*This event is open to the public*
 

This is a live interactive webinar. Registered participants will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to join the session.

Presenter:
Dr. Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, LCSW-C, is the director of training at the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute. She is an associate professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Graduate School and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Department of Mental Health. She is also a faculty affiliate of the Johns Hopkins Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and an adjunct professor at the UMB School of Social Work. Dr. Ofonedu is a psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker and a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA). Her work spans across two decades.

CEU: 3.0 Continuing Education Credit Hours

Session Description 

For individuals, families, and communities to fully engage in services, education, and research efforts, they must first feel understood, respected, and acknowledged. Professionals who take deliberate steps to understand different life experiences and communication styles—while offering thoughtful information, resources, and support—can create stronger pathways for engagement and better outcomes. This interactive workshop introduces the “Family-as-Host” model, a framework that helps providers center humility and mutual respect when working with individuals and families whose backgrounds may differ from their own. Participants will gain practical skills to improve engagement, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen the impact of their work across a variety of service settings. This seminar is intended to meet most professional licensing board requirements of enhancing competency in working effectively with individuals, families, and communities from various backgrounds and life experiences. It also meets other Social Work Practice content as required by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. 

Objectives: Participants will be able to:

• Describe two to three factors that supports and two to three factors that hinder effective engagement with individuals and families from various backgrounds in treatment and service programs.
• List three to four strategies that enhance the quality and fairness of treatment experiences and outcomes for individuals and families from a range of lived experiences.
• Discuss key approaches for fostering trust and engagement early and consistently throughout the care or service provision process, using humility and reflection to support positive outcomes.
• Apply the “Family-as-Host” model to strengthen engagement practices and build deeper connections and partnership with families and communities across

Instructional level: Intermediate.

Who should attend? Professionals and anyone interested in the topic. 3.0 Continuing Education Credits (Category 1) will be granted to licensed social workers and psychologists upon completion of this training and a completed evaluation. A Certificate of Attendance will be made available for all other disciplines.


The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to sponsor social work continuing education programs, and it maintains full responsibility for this program. Kennedy Krieger Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Kennedy Krieger Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content. No conflicts have been identified (this includes commercial support and research grants/funding). The registration fees are: $90 for professionals seeking CEU credit, $70 for professionals and community members not seeking CEU credit, and $35 for students not seeking CEU credit who register with a school email address.


For more information on our Annual Learning Series or to request accommodation or assistance for individuals with disabilities, please contact us by phone at 443-923-4114, email Training.MCDD@KennedyKrieger.org or visit KennedyKrieger.org/MCDDTraining. Requests should be made as soon as possible but at least seven days prior to the scheduled meeting.
 

There is no processing fee required for payment by check. Apply promo code "PAYBYCHECK” at checkout. All checks must be received five business days prior to the training. If you are paying by check, please write the date of the session on the memo line. For example: "JULY 23."
 

Make check payable to: Kennedy Krieger Institute (In note section write "MCDD SLS JULY 23")
 

Mail check to: Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Attn: MCDD Training Program, 7000 Tudsbury Road, Baltimore, MD 21244
 

Kennedy Krieger Institute Employees ONLY:  If your department will be covering the cost of the training, please enter your budget code when prompted. Enter promo code "KKISTAFF" at checkout. Your total will go to $0.00 so that payment can be received via interdepartmental budget transfer. Those registering as KKI employees must use their Kennedy Krieger email address at registration to confirm their employee status.
 

Kennedy Krieger Institute Trainees ONLY:  If you are registering as a student and your department will be covering the cost of the training, please enter your budget code when prompted. Enter promo code "KKITRAINEE" at checkout. Your total will go to $0.00 so that payment can be received via interdepartmental budget transfer. Those registering as KKI trainees must use their Kennedy Krieger email address at registration to confirm their trainee status. Please note: CEU credits will only be offered to those who registered and paid as professionals/KKISTAFF.

Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute reserves the right to cancel any of its workshops due to unforeseen circumstances. In this event, we will refund the registration fee only and not additional costs associated with attending the workshop. Should you have any questions, call 443-923-5555.