Better Outcomes – One Family’s Journey through the Child Welfare System

Level: Advanced Practice – Lineworker

Credits: 7

Intended Audience: Experienced and new employees to the child welfare profession

Intended Objectives:

• Understand that the ability to engage and establish rapport with children and families is predicated on an effective and accurate intervention
• To accurately assess risk, safety and strengths in families so that the safest, least restrictive intervention can be made on behalf of the children and families
• To recognize the necessity for interaction and continuity among CWS programs to promote family well-being as they travel through the entire CWS system
• Increased awareness of the potential global impact to family and community from CWS intervention

Topics Include:

• The “how to” for developing personal Best Practice across the CWS system
• Engagement and rapport building
• Avoiding personal practice pitfalls in Investigations
• Best Practice focus for Assessment & Decision Making
• Skilled Case Planning
• Family focused Service Delivery
• Placement without cultural insensitivity and personal bias

CalSWEC Competencies Addressed:

1.3 Student demonstrates the ability to conduct an ethnically and culturally competent assessment of a child and family to develop an effective intervention plan.

1.6 Student understands the influence and value of traditional, culturally based childbearing practices and uses this knowledge in working with families.

3.9 Student demonstrates the ability to engage and work with involuntary clients in a manner that includes the exercise of client self-determination.

4.4 Student demonstrates the ability to identify service/treatment plan requirements and to construct measureable objectives for the service plan.

6.1 Student demonstrates the ability to assess the effects of family transitions and the potential impact of becoming a client of the child welfare system.

AFSA Outcomes Addressed:

Child Safety, Child Well-being, Permanence