University of Kentucky College of Social Work

MSCJ Info Session
2025-06-30 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Please join us as we discuss the upcoming Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom.
Please register by using the link below under ‘Website’ and select the appropriate date in the drop down menu.

The Lakes Citizen Review Panel
2025-07-01 10:00 - 11:00
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a regional panel, please visit the CRP website or contact Tara Pulaski at Tara.Pulaski@uky.edu.

KIN-VIP - The Gathering Spot
2025-07-01 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-08 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-15 12:00 - 13:00
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you can come for as long as you have time to meet other kinship caregivers, make a friend or two and gain valuable information to help you in your kinship journey.
This is not a support group, this is a virtual meeting space designed to connect caregivers together and create a kinship community, so that you can learn about important resources or information essential in your kinship journey.
This connection meeting will be offered every week on Tuesday through December 16 and will be hosted by KKRC staff members. Come and get connected!
REGISTER NOW

Northern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel
2025-07-02 11:00 - 12:00

KIN-VIP Support Group - Relatives Raising Kin
2025-07-02 12:00 - 13:00
Relatives Raising Kin is a community of kinship caregivers who come together for support, friendship, and information. Our goal is to connect families with one another to find resources, get answers to questions, and support each other. We are a general kinship community open to anyone providing kinship care in Kentucky.
Facilitated by Judy Russell, Mental Health Specialist for Fayette County Public Schools, was raised by her great-grandmother from infancy. In her 20’s, Judy began caring for her sister’s three children that she later adopted. Throughout her career, Judy has supported kinship families through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the public school system.
As a result, Judy has worked with countless youth and their families, helping them navigate the challenges of raising children of all ages while supporting caregivers in their journey. Come with questions, come with suggestions, come for a community who can support and encourage YOU!
REGISTER NOW!

Practicum Info Session
2025-07-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-09 15:00 - 16:00
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for hands-on learning in real-world settings.
The UK College of Social Work is affiliated with approximately 3,000 agencies across the United States, offering flexible placements in schools, hospitals, with advocacy groups, and in many other settings. During your placement, you will gain valuable experience, build your professional network, and have the opportunity to explore specialized paths, including clinical social work, child welfare, and substance use recovery.
At the UK College of Social Work, students drive their practicum journey, with the ability to select or propose placement sites that align with their goals. Advising and mentorship are built in to help you succeed before and after graduation.
Register for an information session to learn how your practicum experience will support your goals and open doors to meaningful, impact-driven work.
REGISTER HERE

*Attendees should register for virtual Practicum Info Sessions in advance. All times are EST. Sessions occur on Wednesdays at either noon or 3:00 (they are not offered when the University of Kentucky offices are closed, and classes are not in session).

Cumberland Region Citizen Review Panel
2025-07-03 09:00 - 10:00

KIN-VIP Support Group - Parenting Challenges
2025-07-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-10 13:00 - 14:00
We understand how difficult it can be trying to parent your kinship children. Parenting a child that belongs to a family member or a friend is especially difficult for you as a caregiver. When the child has behaviors that are difficult to manage, it can be both challenging and stressful. Join us for our new Community Group, Parenting Challenges to learn effective and practical ways to navigate the challenges of kinship parenting.
This new KIN VIP Support Group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM EST.
The group is completely free and available to any caregiver raising a relative or fictive kin child.
Contact Sheila Rentfrow at sheila.rentfrow@uky.edu for more information, or sign up here to secure your spot!

Responsible Conduct of Research Training
2025-07-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-11 12:00 - 13:00
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training is required for any faculty, staff, and students who are involved in research activities, enrolled in UK CoSW doctoral studies, paid on grant, and/or are on current IRB protocol. These RCR training requirements include BOTH an online training on the CITI website and an in-person (synchronous zoom) training session. This event satisfies the in-person portion of RCR Training. Trainings will be added and updated on a regular basis.
Register for the event here or via the link below under ‘Website’.

KIN-VIP Support Group Grandparent's Connection
2025-07-07 12:00 - 13:00
Raising your grandchildren and parenting again later in life can be especially challenging in today’s culture. Navigating this change in roles–moving from grandparents to being parents again–can be both confusing and difficult as you move through these family changes.
This group is designed to support and empower grandparents on this journey to find the resources, community, and connection to be successful caregivers for the children in their lives.
New this year for the Grandparent’s Connection group-each meeting we will supplement our conversation with a craft that we can work on together! It is not necessary to have any crafting skill-these are just fun projects to do while we spend time together! If you are not interested in the crafting, please come for the conversation! We would love to get to know you!
Facilitator Angel Hayes is a grandmother raising her teenage grandson who enjoys creative, inexpensive, and fun projects! Angel enjoys painting, scrapbooking, drawing, etc. and loves to share the fun of crafting as a way to connect with others while walking the kinship journey.
REGISTER NOW

A Guide to Coping with Allegations
2025-07-07 18:00 - 19:30
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 are shared and tools for successful documentation are provided. Strategies for navigating false allegations and related investigations are also explored.
After completing this training, participants will be able to:

Utilize strategies for preventing false child abuse and neglect allegations.
Identify appropriate strategies to navigate false child abuse and neglect allegations and related investigations
ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.

Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page.
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

Northeastern Citizen Review Panel
2025-07-08 11:00 - 12:00

Trauma Informed Care: Navigating Care with Compassion
2025-07-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual through LMS
This training empowers foster and adoptive families to understand and respond to the effects of trauma with empathy and sensitivity. Participants will learn strategies to create a safe, supportive environment for children, recognize trauma triggers, and build resilience through compassionate care.
ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

MSW Info Session
2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:00
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 that prepares students for social work practice across the micro-macro continuum with diverse populations.
Graduates of our program have the highest clinical licensing pass rates in Kentucky and routinely score above the national average, making our students uniquely poised to enter a competitive job market and make the most of forecasted growth within the social work profession.
Flexible Program Options
Choose from our regular (two year) or advanced (one year) standing options in a hybrid or fully online format.
Exceptional Career Support
Ensure a successful transition into advanced social work practice through our available career counseling, mentoring, and post-graduation support.
Unique Centers and Labs
Leverage our unique centers and labs, including the Training Resource Center, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Children and Families, Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, Self-Care Lab, Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab, and Military Behavior Health Lab to enhance your learning and research.
Multiple Certificate Options
Earn specialized certifications in Clinical Social Work, Child Welfare, Military Behavioral Health, Integrative Behavioral Health, or Substance Use Disorder.

Autism: Understanding the Basics
2025-07-09 21:00 - 22:30 | Virtual through LMS
This comprehensive training provides a foundational exploration of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), offering participants valuable insights into the characteristics, challenges, and strengths associated with autism. Aiming to enhance awareness, promote empathy, and lay the foundation for creating inclusive and supportive environments. This training is designed for foster and adoptive parents committed to providing a loving and understanding home for children with autism.
Whether you are in the early stages of the foster or adoptive journey or seeking additional tools to support a child with autism, this training caters to your specific needs.
ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

KIN-VIP Support Group With Mary Jo Dendy
2025-07-10 19:00 - 20:00
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 the day to day issues involving relative and fictive kin care and will be shaped by the identified needs of group participants. This Group is open to any kinship caregiver and we welcome you to attend! This Support Group will meet monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 7 pm.
REGISTER NOW
If you have any questions about this event, please email sheila.rentfrow@uky.edu or KINmaryjodendy@gmail.com or call 859-257-4785.

Healthy Boundaries in Teenage Relationships
2025-07-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual through LMS
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 dating relationship and provides suggestions for talking to teens and/or their friends who find themselves involved in such relationships.
After completing this training, participants will be able to:

Identify signs that a teen is being abused in a relationship.
Explain strategies to address when a teen is being abused in a relationship.

ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

Jefferson Citizen Review Panel
2025-07-11 10:00 - 11:00

Teaching Growth Mindset to Children
2025-07-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual through LMS
Teaching Growth Mindset to Children introduces parents to the two types of mindsets and how beneficial it is for parents to help their children develop a growth mindset. This training will also cover a step-by-step outline for how to teach growth mindset to children over a four week period.
After completing this training, participants will:

learn how to differentiate between growth and the fixed mindset.​
think about what type of mindset you have.​
learn how to teach growth mindset techniques to children of all ages.​

ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

A Child’s Education: Rights and Responsibilities
2025-07-12 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual through LMS
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 eligibility requirements for children with disabilities. In addition, this training will equip participants to ensure children ages three to twenty-one have access to the tools and services necessary to help them succeed in the least restrictive educational environment.
After completing this training, participants will be able to:

Recognize the 13 types of disabilities covered under IDEA
Utilize knowledge of tools and services to understand their rights and participate in ARC meetings

ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page.
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

ARC Meetings and IEPs: The Basics
2025-07-12 21:00 - 22:30 | Virtual through LMS
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 like. It offers strategies and ideas to help parents be prepared the ARC meetings. This training also offers sample IEP goals and objectives to give foster and adoptive parents some deeper understanding of what these will look like when an IEP is written for the child in their home.
After completing this training, participants will be able to:

Prepare for and participate in ARC meetings
Understand IEP goals and objectives to collaborate with school personnel in writing a child’s IEP

ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

Helping Foster and Adopted Children Transition to a New School
2025-07-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual through LMS
Helping Foster & Adopted Children Transition to a New School will assist foster/adoptive parents in preparing to enroll a child in a new school. It will also provide practical tips for helping their children explain adoption to their classmates in a way that is comfortable to them and gives suggestions regarding answers to common adoption questions that children may ask.
After completing this training, participants will be able to:

Understand logistical tasks (such as healthcare, enrollment paperwork, and IEP’s) that must be addressed before a child can attend a new school.
Explain adoption to their child in a way that the child can relay it to their classmates and peers.

ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

Building Strong Bonds with Your Foster and Adoptive Child
2025-07-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual through LMS
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 will delve into the distinct differences between bonding and attachment, enabling participants to grasp the nuanced nuances that define these concepts. Throughout the training, participants will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and comprehend the essential components of the four styles of attachment.
This comprehensive exploration will empower them to recognize and understand the behavioral patterns and emotional connections inherent in secure, anxious-ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles.
ASK-VIP trainings are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents. Skilled trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adoption provide these trainings in a virtual group setting. There is 1.5 hours of ongoing, elective foster parent training credit available for Kentucky’s foster parents.
Create an account or log-in to register for this training. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this training, each person must register separately. Foster parent training credit is administered based on the duration of the meeting and each attendee’s participation. Training credit is only available if you have not participated in this training within the past twelve months.
Click Here to go to the registration page.
If you have any questions about this training or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.

Salt River Trail Citizen Review Panel
2025-07-15 10:00 - 11:00

LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group
2025-07-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual through LMS
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 as LGBTQ+. The groups offer an opportunity to share experiences, questions, resources, and concerns in a safe and compassionate environment. These groups are led by a seasoned foster/adoptive parent facilitator who understands firsthand issues unique to the LGBTQ+ community.
Create an account or log-in to register for this support group. A reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with web camera is needed to participate. If there are two adults in the same household that want to participate in this support group, each person must register separately.
Click Here to go to the registration page.
If you have any questions about this support group or how to register, please email ask@uky.edu or call 859-257-7361.
