1. Training for Adoption
Competency (TAC)
2015—2016
A partnership with the
Center for Adoption Support
and Education
Technical Assistance provided by
UConn Health Adoption Assistance Program
Application Requirements
Application form available at: ssw.uconn.edu
> Programs > STEP Professional Development
 Priority will be given to Master’s level
licensed clinicians in social work,
counseling, marriage & family therapy
or related discipline.
2. Then, Master’s level professionals pre-
paring for licensure (social work, counsel-
ing, marriage & family therapy or related
discipline).
3. All applicants must be currently employed
in a clinical practice setting and demon-
strate the following in their personal
statement:
 A strong clinical background
 An interest in working with adopted per-
sons, prospective adoptive parents, birth
parents and birth families, adoptive fami-
lies and kinship families.
 Describe how you will incorporate the
learning from the TAC program into your
clinical practice.
Space is limited. Applications will be evalu-
ated based on each applicant’s resume,
written statement, and application.
Application Deadline: September 11, 2015
Where and When
The training is held at the UConn School of
Social Work, West Hartford on Mondays
from 9—4:30 p.m. (includes an hour lunch
break on your own).
Module 1: On-line, at home
Mondays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Module 2: October 19, 2015
Module 3: November 16, 2015
Module 4: December 14, 2015
Module 5: January 11, 2016
Module 6: February 22, 2016
Module 7: March 7, 2016
Module 8: March 21, 2016
Module 9: April 11, 2016
Module 10: April 25, 2016
Module 11: May 9, 2016
Module 12: May 23, 2016
Make-Up dates: Mondays, June 6 and 13,
2016 (9—4:30 p.m.)
Participants must be able to commit to all
training dates (and make-up sessions) and
complete all assignments.
Consultation Sessions: June – November
2016—Six sessions: one Monday a month
for 2-hours, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Trainers: Cathy Gentile-Doyle, LCSW
Mary Harris-Miller, LCSW

2. For more information: SSWSTEP@uconn.edu (860) 570-9129 www.ssw.uconn.edu > Programs > STEP Professional Development
Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) is a com-
prehensive training for professionals in the social
work, mental health, and child welfare fields. The
training provides you with the clinical knowledge
and skills needed to effectively serve the adop-
tion/kinship network.
TAC is a 72-hour, 12-session competency based
training program followed by a 6-month case con-
sultation program.
Eleven modules are classroom-based; one module
is completed on-line, at home. The final class ses-
sion provides participants with an opportunity
to fully integrate learning through a capstone
project.
Each module combines information sharing,
handouts and resources materials, and experien-
tial learning, including case studies, role plays and
introspective work. Six sessions of case consulta-
tion (held once monthly) follow the classroom
training. C.A.S.E. provides the consultation by
Skype in a group setting.
Module 1: Adoption, History, Law and
Process (on-line, at home)
Module 2: Introduction to Adoption
Competent Mental Health Practice
Module 3: Clinical Issues in Planning,
Preparing for and Supporting Adoption
Module 4: Clinical Issues in Providing
Therapeutic Services: Grief, Loss, and
Separation
Module 5: Trauma and Brain Neurobiology
Module 6: Attachment
Module 7: Adopted Adolescents and Identi-
ty Development
Module 8: Clinical Issues in Working with
Birth and Adoptive Families
Module 9: Clinical Work with Adoptive
Families: Managing Challenging Behaviors
Module 10: Openness in Adoption
Module 11: Race and Ethnicity in Adoption
Module 12: Integrating Adoption
Competencies: Knowledge, Skills and Values
About TAC
Class Fee: $1550 -
The fee includes 72 hours of instruction.
Payment can be made by check or credit
card.
Case Consultation Fee: $275
Following the classroom training, there
are 6 sessions of case consultation, held
monthly.
Earn Continuing Education Credits—$25
The TAC is approved for 72 CECs for the
classroom portion and 12 CECs for the
consultation.
CECs are only given for full participation.
Content Areas
At the end of the classroom sessions,
participants will receive a “Certificate of
Attendance”. Participants who successfully com-
plete the classroom portion will be invited to
participate in the Case Consultation.
Those who successfully complete the consulta-
tion portion will receive a “Certificate of Comple-
tion” and national recognition by the Center for
Adoption Support and Education.