APA Task Force Reports on Girls and Women – New Online CE Course

CE Credit: 3 Hours (0.3 CEUs)
Target Audience: Psychology Counseling Social-Work Marriage-and-Family
Learning Level: Intermediate

Course Abstract:

APA Task Force Reports on Girls & WomenThis course is based on a collection of free, public-access task force reports from the American Psychological Association on issues pertaining to women. The course instructions included with this course will provide direct links to the online documents. The first report describes guidelines for psychological practice with girls and women, the second addresses the behavioral healthcare needs of rural women, and the third pertains to the sexualization of girls in the media. These reports were based on thorough reviews of the research literature, and include implications and recommendations for action. This course is appropriate for any mental health professional who works with women or girls. Course #30-51 | 2010 | 39 posttest questions

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify issues relevant to mental health practice with women and girls.
  2. Describe and apply practice guidelines for mental health treatment of women and girls.
  3. Identify mental health concerns relevant to rural women.
  4. Describe the sexualization of girls in the media, the impacts of these practices, and methods for counteracting the effects.

About the Author(s):

The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington, D.C., is a professional organization with more than 150,000 members, including researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. All four documents on which this course is based were compiled and written by members of the American Psychological Association. Full lists of authors are available in the documents.

Accreditation Statement:

Professional Development Resources is recognized as a provider of continuing education by the following:
APA: American Psychological Association
ASWB: Association of Social Work Boards (#1046)
NBCC: National Board for Certified Counselors (#5590)
NAADAC: National Association of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors (#00279)
California: Board of Behavioral Sciences (#PCE1625)
Florida: Boards of SW, MFT & MHC (#BAP346); Psychology & School Psychology (#50-1635); Dietetics & Nutrition (#50-1635); Occupational Therapy Practice (#34). PDResources is CE Broker compliant.
Illinois: DPR for Social Work (#159-00531)
Ohio: Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board (#RCST100501)
South Carolina: Board of Professional Counselors & MFTs (#193)
Texas: Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (#114) & State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678)

Wisconsin Social Work Continuing Education Requirements

Wisconsin-licensed Social Workers are required to obtain 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years for license renewal. The renewal period runs from March 1st to February 28th of odd years. A minimum of 20 hours must be in facilitated workshops, which must include 4 hours of Ethics and Boundaries. This includes workshops, in-service training, live teleconferences or web classes with an instructor and peer interaction.

Social Workers may earn up to 10 continuing education hours through self-study. Self-study includes audio programs and self-directed online classes. Ethics and Boundaries credits may not be earned through self-study classes. The Joint Board of Marriage & Family Therapy, Professional Counseling & Social Work Examining accepts self-study courses offered by ASWB-ACE approved providers.

Professional Development Resources is approved as a provider of continuing education for social workers by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program). Over 150 online and mail order home study CE courses available @ https://www.pdresources.org/Index.aspx.

Continuing Education for Psychologists

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for all programs and content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Florida Board of Psychology and Office of School Psychology (CE Broker Provider #50-1635).

Professional Development Resources
provides home study continuing education (CE) courses in online, mail order, and test only learning formats for ultimate convenience. All courses require successful completion of an online posttest (80% or better required to pass, 3 chances to take test) to earn a certificate of completion.

The following states currently accept APA-approval of home study continuing education courses
:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming & Washington DC

The amount of hours allowed from home study continuing education varies by state by board. You can view continuing education requirements by state by profession on Professional Development Resources’ website at: http://www.pdresources.org/CeRequirements.aspx

Many state psychology boards require continuing education on Ethics each licensing period. Professional Development Resources offers a variety of Ethics courses in their curriculum of over 150 CE courses for psychologists.

Ohio Social Workers/MFTs Can Now Earn All 30 CE Hours Through Distance Learning!

Effective July 3, 2010: Ohio-licensed Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists (MFTs) can now earn all 30 of their required continuing education hours through distance learning courses. This was previously limited to 15 hours (Counselors are still limited to 15 hours). “Distance Learning means a formal education process, in which instruction occurs when the students and instructor(s) are not located in the same place.” Distance learning refers to all non traditional methods of presentation (home study, online courses, etc.) except video conferencing.

Social Workers: Any course that is accredited by the ASWB will be accepted by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & MFT Board for continuing social work education. If the course materials say “ACE approved” or “approved as a provider for continuing education by the ASWB,” it is acceptable.

Professional Development Resources is approved as a provider of continuing education for social workers by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program).

Counselors & MFTs: Courses must be approved by the CSWMFT Board as designated by the provider approval code. The provider approval code will begin with a prefix of a variation of these letters RCSTX followed by numbers. A (C ) in the prefix shows the program is approved for counselors, an (S ) for social workers and (T) for Marriage & Family Therapists.

Professional Development Resources is approved as a provider of continuing education for Social Workers, Counselors & MFTs by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board (Provider #RCST100501). Courses that are approved by the Ohio CSWMFT Board have the provider code listed in the accreditation statement on the course details page.

All licensees are required to earn 3 hours of continuing education in ethics each renewal period. Professional Development Resources offers a variety of ethics courses for Social Workers, Counselors & MFTs.

Counselors holding the supervising counselor designation must complete 6 hours of supervisory training per renewal cycle.

Social Workers holding the supervising designation must complete 3 hours of supervisory training per renewal cycle.

Massachusetts Social Workers – License Renewal, CE Requirements & Audit Information

Massachusetts-licensed social workers have an upcoming license renewal deadline of September 30, 2010. As required by the Board of Registration of Social Workers, all licensees must complete the minimum number of continuing education hours specified below for his or her licensure level during each licensure period:

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSWs) – thirty (30) continuing education hours;
  • Licensed Certified Social Workers (LCSWs) – twenty (20) continuing education hours;
  • Licensed Social Workers (LSWs) – fifteen (15) continuing education hours; and
  • Licensed Social Work Associates (LSWAs) – ten (10) continuing education hours.

A continuing education course or program that has been reviewed and approved by ASWB as an Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program may be used to satisfy the continuing education requirements. There is no limit on the numer of hours earned from online or home study continuing education courses.

Continuing Education has been viewed as an integral part of the social work profession for many years now. In Massachusetts, Continuing Education has always been a requirement for the maintenance of a social work license. While most licensees agree and see the value of Continuing Education, it has become apparent recently that a reminder as to just what is required and how the Board monitors compliance, is needed.

Licensees, in order to renew their social work license, must sign a renewal form attesting under the penalties of perjury that they have completed all requirements for their license. This, of course, includes completion of Continuing Education.

It is the responsibility of the licensee to ensure not only that the course or program for which they are receiving credit is approved by a recognized entity, but also that they receive and maintain appropriate documentation of their CEUs. Documentation should be maintained for a period of not less than two licensure cycles, inclusive of the licensure period during which the course, program or activity was completed.

Continuing Education Audits are now performed after the submission of renewal forms, and may be done at any time during the two-year licensure cycle. If randomly selected for the audit, you will receive a written notification requesting that you submit documentation of your continuing education for the most recent, previous, complete licensure cycle (10/1/odd year – 10/1/odd year). If you fail to provide documentation of your Continuing Education, disciplinary action will be taken against your license. Audits are performed by ASWB and therefore if you are selected any questions about this process should initially be directed first to ASWB.

It is imperative that licensees understand the absolute necessity of continuing education completion for maintenance of their license. While the Board certainly does not look for ways to penalize social workers licensed in the Commonwealth, it is their duty as a consumer protection agency to ensure that the care and protection of the citizens of the Commonwealth is held in the highest regard. With that said, it falls to the Board to ensure licensees are following the standards of practice, which they have set forth in Massachusetts General Law 258 CMR.

Professional Development Resources is approved as a provider of continuing education for social workers by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program) and offers over 150 online and mail order home study continuing education courses on their website: http://www.pdresources.org/Index.aspx

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New Jersey Social Workers Upcoming License Renewal Deadline (August 31st)

New Jersey Social Workers have an upcoming license renewal deadline of August 31st. According to the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners, the following continuing education requirements must be met for a license to be renewed:

  • LCSW: 40 hours of continuing education are required every 2 years for license renewal (8/31, even years) – 20 hours must relate to clinical practice
  • LSW: 30 hours are required every 2 years
  • CSW: 20 hours are required every 2 years
  • No limit on hours earned from online or home study coursework offered by an ASWB-approved provider
  • 5 hours in ethics required each renewal
  • 3 hours in social and cultural competence required each renewal (Cultural Issues / Cultural Sensitivity)

Professional Development Resources is approved as a provider of continuing education for social workers by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program) and offers over 150 CE courses for immediate access at: https://www.pdresources.org/Index.aspx

Not only can New Jersey-licensed Social Workers earn all of their CE credits through Professional Development Resources’ courses, they can also save 10% by using coupon code PDRBlog10 during checkout!

Maryland Social Workers Can Now Earn up to 20 Hours of CE from Home Study!

The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners revised their rules and regulations regarding continuing education (CE) this year. Maryland-licensed Social Workers are now allowed to earn up to 20 hours of CE via online and home study coursework under Category II credit (previously limited to 10 hours per 2-year renewal period).

Maryland-licensed Social Workers are required to renew their licenses biennially on October 31st. 40 hours of continuing education are required each renewal to show an on-going commitment to life-long learning. 20 of the 40 required hours must come from Category 1 (live) courses, including 3 hours in ethics. The remaining 20 hours can now come from online and home study courses offered by approved-providers.

The Board recognizes and accepts the continuing education approval process conducted by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and automatically accepts courses offered by ASWB-approved providers.

Professional Development Resources is approved as a provider of continuing education for social workers by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB Provider #1046, ACE Program) and offers over 150 continuing education courses in online and home study format for social workers throughout the United States.

Risk Management is Part of Life for Psychotherapists

Professional Development Resources RiskManagementEducationOnline, a nationally accredited provider of continuing education (CE) for psychologists, social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapists, has announced the release of a new continuing education course on realistic risk management for mental health professionals.

Jacksonville, FL (Vocus/PRWEB ) August 1, 2009 — Professional Development Resources, RiskManagementEducationOnline has released a new continuing education course that details the real risks of practicing in mental health professions, along with strategies for anticipating and minimizing risks. Areas of special emphasis include the impact of managed care and the complex interaction of new HIPAA regulations with legal and ethical considerations. The six-hour course, which is available online, makes the case that there are real risks associated with independent practice, but that most risky situations can be managed with thoughtful clinical decision making and careful attention to detail in day-to-day clinical practice.

The average mental health practitioner in independent practice who belongs to a managed care organization (MCO) must perform a balancing act, attempting to attend to and satisfy the requirements of half a dozen entities. These include the practitioner’s own profession (code of ethics), state licensure laws and rules, federal regulations (HIPAA privacy laws), the MCO’s limitations and guidelines, local standards of practice, and a variety of state and national child abuse and ‘duty to protect’ laws. Sometimes the requirements are inconsistent – or even in conflict – with each other, and the clinician must unravel the tangles in order to discern the ethical and legal course of action.

It may seem ironic that those who practice in the helping professions have to be so aware of practicing defensively. Most of the people who complete lengthy training programs to become psychotherapists do so because of a desire to help people. Yet, over the last 10 years, there has been a major increase in the number of lawsuits, licensing board actions, and ethics complaints against mental health practitioners. How has this need for defensive practice come about?

There seem to be a number of contributing factors. Changes in the economic system, the growth of managed care, increased federal and state regulations, advancing technology, and greater demands for oversight and accountability in clinical practice have made record keeping and communications much more complex, time consuming, and risky. Many clinicians are frustrated by the extra work they must do to satisfy the complex – and sometimes contradictory – demands of regulators and insurers. This CE program offers practical take-home tools for minimizing risk and covering one’s assets, associates, and actions.

“One cannot insure against or prevent all risks. That is why it is called risk management, and not risk prevention,” says Ed Zuckerman, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of the course. “There are very real emotional, personal, and financial costs involved in licensing board complaints and malpractice suits. Risk management involves reducing the potential impacts by reducing the levels of threat, vulnerability, and likelihood at the lowest cost or effort.”

One of the unique aspects of this course is that it gives the reader the opportunity to estimate his or her own individual risk of being the target of a licensing board complaint or malpractice suit. Based on the real occurrence of complaints and lawsuits brought against individuals in each particular profession, the author guides the reader through a mathematical probability sequence that results in a realistic risk self-assessment. The reader can then implement specific strategies designed to reduce his or her individual risk.

“I have never seen such an inclusive collection of rational strategies, thoughtful analyses, and ready-to-use tools brought together in one place before,” says Leo Christie, PhD, CEO of Professional Development Resources. “Independent practice has become more risky, and many clinicians have not adapted. What are the real-life risks? What constitutes ‘standard of care?’ How long do we have to keep clinical records? How can we be sure that electronic records are secure and confidential? We can all learn how to protect our clients and ourselves by implementing changes that are surprisingly simple.”

The new risk management course and a number of others – all of which are available instantly online and can be completed any time and anywhere – include:
Realistic Risk Management, (2009) 85 pages, HIPAA Help: A Compliance Manual for Psychotherapists, (2009) 263 pages, Ethics & Risk Management: Expert Tips I, (2008) 22 pages, and
Ethics & Risk Management: Expert Tips II, (2009) 26 pages.

About Professional Development Resources, Inc.

Professional Development Resources is a Florida nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1992 by licensed marriage and family therapist Leo Christie, PhD. The company, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) – as well as many other national and state boards – has focused its efforts on making continuing education courses more efficient and widely accessible to health professionals by offering online home study coursework. Its current expanded curriculum includes a wide variety of clinical topics intended to equip health professionals to offer state-of-the art services to their clients.

Contact:

Professional Development Resources, Inc.
800-979-9899
http://www.pdresources.org