Suicide Prevention & Exposure Lab
The Suicide Prevention and Exposure Laboratory (SPEL) is explicitly dedicated to examining suicide and its impact. SPEL focuses on research related to exposure, prevention, and the understanding of this phenomenon. Additionally, the lab is involved in broad-ranging outreach initiatives designed to better educate communities about suicide. Through the lab, students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to uniquely engage in a wide-array of experiential learning activities.
Centers and Labs
by the numbers
6
Unique Centers & Labs
116%
Increase in FY20 extramural research funding
50,000+
Individuals served annually by Centers & Labs
Calendar of Events
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3 events,
Developmental Stages & Children’s Responses To Grief
Developmental Stages & Children’s Responses To Grief
Developmental Stages & Children’s Responses to Grief defines grief and explores how children process and express grief at different developmental stages. It offers insight into the unique experiences of grief […]
Stress Management For Caregivers
Stress Management For Caregivers
Stress Management for Caregivers will equip foster/adoptive parents with tools to understand what stress and caregiver burnout is, and how to cope with the unique stressors of being foster/adoptive families. […]
Helping Your Child Succeed In School
Helping Your Child Succeed In School
Helping Your Child to Succeed in School will increase the ability of foster/adoptive parents to understand educational challenges faced by foster/adopted children. It will give resource parents the tools for […]
1 event,
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a […]
1 event,
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'. […]
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Healing After A Foster Child Leaves Your Home
Healing After A Foster Child Leaves Your Home
Healing After a Foster Child Leaves Your Home will equip foster parents understand, cope with and heal from the unique pain of a foster child leaving their home. It offers […]
2 events,
Drugs: Things You Need to Know
Drugs: Things You Need to Know
Drugs: Things You Need to Know is designed to inform parents of the many different classifications of illicit drugs, as well as the current trends related to adolescent drug abuse. […]
Healthy Boundaries In Teenage Relationships
Healthy Boundaries In Teenage Relationships
Healthy Boundaries in Teenage Relationships explores healthy and unhealthy dating behaviors. It is designed to assist caregivers in identifying warning signs that a teen may be involved in an abusive […]
2 events,
Kinship Live Virtual Webinar Training-“ Advocacy-Making My (Kinship) Voice Heard!”
Kinship Live Virtual Webinar Training-“ Advocacy-Making My (Kinship) Voice Heard!”
As Kinship caregivers, your opinions are important and necessary in order to understand how we as a state can better serve our kinship families. By sharing your thoughts and views […]
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a […]
3 events,
Criminal Justice Program Info Session 12-6
Criminal Justice Program Info Session 12-6
Turn your Passion into Purpose Please join us on December 6th as we discuss the upcoming Criminal Justice BA, BS, and MS degree programs. This info session will be held […]
Building Positive Relationships With Caseworkers & Community Partners
Building Positive Relationships With Caseworkers & Community Partners
Building Positive Relationships with Case Workers & Community Partners provides foster parents the information and tools needed to establish a positive working relationship with their caseworker and child’s caseworker, with […]
A Guide To Coping With Allegations
A Guide To Coping With Allegations
A Guide to Coping with Allegations explores the prevalence of false allegations of abuse and neglect amongst foster homes and reasons such allegations may arise. Strategies for preventing false allegations […]
6 events,
Medically Complex Join Hands Together Virtual Training
Medically Complex Join Hands Together Virtual Training
This training will take place via virtual live Zoom meeting. Participants will be required to have a laptop or tablet with reliable internet connection to participate in the live, interactive […]
Foster Parent Safe Zone Training
Foster Parent Safe Zone Training
Foster Parent Safe Zone Training December 7, 2023 10:00 AM-12:00 PM EST Via Zoom Registration Deadline: 12/5/23 at 11:59 PM Carla Jordan, MS 2 credit hours Becoming a foster and/or […]
Financial Planning For Children With Special Needs
Financial Planning For Children With Special Needs
Financial Planning for Children with Special Needs helps families caring for children with special needs proactively plan for their child’s future without jeopardizing entitlement benefits. It provides practical tools to […]
Attachment & Bonding With Your Foster & Adopted Child
Attachment & Bonding With Your Foster & Adopted Child
Attachment & Bonding with your Foster & Adopted Child equips parents to enhance their relationship with foster/adopted children by teaching them the basics about bonding and attachment. This training also […]
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) come in many forms, from physical and mental abuse to neglect and household dysfunction. This training examines data from the ACE study, how early adversity as […]
2 events,
Healthy Boundaries: Strategies For Answering Tough Questions
Healthy Boundaries: Strategies For Answering Tough Questions
Healthy Boundaries: Strategies for Answering Tough Questions helps foster and adoptive parents understand the importance of setting boundaries in their lives. It explains the different types of boundaries (Physical and […]
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew will equip foster and adoptive parents to understand the thoughts and feelings children who are adopted may experience. It offers strategies […]
2 events,
Blended Families: Parenting Children When They Don’t Get Along
Blended Families: Parenting Children When They Don’t Get Along
Blended Families: Parenting Children When They Don’t Get Along assists caregivers with identifying issues that children may experience that are unique to blended families. It offers strategies to create a […]
First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System
First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System
First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System explores the services provided by this program. Participants learn how to refer children ages zero to three who have developmental delays, or medical conditions […]
2 events,
Fostering & Adopting At-Risk Children
Fostering & Adopting At-Risk Children
Fostering & Adopting At-Risk Children explores categories of at-risk behaviors among children and adolescents that may lead to negative consequences, like poor health, injury or death. It assists foster/adoptive parents […]
A Child’s Education: Rights & Responsibilities
A Child’s Education: Rights & Responsibilities
A Child’s Education: Rights & Responsibilities will inform parents of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The training informs foster and adoptive parents of the processes used to determine […]
1 event,
Helping Foster & Adoptive Children Cope With Holiday Stress
Helping Foster & Adoptive Children Cope With Holiday Stress
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Cope with Holiday Stress is designed to assist foster and adoptive parents in learning and understanding how stressful holidays can be for foster/adopted children. It […]
4 events,
MSW Info Session
MSW Info Session
Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below, under 'Website' The UK Difference Our MSW program is an Advanced Generalist program […]
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as foster/adoptive parents who are caring for children or teens who identify […]
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a […]
Keeping Families Strong
Keeping Families Strong
Keeping Families Strong provides foster parents insight on how to keep partnerships, families and friendships strong while providing care to out of home children. It will also provide strategies for […]
2 events,
Grief & Foster Care
Grief & Foster Care
This course offers an exploration of the distinctive and complex grieving experience inherent in foster care and adoption, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and emotions associated […]
Learning Your Child Has A Disability
Learning Your Child Has A Disability
Learning Your Child Has a Disability aims to help foster and adoptive parents understand the unique emotions of discovering or confirming a child in their care has a disability. This […]
2 events,
Learning To Communicate: Developing Social Skills
Learning To Communicate: Developing Social Skills
Learning to Communicate: Developing Social Skills will equip parents to understand the process of communicating with children, teaching children to communicate with adults and peers, and developing interpersonal social skills. […]
KIN VIP Support Group With Mary Jo Dendy
KIN VIP Support Group With Mary Jo Dendy
This group is an opportunity for kinship caregivers to come together to find support, community, and resources in the care of relative and fictive children. This group will focus on […]
0 events,
3 events,
Support Group For Foster/Adoptive Parents Caring For Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Children
Support Group For Foster/Adoptive Parents Caring For Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Children
ASK-VIP Support Group for Foster/Adoptive Parents Caring for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children provides a welcoming, safe environment for foster and adoptive parents to share resources, concerns, ask questions, and connect […]
Helping Foster & Adoptive Children Cope With Holiday Stress
Helping Foster & Adoptive Children Cope With Holiday Stress
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Cope with Holiday Stress is designed to assist foster and adoptive parents in learning and understanding how stressful holidays can be for foster/adopted children. It […]
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'. […]
2 events,
ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics
ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics
ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics will help foster and adoptive parents understand the process of an ARC Meeting and gain a better perspective of what an IEP will look […]
ASK-VIP Support Group With Kay
ASK-VIP Support Group With Kay
ASK-VIP Support Groups are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents in an inclusive, safe, and compassionate environment. They are led by seasoned facilitators who have […]
3 events,
Understanding The Brain & Fear Responses In Traumatized Children
Understanding The Brain & Fear Responses In Traumatized Children
Understanding the Brain and Fear Responses in Traumatized Children provides an overview of brain development and how fight/flight/freeze fear responses may manifest in children who have experienced trauma. In addition, […]
Creative Parenting: New Ways To Focus On Your Child
Creative Parenting: New Ways To Focus On Your Child
Creative Parenting: New Ways to Focus on Your Child is designed to help parents recognize the value of seeking to understand the meaning behind a child’s behavior. It explores the […]
Guiding Your Child Through Adolescence
Guiding Your Child Through Adolescence
Guiding Your Child Through Adolescence explores the physical and emotional changes that children undergo as they enter adolescence. Parents will discuss how parental roles change during this period of their […]
5 events,
Why Words Matter – The Importance Of Positive Adoption Language
Why Words Matter – The Importance Of Positive Adoption Language
Participants will delve into the recognition of positive adoption language and its vital importance in nurturing a nurturing and affirming environment for children. By understanding the impact of language on identity and self-worth, participants will explore […]
DSW Info Session
DSW Info Session
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'. […]
Helping Your Child Make Healthy & Positive Choices: Talking To Teens & Preteens
Helping Your Child Make Healthy & Positive Choices: Talking To Teens & Preteens
Helping Your Child Make Healthy & Positive Choices: Talking to Teens & Preteens will teach foster and adoptive parents the importance of open and ongoing dialogue with their preteen or […]
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a […]
Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions For Blended Families
Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions For Blended Families
Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions for Blended Families will inform parents of triggers children in their home may have and what they can do as parents to help create […]
2 events,
Centers & Labs Monthly Meeting
Centers & Labs Monthly Meeting
Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person […]
Openly Talking With Children About Adoption
Openly Talking With Children About Adoption
Openly Talking with Children About Adoption equips adoptive parents with the skills necessary to talk honestly and positively with children about their adoption experiences. Participants will explore how to begin […]
2 events,
Internet Safety
Internet Safety
The Internet Safety training explores questions caregivers often have related to internet safety. It examines recommended guidelines for internet access and usage among children. It provides resources related to parental […]
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs, And Symptoms
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs, And Symptoms
Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs & Symptoms will inform parents of the definition of child abuse and ways it can be prevented. It provides descriptions and statistics of different types […]
1 event,
Strategies For Parenting Teens
Strategies For Parenting Teens
Strategies for Parenting Teens will provide an overview of adolescent development and common questions and challenges presented by youth who are in foster care or were adopted. This training will […]
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as foster/adoptive parents who are caring for children or teens who identify […]
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
Kinship Families Impacted By Substance Use KIN VIP Support Group
This new KIN VIP Support Group will begin as a 12-week pilot Support Group and will provide a community of support for kinship caregivers who have been impacted by a […]
2 events,
Building Positive Relationships With Caseworkers & Community Partners
Building Positive Relationships With Caseworkers & Community Partners
Building Positive Relationships with Case Workers & Community Partners provides foster parents the information and tools needed to establish a positive working relationship with their caseworker and child’s caseworker, with […]
Building Strong Bonds With Your Foster & Adoptive Child
Building Strong Bonds With Your Foster & Adoptive Child
This course equips participants with a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics between bonding, and attachment, and the critical role they play in fostering healthy relationships with children. The course […]
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Confidentiality In Foster Care
Confidentiality In Foster Care
Confidentiality in Foster Care explores the importance of protecting the confidentiality of children in care. It offers strategies for how sensitive information about children in care can be communicated in […]
