Institute for Practice Improvement

The Washington Association for Children and Families (WACF) proudly introduces the Institute for Practice Improvement, dedicated to enhancing the well-being of children, youth, and families. The Institute provides targeted technical assistance and training, equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools to foster best practices and drive systemic improvements. Through this initiative, WACF reaffirms its commitment to strengthening child and family services and creating lasting, positive change.

If you are interested in a training but require financial assistance please fill out our Training Scholarship Application.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Ethics in Everyday Practice: Protecting Clients and Ourselves

Date: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM PST

Location: Virtual - Zoom

Presented by: Dr. Frederic Reamer, Ph.D, Professor at the School of Social Work Rhode Island College

Cost: $25 for members / $35 for non- members

Continuing Education Credits: 2 Hours

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Services for children and families come with myriad ethical challenges. In this webinar, Dr. Frederic Reamer will explore complex ethical issues and practical strategies designed to protect clients, practitioners, and employing organizations. The webinar will include challenging ethics cases and explore practical steps that professionals can take to manage ethical issues skillfully. Key topics will include boundary issues, dual relationships, conflicts of interest, confidentiality exceptions, privileged communication, informed consent, clients’ rights, use of online and digital technology, termination of services, documentation challenges, and impaired professionals, among others. The webinar will include discussion of relevant ethics standards, statutes, regulations, and case law, along with practical strategies designed to prevent litigation and licensing board complaints.

PAST TRAININGS

If you were in attendance at a past training and would like to access past trainings, handouts and materials please visit our training archive.

  • Supporting Families of LGBTQ+ Youth Hosted on January 27th, 2026

  • Assessing LGBTQ+ Affirmation in a Potential Foster Home Hosted on January 27th, 2026

  • Affirming Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse (TNGD) Youth in Out-of-Home Care Hosted on January 20th, 2026

  • A Conversation About the Keeping Families Together Act Hosted on December 3rd, 2025

  • Engagement of Family & Youth Hosted on October 30th, 2025

  • Trauma Informed Care- Understand & Reduce Trauma Reactions in Children Hosted on September 10th, 2025

  • Empowering Supervisors: Coaching, Communication and Retention Hosted on June 11th, 2025

  • The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Child and Family Services: Ethical and Risk Management Challenges Hosted on April 30th, 2025

  • Staying Mission-Focused during uncertainty: A key to workforce stability and wellness Hosted on April 9th, 2025

  • Motivational Interviewing: An Introduction Hosted on February 12th and 13th, 2025

  • Secondary Trauma & Self-Care Hosted on December 4th, 2024

  • TBRI- Trust-Based Relational Intervention Hosted on October 30th 2024

  • Discussing the Current Child Welfare Landscape: National and Federal Priorities, Requirements, and Trends Hosted on September 18th 2024

  • Investing in People: Equitable Approaches to Staff Development and Retention Hosted on August 13th 2024