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 Conference

MPSI Healthier Urban Families program and Infant Mental Health program offer this continuing education conference with national experts presenting current best practices to address issues impacting infants, children and families. This annual event is of particular interest to social workers and health care providers.

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 through professional development and other resources.

• 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. 

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

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:

• 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
• Fatherhood
• Stress Management for Professionals
• Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
• Understanding Challenging Behaviors in Preschoolers

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