Endorsed Training Courses

NIDCAP – CIRENA Education Program

• CIRENA I (INTRODUCTION): Consists of 8 hours → 6 lectures of 45 minutes and 2 hours workshop.
• CIRENA II (CORE): Consist of 30 hours → 10 meetings of 3 hours each one (lectures + activities + observations) After every meeting: debriefing space facilitated by a NIDCAP educator.

Manuals are provided:

1. Theoretical Manual, based on chapters of 2 books in Spanish: “Premature Birth” and ¨Neurodevelopment in Neonatology¨.
2. Theoretical practical manual with questions and activities on the topics covered in the classes.
3. Observation Manual

CIRENA I

• Embryology and Physiology of the Nervous System: Study of the development and functioning of the nervous system in the early stages of life.
• Fetal Patient: Understanding and addressing the unique needs and considerations related to prenatal care and development.
• NIDCAP and Synactive Theory: NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program) and Synactive Theory are approaches that focus on individualized care for newborns, considering their neurodevelopmental needs.
• Autonomic System, Motor Development, States of Consciousness, Regulation, and Interaction: Exploration of the autonomic nervous system, motor development, states of consciousness, and the mechanisms of regulation and interaction in the context of newborns.
• Understanding the Behavior of the Premature Newborn: Examining the behaviors exhibited by premature newborns to better understand their needs and provide appropriate care.
• Kangaroo Mother Care: Neurobiological Foundations, Benefits, Implementation: Exploring the neurobiological foundations of Kangaroo Mother Care, a method that involves skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn, and understanding its benefits and practical implementation.
• Patient and Family-Centered Care: Emphasizing the importance of involving both the patient (newborn) and their family in the care process, recognizing their needs and preferences.
• Care that Favors Development: Environment, Light, Sound, Posture Care: Addressing environmental factors such as light and sound, as well as the importance of posture care, to create a nurturing environment that supports the developmental needs of newborns. These topics collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the developmental care and well-being of newborns, particularly those born prematurely.
  

CIRENA II

• Fetal patient. Sinactive theory. Premature infants. Displaced fetus. Framework of neurodevelopment. Importance of the environment-brain interaction. Differences between preterm and full-term born children. Changing the future of preterm infants.
• Behavior: the communication mode of the fetal child. Sensory integration: development of the nervous system, embryology, and physiology. Sensory development, impact of neonatal practices and treatments on the developing brain.
• Attachment: Neurobiological foundations, contributions from ethology. Attachment styles, consequences. Early interactions. Support for parents. Accompaniment strategies for families in the NICU.
• KMC (Kangaroo Mother Care): Implementation modality. Practical recommendations. Kangaroo feeding.
• Feeding challenges in the neonatal unit: enteral feeding. Trophic gastrointestinal stimulation. Enteral feeding. Development of feeding skills. Positive oral experiences. Progression towards nutritive sucking. Breastfeeding.
• Developmental care applied to neonatal practices and treatments: environmental strategies. Postural care.
• Pain and stress: Physiology applied to pain. Pain response. Pain assessment. PIPP scales. CRIES scale. Pain treatment. Non-pharmacological measures.
• Supporting neurodevelopment in chronic diseases: behavior of infants with chronic diseases. The NICU as a developmental environment. Assessment of premature infant behavior (Als 1982). The sick full-term infant. The infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
• Ethical dilemmas in neonatology: bioethics. Limits of action. Decision-making. Limitation of therapeutic effort. Palliative care.
• Death and grief in the NICU: care for the child and their family. Healthcare team. Grief. Complicated grief. Cultural differences. Attention to the grieving process, for the family and professionals.

Caring Essentials Collaborative is the internationally recognized leader in trauma informed developmental care education for those who serve babies, children and their families across all settings.

The following two courses, developed and offered by Caring Essentials Collaborative, are endorsed by the NFI:

Trauma Informed Professional Certificate Program:
A continuous journey of self-discovery and growth moving toward excellence

The Trauma Informed Professional Certificate Program is an assessment-based program offering both live (virtual) and self-paced curriculum which is grounded by the eight attributes of the Trauma Informed Professional (TIP).  This program offers a remarkable personal, clinical, and professional opportunity to discover your own unique therapeutic value and harness your passion and vision for practice.  Graduates of this program will support the needed paradigm shift in healthcare to align with the principles of a trauma informed, developmentally supported approach to care.

SURGE Masterclass:
A sudden, powerful movement toward trauma informed developmental care

A unique opportunity to awaken ourselves and others to the growing need for trauma informed care. On the journey to become more trauma informed, the first step is to become trauma aware. Trauma comes in all different shapes and sizes and it all matters.  This interactive 3-hour virtual learning experience presents the latest research and brings awareness to the necessity and lifelong impact of a trauma informed approach to care.

For more information please visit the Caring Essentials Collaborative website: https://www.caringessentials.net/

Infant Behavioral Assessment Intervention Program (IBAIP):
Supporting the Infant and Family as they Transition from NICN to Home

The Infant Behavioral Assessment and Intervention Program (IBAIP) is a proven, comprehensive assessment and intervention model that supports the developmental and neurobehavioral integrity of infants born prematurely with low to extremely low birth weight, or with disabilities. The focus of the IBAIP is not “what to teach” but “how to teach,” a process oriented approach. By focusing on how to facilitate learning and social interaction, the IBAIP
adds a critical individualized, relationship-based, family-centered, and neurobehavioral approach to infant intervention, often lacking in traditional early intervention methodologies. The IBAIP is a training and education program for early intervention and health care professionals.

For more information please see the IBAIP website: www.ibaip.org

FINE (Family and Infant Neurodevelopmental Education) Program

FINE is a program designed to introduce the principles and practices of newborn developmental care to healthcare professionals of all educational backgrounds, who care for preterm and otherwise high-risk newborn infants and their families. The FINE Program is based on the principles of NIDCAP (Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program) and has been endorsed by the NFI (NIDCAP Federation International) as foundations in NIDCAP education. The FINE Program’s Directors are NIDCAP Trainers Inga Warren, Dip COT, MSc, Monique Oude Reimer, RN, and Nikk Conneman, MD.

FINE currently is a three-tiered program; a pre-FINE e-learning program is in development:

FINE 1 involves a two-day classroom-based orientation that includes lectures and practical workshops. 

FINE 2 consists of a four to six-month program based on a series of assignments that focus on observation, family participation and reflection. Students carry out observations in their own workplace. The goal is to change personal practice and to develop good role models of care. Written reflections are submitted for formative assessment by a FINE mentor (usually a NIDCAP Trainer or NIDCAP Professional with appropriate skills). On completion of the program, mentors typically are in a position to judge the student’s suitability for NIDCAP training and when appropriate facilitate the student’s transition to formal NIDCAP training. Mentors for FINE 2 must first complete the FINE-2 course themselves and then be supervised by an experienced FINE mentor during their own mentoring of two or more students.

FINE 3 involves a family case study that is designed to explore systems organization and a quality improvement project. Supervision by an appropriately experienced FINE mentor is provided. Students use the NIDCAP Nursery Assessment Scales to evaluate practice in their setting. The course culminates in a formal presentation or publication. Some elements of FINE 3 may be appropriate before and some after NIDCAP training. Timelines for Level 3 are flexible.

Students must complete FINE 1 before FINE 2, and FINE 2 before FINE 3.

FINE Training uses a standardized set of learning materials that are regularly updated. All FINE courses use the official FINE logo, handbooks and structure. In order to meet the requests for education in many different countries, the FINE 1 and 2 materials are designed to be easy to read and to translate into other languages.

FINE Trainers are professionals, who have obtained the approval of the FINE Directors in the form of a license that is issued by the legal department of Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam. All license holders at this time are approved NIDCAP Trainers, who take responsibility for maintaining the FINE standard of teaching and mentoring in the geographical area for which their license is granted, i.e. the country or region in which their NIDCAP Training Center is based. Before introducing FINE, potential licensees must attend training sessions conducted by or with one of the FINE Directors, who will act as mentor as potential licensees set up their own program. The NIDCAP Trainer, who is a license holder is responsible for selecting and managing the faculty for all levels of FINE training in their geographical domain.

Requests for training in countries that do not have a NIDCAP Training Center must be referred to the FINE Directors, who will negotiate training contracts as appropriate. Priority is given to training in areas that have the potential for sustainable national impact. Licensees must obtain special permission from the FINE Directors in order to train outside their contracted area.

FINE Contact: Inga.Warren@gmail.com

The SOFFI MethodSM: Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants

The SOFFI MethodSM is designed to help caregivers become Co-Regulators, using evidence-based interventions designed to help infants maintain homeostasis during feedings, or regain homeostasis if the infant becomes dysregulated. Erin Sundseth Ross, Ph.D., CCC-SLP developed the SOFFI MethodSM, a 2-day conference offering that is available to hospital and community professionals.

For a list of upcoming course dates please visit the Feeding Fundamentals website:
www.feedingfundamentals.com

Introductory Course on Family-Centered Developmental Care for the Preterm Infant — the NIDCAP way

A teaching and training program for staff and families at the Heidi Center at Meyer Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel. The course is offered in Hebrew.

Advanced Course in Family-Centered Developmental Care: Infant Behaviour and the Role of Caregivers in Structuring Developmental Care According to NIDCAP

An advanced course offered under the Heidi Center at Meyer Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel.  The course is offered in Hebrew.

Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS) Program

The NOMAS is a reliable tool for the evaluation of newborn sucking patterns in pre-term and term infants. The NOMAS provides a comprehensive description of the infant’s feeding patterns and enables the examiner to identify normal oral-motor patterns and to differentiate disorganized from dysfunctional patterns.

For more information visit: www.nomasinternational.org

Endorsed Past Conferences

The SOFFI Method: Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants 

Winter Park, FL
August 6-7, 2020
More information

NOMAS International Summit

Doubletree by Hilton
San Jose, California
September 26 and 27, 2020

Summit Description and Agenda

Interdisciplinary session EADCare of the European Academy
of Paediatric Societies Congress (EAPS)

International Barcelona Convention Center
Barcelona, Spain
October 19, 2020

Conference Information English version
Conference Information French version

The 2020 Stockholm Conference on Ultra-Early Intervention:
EFCNI standards for Infant- & Family-Centred Developmental Care as a tool for addressing the challenge of inequality in a European and Global perspective

Karolinska University Hospital
Virtual Conference
March 19, 2020

Conference Schedule and Conference Flyer

33rd Annual Graven’s Conference on the Environment of Care for High Risk Newborns

Clearwater Beach, FL
March 4-7, 2020

More Information

8th Scientific Symposium EADCare: Interdisciplinary Session, Developmental Care

October 31, 2018
Paris, France
Brochure

The 6th Annual Midwest Developmental Care Conference:

FINE: Family & Infant Neurodevelopmental Education Level 1 – Foundational Toolkit for Family Centered Care Foundational Education for the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care
and Assessment Program (NIDCAP)

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH
April 26 & 27, 2018
Brochure

2018 Stockholm Conference on Ultra-Early Intervention:
Pleasurable feeding for premature infants: – Food for thought!

March 22, 2018
Stockholm , Sweden
Conference Recording

7th European Symposium for Developmental Care in
Neonatology and Pediatrics

September 28 & 29, 2017
Cordeliers’ Campus
Paris, France

Conference Brochure

5th Annual Midwest Developmental Care Conference –
Engaging Families in the NICU: The Heart of Developmental Care

April 27, 2017 (All Day) & April 28, 2017 (Optional Session)
Student Center West
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Conference Brochure

6th Scientific Symposium EADCare*: Multisensory processing & developmental care

October 24, 2016
European Academy of Pediatrics Societies (EAPS) (October 21-25, 2016)
Geneva, Switzerland

*European Association for Developmental Care

EADcare Program

Supporting Oral Feeding in Fragile Infants (SOFFI) Method Training Course

Lafayette, Colorado, USA
June 16-17, 2016
Brochure

The Sooner NIDCAP Training Center at OU Health Sciences Center Celebrates
30 Years of NIDCAP Developmental Care

Friday, May 27, 2016
Samis Education Center
Children’s Hospital and OU Medical Services
Conference Brochure

4th Annual Midwest Developmental Care Conference: Practical Application

April 21, 2016 & April 22, 2016
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Conference Brochure

The 29th Annual Gravens Conference on the Physical and Developmental
Environment of the High Risk Infant

February 17 — 20, 2016
Clearwater, Florida, USA
Conference Details
Gravens Facebook Page

The Fragile Infant Feeding Institute: A four and a half day intensive study of
feeding and nutrition for infants with special needs

August 24 — 28, 2015
Lakewood, Colorado, USA (greater Denver area)
Conference Brochure

5th Scientific Symposium of the European Association for Developmental Care
Early Intervention in Developmental Care

Brescia, Italy
October 1-2, 2015
website

The Fifth Annual NOMAS® International Symposium in Orlando:
Practical Clinics in Neonatal Feeding

Orlando, Florida, USA
October 27-30, 2015
Website

Shanghai International Neonatology Conference

Shanghai, China
September 23-24, 2014

2nd Annual Mid-West Developmental Care Conference:
Holding the Vision, Planning the Change: Exploring Strategies to implement
developmentally supportive care in the NICU

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA
March 28-29, 2014

Brochure 

Endorsed Film

Mani per Crescere

The Italian Society of Neonatology (La Società Italiana di Neonatologia) and the Neonatal Care Study Group together with Vivere Onlus produced the film Mani per crescere. The movie was filmed in the newborn intensive care units  of Modena Univeristy Hospital and Turin University Hospital. The film was produced to emphasize the importance of the role of infants and their families as active collaborators in their own care process in the NICU, and also to increase the awareness among the Italian NICUs of a neurodevelopmental individualized approach for the care of preterm infants.

For more information on the film please visit the Vivere Onlus website.

Watch the trailer in Italian here. The English version of the trailer will be available soon.