NCCF Academy Mission Statement
NCCF Academy goal to equip and elevate human service professionals through high-quality, evidence-based, culturally responsive, continuing education that is ethically grounded, and trauma informed. As an extension of The National Center for Children and Families, NCCF Academy advances the agency’s broader mission by fostering a dynamic learning environment where practitioners gain the knowledge, skills, and insight necessary to transform lives, support families, and advocate for systemic equity and justice.
We believe that education is an essential tool to advance social change and promote overall wellbeing and that practitioners must be continuously nurtured, challenged, and prepared to meet the evolving needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Continuing Education Goals
NCCF Academy has the following continuing education goals:
- Enhance professional competence by delivering evidence-informed, skill-based training that strengthens the clinical, administrative, and advocacy competencies of social workers and allied professionals.
- Promote culturally responsive practice by infusing principles of cultural humility, anti-oppressive practice, and trauma-informed care across all educational content to better service diverse and marginalized populations.
- Support workforce wellness by offering opportunities for reflection, resilience-building, and peer support to combat burnout and secondary trauma among frontline and leadership staff.
- Advance ethical practice by grounding all trainings in the ethical frameworks outlined by NASW and CASW to promote integrity, transparency, and public trust in social service systems.
- Bridge research and practice by translating emerging research, policy trends, and community-based knowledge into actionable tools and strategies that professionals can use in their daily work.
- Build leadership for systems change by developing the leadership capacity of professionals to engage in systemic reform, racial equity work, and interagency collaboration within child- and family-serving systems.
Record-Keeping Plan
NCCF Academy will maintain comprehensive, secure, and organized records for all continuing education activities in accordance with ASWB ACE Program requirements. All records will be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years, ensuring that NCCF Academy can respond adequately to audits, verify participant completion, and support ongoing quality improvement.
Although this list is not exhaustive, NCCF Academy will maintain administrative records, course and instructor records, participant records, and program records securely. Digital records will be stored on a secure, password-protected internal server managed by NCCF’s IT department. Hardcopy records will be stored in a locked cabinet within a secure, access-controlled office.
Access to participant and course records is restricted to authorized personnel (e.g. CE Director, Social Work Consultant, and administrative support). Participant records will never be sold or shared without expressed permission, except as required for compliance with ASWB and/or applicable law.
Accessibility Statement
NCCF Academy is committed to ensuring that all continuing education programs are inclusive and accessible to every participant. We strive to remove barriers to participation by providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable laws.
To request accessibility accommodations (e.g., sign language interpretation, alternate formats, or physical access support), please contact NCCFacademy@nccf-cares.org or call (301) 365-4480 at least two (2) weeks prior to the scheduled course or training. We will make every reasonable effort to fulfill requests received after this time frame, though advance notice allows us to provide the most effective support.
Cancellation Policy
NCCF Academy reserves the right to cancel a scheduled training or course due to low enrollment, instructor illness, weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances. If a course is canceled by NCCF Academy, all registered participants will be notified as soon as possible and will receive a full refund or the option to transfer their registration to a future event.
Refund Policy
Participants may cancel their registration and request a full refund up to seven (7) calendar days before the start of a course. Cancellations made less than seven (7) days prior to the training are not eligible for a refund but may be eligible for a one-time credit toward a future course of equal or lesser value.
All refund requests must be submitted in writing and sent by email to nccfacademy@nccf-cares.org. Refunds will be issued no later than 45 days following receipt of request. NCCF Academy regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows.
Grievance Policy
NCCF Academy is committed to providing high-quality continuing education experiences and values feedback from all participants. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of a course (content, instructor performance, facility conditions, accessibility, administrative processes etc.), you are encouraged to submit a grievance.
Grievance Process
Submit your concern, including any pertinent details in writing to nccfacademy@nccf-cares.org or call (301) 365-4480. All grievances will be reviewed by the NCCF Executive Director, and CE Director. A resolution will be provided in writing within ten (10) business days, outlining the proposed actions and resolutions. If you are not satisfied with the outcome and/or if further review is needed, the grievance will be referred to NCCF’s Executive Director to facilitate an in person meeting to achieve a resolution.
Documentation of all grievances and outcomes will be securely maintained for compliance and continuous improvement.
