Early Childhood ECHO: Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic (SCOPE) - Spring 2025

Monday, February 24, 2025, 3:00 PM - Monday, April 14, 2025, 4:30 PM, Online

Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic (SCOPE)

 

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)/Neonatal Opioid Withdraw Syndrome (NOWS) occurs when infants are prenatally exposed to substances, including opioids, during pregnancy, resulting in medical and long-term developmental complications. Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic (SCOPE) ECHO provides an efficient way for participants to learn and practice, by offering support and guidance from interdisciplinary experts in the fields of early intervention, psychology, occupational therapy, medicine, nursing, speech-language pathology, etc. SCOPE ECHO also includes the voice of caregivers with lived experiences caring for young children who have experienced prenatal substance exposure and/or trauma exposure. The goal is to improve professionals’ comfort when working with children and their caregivers at home, in childcare centers, schools and community settings. SCOPE ECHO target audience includes many professional groups including, but not limited to, early interventionists, childcare professionals, home visitors, peer support specialists, pediatricians, allied health professionals, and any others who work with children who have been impacted by substance use disorders.

Program Highlights

•  Weekly Interactive Online Sessions

  • Beginning February 24, 2025

  • 90 minute sessions, held on Monday afternoons at 3:00 pm ET.
    

  • Session dates: 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
    
    

• Expert-Led Topics:

  • Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome/Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome and Developmental Outcomes

  • Behavior and ADHD EBPs

  • Educational Strategies

  • Language Development

  • Sensory and Executive Function and Self-Regulation

  • Peer Support and Supporting Families

  • Medication Considerations

  • Trauma-Informed Strategies
    
    

Benefits

• Continuing Education Credits: See below for details

• Professional Development: Gain insights from leading experts.

• Collaborative Learning: Connect with peers across states.
  
  

Target Audience

• SCOPE ECHO target audience includes many professional groups including, but not limited to, early interventionists, childcare professionals, home visitors, peer support specialists, pediatricians, allied health professionals, and any others who work with children who have been impacted by substance use disorders.
  

 

Featured Faculty

Stephanie Weber, PsyD
Dr. Weber is an associate professor of Clinical Pediatrics at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr Weber is a clinical psychologist and the Associate Training Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program and University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She provides treatment to children with developmental concerns and behavior disorders in addition to teaching graduate trainees from a variety of disciplines.

Pam Williams-Arya, MD
Dr. Williams-Arya is a pediatrician specializing in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, with expertise in evaluating autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.  Her clinical approach prioritizes respect, sensitivity, and shared decision-making with families, ensuring they are actively engaged in their child’s treatment planning and care.

Dr. Williams-Arya’s journey into medicine was inspired by a love for science and a desire to positively impact people’s health, interests that were supported by her educator parents and a physician uncle.  After completing a pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s and practicing general pediatrics for 10 years, she pursued a fellowship in developmental-behavioral pediatrics, driven by her long-standing interest in child development and behavior.  Clinically, she is involved in autism-specific evaluations as well as multidisciplinary evaluation clinic for preschool-aged children affected by prenatal opioid exposure.  In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Williams-Arya serves as a faculty member for the Maternal Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Related Disabilities (LEND) program, providing interdisciplinary training to graduate students.  Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and two children. 

 

What is “Common to Complex”?“

From Common to Complex: Utilizing Telehealth to Connect Primary Care Providers to Pediatric Specialists” is a project to look at using technology and case-based learning to improve knowledge, self-efficacy and have a positive impact on care. Cincinnati Children’s will use the Project ECHO methodology to offer telehealth based learning for primary care providers over a 6-12-month period.  Project ECHO, Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, is a virtual learning network method that enables information sharing regarding best practices and access for specialty care in all areas, especially rural or underserved areas. 

How Project ECHO Works

Project ECHO – Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes – uses technology, Project ECHO bridges the gap between healthcare specialists and community-based clinicians.  The Project ECHO model is based on four principles:

• Use technology to leverage scarce resources

• Share “best practices” to reduce disparities

• Apply case-based learning to master complexity

• Evaluate and monitor outcomes

During Project ECHO sessions, healthcare clinicians present cases using a case-based format using video conferencing equipment. Project ECHO specialist and other participants discuss patient cases and recommendations are made regarding a treatment plan.  Specialists and community clinicians hear various case presentations, as well as follow-up and outcomes, and over time greatly increase their knowledge and experience in the evaluation and treatment of depression.

What Clinicians and Partners say:

“I feel more confident and it makes providing care easier. This project allows for increased opportunities to learn, and patients to get better care.” 

“Project Echo has been a valuable learning experience for me, and I have learned and incorporated new ideas into my practice as a direct result of my participation. I find that sharing in a group setting and seeing how others approach problems to be a good way of synthesizing how I would or might approach things in my daily practice.  I highly recommend participation in Project Echo learning opportunities as they come available."

1. Describe the developmental, behavioral, and social impacts of prenatal substance exposure and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
2. Apply trauma-informed, evidence-based strategies to support children and families impacted by substance use disorders and associated challenges.
3. Collaborate within interprofessional teams to address the needs of children and families through culturally responsive, strengths-based care.
4. Identify and address systemic barriers, including stigma and inequities, that affect access to care for children and families impacted by substance use disorders.

In support of improving patient care, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician:  Cincinnati Children’s designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 hours per session AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing:   This activity is approved for a maximum 1.5 hours per session continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours.

Physician Assistants: Cincinnati Children’s has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.5 hours per session AAPA Category 1 CME credits.  PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Psychology: Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological  Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. This activity is approved for 1.5 hours per session.  

IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.5 hours per session Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change. 

Social Work: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is an approved provider of continuing education credits by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (provider number RSX030902). This conference is approved for 1.5 (per session) social work continued education clock hours.

Clinical Counseling: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center is an approved provider of counselor continuing education by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board, provider number RCX111201. This program is approved for 1.5 clock hours.

Teacher: 1.5 (per session) Contact Hours of Educator Credit are provided. Final approval of Certificates of Participation will be determined by your Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC).  Keep all Certificates of Participation with your Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP).

SLP: This activity provides credit through Cincinnati Children's accreditation with Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education (JA). This activity can be counted towards ASHA professional development hours (PDH).  Credits should be reported with a 1:1 reciprocity up to the total activity maximum of 1.5 hours per session. SLPs should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

OT: OTs may receive up to 1.5 credit hours per session. Please keep proof of content (brochure, agenda, notes, etc.) and a copy of a CE certificate indicating credit and verification of participation.

Ohio DODD Credits: DODD credits are available. Certificates will be emailed to participants at the conclusion of the Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic ECHO series.

To receive credit and certificate, you must attend the entire session.

ECE-TRIS (KY): Each of the 8 sessions have been pre-approved for 1.5 hours of early care and education clock hours. Clock hours will be awarded within 10 calendar days per completed session and evaluation.

To receive credit, you must attend the entire session and complete the post-session survey.

Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board Credit (PTSB): PTSB credit will be awarded at the conclusion of the series. Credit Available: 0.5 PTSB credit for every 6 live sessions attended. You may also mix and match sessions from different UW ECHO networks.

To receive credit for attending the live sessions, you will need to complete the following:

• Attend the live sessions AND complete the session evaluations that are emailed to you after each session. Provide your PTSB number during registration.

• Additional Information: PTSB Credit FAQs

Wyoming STARS Credit: STARS credit is available for participants of Supporting Children of the Opioid Epidemic ECHO and these UW ECHO networks: Assistive Technology, Autism, and Early Childhood. Credit Available: 1.0 standard clock hour per session attended.

To receive credit for attending the live sessions, you will need to complete the following:

• Attend the live sessions in the above networks AND complete the session evaluations that are emailed to you after each session. Provide your 9-digit STARS Registry ID during registration.

• Additional Information: STARS Credit FAQs

University of Wyoming (UW) Graduate Credit: UW graduate credit is available for participants of any UW ECHO network (excluding Geriatrics). UW graduate credit is awarded twice an academic year, once in December for the fall semester and once in May for the spring semester. You may earn 1 credit hour each semester. There is a $50 registration fee which must be paid with a credit card online.

To receive credit, you will need to complete the following:

• Please email [email protected] about your interest in Graduate Credit. Instructions on how to register will be emailed to you.

• Attend 12 live sessions and complete the session evaluation. You may mix and match sessions from different UW networks.

• Present a professional development training or a case presentation.

• Additional Information: Graduate Credit FAQs

If you have questions about Wyoming credits, contact Cari Glantz at [email protected].

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.50 hours), AAPA Physician Associate (1.50 hours), APA Psychology Regular CE (1.50 hours), CME - Non-Physician (Attendance) (1.50 hours), Counseling (MIP) (1.50 hours), IPCE (1.50 hours), Nursing CE (1.50 hours), Social Work (M) (1.50 hours), Teaching (LPDC) (1.50 hours)

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

No faculty are available for this activity at this time.