This two-day course will enable participants to understand the diagnostic criteria for the most common mental health disorders of children as defined by the DSM-IV. Participants will become familiar with the medications most frequently utilized for children with these mental health conditions. This workshop will also illustrate the relationship among mental health conditions, treatment interventions, and medications prescribed in a realistic and practical manner.

Foster parents, kinship care providers, adoptive parents, and interested child welfare professionals.

Care givers will be given preference over child welfare professionals when registering.

• Recognize and communicate information about signs and symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Bi-Polar Disorder.
• Learn and demonstrate interventions to assist in treatment and management of children and youth with ADHD, PTSD, and Bi-Polar Disorder.
• Understand the role in administering medications including psychotropic medications.
• Understand the behavioral, psychological and physiological effects of psychotropic medications used to treat ADHD, PTSD, and Bi-Polar Disorder.