Professional Training & Resources
Professionals—educators, healthcare providers, social workers, and community leaders—play a vital role in recognizing and supporting young caregivers.
You just learned children & youth are caregivers...
A Starter Kit for Professionals
The resources is curated to expand your understanding, offering research, lived experiences, and practical tools to better recognize and support caregiving youth.
Schools and ALS/MND
At School: A Guide to Supporting Students Who Have Been Affected by ALS
A resource designed specifically for school staff, providing practical guidance and emotional support strategies to assist students navigating the challenges of having ALS impact their lives.
Research for Professionals Supporting Young Caregivers
we prioritize equipping professionals with research-backed insights to effectively support young caregivers. Our studies delve into the unique challenges these caregivers face, informing the development of evidence-based interventions and resources. By integrating this knowledge into your practice, you can enhance the well-being of young caregivers and the families they assist.
Professionals
How to break the news in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease: practical guidelines from experts
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
Global Research
Child Abuse Research: A South African Journal
Scoping Review
Unacknowledged Caregivers: A Scoping Review of Research on Caregiving Youth in the United States
Adolescent Research Review
Professional Training for Health care Providers
Partner with GNYC for Specialized Presentations and Workshops
At GNYC, we believe in the power of education to drive positive change. We specialize in providing tailored presentations, workshops, and grand rounds designed for a wide range of organizations, including healthcare systems, community impact organizations, government agencies, and more. Our goal is to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate complex challenges, improve communication, and foster a more holistic approach to support and care.
Our Presentation Topics Include:
- A Holistic Approach to Patient and Caregiver Support: Explore strategies for supporting the entire family unit, including patients, caregivers, and children.
- Communicating with Compassion: Master effective communication techniques for discussing sensitive topics with family members, caregivers, and children.
- Delivering Difficult News with Empathy: Gain practical, actionable guidance on how to prepare for and deliver challenging news to patients and their loved ones.
- Social Work in Healthcare: Understand the critical role of social work in an integrated healthcare setting and its impact on patient outcomes.
- The Lived Experience: Understanding Children, Youth & Families with Chronic Conditions
Adaptable Solutions for Your Organization
We offer flexible and dynamic solutions to fit your organization's specific needs:
- Diverse Formats: Choose from engaging lecture-style presentations to interactive workshops.
- Flexible Delivery: Our sessions can be conducted virtually or in person.
- Continuing Education: If CEUs are a priority for your team, we are happy to discuss options to meet your requirements.
We are ready to collaborate with you to create a customized program that benefits your organization and the communities you serve. Please contact us to learn more or to schedule a consultation.
About the Presenter
Melinda S. Kavanaugh, PhD, LCSW
Professor, Social Work - Helen Bader School of Social Welfare University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Founder of Global Neuro YCare
Dr. Kavanaugh is a Professor of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), with globally recognized clinical expertise in health care professional education and caregiving research across neurological disorders, including children and youth as caregivers, “young carers”. Funded by federal, state, and non-profit organizations, Dr. Kavanaugh is an international leader in young carer program development, including YCare, a multidisciplinary youth caregiving skills and support protocol for young carers in ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. Additionally, Dr. Kavanaugh is a developer and faculty of the international program, “Breaking the News” using the ALS-SPIKES protocol for health care providers in delivering difficult diagnoses.
Her research is community-engaged, partnering to create targeted programs and support for children, youth and young adults as caregivers, informing a series of books for children, young adults, families and schools, including a graphic novel translated into 13 languages. Dr. Kavanaugh is also president of Global Neuro YCare, an international non-profit, focused on developing language and culturally accessible programs and supports for health care professionals, children, youth, and families in neurological disorders around the globe, including the animated short film, “LUKi & the Lights”, helping children and families understand and talk about ALS/MND.