Children & Family Services Training Center

Child Welfare Foundation Training

Online New Worker Training

The Child Welfare New Worker Foundation Training course is a seven-week virtual training series delivered via Zoom. Each cohort will meet once per week for 1.5 hours, on a consistent day and time (for example, Tuesdays from 1:00–2:30 p.m. CT). The specific day and time for each cohort will vary based on trainer availability. Assigned schedules will be emailed during the first week of the month in which the cohort is scheduled to begin. The first training session will always occur during the second week of the month.

Training sessions are co-facilitated by a Training Coordinator from the Children and Family Services Training Center (CFSTC) and a Children and Family Services (CFS) Field Service Specialist (FSS).

Cohort Materials

Below is a list of weekly assignments to be completed prior to each live TEAMS session. Participants are asked to review the assigned modules and materials in advance.

Please use the provided handout to take notes and document any questions that arise while viewing the modules or reviewing linked materials. These questions and reflections will be discussed during the weekly live sessions.

Discussion Handout (click to download)

Participants are encouraged to print this handout and use it for the following purposes:

Module Tracking:Track modules as they are completed and block off time for each, as the total estimated length of time is provided.
Question Prompts: Use as a guide to develop and record potential questions/answers from your time spent interviewing coworkers prior to Sessions Two, Six, and Seven.
Notes & Reflection:Take notes from modules, material reviews, and coworker interviews to bring forward for discussion during live cohort sessions.

Session One: Introduction to Child Welfare

Module to Watch:
- Legal Rights of Parents: Understanding Fourth Amendment Limitations
- The Heart of ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act): Becky
Material to Review:
- North Dakota Child Welfare Acronyms

Session Two: Child and Family Engagement with an Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

Modules to Watch:
- Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
Material to Review:
- Scaling Engagement Handout
Worker Connection: Meet one-on-one with a colleague from your area of practice to reflect on engagement strategies
- Questions to consider asking your coworker:
  - What engagement strategies have worked well for you when connecting with families?
  - Are there approaches that did not work as expected, and what did you learn from those experiences?
  - How do you adapt your approach when working with families from different cultural backgrounds?
  - What tips do you have for working effectively with system partners, relatives, and service providers?

Session Three: Safety Framework Practice Model (Part One)

Modules to Watch
Material to Review:
- SFPM Field Guide:
  - Protective Capacities pages 83-102
  - Present Danger pages 20-26

Session Four: Safety Framework Practice Model (Part Two)

Modules to Watch:
Material to Review:
- SFPM Field Guide:
  - CPS Assessment pages 27-36
  - Impending Danger pages 37-52
  - Safety Planning pages 53-82

Session Five: Safety Framework Practice Model (Part Three)

Modules to Watch:
Material to Review:
- SFPM Field Guide
  - PCFA pages 103-115
  - Case Planning pages 116-123
  - PCPA pages 126-136
- SFPM Competency Matrix

Session Six: Child Protection Services (CPS)

Modules to view:
- Mandated Reporter Training
- Child Protection Services (CPS) Overview ***Coming Soon***
- Child Protection Services Interviews ***Coming Soon***
Material to review:
- Child Protective Services Checklist
Worker Connection: Meet one-on-one with a CPS Worker to learn about their experiences, perspectives, and engagement approaches.
- Questions to consider asking your coworker:
  - What led you to choose a career in Child Protection Services?
  - What engagement techniques or strategies have you found helpful when making initial contact with parents during CPS assessments?
  - During CPS assessments, what information do you focus on most when interviewing children, parents, and collateral contacts?
  - What has been the most rewarding part of working in CPS? What has been the most challenging?
  - On the most difficult days, what helps you get through? What advice would you share with someone new to CPS?

Session Seven: Case Management

Modules to Watch:
- Case Management Overview
- ND Supreme Court Videos:
  - CHIPS Petition
  - Shelter Care
Material to Review:
Worker Connection: Meet one-on-one with a Case Worker to learn about their experiences, perspectives, and engagement approaches.
- - Questions to consider asking your coworker:
    - What led you to choose child welfare, specifically case management for your career?
    - What engagement techniques or approaches have been most effective when connecting with families referred from CPS?
    - How do you manage your caseload, keep notes and activity logs organized, and schedule visits or meetings efficiently?
    - When working a case, what information do you focus on most when engaging with children, parents, and collateral contacts, and what methods have been most effective for tracking progress in PCFA and PCPA?
    - What strategies have you found most helpful for re-engaging families after a loss of contact?
    - What has been the most rewarding aspect of case management? What has been the most challenging?

Please direct any questions to your assigned CFS Field Service Specialist (FSS) or CFSTC Trainer. Contact information will be shared once cohorts are formed and training dates are finalized.