Last month, the Department of Leadership and Professional Studies‘ Counselor Education program hosted a three-hour continuing education workshop on working with people who have HIV/AIDS. This event took place at the School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) on our Modesto A. Maidique Campus.
Workshop presenter, Dr. Marilyn K. Volker, who is highly acclaimed in the community for her work as a sexuality educator, provided an overview of HIV/AIDS modes of transmission, control and prevention procedures. Additionally, she taught FIU students about the implications for clinical counseling practice, testing, reporting and partner notification issues regarding clients who have HIV/AIDS. Moreover, students had an opportunity to learn about living experiences of social advocates for HIV/AIDS patients from the panel of experts, including Health manager of the Miami Pride Lines organization, Luigi Ferrer, and were informed about the opportunities in the community regarding free HIV testing for youth from University of Miami, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Alex Moreno.
One of the reasons to have the workshop on HIV/AIDS is tied to the Mental Health counselor licensure requirements in the state of Florida where each applicant is required to complete a continuing education course on HIV/AIDS prior to licensure.
This workshop opened a series of CE events planned by the Counselor Education Program for the 2018-2019 school year. The faculty works on designing the program in both face-to-face and online fashion to provide learning opportunities for counselors who live in other cities or/and have difficulties in commuting to campus.
Dr. Maureen Kenny, the Counselor Education (CE) Chair, is excited for the upcoming year of learning opportunities and welcomes all students and graduates in counseling and psychology to come and learn with us to enhance the well-being of people in our communities.
