This learning program strengthens targeted Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills for direct service staff, focusing on the use of open-ended questions to guide conversations with parents, caregivers, families, and youth. It better equips learners to engage, partner with and support families in making positive changes. Building on the foundational MI courses, participants learn to differentiate between closed and open-ended questions and practice using MI-consistent questions and prompts to evoke change talk. Through practice opportunities, learners gain the ability to facilitate motivational conversations and help individuals explore their values, goals, challenges and potential solutions.
Who Should Attend?
Direct service staff at contracted Family Services providers (Prevention services) who are participating in the MI Connect Initiative.
Course Benefits
Learners will:
- Clearly distinguish between closed and open-ended questions to enhance the quality of conversations.
- Use MI-consistent, open-ended questions and open prompts to draw out strengths, motivations, and change talk from parents, caregivers, families and youth.
- Apply open-ended questions to facilitate collaborative, motivational conversations that support individuals in exploring values, goals and next steps.
Course Prerequisites
Prior to attending this course, learners are required to have completed all components of Foundations of Motivational Interviewing: Communicating to Build Partnerships, Foundations of Motivational Interviewing: Practicum and MI Skills Check.
Course Components
Once enrolled in the course, learners will complete
- An online pre-test.
- A two-hour, instructor-led training.
- An online post-test.
Completion of all components is necessary to receive a Certificate of Completion.
Continuing Education Units
The New York City Administration for Children’s Services is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW 0402. This course is 2.0 contact hours/.2 CEUs. CEU credit is contingent upon completion of all course components.
Registration
Register for this course by logging in to Cornerstone, browse for the course name and complete all information. For more information about the ACS Workforce Institute, please contact the Help Desk at WIhelpdesk@acs.nyc.gov or call (212) 748-1898.