Empowering Social Workers in Palliative Care: ESPEC Hawai’i 2026

Calling all social workers !
This is a state-of-the-art social work training which is focused on foundational principles of palliative care, and the role social workers play in the care of people with serious illnesses and end-of-life care. Educating Social Workers in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (ESPEC) is an innovative, evidence-informed training program designed for social workers, by social workers, to promote the integration of primary palliative care skills into clinical practice. There are two primary parts to the training with a total of 16 CE credits available for Hawai’i social workers. For details see: https://huipohala.org/espec-hawaii-2026/

The first part is an 8-session online training through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) which is done on the participants’ own time. One does not have to be an NASW member to register for the training. The registration fee is the same for all Hawai’i social workers. Simply create a new username and log in number when registering if not an NASW member. So far, people have completed it in a very reasonable time.

When the first part is completed, the second part is an in-person, 8 hour, training of trainers, advanced session, held on Maui 10/19, Hawai’i Island 10/21 and Oahu 10/23 given by Shirley Otis Green, (a UH MSW Graduate) and Myra Glajchen, both of whom are international social work leaders in the field of palliative care. Links to their bios are on the attached flier.

Generous funding has been provided by Hui Pohala for participants from Kauai to be given paid round trip airfare to Oahu to attend the in person training. Molokai and Lanai social workers will have round trips paid to Maui. We want to make sure neighbor island social workers have this important high-quality training easily available for them to attend. Participants from these islands need to contact PEACE@huipohala.org for more detailed information. Through a generous grant, from Hui Pohala, the first 50 Hawaii social workers to complete the online training are eligible to receive the registration fee reimbursed with proof of completion. Some limited slots are still available.

Proof of completion of the first part online is required for enrolling in Hawai’i in person sessions. This is necessary so that participants are all starting with the same baseline of knowledge.

We are excited to be able to offer this high quality, Hawaii specific, palliative care training, with up to 16 CE credits at a very reasonable price and which can be used for Hawai’i State social work licensing requirements.

More program information, curriculum content and registration links can be found at: https://huipohala.org/espec-hawaii-2026/ Registration for Part 2 in person training will close by September 30.

We look forward to having you join us for this incredible social work palliative training both online and in person on your island!

If there are any questions, please email, Jodi Shaw, LCSW at JodiESPECHawaii@gmail.com