the practitioners’ organization, social policy, government institutions, etc.)
• Identify the role(s) played by human behavior in the social environment.
• Identify ways clients, social workers, social agencies and social movements can promote justice and equality and to assuage oppression.
• Identify the impact of privilege and oppression and the potential power dynamics of race, sex, class, heteronormativity, ability, age, and religion in the context of how the dynamics of oppression impact the human developmental process.
• Explore personal biases and stereotypes that can affect the understanding of human behavior and change and the practitioner-client relationship.

Prelude to Advance Care Planning and Bioethics explores advance directives and ways to support patient self-determination through the application of medical ethics. As Social Workers, we often play an integral role on multi-disciplinary teams. As a profession, we are well suited to be mediators when there is a difference of opinion between doctor and patient.

Learning Objectives

• Review the origins of Bioethics
• Consider the ethical challenges
• Identify and define four (4) key principles of medical ethics (patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, distributive justice).
• Identify Stages of Bioethics Mediation
• Consider the role of social workers as mediators in the healthcare setting

Description

Psycho-social Development and Family Systems Theory provides a framework for understanding human behavior in the context of the social environment and family systems. Participants will explore how psychological and social content shape the human experience. Erik Erikson’s Psycho-social Stages of Development Theory will be reviewed as a framework for practitioners to understand the role of early relationships, culture, age, in personality development across the life-span. From an Eriksonian perspective, emphasis will be placed on how core childhood stages influence the foundation of adult personality. Murray Bowen’s (Bowenian) Family Systems Theory will be offered as a model for understanding the family emotional system. Participants will learn how to apply these theories in the context of providing clinical treatment and concrete social services to children and families.

Learning Objectives

• Define Family Systems Theory according to Murray Bowen.
• Identify the (3) concepts that make up the ‘Family Projection Process’ according to Bowen.
• Identify the (4) stages of the’ Nuclear Family Emotional System’ according to Bowen.
• Define the ‘Societal Emotional Process’ according to Bowen.
• Identify (8) stages of psycho-social development according to Erik Erikson.
• Compare and contrast theoretical approaches (i.e. Murray Bowen and Erik Erikson) to understanding the psychodynamics of family and interpersonal relationships across the life span.
• Apply concepts of Family Systems Theory in the context of alleviating family tension and conflict in professional practice.
• Apply concepts of Psycho-social Development Theory in the context of providing clinical interventions and social services to children and families in professional practice.

Description

Psychodynamic Theories (i.e. ego psychology, object relations) are presented as a lens for understanding personality development and human behavior spanning across childhood and adulthood. Emphasis is placed on ‘unconscious drives’ and ‘early experiences’ as motivations for human behavior across the life course. Focus is also placed on temperament and the quality of the parent-child relationship (i.e. goodness-of-fit). Implications of psychodynamic concepts to clinical social work practice will be underscored, specific to supportive counseling and psychoanalytic treatment methods.

Learning Objectives

• Define Psychodynamic Theory
• Identify Psychoanalytic Theories (such as object relations, ego psychology) that are practiced in clinical social work
• Compare and contrast psychodynamic theories of human development
• Identify (3) significant constructs (id, ego, superego) of Freud’s Theory on Personality Development
• Define Drive Theory
• Identify the (2) significant concept (unconscious forces and early experiences) that are core to psychoanalytic thought
• Apply psychodynamic concepts to clinical social work practice

Description

Social Construction Theory provides a framework for understanding individuals, groups, families, communities and organizations. In this module, emphasis is placed on theories of empowerment and the role of the social work advocate. Specific attention is drawn to how social work professionals can leverage/effect change within the context of groups, families, organizations and communities. The impact of inequality on differences in gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, and implications for the professional social work advocate to ameliorate these inequities will be addressed. Practitioners will consider best advocacy strategies and practice methods for meeting clients’ diverse needs.

Learning Objectives

• Define Social Construction Theory.
• Apply principles of empowerment theory to social work practice.
• Identify ways in which individual/client(s) can effect change in their community through advocacy.
• Identify ways that the professional social work advocate can provide interventions within multiple levels (groups, organizations, community).
• Apply concepts of social construction theory to their unique professional areas (i.e. clinical practice, programming, administration, community organizing, social policy).
• Identify the role and significance of diversity and its impact on human development, behavior and values, especially relating to differences in gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, vulnerable and at-risk populations.
• Consider best practice methods for meeting clients’ diverse needs.

Description

The Art of sleep explores: sleep deprivation and proper sleep hygiene; understanding the relationship between our nutrition, diet, exercise, and circadian rhythms. Cognitive behavioral strategies, including today’s evidence-based mobile sleep apps will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the stages of sleep (i.e. REM and Non-REM cycles)
• Identify cognitive behavioral approaches to improve sleep
• Evaluate the relationship between sleep and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depressive disorders)
• Examine increased prevalence rates of sleep deprivation in The United States and related public health outcomes
• Evaluate how diet and exercise can affect sleep quality
• Review methods for enhancing sleep through the use of evidence-based technology and CBT

Description

Bioethical Issues and End-of-Life Decisions explores two different approaches to medical ethics—one based on the application of ethical principles to individual cases, the other based on case-by-case analysis. Practitioners will consider how we can use medical ethics in the formulation of health policy. Moreover, attention will be given to the following: the role of social workers as mediators when there is a difference of opinion between doctor and patient; and ways to support and facilitate patient self-determination.

Learning Objectives

• Define Health according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Review the origins of Bioethics
• Identify the emergent issues of Bioethics
• Identify the philosophical and health management issues facing End- of-Life care
• Identify and consider the proverbial questions and challenges presented by medical innovations
• Consider the ethical challenges
• Identify and define four (4) key principles of medical ethics (patient autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, distributive justice).
• Identify the seven (7) Stages of Bioethics Mediation (Assessment and preparation, Beginning the Mediation, Presenting and Refining the Medical Facts, Gathering Information, Problem-solving, Resolution, Follow-up).
• Consider the role of social workers as mediators in the healthcare setting

Description

Challenges In Telephonic Care Management explores ways to mitigate barriers to health care delivery within the context of the following areas: best practices for care management coordination; improving quality of care through assessing language proficiency and health literacy to enhance communication. Implementation of health literacy and mental health assessment tools will be addressed. Health professionals will explore the impact of racial and ethnic disparities on patient access to care. Lastly, practitioners will learn skills to approach patient resistance and navigate difficult conversations.

Learning Objectives

• Apply best practice methods to coordinate patient healthcare and optimize outcomes.
• Recognize integral factors that enable healthcare management success.
• Implement validated mental health screening tools to identify and assess patient distress.
• Acquire skills for building rapport and a therapeutic alliance with patients.
• Identify ways of engaging members who demonstrate resistant behaviors to receiving healthcare services.
• Consider problem-solving approaches to enhancing communication.
• Identify ways that telephonic care management can reduce the impact of recidivism.
• Explore how racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare impact patient access to care.
• Identify ways of improving quality of care through assessing member’s language proficiency and define health literacy.
• Implement validated language and health literacy assessment tools to gage patient comprehension.

Description

Global Uncertainty Amidst COVID-19: Impact On Health Outcomes explores our present climate of global uncertainty, increased anxiety, profound loss of life and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on behavioral and medical health outcomes. The curriculum examines the epidemiology, prevalence rates and community spread. Furthermore, evaluates how COVID-19 exacerbates pre-existing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare and leads to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Practitioners will learn to identify Self-Care Strategies (mindfulness, meditation, breathing and progressive muscle relaxation) to manage distress during these uncertain times.

Learning Objectives:

• Acquire an understanding of virology
• Define the medical term—virus
• Define the term—pandemic
• Explore the etiology of viral infection, specific to the colony of coronaviruses
• Identify the novel characteristics of COVID-19
• Recognize the criteria for diagnosis, treatment regimen and prevention methods
• Examine the global impact of COVID-19
• Acquire knowledge specific to epidemiology, prevalence rates and community spread
• Examine The United States National Pandemic Response To COVID (Surging Death Toll and PPE Crisis)
• Evaluate how COVID-19 exacerbates pre-existing racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare and leads to increased morbidity and mortality rates
• Explore COVID-19 public health guidelines, healthcare policies and government legislation (CARES Act)
• Evaluate how COVID-19 impacts mental and behavioral health
  Assess Secondary Trauma and Moral Injury in Frontline Healthcare Workers
• Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse
• Approaches to managing the family system and talking to children about COVID-19
• Explore approaches to managing COVID-19 imposed telecommuting and work-life balance
• Identify Self-Care Strategies (mindfulness, meditation, breathing and progressive muscle relaxation)

Description

Integrative Care: Mental Illness and Psychopharmacology provides an integrative and culturally informed framework to understanding mental illness.  A biological and epigenetic lens will be applied to examining mental illness. Psychiatric milieu therapy, psycho-dynamic and CBT approaches to treating mental health disorders, not limited to: anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia will be considered. Psychopharmacology and medication management and treatment will be reviewed. Practitioners will examine the impact of the environment and stigma on coping and adjusting to illness. Furthermore, consideration is given to how integrating nutrition, mindfulness and holistic interventions can support healthier life outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Implement a client-centered and culturally informed approach to working with diverse populations.
• Identify psychiatric features and symptoms across the spectrum of mental health disorders.
• Review psychotropic medications prescribed for treating mood disorders.
• Consider the side effects, and therapeutic uses of antidepressant medications.
• Evaluate the side effects, and therapeutic uses of antipsychotic medications.
• Explore therapeutic approaches to improve treatment adherence: cultivating patient rapport and care coordination with prescribing practitioners.
• Examine the unique medication treatment approaches for geriatric patients.
• Consider integrative nutrition as a complementary regimen for treating mental illness.

Description

Motivational Interviewing: Finding Our Resilience provides dynamic approaches to engage clients and inspire sustainable lifestyle change. Through stimulating self-reflection, clients will be able to recognize common ‘pit-falls’ and unhelpful thinking styles that can impede their personal growth. Through integrating case vignettes and evidence-based Motivational Interviewing techniques, Practitioners will learn ways to work through patient ambivalence and resistance. Ultimately, Practitioners will enhance their clinical skills, which can be applied to a realm of treatment interventions targeting health behavior changes, not limited to addictions and mental health disorders.

Learning Objectives

• Apply the Pillars of Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Acquire a Skillful Approach to MI
• Explore Patients’ Values and Guiding Philosophies
• Integrate MI in facilitating Health Behavior Changes
• Apply MI to Medication Adherence
• Integrate a MI approach to Addictions and Mental Health Disorders
• Work with Patient Ambivalence
• Manage Patient Resistance and Discord

Description

Chronic Medical Illnesses provides an overview of disease prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates in the United States. Emphasis is placed on the impact of living with a chronic illness (i.e. Cancer, Cardiovascular, Diabetes/Renal Disease) specific to patient health trajectories, health outcomes and interfacing the healthcare system. Practitioners will broaden their knowledge base by acquiring psycho-social interventions that can be applied to healthcare management. The curriculum will also explore relevant assessment tools, clinical treatment therapies, and treatment adherence.

Learning Objectives

• Explore Disease Prevalence and Morbidity/Mortality Rates in the United States
• Examine approaches to managing Cancer
• Review approaches to managing Cardiovascular Diseases
• Consider approaches to managing Diabetes/Renal Diseases
• Evaluate the Impact of Chronic Illness on Patient Mental Health Trajectories
• Review Clinical Treatment Therapies
• Acquire Clinical Assessment Tools and Interventions
• Explore approaches to managing Patient Resistance and Treatment Non-adherence

Description

Gender Identity, Equity and Sexual Orientation: Social Work Practice with LGBTQIA Persons provides a framework for integrating life experiences/social statuses of people whose identities have been marginalized (e.g., gender, sexual orientation) by the gender binary and heteronormativity. This course provides an intersectional overview of culture, gender and sexual orientation by considering power differentials and inequalities. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on identifying stereotypes and neutralizing unconscious bias. Therapeutic strategies for supporting diverse client identities will be explored.

Learning Objectives

• Integrating more Expansive and Inclusive Language/Terminology
• Consider Power and Privilege and the Impact of Heteronormativity on LGBTQIA Patients
• Counteracting Stigma: Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia
• Identifying Internalized Homophobia and Working through Shame
• Supportive approaches to working with LGBTQIA Persons
• Clinical Strategies to Support Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity