CE Credit Hours: 3.00 Continuing Education Credit Hours
EdCompass, LLC DBA MindfulCEUs.com, #2090, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 12/16/2024-12/16/2025. Social workers completing this course will receive general continuing education credits.
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- 2 Read the Course Material - As you read through, mark your answers on the course worksheet to be prepared for the exam
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CE Course Description
Research continues to accumulate on how enhancing protective factors early in a child’s life can protect against a multitude of risks, including substance misuse. The purpose of this intermediate level continuing education course, developed using information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute on Drug Abuse, is to address the specific ways in which early interventions can have positive effects on development and can target individual, family, school, and community precursors of drug use, abuse, and addiction. Summaries of specific, research-based early childhood interventions are presented as well as resources to support prevention–related initiatives.
Author: National Institute on Drug Abuse
CE Course Objectives
- Outline principles that address the specific ways in which early interventions can have positive effects on child development.
- Discuss how early childhood experiences, along with exposure to risk and protective factors in early years, impacts substance abuse and prevention.
- Summarize the components of the Logic Model for Intervening in Early Childhood to Prevent Drug Abuse.
- Review various research-based early intervention substance abuse prevention programs that span the prenatal to transition to school developmental periods.
- Differentiate between universal, selective, and tiered intervention programs at each developmental level.
- Identify how theory, observation, and behavioral studies are used to provide the rationale for designing and implementing intervention programs.
- Describe necessary steps taken prior to selecting and implementing an intervention.
Introduction (3 mins)
- Brief overview of the course.
- Importance of early intervention in preventing substance abuse.
Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood (35 mins)
- Principle 1: Intervening early in childhood can alter the life course trajectory in a positive direction (5 mins)
- Impact of early childhood interventions on long-term outcomes.
- Principle 2: Intervening early in childhood can both increase protective factors and reduce risk factors (5 mins)
- How early interventions build resilience and reduce vulnerabilities.
- Principle 3: Intervening early in childhood can have positive long-term effects (5 mins)
- Examples of positive behavioral, emotional, and cognitive development.
- Principle 4: Intervening in early childhood can have effects on a wide array of behaviors (5 mins)
- Influence of early childhood programs on various aspects of behavior (e.g., social, academic, emotional).
- Principle 5: Early childhood interventions can positively affect children’s biological functioning (5 mins)
- Addressing biological and neurodevelopmental impacts through intervention.
- Principle 6: Early childhood prevention interventions should target the proximal environments of the child (5 mins)
- Family, school, and community environments as key intervention points.
- Principle 7: Positively affecting a child’s behavior through early intervention can elicit positive behaviors in adult caregivers and in other children, improving the overall social environment (5 mins)
- Cascading effects on families and communities.
Chapter 1: Why is Early Childhood Important to Substance Abuse Prevention? (10 mins)
- Life course perspective on risk for drug abuse (5 mins)
- Long-term effects of early childhood experiences on later substance use.
- Major influences on early childhood development (5 mins)
- Family, environment, socio-economic factors, and early education.
Chapter 2: Risk and Protective Factors (30 mins)
- Early childhood risk factors for later drug use (12 mins)
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACE), family history, trauma, etc.
- Multiple risk factors and their compounding effects (5 mins)
- How multiple risks influence the likelihood of substance abuse.
- Protective factors that offset risk (13 mins)
- Resilience factors, positive social environments, early education.
Chapter 3: Intervening in Early Childhood (37 mins)
- Contexts targeted by early childhood interventions (6 mins)
- Home, school, and community-based settings.
- Targeting all children vs. highest-risk children (5 mins)
- Universal vs. selective interventions.
- Features of early childhood interventions (6 mins)
- Age-appropriate approaches, evidence-based methods, and inclusive practices.
- Changing behavior of parents and teachers (8 mins)
- Parent and teacher involvement in prevention strategies.
- Who benefits the most from early childhood interventions? (12 mins)
- The most at-risk children and the impact of targeted interventions.
Chapter 4: Research-Based Early Intervention Substance Abuse Prevention Programs (47 mins)
- Prenatal/Infancy and Toddlerhood Programs (12 mins)
- Overview of universal and selective programs (Durham Connects, Early Steps FCU, Family Spirit, etc.).
- Preschool Programs (10 mins)
- Programs like Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Preschoolers (MTFC-P).
- Transition to School Programs (13 mins)
- Universal and selective programs for children ages 6 to 8, including Caring School Community and Raising Healthy Children.
- Tiered Programs (12 mins)
- Fast Track Prevention Trial, Incredible Years, Positive Action, etc.
Chapter 5: Selected Resources (15 mins)
- Overview of key resources for implementing and researching early childhood substance abuse prevention programs.
- How to access and apply evidence-based practices.
Conclusion (3 mins)
- Recap of key points.
- Encouragement for implementing early childhood interventions and using available resources.
Total Time: 180 minutes (3 hours)
Course Level: Introductory
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Course Date: 2018-03-01
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