NCI-FUNDED INITIATIVE
ESPEC Oncology: Transforming Psychosocial &
Palliative Cancer Care
ESPEC Oncology: Transforming Psychosocial and Palliative Cancer Care is a newly awarded $1.6 million, five-year NCI-funded (R25CA298892) implementation science–informed leadership program designed to strengthen the primary palliative care competencies of oncology social workers across diverse cancer care settings. Based on the evidence-informed ESPEC Core Program, and enhanced with oncology-specific content, the program will train five cohorts of approximately 50 participants over five years, supporting them in leading and sustaining improvements in psychosocial and palliative cancer care.
Overall Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this training program, participants will be able to:
• Apply the eight domains of palliative care to oncology social work practice
• Strengthen clinical skills in palliative care for patients, caregivers, and colleagues
• Use ESPEC Oncology training to promote leadership, advocacy, and practice transformation
FOR ONCOLOGY SOCIAL WORKERS ONLY
NCI-funded scholarships support full participation, including training, CE credits, travel, lodging, and curriculum materials.
This professional leadership program is designed to bridge the gap between palliative care knowledge and institutional implementation.
Applications for 2026 are closed.
Applications for Cohort 3 will open in June, 2027
Presented By
Multimodal Curriculum
Asynchronous online modules and 2 live webinars focusing on core palliative care competencies.
8 Social Work CEs (Online Modules)
3 Social Work CEs (Live Webinars)
ESPEC Oncology is a 12 month learning experience with a 3-part multimodal curriculum that builds knowledge, deepens skills, and supports real-world implementation .
Part II: Develop / Practice / Plan Skills
A 1.5-day intensive skills workshop for hands-on palliative care communication and leadership training.
14 Social Work CEs (Intensive)
Part III: Apply Knowledge & Skills / Implementation Support
8 monthly live educational webinars combined with institutional mentorship and practice change support.
12 Social Work CEs (Mentorship)
Implementation & Leadership Tools
Driving systemic change through interprofessional collaboration, strategic leadership development, and practice improvement tools.
SWOT Analyses
- Institutional baseline assessment
- Gap identification
- Strategic opportunity mapping
- Specific clinical objectives
- Measurable palliative outcomes
- Time-bound implementation phases
SMART Goals
PDSA Cycles
- Continuous quality cycles
- Structured data gathering
- Rapid iterative practice change
Program Deliverables
•
Comprehensive slide decks for institutional training
•
Instructional orientation videos for curriculum orientation
•
ESPEC Best Practice Guides for oncology social work
•
Practical tools and resources for practice change
The most impactful aspect has been the robust amount of research, practical tools, and opportunities to learn from peers across diverse backgrounds.
Continuing Education Credit Provided By:
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Target Audience & Levels
Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), #1351,, 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: 11/11/2026 – 11/11/2029. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to XX continuing education credits, which may include up to X Cultural Competency and X Ethics continuing education credits. Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of the attendee to check with their state board to determine if the ethics and/or cultural competency hours offered meet the regulations of their Board. Certificates of attendance and verification of credit will be issued to those who registered for CEs after completion of the online post-tests and course evaluations.
The training is designed for oncology social workers and other social workers who work with those affected by cancer . Educational levels range from Basic to Advanced, covering foundational primary palliative competencies through comprehensive clinical skill application.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that circumstances may change. If you need to cancel your participation in the ESPEC program, please submit your cancellation request via email to info@aosw.org and especo@louisville.edu
New York State Education Department’s State Board of Social Work Association of Oncology Social Work, Inc., SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0320.
Completion Requirements
Modules/courses must be completed in their entirety. A posttest is required for recorded content. Participants must score 80% to pass the posttest (unlimited attempts). Certificates will be awarded at the completion of all modules and the course evaluation via the Learner Management System.
Course Designations
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Cultural Competency
-
Ethics
-
Clinical/General
ADA Accessibility & Cancellation
Grievance Policy & Contact
The Company and its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, the Operating Partnership) are currently in compliance with all presently applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, except for any such non-compliance that could not reasonably be expected, individually or in aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. If you require special assistance to register for an event or access online content, please contact AOSW at info@aosw.org to inform us of your special needs.
Grievances regarding conference sessions, content, abstract selection and presentation can also be submitted to any member of the planning committee and are escalated appropriately to the conference chair, director of education, board of directors or home office staff. Grievances are responded to in a timely fashion with the goal of mitigating the issues brought to the leadership. If a registered participant is unable to attend a meeting after registration, refund requests are processed on a case-by-case basis. If an attendee has a complaint or grievance, it must be submitted in writing by the participant to:
Association of Oncology Social Work
111 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 1412
Chicago, IL 60604 USA
especo@louisville.edu
info@aosw.org