LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 26, 2026)— Twice a year, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Medically Complex Training Program welcomes caregivers from across the Commonwealth to participate in a three-part training session, equipping families with the tools and information needed to care for children in out-of-home care with complex medical needs.
Wrapping up Aug. 22, the annual fall training took place over Zoom and in person in Lexington. The in-person training welcomed caregivers and nurses and featured 10 highly qualified speakers:
- Kristina Decker, Ph.D. — Sleep
- Lisal Folsom, M.D. — Pediatric Weight Management
- Alissa Briggs, Ph.D. — Promoting Social and Emotional Health
- Hillary Rieger, LCGC — Genetic Disorders
- Brittney Gray, Ph.D. — ACEs
- Jamie Adkins, MS-CCC-SLP — Speech Language Pathology
- Lucena Davis, RN, BSN — Failure to Thrive
- Stephanie Stockburger, M.D. — Parenting Children with Behavioral Problems
- Lindsey Mullis, Ph.D. — Physical Activity for Families
- Rahul Joseph, M.D. — NICU Babies: What to Look for
The statewide event provides 12 hours of ongoing training credit. Foster and adoptive parents can select from a variety of training topics, allowing them to choose the information most relevant to the needs of the child in their care.
“At every event, we are very lucky to have expert speakers, and this event was no exception,” said Dave Giannini, Medically Complex Training Program coordinator. “Because of this, we have been able to meet parents where they are and provide them with training that impacts their lives, as well as those of medically complex foster care children.”
Since 2003, the program has developed, coordinated and conducted this type of training for foster and adoptive parents and social service workers statewide. The guidelines for training content are established by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Standards of Practice, as well as Kentucky law.
The training also gives caregivers the opportunity to connect, engage and build community with other medically complex caregivers across the state.
“One of the highlights of our event is being able to watch medically complex parents connect with one another. Given the amount of time they must dedicate to child care, specialists’ appointments and hundreds of other responsibilities, they do not often have the opportunity to speak with those who are also going through the same things,” Giannini said. “The moments in between classes are just as impactful as during.”
For more information on the Medically Complex Training Program, visit the Training Resource Center’s website or contact Dave Giannini at dave.giannini@uky.edu.