Support of Substance Use (SOS) Interventions in Family Systems
The SOS Interventions Advanced Certification is available to all child welfare case managers and child welfare protective investigators in Florida.
The SOS Interventions Advanced Certification is a FREE online course that offers child welfare professionals a simplified model that infuses best practices to promote effective engagement with substance-involved families.
Developed with input from DCF leadership and subject matter experts, the SOS Interventions Advanced Certification course is designed specifically for child welfare professionals and provides a structured approach with practical tools they can quickly incorporate during visits with family members. The course is modeled on a protective-factors approach that allows participants to recognize and understand strengths and areas for improvement in families. In addition to supporting work with families, the tools taught in SOS Interventions also promote self-growth, encouraging participants to benefit from the concepts in their own lives.
Together, the components of the SOS Interventions Advanced Certification course provide child welfare professionals with skills to increase effectiveness, reduce burnout, and find more meaning in the important work they do.
The SOS Interventions Advanced Certification:
Note: MyALIGN Advanced Certification courses are advanced professional certifications issued by the Florida Institute for Child Welfare at Florida State University.
Earning a certificate in an Advanced Certification course does not replace the mandatory child welfare credential issued by the Florida Certification Board as required by statute 402.40. As a reminder, Section 402.40, F.S. requires that “each person providing child welfare services in this state earns and maintains a professional certification from a professional credentialing entity that is approved by the Department of Children and Families.” The Florida Certification Board is the professional credentialing entity approved by the Department to certify child welfare service providers.
Eligibility
Eligible participants include Child Welfare Case Managers and Child Welfare Protective Investigators who have finished pre-service training. Other child welfare direct service providers are encouraged to apply as well.
Application Process
The application consists of three parts: participant acknowledgement, supervisor acknowledgement, and responses to two reflection questions. For full details, please see the application page.
Stay Informed
Meet Our Facilitator & Coach
Jennifer Luther serves as the lead author and project director of the SOS Intervention in Family Systems Advanced Certification at the Florida State University College of Social Work, Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families, and Children (CFC Center). She has an extensive background in behavior change modalities, evidence-based training, program evaluation, and large-scale implementation both nationally and abroad. Jennifer began this work at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and is an author, master trainer, and consultant of best practices in behavior change.
Margarita Amado-Blanco serves as the virtual engagement learning coach with the CFC Center, where she supports all students pursuing the SOS Interventions in Family Systems Advanced Certification. Working with child welfare professionals and parents involved in the child welfare system across Florida, Margarita took a lead role in the qualitative research and analysis conducted to inform the SOS Interventions course. As one of the authors of the course, this work afforded Margarita the ability to learn about the child welfare experience from both the professional and parent perspective.
Course Outline
The AdCert includes twelve self-paced, online course chapters with three virtual, synchronous trainings, and the opportunity for coaching sessions
At the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Identify objectives and child welfare professionals' needs
- Learn how SOS Interventions can enhance staff confidence and competence
- Receive an overview of the course’s key components
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Use Person-First Language
- Examine Stigma Related to Substance Use
- Understand the Interaction between Culture and Substance Use
- Show Up with Empathy and Compassion
- Recognize the Benefits of Self-Growth
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Understand an Overview of the Brain’s Neurophysiology
- Relate How Substances Impact the Brain
- Review How Neuroplasticity Relates to Recovery
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Build Informed Plans with Substance Use in Mind
- Define Self-Control, De-Escalation, Self-Awareness, & Flexibility
- Increase Mindfulness through Understanding & Practice
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Understand the Importance of Effective Listening
- Explore Active & Reflective Listening
- Recognize the Impact of Nonverbal Communication
- Use a Strength-Based Approach when Interacting with Families
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Understand Family-Centered Engagement
- Identify & Explore Discord When Interacting with Families
- Use Affirmations to Focus on Strengths
- Shift to a Solution-Focused Mindset
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Define Role Clarification & Use it During an Assessment
- Use Open-Ended Questions to Improve the Assessment Process
- Identify & Recognize Change Talk When Assessing
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Understand the Background of Motivation
- Analyze the History & Components of Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Evaluate the Differences Between Change Talk & Sustain Talk
- Apply Key Skills in MI
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Understand Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Interventions
- Use Cognitive Restructuring within the Framework of Substance Use and Child Welfare
- Learn the Importance and Steps of Behavioral Rehearsal to Practice New Skills
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Understand the Four Rs of Emotional Regulation
- Effectively Use Authority & Disapproval
- Recognize the Power of Reinforcers & Punishers,
- Demonstrate Situational Awareness
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Set SMART, Collaborative Goals
- Understand Scaling and Readiness
- Identify Barriers, Resources, & Support
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Compile & Consolidate Findings
- Determine Family Safety & Resiliency
- Recommend & Facilitate Service Collaboration
- Understand Best Practices for Evaluation
By the end of this chapter, participants will be able to:
- Measure the PLEASE Model
- Understand Quality Assurance & Supervision Approaches
- Review Feedback & Coaching for Process Improvement
- Practice the Model
