Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Explore and gain an understanding of the existing research on the mental health of military-connected children, including common challenges, outcomes, and contributing factors.
2. An examination of current conceptual frameworks guiding support for military-connected children, the limitations of these approaches, and how a new framework, the Consistent Care Framework (CCF), can address gaps in continuity of care.
3. Analyze school-based policy barriers to effective MFLC implementation and how policy-driven integration with social work practice can improve continuity of care and mental health, behavioral, and academic outcomes for military-connected children.

Presenter Bio

Samantha Flint is a Doctoral Candidate in the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program at the University of Kentucky, with an expected graduation in May 2026. She earned her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Louisville in 2014 and her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and a minor in Criminology from Western Kentucky University in 2011.

As an independently licensed clinical social worker in Kentucky, Ohio, and Alabama, she has extensive experience providing psychotherapy across diverse settings, including inpatient and outpatient care, schools, and community-based programs. Her clinical work has served children, adults, geriatric populations, individuals with substance use disorders, military service members and their dependents, and individuals with severe mental illness.

Ms. Flint currently works in behavioral health at Fort Benning, Georgia, where she provides clinical services to U.S. Army service members undergoing basic training. Her role includes crisis intervention, emotional regulation support in high-stress environments, and, when clinically appropriate, recommending separation from military service due to pre-existing mental health conditions.

Samantha’s doctoral capstone research focuses on mental health service disparities affecting children of United States military personnel. The capstone project, Bridging the Gaps: Addressing Mental Health Care and Disparities Among Military-Connected Children, reflects her professional commitment to advancing continuity of care and strengthening social work practice and policy for military families.

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.

Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.