Webinars
Webinars
Free to FSWA/NOFSW 2025/2026 members (includes 1.0-1.5 CE credits) / $50 registration fee for non-members (CE credit is not included for non-members). Registrations must be received no later than one week prior to the program. These webinars are live, synchronous interactive programs using the zoom platform. Attendees may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussions.
Forgotten in the Storm: Disaster Planning for Children in DCF and Incarcerated Individuals
Shuei Kozu, PhD, LICSW
January 21, 2026 2:00-3:30 PM Eastern Time
Register Now (Completed)
Workshop Overview
Children in custody of child welfare systems and individuals who are incarcerated are among the most vulnerable during disasters, yet they often have little to no voice in disaster preparedness planning. These individuals are fully dependent on the state or federal institutions responsible for their safety. Without proactive and inclusive planning, they face heightened risks of trauma, exposure, and disconnection, on top of the complex histories many already carry prior to entering state custody.
Past natural disasters have revealed that many states were not adequately prepared to protect these populations. In the years since, policies and preparedness frameworks have been developed, but significant gaps in implementation remain. In moments of crisis, these gaps can translate into severe consequences for those under custodial care.
This workshop is designed to raise awareness among forensic social workers, encouraging them to examine the current level of disaster preparedness within their own institutions or client systems. Participants will explore the ethical and professional responsibility to advocate for planning that is trauma-informed, equitable, and actionable. Through discussion and case examples, the workshop will highlight practical steps social workers can take to help ensure the safety, dignity, and protection of those in state custody when disasters strike.
Learning Objectives:
- Compare the structural and ethical responsibilities of the state in ensuring safety, continuity of care, and dignity for individuals in state custody during disasters—across both the child welfare and correctional systems.
2. Evaluate case examples and preparedness models for children in foster care and incarcerated individuals, identifying common systemic challenges (e.g., communication failures, staffing shortages, infrastructure gaps) and unique considerations for each group.
3. Develop cross-system strategies that promote inclusive, equitable, and coordinated disaster response planning—centering on accountability, trauma-informed practice, and clear communication protocols for all individuals in state care.
Shuei Kozu, PhD, LICSW joined the Department of Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University in 2019, bringing more than 20 years of experience as a clinical social worker, primarily in the health care field, working with children and families. Dr. Kozu imparts knowledge across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, influencing future generations of social workers. Currently, Dr. Kozu serves as a Faculty Development Co-Director. As part of the Faculty Development, she is interested in faculty engagement, compassion, and empathy for each other, while promoting social emotional learning for students. Dr. Kozu has been conducting research studies to investigate the racially motivated offense against Asians and Asian Americans during the last few years. She has been successful in creating a disaster mental health certification program for graduate students, with the hope to incorporate study abroad program so that students can visit countries that are prone to have natural disasters and learn how people cope and show resilience. Dr. Kozu strives to make meaningful contributions to the field of social work and society at large.
Public Inquiries in Canada: Lessons from the Nova Scotia Mass Shooting
Shawna Paris-Hoyte ONS, KC, MSW-RSW-CS
Rescheduled for June 10, 2026 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time
Register Now
This session examines the Public Inquiry into the Nova Scotia mass shooting, in which 22 residents were killed over 13 hours. The workshop will explore how governments in Canada use public inquiries to respond to large-scale tragedies, develop findings, and make policy recommendations.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand the role of public inquiries in Canada as mechanisms for accountability, truth-finding, and policy reform following large-scale tragedies.
Examine the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission as a case study of how public inquiries are structured, resourced, and mandated.
Analyze the government’s response to the mass shooting, including how evidence, testimony, and community voices were incorporated into the inquiry process.
Identify a key recommendation that emerged from the inquiry, such as Gender Based Violence, and assess its implications for law reform, policing, emergency response, and victim support.
Reflect on broader lessons for social workers, legal professionals, and community advocates, particularly regarding trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches to public inquiries in Canada.
Shawna Paris-Hoyte ONS, KC MSW RSW has practiced law in Nova Scotia for 27 years. Her areas of practice are criminal law/youth, human rights, child protection, family law, and poverty law. As defence counsel, her advocacy has taken her to all levels of the court system and tribunals in Canada, including to the Supreme Court of Canada when she successfully argued R. v. LTH in 2008 which is still the leading case on admissibility of statements to police authorities (by youth) under the YCJA. Shawna has been involved in many exciting and innovative legal cases and initiatives over the years. She recently concluded her work as legal counsel for a participant (group) of the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission Public Inquiry. Shawna is an innovative dual-professional and trailblazer. As an educator, she continues to teach at the university level in law and social work.
Know Your Rights – Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Xochitl Esparza
April 15, 2026 2:00-3:30 Eastern Time
Register Now
This trainig empowers community
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding Your Rights – What to do and say when interacting with law enforcement or immigration officials, whether at home, in public, or at your workplace.
- Family Readiness Planning – Steps to prepare important documents, identify emergency contacts, and make a safety plan in case of detention or family separation.
- Accessing Help and Reporting Incidents – Guidance on where and how to report immigration activity as well as which organizations can help you and your family if someone has been detained
Course completion requirements: To earn CE credit, social workers must log in at the scheduled time, attend the entire course and complete an online course evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion. Cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the live webinar to receive a refund.
The Forensic Social Work Alliance, provider #1823, formerly the National Organization of Forensic Social Work, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 07/18/2023–07/18/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 continuing education credits (1.0 for Public Inquiries in Canada: Lessons from the Nova Scotia Mass Shooting).
National Organization of Forensic Social Work is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0876.
System requirements:
• Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher, MacOS 9 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Google Chrome, Firefox 10.0 or higher
• Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible.
Please contact Jim Campbell at jim.campbell@nofsw.org with questions, concerns, or grievances about this course including information regarding ADA accommodations.