SWCHRS CEU Hub

Session Details: Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as ChatGPT, along with social media and app-based tools, are rapidly reshaping human interaction, mental health, and community well-being, offering creativity and connection while also introducing risks like AI-related suicides, emotional dependence (“AI psychosis”), and sextortion through deepfakes. These developments affect not only clients’ mental health and safety but also labor markets, environmental sustainability, and systemic inequities. This training prepares social workers to assess, intervene, and advocate effectively by examining both the benefits and harms of AI, exploring its mental health implications, and developing strategies to integrate this awareness into practice, policy advocacy, and client engagement.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886970186-1355) for 2 continuing education contact hours. Valid until 1/31/2027

Speaker

Leena Said, MSW — Minor Safety Specialist, Pinterest.

Speaker Bio: Leena Said is a dedicated social work and child safety professional with over eight years of experience supporting refugees, trafficking survivors, and at-risk youth. Currently a Minor Safety Specialist at Pinterest and formerly a Child Safety Specialist at TikTok, she partners with policy teams, law enforcement, and organizations such as NCMEC to investigate, report, and remove harmful content from online platforms. Her earlier work includes supporting unaccompanied refugee minors as a Social Worker with Lutheran Social Service, conducting crisis interventions with Catholic Charities, and advocating for trafficking survivors through the Polaris Project. Leena has deescalated suicide and violence-related crises, reported hundreds of trafficking cases, and independently managed heavy caseloads with compassion and skill. She holds an MSW from the University of Southern California and a B.S. in Psychology from Philadelphia University.

Register Now – $40 for 2 CEU's

Session Details: Clinicians are working with survivors of sexual trauma in any setting where they work with clients. Regardless of whether a clinician is specifically providing trauma treatment to survivors, all mental health care providers should have a base level understanding of the short- and long-term impact and clinical considerations of experiencing sexual violence. This training will provide an overview of the general impact of trauma, a detailed understanding of the specific dynamics of sexual violence, and an in-depth understanding in best practices for clinicians working with survivors.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886970186-2570) for 3 continuing education contact hours. Valid until 2/28/2027.

Speaker

Emma Kupferman, LICSW, LCSW-C, CST, CPAT — Founder & Owner, Copper Sexual Wellness.

Speaker Bio: Emma Kupferman, LICSW, LCSW-C, CPT, CST (she/her) earned her MSW from Howard University in 2004 and has extensive experience in trauma recovery for survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma, including leadership roles with RAINN’s military hotline and the District Alliance for Safe Housing. She has presented nationally and internationally, including at the World Conference of Women’s Shelters and AASECT. An AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, she specializes in trauma-informed care, sexual trauma, somatic experiencing, harm reduction, sexual dysfunction, ethical non-monogamy, and body image, with particular expertise in supporting LGBTQIA2S, kink, and BDSM communities.

Register Now - $60 for 3 CEU's

Session Description: Ethical Social Work Practice and Bias: Recognizing, Addressing, and Reducing Harm is a three-hour continuing education session designed to strengthen ethical and reflective practice among social workers. Participants will explore how cognitive, social, and structural biases shape decision-making, client engagement, and organizational processes. The first hour examines foundational concepts and types of bias that influence perception and behavior. The second hour applies theory through realistic case scenarios, promoting awareness of how bias surfaces in assessment and intervention. The final hour focuses on actionable strategies for mitigating bias, including structured decision-making, accountability frameworks, and perspective-taking. Grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics, this session emphasizes self-reflection, professional responsibility, and the pursuit of equitable outcomes. Through guided analysis and applied learning, attendees will leave with tools to recognize, address, and reduce bias in their professional roles while advancing social work’s commitment to dignity, justice, and integrity.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886970186-1486) for 3 continuing education contact hours. Valid until 2/28/2027.

Speaker

Anthony Natale, Ph.D., MSW — Professor, Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, University of Oklahoma.

Speaker Bio: Anthony P. Natale, Ph.D., MSW, is the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies Director and an Associate Professor at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work. He teaches a range of social work courses and has received accolades including induction into the Social Work Hall of Fame for Teaching Excellence (2015) and the University of Oklahoma Regents Award for Superior Teaching (2019).

Dr. Natale’s research centers on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging (IDEA-B) in higher education; HIV/AIDS health disparities among minoritized populations; trauma-informed interventions in social work practice; and social work with LGBTQQIPA2+ individuals. Previously, he held administrative roles such as Social Work Graduate Coordinator, Assistant Director of the School of Social Work, and Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence in the OU Graduate College.

Register Now - $60 for 3 CEU's

Session Description: This session looks to guide social workers through the client-centered framework of cultural humility to improve their professional decision-making as well as show respect to their clients. Participants will deepen their understanding of their own experiences and perspectives, learn about the differences between cultural competency and cultural humility, review the 3 components of cultural humility in depth, and examine examples of strategies and skills useful for implementing the cultural humility framework into your work. Through scenarios of guided self-reflection, commitments to lifelong learning, and personal and organizational accountability this session looks to further develop a key ethical standard in attendees.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Attendees will better understand how individual perspective and experiences heavily impact their own and other’s thoughts, beliefs, habits, and choices.

2. Attendees will learn to understand the client’s role as the only expert on the client.

3. Attendees will develop skills to collaborate with clients and colleagues to better serve as professional social workers.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886970186-4808) for 1 continuing education contact hours. Valid until 2/28/2027.

Speaker

César Pardo, MSW — Senior Program Coordinator, Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies, University of Oklahoma.

Speaker Bio: César Pardo serves as a Senior Program Coordinator at the Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies (SWCHRS), where he supports a wide range of programming efforts aimed at fostering equity and inclusion in higher education. He holds an MSW (2024) and a BA in Human Relations (2020) from the University of Oklahoma.

 

As a Latine professional born and raised in Oklahoma, Pardo brings valuable insights into social work macro practice, focusing on how organizations can improve communication and collaboration across diverse communities. His experience in program development and higher education administration informs his approach to conflict resolution and institutional negotiations, making him well-equipped to facilitate discussions on effective dialogue strategies in academic and professional settings.

Register Now - $20 for 1 CEU

Date & Time: January 26, 2026 | 11AM - 12:30PM CT

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Session Details: Generational trauma doesn’t just live in memory; it lives in the body, the community, and the systems that shape everyday life. In this session, Dr. Lisa Byers traces the lasting effects of colonization, forced migration, and cultural disruption, connecting history to the present realities of health and well-being in Native communities. Participants will explore key policy eras, examine a real-world case study, and consider pathways toward healing that honor both traditional knowledge and modern practice.

You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how trauma is carried forward, and how social workers can help interrupt that cycle through awareness, connection, and culturally grounded care.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # ) for 1.5 continuing education contact hours

This session contains references of sexual abuse by a family member. 

Speaker

Lisa Byers, PhD, MSW (Cherokee, Bird Clan) — Associate Professor of Social Work & Affiliate Faculty with Native American Studies, The University of Oklahoma.

Speaker Bio: Ꭱ Ꮒ Ꭹ Dr. Lisa Byers, ᏣᎳᎩ, ᏥᏍᏆ ᏧᏂᏴᏫ (Cherokee, Bird Clan) is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Affiliate Faculty with Native American Studies at the University of Oklahoma. She enjoys service learning in North Tulsa, the area that was her home. Dr. Byers coordinates the Graduate Certificate in Social Work with American Indians that she created. Her favorite courses to teach are the certificate courses because they provide a safe space for students—and herself—to be authentic in higher education. She affirms Indigenous orientations to wellness and utilizes Indigenous Feminist Standpoint Theory, Natural Democracy Ethos, and Relational Worldview Intentional Resilience to support healing for ancestors, children, future generations, and herself through research on empathy and relational health.

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$30 per session (1.5 CEUs)

Date & Time: January 27, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 1 PM CT

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Session Details: Immigration policy is complex and its ripple effects reach across communities, workplaces, and service systems. In this session, Gabriela Ramirez-Perez guides participants through the evolution of national immigration policy, then focuses on Oklahoma’s recent legislative and enforcement landscape. You’ll get up-to-date data on immigrant populations, understand how state policy is changing, and consider concrete practice implications for social work in settings such as schools, non-profits, and community programs.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886970186-4886) for 1.5 continuing education contact hours. Valid until 2/28/2027.

Speaker

Gabriela Ramirez-Perez —Immigration Policy Analyst, Oklahoma Policy Institute.

Speaker Bio: Gabriela joined OK Policy as an Immigration Policy Analyst in August 2021. Raised in Oklahoma City, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and later a Masters in Public Administration. During college, Gabriela had internships at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma and the Office of former Congresswoman Kendra Horn. Gabriela believes that Oklahoma can be a state that welcomes and celebrates all immigrants, regardless of citizenship status. In her free time, she enjoys doing arts and crafts, learning new languages, and spending time with friends. 

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$30 per session (1.5 CEUs)

Date & Time: January 28, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 1 PM CT

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Session Description: How are children and families really doing in Oklahoma today? Drawing from the latest KIDS COUNT data, this session with Jill Mencke offers a clear-eyed view of key indicators of child well-being—economic stability, education, health, and family environments. Participants will explore how wages that lag behind costs of living, disparities in access to healthcare and education, and the ongoing effects of trauma and instability shape outcomes for Oklahoma’s children. By connecting statewide trends to real community experiences, the session highlights actionable insights and policy-oriented solutions for professionals dedicated to improving family and child outcomes.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886970186-8283) for 1.5 continuing education contact hours. Valid until 2/28/2027.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Interpret Data on Child Well-Being: Analyze KIDS COUNT indicators related to economic stability, education, health, and family environments to understand Oklahoma’s current standing and contributing factors.
• Connect Systemic Challenges to Outcomes: Examine how issues such as wage inequities, limited healthcare access, and high Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores intersect to affect long-term child and family well-being across communities.
• Identify Actionable Strategies for Change: Explore evidence-based and policy-informed solutions that professionals and organizations can advocate for to promote economic security, educational opportunity, and healthier environments for children and families

Speaker

Jill Mencke — Youth Policy Analyst, Oklahoma Policy Institute

Speaker Bio: Jill Mencke joined OK Policy as the Youth Policy Analyst in September 2022. Jill earned her B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, she worked as a family preservation specialist, providing intervention services to families experiencing issues in the home. She saw the impact intervention programs and support services can have and is dedicated to creating more avenues for prevention and support for Oklahoma families and their youth. Jill researches and monitors the status of youth incarceration in Oklahoma, and advocates for policy with the Justice for Oklahoma Youth (JOY) Coalition, which supports investments for youth that protect them from entering the justice system, and works to center lived experience in reform. In her free time, Jill enjoys attending local concerts, hosting movie nights, and teaching her cats to be nice to each other. 

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$30 per session (1.5 CEUs)

Session Description: Latina immigrants remain among the least likely groups to receive preventive health services, an imbalance rooted in access, cost, and trust. Drawing from The Lucha Study, Dr. Venera Bekteshi explores how culturally humble research and community partnerships can bridge these gaps in care. 

Participants will learn about the CIAS Framework (a five-step approach emphasizing collaboration, respectful engagement, and practical implementation) and discover how its application revealed both barriers and motivators influencing women’s health behaviors. The session concludes with a forward-looking strategy for building responsive, community-based interventions that expand access and strengthen outcomes. 

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886970186-5289) for 1.5 continuing education contact hours. Valid until 2/28/2027. 

Speaker

Venera Bekteshi, PhD — Associate Professor, Zarrow School of Social Work, The University of Oklahoma

Speaker Bio: Venera Bekteshi, PhD, MSW, MPA, MA, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work. Her work focuses on the health and mental health needs of immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, adolescents, and breast cancer prevention, with additional projects examining issues such as sex trafficking in Eastern Europe. She has held faculty posts in the U.S. and U.K., completed postdoctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine–Siteman Cancer Center, and previously worked in nonprofit and international organizations, including the United Nations Human Development Reports Office. Her research has received competitive funding from federal agencies and foundations, and she has been honored for both her academic contributions and community leadership.

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$30 per session (1.5 CEUs)