Family-Focused Interventions for Child Wellbeing
This Advanced Learning Certificate program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and advanced skills necessary to engage and intervene with families in meaningful, effective ways.
Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships are important contributors to the health and well-being of children. Yet, for many children, home does not provide the type of environment necessary for healthy development. Participants will develop a deep understanding of historical, theoretical, and practice perspectives on parenting and family processes. Emphasis is on major intervention approaches utilized with families and children, including parent management training and multi-family groups.
Please sign up to be notified when a new cohort forms.
Is this program for me?
This program is intended for individuals who already hold a master’s degree and have a demonstrated interest in expanding their knowledge of working effectively with vulnerable children, youth, and families – either to grow within their current setting or be prepared for practice with this population. You do not have to be an alum of the Brown School to apply for consideration.
The group will meet online (via Zoom) for six weeks on Sunday afternoons for skill-building. There will be approximately four hours of readings and assignments to complete between class meetings. Thus, participants should be prepared to invest about eight hours per week in the program for the month and a half duration.
At the close of the program, participants will better be able to:
- Apply evidence-based engagement practices to support the involvement of caregivers in parenting and family strengthening programs
- Use advanced knowledge regarding parenting and family processes linked to positive child outcomes
- Understand the complex intersection of perspectives influenced by race, ethnicity, worldview on parenting, family life and help-seeking
Successful completion of the certificate program includes developing and presenting an action plan to introduce or bolster programming for parents and families. The action plan can focus on either the participant’s current place of employment or a program they would like to develop in the future.
How to Apply
A completed application includes:
- Online application form, including statement of purpose (300-500 words)
- Submission of your current resume
- Transcript transmitted from your master’s program. Official electronic transcripts should be routed from the issuing institution to BrownCertificates@wustl.edu.
At this time, due to irregularities in the mail and our staff working mostly remotely, we prefer to receive all correspondence electronically. While we prefer an official transcript sent directly from the issuing institution, until we are again able to reliably receive physical mail, we will accept unofficial transcripts sent as email attachments from applicants.
If you have more than one graduate degree, please send the transcript from the degree most closely related to the post-master’s program for which you are applying.
Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis. It is usually possible to provide feedback regarding an application within two weeks of completion. Complete applications (including transcripts) must be received by January 18, 2022.
Admission prerequisites:
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree from an accredited university.
- Applicants should have (or be able to obtain) access to a computer, along with a webcam and reliable internet service.
- All students must be willing to comply with Washington University policies, including the requirement that all students furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or formally request and obtain a waiver.
Meet Your Instructor
Trish Kohl, PhD
Associate Professor, Brown School
Patricia “Trish” Kohl’s scholarship is focused on strengthening, implementing, and sustaining evidence-based interventions that improve the quality of care for vulnerable families. Through her research, which is informed by years of clinical practice with children and families, she seeks to close the gap between research and community-based practice.
