TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS: W.I.S.E. Up! Train the Trainer

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W.I.S.E. Up!, a signature program developed by C.A.S.E., is an empowerment workshop for families to help children respond to intrusive questions about being adopted. It is intended as a face-to-face training (approximately 2 hours) where one facilitator works with parents on understanding what their children may be experiencing while other facilitators work with children learning the W.I.S.E. Up! skills, doing crafts and role-plays in which children practice W.I.S.E. Up! skills. The workshop then brings the parents and kids together to share their learnings. C.A.S.E. authorizes agencies to be W.I.S.E. Up! sites by training their staff to facilitate the W.I.S.E. Up! workshops with families through a Train the Trainer Model.

W.I.S.E. Up! Train the Trainer is provided virtually via Zoom to agencies interested in offering W.I.S.E. Up! to families in their community. Professionals in this training will learn how to offer the W.I.S.E. Up! concurrent workshops for children and parents and become certified W.I.S.E. Up! trainers. Agencies must commit to train a minimum of three staff and can include up to 5 staff in the training. We ask that at least one of the participants have a clinical background since the content can be triggering for children. This training is interactive and program materials are provided. New organizations also receive the W.I.S.E. Up! Starter Kit with materials used in the parent/youth workshops and 10 copies of the W.I.S.E. Up! Powerbook.

Presenter

Mari J. Itzkowitz, LCSW has over 20 years’ experience working in the areas of loss, healing, trauma and adoption. Ms. Itzkowitz graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and received her Masters of Social Work from The Catholic University of America. Ms. Itzkowitz is an Adoption Competent Therapist and Training Specialist at the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) in Annandale, VA. Ms. Itzkowitz provides clinical services to families who have adopted through foster care or internationally and also works closely with individual counties to provide pre-adoption services working with foster children and families as they move toward finalization. In addition Mariprovides individual, family and group therapy to adopted children, families and adult adoptees. Ms. Itzkowitz is a Certified TAC trainer and has provided “Train the Trainer” programs throughout the country. Ms. Itzkowitz has been providing Consultation Supervision both at C.A.S.E. and privately for the last 15 years.

Her specialty as a clinical social worker prior to joining C.A.S.E. included hospice patients and families as they face end-of-life issues and bereaved individuals and groups after the death of a loved one. She has also worked with clients who are experiencing transitional loss and role adjustment, corporate downsizing and career changes.

Cost: 

$1,500 for 5 staff members to participate and additional staff can be added for $250/person.

Contact: 

Lauren Lynch, lynch@adoptionsupport.org