Identify areas in which you could further your professional skills to do better by your clients. This may be based on a problem or challenge you see your clients frequently experiencing, or it might be an area where you feel unprepared to address people's needs. Additionally, if you haven't had recent training in theories and approaches to psychological dimensions of adoptions such as bonding and attachment, you may want to update as new research and studies regularly bring new information to light.
Subscribe to social work and adoption newsletters and informational services, which will alert you to legal changes in the adoption process. To fully prepare families, you have to remain an expert on what they can expect as they move through the process. When significant changes in law or policy arise, social workers and adoption counselors should take continuing education courses to come up to speed.
Review the continuing education course offerings of universities near you. For example, Portland State University offers a variety of continuing education classes for social workers and other professionals involved in the adoption process. You can take courses in things such as transitional issues for adoptions of older children and the role of discipline and management for parents who have recently adopted.
Buy DVD and online courses on adoption preparation issues that can help you update your skills at a time and speed convenient to you. Self-access education options allow you to learn from experts and leaders in the adoption field even when you can't attend their seminars or lectures. Such courses may offer you specific information or resources you can't find at a local school.
Enroll in an adoption certification program. Social workers transitioning to adoption services as well as those who haven't undergone extensive adoption preparation education may benefit from advanced training and certification. Many respected universities with social work programs such as Rutgers University offer professional development certificates.
Solicit feedback from your clients constantly. Find out what you do that helps, and where they would like more support or knowledge. Families at the tail-end of their time with you are the most important people to ask. Use the feedback to make your next CEU selection and to seek information that will help you better prepare other families.