Introduction

The goals of the training are to update child welfare supervisors in terms of both knowledge and skills. The training was divided into two major components: (a) child welfare policy and practice and (b) supervisory skills. The former was delivered in a three-consecutive-day training and the latter in monthly half-day training sessions.

The area of child welfare policy and practice was conceptualized into three subcategories: (a) Federal legislation, and its implementation in state policy and practice, (b) child welfare best practice principles, and (c) program and practice examples.

The Federal legislation that was covered in the training was the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA), the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA), as amended by the Inter-Ethnic Provisions of 1996, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Foster Care Independence Program (FCIP). For the pilot, the implementation of ASFA, MEPA, and FCIP in Michigan was highlighted.

Child welfare best practice principles selected for the training were: (a) permanency planning in child welfare, (b) family-centered practice, (c) culturally competent practice, and (d) outcomes-based supervision/practice. Each of these was paired with a Federal statute that could be illustrative.

Program examples covered in the training were Family Group Decision-Making, Family to Family, and the Ansell-Casey independent living assessment. Practice examples included screening and identifying parental problems, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, mental health problems, and domestic violence; and assessing for children's placement needs by asking parents and asking children. These program and practice examples were linked to Federal statutes and child welfare best practices.

Supervisory skills sessions covered

  • Supervising - The Front End: Planning Work
  • Training/Coaching/Teaching/Educating/Mentoring
  • Supportive Communication
  • Working With Workers (and Others) With Strong Opinions
  • Decision Making/Problem Solving
  • Supervising - The Back End: Monitoring/Reviewing/Evaluating
  • Management of Self