Social Work Month Education Series – March 2026: Celebrating Social Work

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This series is designed to increase awareness of social work roles in medical and other settings and to promote social work education for social work professionals.

• Celebrate Social Work Month by providing ongoing educational opportunities.
• Meet the educational needs and interests identified through participant surveys and comments.

Tuesday March 3, 2026

• 12:30 p.m. | Introduction and Opening Remarks
  Kristin Vines, MSS, LCSW, CCTSW
• 12:45 p.m. | Diana Santiago, LCSW, CAADC, CCS
  Ming Wang, MD, FASAM
  Devon Dautrich, PhD

  Effective Treatment Strategies for Older Adults with Substance Use Disorder

  Objectives

  • Discuss the fastest growing population requiring specialized Substance Use Disorder Treatment.
  • Describe treatment components necessary to provide an integrated approach to Older Adult Treatment.
  • Develop and address the clinical needs necessary to treat this population.
• 2:15 p.m. | Break
• 2:30 p.m. | Medha D. Makhlouf
  Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, PhD

  Current Immigration Laws and Systems / Current Picture (Laws, Situations)

  Objectives

  • Describe the legal framework for healthcare access for immigrant populations.
  • Identify tools and methods for responding to law enforcement at healthcare facilities.
  • Describe the ways patients and healthcare are impacted by changing immigration policies.
• 4 p.m. | Adjournment

Tuesday March 10, 2026

• 8 a.m. | Introduction and Opening Remarks
  Kristin Vines, MSS, LCSW, CCTSW
• 8:15 a.m. | Kimberly Ernest, PhD, LPC

  Ethical Treatment of Adolescents with Problematic Sexual Behaviors (E)

  Objectives

  • Identify at least three special populations (e.g., neurodiverse youth, females, children under 12 with sexual behavior problems) and name two special considerations for each population.
  • Evaluate the use of risk assessment tools and the use of polygraph testing (and discuss the controversy) with adolescents, citing current research on their validity and ethics, and formulate recommendations for ethical assessment practices that prioritize dynamic factors and individual context.
  • Describe effective treatment modalities (e.g. cognitive-behavioral curriculum, ESFT interventions) for adolescents with problematic sexual behaviors and explain how these approaches reduce recidivism and support healthy development, according to recent empirical evidence.
  • Discuss strategies for collaboration with juvenile justice systems, courts, probation officers, and child protective services, including how to navigate mandated reporting laws (with emphasis on Pennsylvania’s requirements), share information ethically, and develop integrated safety plans that balance client confidentiality with victim protection.
  • Compare international perspectives and successful programs with U.S. practices, in order to identify policy and practice changes that could enhance ethical treatment and prevention efforts in participants’ own contexts.
• 9:45 a.m. | Break

  The session will feature one presenter and include a 15-minute break at 9:45 a.m.
  The entire session will provide 3 Ethics Continuing Education credits.

• 11:30 a.m. | Adjournment

Tuesday March 17, 2026

• 12:30 p.m. | Introduction and Opening Remarks
  Kristin Vines, MSS, LCSW, CCTSW
• 12:45 p.m. | Chaz Franke, MSW, LCSW

  Attachment, Addiction and Grief: Understanding the Roots of Substance Use and Pathways to Healing

  Objectives

  • Describe how attachment theory informs the experience of grief and loss and identify ways this can intersect addictive behaviors.
  • Develop strategies for engaging this intersection based on the work of Robert Neimeyer, PhD and Mary Frances O’Connor, PhD.
  • Demonstrate full respect for the grief and loss associated with entering recovery or reducing substance use by articulating its emotional and relational impact.
• 2:15 p.m. | Break
• 2:30 p.m. | Shanell James

  Advance Care Planning

  Objectives

  • TBD
• 4 p.m. | Adjournment

Tuesday March 24, 2026

• 8 a.m. | Introduction and Opening Remarks
  Kristin Vines, MSS, LCSW, CCTSW
• 8:15 a.m. | Jeffrey Bellomo, ESQ
  Meg Motter, LCSW, CDP

  Caregiver Support, Estate, and Medicaid Crisis Planning: Navigating Roles, Resources, and Urgent Needs

  Objectives

  • Analyze care options and funding strategies.
  • Evaluate caregiver roles and responsibilities.
  • Design crisis planning strategies for Medicaid eligibility.
• 9:45 a.m. | Break
• 10 a.m. | Louise Hayes, JD, MPA
  Amy E. Lowenstein, JD
  Joanna Rosenhein, BA

  The Impact of Federal Cuts to Food Assistance & Healthcare on Pennsylvania

  Objectives

  • This presentation will examine the changes to food assistance and healthcare access and affordability brought about by the new law and how these changes will impact Pennsylvania. During this training we will:
    • Outline SNAP eligibility and access following the changes made to the program.
    • Describe key changes to Medicaid and the ACA, including eligibility changes and funding reductions, their timeframes, and potential ripple effects.
• 11:30 a.m. | Adjournment

(E) Ethics

Kristin Vines, MSS, LCSW
Social Worker II
Pediatric Sickle Cell and Hematology
Pediatric Care Transitions Department
Penn State Health Children’s Hospital

Lanae Ampersand, PsyD, LCSW
Practice Site Manager III – Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Division Director of Therapy Services, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Meghan Bragers, MSW, LCSW
Women’s Health Social Worker
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Channing Griffith, MSW, LSW
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Social Worker
Pediatric Care Transitions Department
Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and Women and Babies Center

Judith McCrea, MSW, LSW
Program Manager for Diverse Employee Engagement
Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Amy K. Meli, MSW LSW CCM
Licensed Social Worker
Outpatient Social Worker- Population Care Management
Penn State Health Medical Group
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Dadi R. Neopaney, BSW, MSW
Inpatient Social Worker
Heart & Vascular Institute
Cardiac Transplant & MCS
Care Transitions Department
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Chelsea Walus, MSW, LCSW, CCM
Outpatient Social Worker – Population Care Management
Penn State Health Shared Services

Jeffrey Bellomo, ESQ
Elder Law Attorney
Bellomo & Associates, LLC

Devon Dautrich, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Older Adult Program and
Supervisor of Psychological
Testing Services at Caron Treatment Centers

Kim Ernest, PhD, LPC
Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor
President of PA Counseling, Director of PA Clinical Training Institute
Pennsylvania Counseling Services
LiveUp Counseling and PA Clinical Training Institute

Chaz Franke, MSW, LCDW
Therapist
Light Source

Louise Hayes, JD, MPA
Supervising Attorney
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

Amy E. Lowenstein, JD
Director of Policy
Supervising Attorney
Pennsylvania Health Law Project

Medha D. Makhlouf
Elsie de R. and Samuel P. Orlando Distinguished Professor
Director, Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic
Penn State Dickinson Law

Meg Motter, LCSW, CDP
Director of Life Care Planning
Bellomo & Associates, LLC

Joanna Rosenhein, BA
Consumer Engagement Manager
Pennsylvania Health Access Network

Diana Santiago, LCSW, CAADC, CCS
Clinical Supervisor of the Older Adult Program
Caron Treatment Centers

Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, PhD
Samuel Weiss Faculty Scholar
Clinical Professor of Law
Founding Director
Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic
Penn State Dickinson Law

Ming Wang, MD, FASAM
Associate Medical Director & Medical Director
Older Adult Program
Caron Treatment Centers

Social Work

Penn State is an approved provider as defined by Pa. Code Sections 47.36(a)(3), 48.36(a)(3), and b49.36 (a)(3). Social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors licensed by the state of Pennsylvania can earn up to 12 clock hours of continuing education (or 3 credits per session) for completing this course. (3 Ethics credits – March 10).

The fee is $100 for the entire series (four weeks) or $60 for half of the series (two weeks) per person and includes the cost of instruction and online handout materials.

Payment is required at the time of registration. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ContinuingEd@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Registrations received after Monday, March 2, will incur a $25 late fee.
Cancellations received after Tuesday, Feb. 24, will be assessed a $25 processing fee.
No refunds will be made for cancellations received after Friday, Feb. 27.

A completed evaluation is required in order to receive a certificate for attending this activity. Please complete and submit the evaluation within the specified time frame.

The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund any program registration fees paid but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Program registrants who are experiencing illness or have been exposed to anyone who is ill should contact the Continuing Education office before attending any in-person activities.

Content and speakers for all programs are subject to change. Registrants will be notified of any significant updates.

On-campus educational activities provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education are required to follow healthcare facility guidelines. Off-campus events provided by Penn State College of Medicine Continuing Education follow the COVID-19 requirements of that venue. We ask that all participants respect that some attendees may still choose to wear masks for activities. Check the venue website for the latest requirements and recommendations. Please do not attend this activity if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. By attending the activity, you attest that you do not have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, which may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste, loss of smell or any other sign of illness.

Penn State encourages people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Participants who anticipate needing any type of special accommodation or who have questions about the physical access provided should contact the Continuing Education office at least one week in advance of participation or visit.

It is Penn State policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Penn State has a process in place to mitigate any relevant financial relationships with commercial companies disclosed by faculty, course directors and planning committee members. Complete disclosure information will be provided to participants at the beginning of the activity.

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