Professional Development

An important part of MPSI's mission is to engage the community through professional development and translate research into policy and practice that improves the lives of urban children and families. Our programs, faculty, and staff are committed to translating cutting-edge science into information that is useful to professionals, policy makers, and the community.

Professional Development

Infant Mental Health -- Infant Mental Health faculty regularly provide on-site training to staff at human services and early intervention agencies and speak at professional development conferences across the state. Contact Ann Stacks (amstacks@wayne.edu) to discuss your training needs.

Explorations In Development Annual Two-Day Conference -- HUF collaborates with the Infant Mental Health Program to offer a two-day continuing education conference, Explorations in Development. The conference highlights nationally recognized speakers who address issues impacting infants, children and families, and who are of particular interest to social workers and health care providers. MORE

Woodward Corridor Early Childhood Consortium -- The Consortium was created in 2011 as a collaboration among the directors of early childhood centers in the Midtown, Downtown, and North End Detroit and includes several engaged community partners who share the goal of enhancing the quality of early education. Professional development is an important component of the consortium's offerings.

Early Childhood Consortium Playbook -- A step-by-step guide to creating a neighborhood-based consortium of early childhood centers and community partners. The Playbook is informed by the experiences and lessons learned during the creation of the Woodward Corridor Consortium. Complete with sample evaluation forms, session agendas, coaching report, brochures and website. Early Childhood Consortium website

Healthier Urban Families -- Interdisciplinary continuing education seminars are offered on topics of concern to professionals working with families. Information is evidence-based and reflects best practices in child development. The seminars take place on-site at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute and at individual work sites on request. Continuing education credits are provided for most programs. Recent seminars include:

ADHD in Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Pain Management in Children
Understanding Substance Use
Stress Management for Professionals
Depression and Suicide in Adolescents

For more information contact Beverly Weathington at ac8787@wayne.edu or 313-664-2526

Speakers Bureau -- Our faculty and staff are skilled at translating scientific innovations related to children, youth and families and provide customized professional development trainings for your organization. Topics include, but are not limited to:

Home Visiting Safety and Ethical Considerations
Infant Inconsolable Crying: Causes, Consequences and Coping
Social-Emotional Development and School Readiness
Adolescent Development
A Primer on Infant and Toddler Development
Marital Conflict and the Development of Peer Romantic Relationships
Meaning Making in the Face of Trauma
An Introduction to Infant Mental Health
Early Brain Development
Fatherhood
Stress Management for Professionals
Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
Understanding Challenging Behaviors in Preschoolers
Military Families

To request a training at your site contact Beverly Weathington at ac8787@wayne.edu

A list of upcoming conferences, colloquia and trainings can be found on our Calendar.