Training for Adoption Competency (TAC)

    Committed to Training for Professionals

    Four Oaks Foster and Adoptive Family Connections staff are trainers for TAC, a post-Master’s curriculum created by the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) This comprehensive, evidence-based training is designed for licensed mental health professionals and focuses on clinical knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve the adoption and kinship network.

    Overview

    Through classroom, remote instruction, and clinical case consultation, TAC students will master 18 areas of knowledge that are critical to adoption-competent mental health services, according to TAC.

    The training includes

    • 72 hours
    • 12 sessions
    • National recognition in C.A.S.E’s online Directory of Adoption Competent Professionals
    • CEUs earned for licensed social workers

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    Learning Objectives (from C.A.S.E.)

    • Develop clinical skills in working with adopted children and youth and adoptive families on issues of loss, grief, separation, identity formation and attachment.
    • Develop clinical skills in working with adopted children and youth and adoptive families on issues related to the impact of genetics and past experiences on adjustment and the psychological well-being of adopted children.
    • Understand how trauma impacts adopted children and tools and techniques to support recovery from adverse beginnings.
    • Understand the issues that impact identity formation for adopted youth and young adults.
    • Learn how to support adoptive parents in developing therapeutic strategies in response to their children’s challenging behaviors.
    • Develop assessment and intervention skills with different types of adoptive families and with birth families.
    • Learn the developmental stages of adoptive families and the process of adoptive family formation and integration.
    • Develop skills in working with adopted children, youth and adults, adoptive families and birth families on issues of adoption openness and ongoing connections.
    • Develop an understanding of the racial, ethnic and cultural issues in adoption and how to work with transracial and transcultural families.
    • Identify and utilize evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and interventions with individuals affected by adoption.
    • Learn how to work effectively with service systems and the community on behalf of adoptive families.
    • Reinforce and strengthen the learning process through the case consultation process, resulting in strong transfer of learning to practice.

    The Center for Adoption Support and Education is a nonprofit organization that is committed to nurturing, inspiring, and empowering and adoption and foster care communities. Learn more about C.A.S.E on their website, and more about TAC .

    More About TAC

    Contact

    Connect with Four Oaks and TAC

    Kara L. Magnison, LISW

    Four Oaks Foster & Adoptive Family Connections
    1916 Waterfront Dr.
    Iowa City, IA 52240
    kmagnison@fouroaks.org
    Phone: 319-337-4523 ext: 2804

    Tammy Welter-Nelson, LISW

    Outpatient Therapy
    2460 Kerper Blvd.
    Dubuque, IA 52001
    twelter-nelson@fouroaks.org
    Phone: 563-557-3100 ext. 2324