3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Prevention for Children of Addicted Parents: A Social Justice Imperative is presented by Wendy Wade, PhD.

This program describes the chronic stress and trauma experienced by children of parents with addiction. These children's needs are seldom recognized and rarely receive the help and healing they deserve. Prevention is possible by also recognizing and developing strengths and resiliencies. The program covers developing support groups and includes two activities from NACoA's Children Program Kit. 

Early intervention for children of parental substance and behavioral addiction is a critical social justice and advocacy priority (Suomi). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)s are traumatic childhood experiences causing lasting negative effects throughout life (Anda). The brain architecture of traumatized children is affected, potentially causing the earlier onset of children’s own substance use, faster acceleration in use patterns, and a higher rate of substance use disorders (Solis et al.).  Other potential effects can include emotional, social, behavioral, and attachment adjustment problems and challenging cognitive and academic functioning.  COVID-19 has exacerbated these factors in many families. With appropriate intervention, children can experience trusting interactions, share difficult emotions, and develop healthy coping skills that may prevent their own use. Two group activities are detailed in the Children’s Program Kit from the National Association of Children of Addiction (NACoA) is demonstrated. These and other targeted interventions have only been available to a fraction of children and families in need. Disproportionate access exists in families affected by poverty, parental incarceration, and all forms of discrimination (Gifford). The stigma of addiction, family rules about not talking outside the home, and children’s fear of not being believed make identification and intervention difficult.  These children need a safe, predictable place to call their own with trauma-informed adults trained to recognize, support, and develop their resilience (Walker & Lee). There is hope, which depends on acceptance and understanding of the reality and depth of children’s needs along with their many strengths and resiliencies (Park & Schepp.) 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the social justice and advocacy priority of early intervention with children of parents with addiction
  • 2 Describe traumatic adverse effects of parental addiction on children's cognitive, behavioral, physical, and social-emotional development
  • 3 Describe how epigenetics of trauma and chronic unmanaged stress contribute to the potential for addiction
  • 4 Describe understanding of children's resiliencies to effectively guide them in developing more effective coping skills and self-understanding to assist prevention of self-medication
  • 5 Describe two activities for group or individual counseling that is specific to healing children of parents with parental addiction

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals and students who work with children and families impacted by parental addiction. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how parental substance use affects children and offers practical, trauma-informed strategies for early intervention. The training emphasizes prevention, resilience-building, and support for emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges in children. Participants will gain tools to recognize signs of trauma, implement supportive interventions, and foster positive outcomes in various settings, including clinics, schools, and community programs.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Clinicians (counselors, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists)

    • Medical practitioners (pediatricians, family doctors, nurses)

    • Educators (teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers)

    • Allied professionals (social workers, case managers, family support workers)

    • Students in psychology, social work, counseling, education, or related fields

    • Community program staff working with children and families

    • Anyone working with or supporting children affected by parental addiction

Presented By

Wendy Wade, PhD, Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University

Wendy Wade, PhD is Assistant Professor in the MA in Counseling Program at PAU, teaching the Addiction Counseling course among others. She has worked with children of parents with addiction in a variety of venues beginning in 1983, including the Betty Ford Center's Children's Program. She volunteered bi-monthly for many years at Camp Mariposa, a no-cost weekend camp for children of parents with addiction; many are multicultural and disadvantaged. She also conducts training for NAoA on their two curricula for working with children and families.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Wendy Wade, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Impact of parental addiction on children’s development, including chronic stress, trauma, and associated emotional, behavioral, and cognitive challenges

  • Importance of early intervention, prevention, and resilience-building through supportive environments and trauma-informed care

  • Disparities in access to services for children affected by poverty, incarceration, and discrimination, and the social stigma that hinders identification and help-seeking

  • Demonstration of practical strategies, including two group activities from NACoA’s Children’s Program Kit, to promote healing, coping skills, and long-term well-being

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE 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-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, 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. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.