Recognizing and responding to the mental health and caregiver-child relationship needs of medically-complex foster children

Thursday, September 30th, 2021
AAIMH Monthly Webinar Meeting
12:30-1:30 pm

Webinar Title:

Recognizing and responding to the mental health and caregiver-child relationship needs of medically-complex foster children


Webinar Description: 
Supporting the health needs of medically complex children in foster care is frequently imbalanced; with significant attention paid to medical management of their illness and relatively less attention paid to the impact of their condition on mental health and the caregiver-child relationship. This presentation will help learners understand the connection between medical conditions and mental health symptoms in children and how this can lead to needs within the caregiver-child relationship. Attendees will leave empowered to better advocate for a balanced approach to meeting the health needs of this vulnerable population.

Presenter:

Dr. Sufna John

Sufna John, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas. She specializes in infant and early childhood mental health and trauma. She co-directs the Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (ARBEST) program, which focuses on improving outcomes for traumatized children and their families in Arkansas through excellence in clinical care, training, advocacy, and evaluation, and is a state Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and DC:0-5 trainer. She is passionate about partnering with the child welfare system to promote trauma-informed practices for parents and children.

Click Here to Watch a Recording of the Presentation