Objectives

The objectives of this no-cost, three-day training are:

  1. To thoroughly acquaint participants with new Federal legislation, including the Adoption & Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA), the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) as amended by the Inter-Ethnic Provisions of 1996 (IEP), and the Foster Care Independence Program (FCIP).
  2. To improve participant knowledge of skills in personnel and program management, including program evaluation.
  3. To provide opportunities for participants to apply these skills to ASFA, MEPA/IEP, and FCIP.

Following the three-day training, participants have the opportunity to participate in seven monthly half-day training sessions. The half-day sessions focus on additional training in the areas of supervisory and administrative skills. Participants who successfully complete the supervision and management skills training will receive a Certificate in Supervision.

The curriculum for the training was developed in collaboration with the Michigan Family Independence Agency and a national advisory committee.

The first year of the grant was dedicated to the development of the curriculum, training materials, delivery strategy, and evaluation instruments. The second year was devoted to piloting the program in Michigan and beginning the half-day training in supervisory skills. In the final year, the training in supervisory skills will be completed, the training materials will be revised, and the curriculum will be placed onto a website.