<h3>Course Overview</h3>
<p>Substance use, misuse, and dependence impact the perinatal and early parenting period significantly. Rates of substance use disorders continue to rise in the population of women of child-bearing age. Mental health professionals, medical providers, and allied health professionals increasingly come into contact with mothers, fathers, infants, and alternate care providers who can benefit from improved practices. This course will offer a review of the latest research on the links between attachment theory, neurobiology, and addiction; opportunities to learn about the various ways of supporting families; and a forum in which conversations about complex policies, practice choices, and ethical dilemmas can be rich opportunities for growth.</p>
<h3>Instructor</h3>
<p>Amy Sommer, LICSW is the Clinical Coordinator for <a href="/Our-Services/Center-for-Early-Relationship-Support/Project-NESST">Project NESST®</a> (Newborns Exposed to Substances: Support and Therapy) and Project Bright at the JF&CS <a href="/Our-Services/Center-for-Early-Relationship-Support">Center for Early Relationship Support</a><span style="color: #2c7bb2;">®</span><a href="/Our-Services/Center-for-Early-Relationship-Support"></a>. She has provided extensive training on perinatal mood disorders in women with substance use disorders, as we as on using trauma-informed care to support staff and families caring for substance-exposed newborns. Ms. Sommer co-authored the 2015 Zero to Three article "Building a Model Program or Substance-Exposed Newborns and Their Families: From Needs Assessment to Intervention, Evaluation, and Consultation."</p>
<h3>Who Should Apply?</h3>
<p>Providers from various disciplines who work with parents and infants impacted by parental substance use will find this course highly instructive. It will provide a rich learning opportunity for clinical social workers, psychologists, licensed mental health counselors, and allied health professionals, including addiction treatment professionals, visiting nurses, Early Intervention providers, and maternal health/mental health providers.</p>
<p><strong>When:</strong> Tuesdays, September 6 & 20, October 11 & 25, November 8 & 22, December 6 & 20<br />
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.</p>
<p><strong>Where:</strong> JF&CS Headquarters<br />
1430 Main Street, Waltham</p>
<p><strong>Cost:</strong> $900 per person. 12-person class maximum.<br />
An application for CEUs has been submitted.</p>
<p><strong>Registration is required before the event</strong>. Space is limited. For more information or to register, please email <a href="mailto:IPTI@jfcsboston.org" class="ApplyClass">IPTI@jfcsboston.org</a> or 781-693-5652.</p>
