The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) has developed two state-of-the-art, standardized, web-based trainings to build the capacity of child welfare and mental health professionals in all states to effectively support children, youth, and their foster, adoptive, and guardianship families.

NTI’s aligned trainings provide the skills, strategies, and tools professionals need to (1) Support children to heal from trauma and loss; (2) Support parents with skills to parent more effectively; and (3) Improve child and family well-being to increase family stability. It was designed to help professionals better understand and address the mental health needs of children, youth and their families moving toward or having achieved permanency through adoption or guardianship.

These two training options are available free and on-demand through the University of Maryland and the U.S. Children's Bureau (beginning Sept. 30, 2019). and has been approved for CFLE continuing education credit:

• Child Welfare Training (Approved for 20 hours)
• Mental Health Training (Approved for 25 hours)

To enroll, visit the University of Marlyand's training page, click "NTI" and create a profile. For more information, visit the NTI website.

NTI was funded through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Children's Bureau, and the Center for Adoption Support and Education.

See a list of all ongoing CFLE-approved meetings.