The Secret to Raising Resilient, Confident, Independent Children in the Next Generation

Course Description – 1.25 General Continuing Education Credit Hours

Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance Format

Nicole Runyon, a Master Licensed Social Worker and parenting coach in Michigan, presents the challenges faced by the I-Generation, particularly focusing on the mental health crisis among this population. She identifies the three D’s: disorder, dysfunction, and disconnection, and emphasizes that the mental health symptoms observed in this cohort are often misunderstood messages indicating deeper issues. Runyon critiques the current mental health system’s inability to effectively address these challenges. She also presents parenting styles and approaches that change across time according to a child’s developmental needs. She concludes with some strong recommendations for parents to facilitate social, emotional, and intellectual development in their children.

Takeaways

• We are experiencing a crisis with our children today.
• The current cohort of kids is referred to as the I-Generation, which includes children from Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
• Three concerning risks among Gen Z are referred to as the 3 D’s: disorder, dysfunction, and disconnection.
• 40% of Gen Z has a mental health diagnosis.
• Mental health symptoms are messages from the youth.
• Behaviors labeled as problems are often misunderstood.
• The mental health system is not working for Gen Z.
• We need to listen to the canaries in the coal mine.
• Understanding youth behavior is crucial for effective intervention.
• A new approach is needed to address these mental health challenges.

Course: The Secret to Raising Resilient, Confident, Independent Children in the Next Generation

Credit: 1.25 General Continuing Education Credits

Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance

How to Access: Click on the video or podcast link in the course materials section below. The video must be played through in entirety on this website in order to substantiate that the course was completed and to earn credit. Playing through on other websites or media will not substantiate course completion.

Post-test Requirements and Retakes: Participants must respond correctly to 80% of post-test questions. Post-test retakes are unlimited. Course participants may retake the test as many times as needed to pass the course.

Course Objectives:

• Present a framework of child development and risks to healthy maturation.
• Illustrate root causes of challenges facing today’s children and youth.
• Highlight developmental stages and parenting approaches through stories and examples.

Course Presenters:

• Matthew Watson is the executive director of ProSocial Workers, an affiliate of the Institute for Liberal Values, dedicated to promoting viewpoint and political diversity in social work practice and education. He is a seasoned mental health advisor and licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience. He provides competent, compassionate care and strategic leadership where he has excelled in direct service provider, management, and executive roles. Matthew has a documented history of building high-performing teams, improving outcomes, identifying individual strengths, and mentoring others. Matthew’s philosophy is that sustainable results emerge from the development of people, believing that strong, talented individuals are the ultimate outcome of effective leadership. His interests reflect a deep commitment to civic and ethical engagement, including voluntary service organizations, viewpoint diversity, religious liberty, and the integration of differing perspectives.
• Zander Keig is an award-winning social worker, best-selling author, social care educator, and motivational speaker with many distinguishing accolades, including 2023 Caregiving.com LGBTQ Advocate of the Year, 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year,  2020 WPATH Harry Benjamin Distinguished Educator of the Year, and 2018 NASW CA Social Worker of the Year. Zander has earned a BA in Interpersonal Communication (1999), an MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (2003), an MTS in Theological Systems (2004), and an MSW in Clinical Social Work (2012). He has delivered conflict mitigation, social care, diversity and inclusion, and emotional well-being workshops for over 30 years. Zander hosts the Umbrella Hour podcast on the UK Health Radio Network. His best-selling book is The Third Space: A Nonconformist’s Guide to the Universe (Thought Leader Press, 2024), available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
• Nicole Runyon, LMSW, is a psychotherapist, parent coach, and keynote speaker with over 20 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health. Holding a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, she blends clinical expertise with practical insight. Nicole is widely recognized for her work on technology’s impact on children, parenting differences across generations, and strategies to foster resilience and independence. Through private practice, parent coaching, and speaking engagements, she empowers families to understand children’s behaviors as messages and equips parents with tools to raise confident, connected, and thriving young people.

Course Materials:

Watch the Podcast/Video for free on YouTube, or for use the link below for continuing education credit.

Course References/Bibliography:

1. Moses, A. (2023). Technology and media in early childhood education. Young Children, National Association for the Education of Young Children. Retrieved from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/winter2023/technology-and-media-early-childhood-education
2. Ponti, M. (2023). Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world. Paediatrics & Child Health, 28(3), 184–192. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxac125
3. Summers-Gabr, N., Gutkowski, V., & Kassens, A. L. (2024, May 22). Gen Z’s mental health, economic distress and technology. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – Open Vault Blog. Retrieved from https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2024/may/gen-z-mental-health-economic-distress-and-technology
4. McLeod, S. (2025). Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/erik-erikson.html

Course Completion Requirements (only required for those seeking continuing education credit):

1. Click on “Enroll” (above) to start the course and, if applicable, pay for the course.
2. Create a ProSocial Workers account or log in.
3. Watch the entire required podcast or video using the links below. You must watch or listen for the amount of time being credited for the course.
4. Complete a course evaluation.
5. Complete a post-test or quiz and pass with at least 80% correct responses. Retesting is allowed.
6. Download your certificate (immediately available) upon completion of the post-test/quiz.

Additional Information

1. The course is administered online. Participants will need a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection, a modern web browser (like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), and the ability to access to ProSocialWorkers.com website.
2. Once the course has been purchased, you will have access to course content required for continuing education credit.
3. There are no refunds once the course is purchased. The course cannot be cancelled.
4. If special accommodations are needed, please email help@prosocialworkers.com.
5. ProSocial Workers, provider #2002, 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: May 6, 2025 – May 6, 2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 general continuing education credits.
6. Participants assume full responsibility to ensure local jurisdictional approvals.
7. Contact help@prosocialworkers.com with any questions, concerns, or to address any of the presenters.