School of Social Work

Institute for Families

Certificate Program in Parent Education The Certificate Program in Parent Education is intended to enhance the skills and knowledge of parent

educators and other professionals working with children and families. Such professionals might include:

social workers, school social workers, guidance counselors; teachers of health and family living courses;

counselors; case workers at child welfare agencies or County Boards of Social Services.

Certificates of completion are offered after each workshop. All workshops offered in this certificate

program are designated as non-clinical workshops. Participants not seeking the full certificate program

can take individual workshops.

To receive the final Certificate in Parent Education, a participant must attend:

• 6 Required Workshops

• 2 Elective workshop

• A total of 8 days

REQUIRED WORKSHOPS ( 6 Days Total)

Listed below are 3 sets of workshops based on a child’s age group (Set A, B and C). To complete the

certificate you must complete two of the sets found below (A & B, B & C, A & C) for a total of 20 CEHs. In

addition you must take the other two required workshops D and E (10 CEHs).

A. Child Development and Family Leadership: Birth to Five Years

1. Child Development: Birth to 5 5 CEH

• Explain in the critical developmental milestones for young children

• Describe the process of normal parent-child attachment and identify the factors which may

disrupt attachment

• Discuss the effect of trauma, separation, and loss for young children

2. Family Leadership: Birth to 5 5 CEH

• Describe different styles of parenting and the impact and problem prevention strategies on

young children

• Describe specific discipline techniques that are effective in the management of young

children

• Explore and facilitate ways to facilitate trust between parents and young children

B. Child Development and Family Leadership: Ages 6–12

1. Child Development: Ages 6-12 5 CEH

• Describe physical, emotional, and social developmental tasks of school age children

• List age-appropriate stressors and fears of school age children

• Describe peer influence and the separation-individuation process of school age children

2. Family Leadership: Ages 6-12 5 CEH

• Explain different styles of parenting and their impact on children’s behavior

• Describe different methods of discipline and their impact on children’s levels of cooperation

and development of responsibility.

• Teach a problem-handling model that will encourage responsible behavior and enhance self-

esteem

C. Child Development and Family Leadership: The Teen Years

1. Child Development: Teen Years 5 CEH

• Identify internal and environmental messages which impact teens

• Describe the impact of parental conflict and consequences of trauma on teens

• Recognize problematic behaviors of substance abuse and mental health

2. Family Leadership: Teen Years 5 CEH

• List the basic goals of adolescent behaviors and the positive and negative ways that

adolescents can achieve these goals

• Demonstrate communication skills that encourage positive behaviors, strengthen

adolescent self esteem, school success and conflict resolution

• Explain how to establish family rules and guidelines for behavior and have problem-

prevention talks

D. Children in Transition: Helping Children Cope Successfully with Death, Divorce, & Remarriage

5 CEH

• Explain the impact of death, divorce, and remarriage

• Describe the emotional tasks involved in the grieving process

• Demonstrate techniques used in counseling a child dealing with these transitions

E. Recognizing and Preventing Substance Abuse in Children and Adolescents 5 CEH

• Identify current trends in child and adolescent substance abuse

• Explore epidemiology of child and adolescent substance abuse

• Demonstrate prevention and treatment strategies

ELECTIVE WORKSHOPS

Two one-day electives are required in addition to the six required workshops.

Some examples:

• Screaming, Hitting and Spanking: What to do Instead

• Group Skills for Parent Educators

• Anger Management Techniques for Children and Adolescents

• Parenting in a Diverse Environment

• Parenting Skills with Court Ordered Parents

• Issues of Sexual Development in Children and Adolescents

For more information on any certificate contact us:

• Web: http://socialwork.rutgers.edu/ce

• Email sswcep@ssw.rutgers.edu

• Phone (732) 445-3178