Skip to content

Academics

Community for Advanced Practice Skills

(CAPS Training for WDI Students)

Community for Advanced Practice Skills

CAPS operates like a “community of practice” that brings together WDI trainees (master-level students), practicum instructors, and local experts for collaborative learning and practice in specialized skills relevant for community behavioral health. Through a combination of 90-minute live and asynchronous sessions, local experts present didactic content on a specialized set of skills, with practice sessions interspersed throughout the year. During these practice sessions, WDI trainees participate in interactive activities and coaching to build mastery in each skill, under the close supervision of seasoned clinicians. CAPs training builds progressively over the two years (with incoming Part-Time Students (formerly called “EDP1 students”) participating starting in 2026).

CAPS Training Structure

Foundation Year (1st year for Full-Time Students, 2nd year for Part-Time Students): Monthly foundational sessions covering motivational interviewing, harm reduction contracting, and core CCBHC skills.

  • Attendance at synchronous sessions is a scholarship requirement for WDI recipients.

  • First-year students complete 3 synchronous trainings in the 2025-2026, and complete asynchronous work over the course of the academic year. For questions about Foundation year CAPS, please email Emily Simpson-Keyes (emilysk@uw.edu).

Specialized Year (1st year for Advanced Standing Students, 2nd year for Full-Time Students, 3rd Year for Part-Time Students): Specialized track training (Adults OR Children, Youth, and Families) with advanced therapeutic approaches including motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral interventions for anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and other clinical concerns.

  • Attendance at synchronous sessions is a scholarship requirement for WDI recipients.

  • For the 2025-2026 AY, all students in their Advanced year of their program are required to attend the WDI Advanced Skills Training on either the Adults Track or Children, Youth & Families (CYF) Track.

    • For 25-26 Students on the Adults Track, please email your questions to Emily Simpson-Keyes, Ryan Petros & Tanya Ranchigoda.

    • For 25-26 Students on the CYF Track, please email your questions to Sofie Aaron & Rachel Barrett.

 

Current students can find CAPS Overview, a Practicum Instructor FAQ, Student FAQ, and the course calendar here. Learn how the Community for Advanced Practice Skills program connects to graduate learning and community behavioral health goals.

View the CAPS Learning Map.