William Randolph Hearst Program
Weekly Session Learning Objectives 2015-2016
Historical, Cultural and Empirical Implications for Child Maltreatment: Two Sessions
This two-session workshop discusses the history of child abuse/neglect in the United States and defines the
Maltreatment Syndrome in Children. An overview of the medical model of “evidence-based practice” will be introduced.
Students will be exposed to interventions with empirical support.
Wednesdays, September 13 and 30, 2015
Workshop Leader: Sylvia Rowlands
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the important milestones of the history of Child Abuse and Neglect and define Maltreatment Syndrome.
2. Discuss the role research plays in delivering outcome focused practices.
3. Differentiate between Traditional Practices and Evidence based and Evidence Informed practices.
4. Explain why constant evaluation is important in establishing interventions.
Parental Alienation Syndrome
Parental alienation, a form of emotional abuse of children, is a set of behaviors and attitudes exhibited by one parent
with the purpose of turning the child against his or her other parent. Some children
exposed to parental alienation strategies eventually succumb to the manipulation and pressure and eventually develop
Parental Alienation Syndrome, a cluster of 8 symptoms associated with the unwarranted rejection of a parent. This
workshop will present a clinical portrait of the Syndrome as well as descriptions of the primary strategies that parents
use, drawn from research with both adults who were alienated from a parent as a child, and parents of children who
currently are alienated from them. Clinical implications of the data will be discussed.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Workshop Leader: Amy J. L. Baker, PhD
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will:
1. Understand and be able to identify the 8 behavioral manifestations of an alienated child.
2. Understand and be able to identify the 17 primary parental alienation strategies that foster a child’s unwarranted
rejection of a parent.
3. Differentiate the diagnosis of alienation from estrangement.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Suffocation and SIDS
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, a form of child abuse, is a situation in which the parent induces, fabricates or
exaggerates illness in a child. A review of literature on the mortality and morbidity of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy is
presented as well as definitional issues and diagnostic and intervention strategies. The workshop presents information
about the pediatric, behavioral and legal issues in detecting abuse by suffocation. The differentiation between true SIDS
and other apnea-related physical conditions and suffocatory abuse will be explored.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Workshop Leader: Katherine Grimm, MD
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the definition, demographics and statistics on Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
2. Discuss how Munchausen by Proxy is presented in clients.
3. Discuss appropriate, interdisciplinary intervention strategies once diagnosis has been made.
An Overview of Cyber Crimes Against Children
This workshop will explore a variety of crimes against children and how cyberspace plays a role in those crimes, including
online sexual predators, online child pornography and sexting. The presentation will also include information about how
the criminal justice process works, as well as various methods to help professionals spot warning signs and help families
who are dealing with these issues.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Workshop Leader: Robert Shull
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the seriousness and prevalence of cyber crimes against children.
2. Understand how the criminal justice system deals with these crimes.
3. Discuss warning signs of cyber crime.
Needs, Wants, Wishes and Dreams: Programs and Services that Bring Relief to Parents of Children with Disabilities
Parents of children with disabilities are confronted on a daily basis with many stresses that can lead to: abusive
behaviors, emotional turmoil, and family chaos and in some case family dissolution. This workshop will explore and
discuss resources, programs, services, systems and strategies that can help parents of children with disabilities feel
supported and empowered to bring up their child or children with disabilities in a safe and nurturing environment.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Workshop Leader: Gary Shulman, MS, Ed
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1) Discover the various entry points into the Family Support Services Systems that exist in NYC for families caring for
children with disabilities.
3) Discuss specific programs and services that can bring relief to families of children with disabilities who are under
stress.
4) Understand that every child regardless of his or her label has strengths, skills, abilities and talents and use that
knowledge to help families see all options for growth and development for their children.
5) Approach families in a holistic way and be as creative and knowledgeable sources of support.
Medical Evaluation of Sexual Abuse, Medical Neglect, and Failure to Thrive: Two Sessions
This workshop will provide an overview of normal anatomy and normal variants of the female and male genitalia as well
as post traumatic changes. Participants learn to recognize the types of physical changes in the genitalia and ani of
children that might be the result of sexual abuse, and the pathological conditions that might be confused with trauma
caused by sexual abuse. The role of photo documentation of genital findings in medical evaluations of suspected child
sexual abuse cases, multidisciplinary approaches to sexual abuse assessment, and the current guidelines of the diagnosis
and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases will be discussed.
Wednesday, November 4 and 11, 2015
Workshop Leader: Vincent J. Palusci, MD, MS
Learning Objectives:
After completing these sessions, participants will be able to:
1. Recognize the types of physical changes in the genitalia and ani of children that might be the result of sexual abuse
or sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Differentiate those findings from pathological conditions that might be confused with trauma caused by sexual
abuse.
3. Understand the role of photo documentation of genital findings in medical evaluations of suspected child sexual
abuse cases.
4. Be prepared to participate in multidisciplinary approaches to sexual abuse assessment and treatment.
5. Identify the physical manifestations of neglect and failure to thrive.
6. Differentiate neglect from those medical conditions and look-alikes that can be confused with neglect.
7. Understand the role that culture plays in neglect and medical care neglect
8. Discuss how anticipatory guidance and routine pediatric preventive care can be used to achieve the optimal health
and development of children.
Trauma Specific Treatment for Abused Children
This workshop will describe the basic principles of treatment with children who are victims of abuse and neglect,
including the development of treatment goals and the main components of trauma specific treatment. The impact of
trauma and the consequences on the child and family will be outlined.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Workshop Leader: Mel Schneiderman, PhD
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the principles of treatment with maltreated children
2. Discuss the consequences and impact of abuse and neglect on children’s development.
3. Discuss the treatment goals for maltreated children.
4. Know how to affectively and cognitively process exposure to trauma.
Legal Definitions of Abuse and Neglect
This workshop will begin with an overview of Family Court and the cases that are heard by its judges. The focus will then
narrow on the Child Protective practice in Family Court and participants will learn the legal definitions of abuse and
neglect as defined in the Family Court Act. The discussion will revolve around the evidence lawyers are looking for when
deciding whether to file a case in Family Court and whether a judge can make a finding of abuse or neglect based on the
evidence presented.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Workshop Leader: Vineet Chawla, Esq.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the role of the various institutional players in Family Court.
2. Ascertain whether a parent’s behavior constitutes abuse or neglect under the law.
3. Understand what their role might be during the child protective investigation and any neglect or abuse case that
might be filed in court.
4. Understand their obligations as a mandated reporter.
5. Understand the challenges of practicing social work in a legal context.
Psychological Maltreatment
Participants will learn about the history of the concept of psychological maltreatment as well as the five primary forms
of psychological maltreatment and their negative consequences for children’s development. Examples will be provided
of each type of psychological maltreatment in order to provide participants with a deep clinical understanding of the
many manifestations this type of child maltreatment can take.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Workshop leader: Amy J.L. Baker, PhD
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the major types of psychological maltreatment.
2. Understand how psychological maltreatment relates to other forms of child maltreatment.
3. Understand the negative impact of psychological maltreatment on children’s development.
“I Am a Good Parent:” Helping Teen Parents Identify and Build Upon Their Own Good Parenting
This workshop will discuss techniques to help teen parents identify and understand even the briefest moments of
attachment they have with their children. We will then explore how to help them build on these moments to develop
positive parenting techniques. We will view video of teen parents and their children as a means of teaching and
illustrating how to do this strength-based work.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Workshop Leader: Nancy Meyers, MDiv
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Discuss the basics of adolescent brain development and how this development affects adolescent behavior.
2. Articulate specific strength-based techniques they can use when working with teen parents.
3. Discuss specific techniques to support the parent-child bond when working with teen parents
Sensory Processing Disorder: Definition, Treatment, and Advocacy
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), formerly known as Sensory Integration Disorder or Dysfunction, is a
neurodevelopmental disorder in which sensory input from the environment or from one’s body is poorly detected,
modulated, or interpreted and/or to which atypical responses are observed. This workshop will discuss the different
types of SPD and how senses are affected by it. Prevalence, treatment, and diagnosis will also be explored. This
presentation will also include a discussion about how to advocate for children affected by SPD within the educational
system.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Workshop leader: Anna Antiaris-Adler, M.A.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify symptoms and effects of Sensory Processing Disorder in children.
2. Discuss the various types of SPD and how each type affects the child’s senses.
3. Explore treatment modalities for children with SPD.
4. Understand the challenges faced by children with SPD within the educational system and learn how to advocate for
them.
Best Practice Assessment and Therapeutic Intervention Strategies
This workshop will review evidenced-based therapeutic strategies used in the treatment of abused and neglected
children. Clinical assessment of the child and the caregiver will also be discussed.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Workshop Leader: Roseminda Santee, MA, RN, NEA-BC, CNE
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify the goals and components of the clinical assessment process related to child abuse and neglect.
2. Compare current treatment protocols used for the child, the family or caretaker and/or the offender.
3. Describe the components of current evidenced- based therapeutic modalities.
4. Identify the roles of the interdisciplinary team in supporting the child and family who are receiving therapeutic
intervention strategies for child abuse and neglect.
Engaging Traumatized Youth: The Core of What You Need to Know and Do
This in-depth and experiential workshop will discuss some fundamental concepts in how trauma can impact youth and
how to work with traumatized youth. Through interactive exercises, participants will learn about impacts of trauma on
child’s relationship to self, others and the world and the potential impacts on all aspects of development. Skills for
interacting and communicating with youth who have experienced trauma will also be discussed.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Workshop leader: Jacob Ham, Ph.D.
Learning objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Understand how trauma impacts a child’s relationship to self, other and the world and potentially all aspects of
development. This teaching will occur through memorable stories and videos.
2. Use this knowledge to implement a trauma-informed approach to engaging and interacting with youth.
3. Acknowledge and discuss the impact of working with traumatized youth on helpers and how to care for oneself
while caring for others.
The Alchemy of Healing: A Collaborative Approach Combining Trauma-Focused Psychotherapy and Alternative
Healing Modalities in the Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The importance of recognizing the connection between mind, body and spirit in healing from the devastating emotional
and physical impact of violence has gained increasing prominence in the field of trauma treatment. This presentation
will focus on healing benefits of combining trauma-focused psychotherapy with alternative therapy modalities as piloted
at the Crime Victims Treatment Center (CVTC), a hospital-based out-patient treatment facility in New York City.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Workshop Leaders: Sally W. Clayton and Sasha Siegel
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Understand ways in which alternative therapies can enhance trauma-focused psychotherapy.
2. Explain alternative healing techniques and correct common misconceptions concerning holistic healing for survivors.
3. Recognize and utilize appropriate alternative therapy modalities effective in the treatment of PTSD symptoms, i.e.
panic attacks, dissociation, somatic memories.
4. Utilize Emotional Freedom Therapy, a simple technique for reducing stress, including panic attacks.
Staying in Balance: Promoting Emotional Wellness in Times of Stress
Job stress has far-reaching effects that when not managed can lead to burn-out, decreased productivity, physical and
mental exhaustion, and emotional distress. This workshop provides opportunities to identify the sources of stress in the
workplace, discuss strategies to promote staff wellness, and receive concrete tools for stress reduction. Participants will
learn to identify warning signs of overwhelming stress and strategies to reduce it, promote emotional wellness, and
increase productivity.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Workshop leader: Cristina Harris, MSW, CHHC
Learning Objectives:
After completing this session, participants will be able to:
1. Gain a better understanding of the common symptoms of stress.
2. Understand how stress and burnout can affect workplace functioning.
3. Learn how to identify telltale signs of stress.
4. Identify ways to reduce your own stress.