This presentation will introduce Strong Families Strong Forces (SFSF), a home-based program designed for families with very young children who have a service member parent returning from Iraq/Afghanistan. SFSF is a short-term intervention that builds on the existing strengths within child-parent relationships to reduce the impact of deployment separation and combat-related stressors on young children and families. The presenters will initially share findings from their qualitative research that describe the unique experiences and challenges military parents face during the deployment cycle. Then they will use case examples to illustrate the SFSF model of intervention.
Date: November 19, 2010, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Speakers:
Michelle L. Acker, PsyD is the Director of Training and Clinical Services for Strong Families Strong Forces at Boston University School of Social Work. She is an Affiliate Member of the National Child Traumatic Stress network where she participates in activities related to early childhood trauma and military families. Dr. Acker has a private practice in West Newton, MA that focuses on maternal and child mental health.
Ruth Paris, PhD, LICSW is an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Social Work where she teaches classes in family therapy and has a research program studying and developing interventions for at-risk families with young children. She is the Co-Investigator on the DOD funded Strong Families Strong Forces Study, where she is collaboratively developing a home-based program for military parents with young children who’ve been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. In addition, Dr. Paris maintains a private practice in Newton, MA focused on individuals, couples, and families.
Cost: $35
Space is limited.
CEU’S available for Social Workers.
Please RSVP to Deborah Walker, Administrative Coordinator, Infant-Parent Training Institute at [email protected] or 781-693-5652.
For more information about this Master Class, please visit the Infant-Parent Training Instiute website.