DIGGING A LITTLE DEEPER: TRAINING FOR SOCIAL WORKERS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORTS TO INDIVIDUALS WITH A COMPLICATED MENTAL HEALTH AND LEARNING DIFFICULTIES; THOSE WITH A COMPLICATED AND BEAUTIFUL BRAIN.


Our goal is to increase skills and capacity for CND/FASD screening, identification, and therapeutic support services to those of us who work on the ‘front line’. We aim to make it so there are fewer ‘wrong doors’ for individuals and families who are affected by puzzling behaviours, emotions and learning difficulties that may be related to prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). This training will result in individuals and families in need having more access to these helpful services.

CND/FASD Social Work Training Program


Facilitated by Angela Geddes CYW, BA (Psych), MSW, RSW, YTT, with special guests from people with lived experience.

This 10-hour screening, assessment, and support training program provides an opportunity to build system capacity and be better positioned to accurately identify, support, and refer individuals with complex mental health, learning, and developmental needs.

Each session is a pre-recorded video lesson with downloadable presentation, resources, and recommended readings. Register now and learn at your own pace.

COST: $395 + HST

Training Session Outline

SESSION 1: Introduction

  1. Why we should be concerned?
  2. What social workers can do within our scope of practice to contribute to comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessments.
  3. Overview of the Canadian Guidelines for FASD DX and the importance of screening and full multi-disciplinary assessment. Discussion around further training options for multi-disciplinary teams.

SESSION 2: Stigma and Mental Health

  1. Assumptions that need to be challenged.
  2. When it may be more than trauma and complex MH/addictions.
  3. A needs-based, strength-based approach.
  4. The importance of relationships: compassion for parents and collaborative approaches.

SESSION 3: Developmental Screens and Histories

  1. Assessment begins with relationships.
  2. Confirming PAE:
  • Who does this?
  • How do we do it?
  • Ethical considerations
  1. Gathering collaterals and circle of care consultations.
  2. Ways to augment existing assessments and developmental screens.

SESSION 4: Social Work Assessment Report

  1. What to include
  2. Who do we share this important information with?
  3. Recommendations that are customized for the individual based on what we have already learned and what we need to explore further
  4. Exploring ways to make health/mental health care practices more inclusive

SESSION 5: Now What? 

  1. Counselling and therapeutic support through a PAE and Complex Neurodevelopmental lens. Exploring modalities, strategies, and tools that have been helpful.
  2. Parent education and family support.
  3. Referrals and the importance of case management and ‘warm transfers’.
  4. Safety planning.
  5. Support groups.
  6. Online resources.

SESSION 6: Putting this to Action

  1. Case examples and sample reports.
  2. Considerations from those with lived experience.
  3. Q and A from participants.