Continuing Education
The College of Health and Human Services offers continuing education programs on evidence-based practices and emerging health issues relevant to health care and human service professionals. We offer in-person and virtual opportunities for continuing education credits.
Often these programs are led by our own faculty, leading sessions in topics in which they are expert practitioners. But we also partner with outside organizations to provide training that is relevant to the disciplines we serve - including our instructors and alumni.
We strive to provide quality CE programming that helps practitioners grow as professionals and meet CE requirements related to professional licensing.
Virtual and in-person trainings
Enhancing Motivation in Complex Behavior Change
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Harrison
Date: October 13, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Number of CE hours: Two
Format: Webinar format
Link:https://wmich.webex.com/wmich/j.php?MTID=m87f9393e895f91200663f2150265fd16
Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based practice with utility in a variety of change processes, from child welfare involvement to smoking cessation and medication adherence to readiness to seek mental health treatment. This session will remind participants of the stages of change model as well as the philosophies and implementation steps of motivational interview towards the goal of initial implementation by behavioral health and child welfare practitioners in assisting clients in progressing towards their recovery goals. Then the session will move forward to supervising motivational interviewing practice, as well as using a motivational approach in the supervision process using the Motivational Interviewing Assessment: Supervisory Tools for Enhancing Proficiency (MIA:STEP) blending initiative. As a result of this workshop, participants will be prepared to:
- Participants will list three purposes of resistance, and how to incorporate that into clinical practice.
- Participants will practice simple, complex, amplified, and double-sided reflections for use in clinical practice.
- Participants will practice using the MIA:STEP supervision rating scale with one another, and providing accurate feedback on motivational interviewing skills.
Trauma Informed Removals and Placements in Child Welfare
Instructor: Bryan Warner
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. EST
Number of CE hours: Three
Live or synchronous online: Live in-person
Location: WMU College of Health and Human Services
1101 Cass Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Child welfare research reveals that child removal from a parent/parent(s) into foster care/kinship care is most often a traumatic experience. Separation from a parent/parents, acclimating to a new family with whom often the child does not know, and the unpredictability and uncertainty of what will happen next creates anxiety, fear, and relational loss of the attachment person. This in person course is designed to provide child welfare staff with knowledge and skills to effectively implement a trauma informed removal process that reduces traumatic stress when children are entering substitute placement. This training will integrate trauma theory, research, and presenter experience into a trauma informed removal model. Participants will learn the key principles of trauma informed child welfare systems and practices that can be applied to the removal and placement process. Specific strategies to increase psychological safety for the child will be provided addressing engagement, communication, and safety planning.
Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorders
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Harrison
Date: January 25, 2026
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Number of CE hours: Two
Format: Webinar format
Link: https://wmich.webex.com/wmich/j.php?MTID=m87f9393e895f91200663f2150265fd16
Cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use in 36 states and the perception of risk is far decreased. However, for youth and young adults and well as individuals with co-occurring mental illness, cannabis use can have additional risks. Develop an understanding of the epidemiology and medical uses of cannabis and protective factors for individuals who use cannabis. Finally, practice intervention strategies for people who may have developed a Cannabis Use Disorder. As a result of this workshop, participants will be prepared to:
- Participants will screen for cannabis use disorders with clients with other behavioral health needs and how to offer protective strategies to reduce the risk of development of Cannabis Use Disorders.