Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Fostering Resilience

Understanding the significance of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research and links between childhood trauma and long-term health, behavior and social consequences among adults is critical for social work practice. This class will review the relevant research on Adverse Childhood Experiences, including new findings on positive childhood experiences (PCEs). Strategies for social workers to help clients build resilience and mitigate the impact of ACEs will be explored.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Social workers who take this class will be able to:

1. Identify Adverse Childhood Experiences and understand the research findings
2. Describe impact of toxic stress on brain development
3. Identify the expansion of ACEs research to include PCEs (positive childhood experiences)
4. Identify risk and protective factors and the implications for social work practice
5. Describe strategies for promoting ACEs awareness and building resilience

Cara Weiner Sultan, LMSW

Cara is a clinical social worker who has worked with children and families in a wide variety of settings. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University and her MSW from Boston University, Cara worked as a clinical social worker in academic medical centers in Boston, MA primarily with children/families coping with chronic illness. Upon moving to Long Island, NY, Cara has worked in local communities and schools for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Presently, Cara is a social worker providing services in youth development and conducting research for the Town of Southampton Youth Bureau. She is also a parent educator and develops and facilitates psychoeducational groups for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. Cara is an adjunct professor in the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service and currently teaches Social Work Practice with Individuals Across the Lifespan, Social Work Practice with Groups and Families.

Class fees are listed below:

• Full Tuition - $60
• GSS Alumni - $50
• Current Field Instructor - $50
• Current Adjunct Faculty - $50
• SWHPN Member - $50
• 3+ members registering from one agency - $40 per registration
• Non-Fordham Current MSW or Social Work PhD Student - $40
• Veterans - $40
• Fordham Faculty and Staff - $40
• Current Fordham MSW or PhD Student - $30
• Fordham Alumni Palliative Care Fellow - $30
• Current Fordham Palliative Care Fellowship Field Instructor/Career Mentor - $30
• Current Fordham Palliative Care Fellow or Montefiore Fellow - $0

Continuing Education Hours

Completion of this class will result in the receipt of two (2) continuing education hours. CEHs are not awarded for partial completion of the class.

You will receive the Zoom link for joining the class by the day before the class. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE LINK BY THIS TIME, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER. 

You will need a computer and a reliable WiFi connection. The computer may be a desktop or a laptop. It may be an Apple or Windows computer.

If you have never used Zoom before, you will likely be prompted to download an applet, which is a small program that allows Zoom to communicate with your computer. This is safe and you will need to do this to join the class.

It is NOT advised that you participate using a table (e.g., an iPad) or a cellular phone. The software is not optimized for these devices.

Please plan to join the online class 15 minutes before the start time to be sure that you don’t have any problems connecting. We cannot provide technical support to you and refunds won’t be offered if you have technical problems. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact us at [email protected] at least a few days before the class.