Assessing for Key Child Welfare Issues – CORE 3.0 – Classroom

Level: Line Worker CORE

Credits: 3

Intended Audience: This course is intended for new child welfare workers and meets the state requirements for Line Worker CORE version 3.0 Assessment Block.

Description of Course: This course is activity based and introduces trainees to challenges related to assessing families who are experiencing substance abuse, mental health, and/ or intimate partner violence (IPV).

Intended Objectives: After completing this course the trainee will be able to:

• Identify how assessment can be impacted by:
  • Caregiver substance abuse
  • Mental health issues
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Trauma and deprivation
• Identify the role of teaming with experts in working with families to assess issues related to:
  • Caregiver substance abuse
  • Mental health issues
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Trauma and deprivation
• Describe how cultural difference and historic trauma can affect assessment and the assessment relationship
• Recognize how the use of authority can affect the process of conducting an assessment
• Using a vignette, conduct a balanced and accurate assessment that focusses on child and youth safety and risk and addresses:
  • Caregiver substance abuse
  • Mental health issues
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Trauma and deprivation
  • Child and youth well-being
• Using a vignette, describe a process for consulting and collaborating with health care providers, educators, mental health providers, and other community members regarding medical needs, educational needs and mental health needs of foster children and foster youth
• Using a vignette, differentiate between child and youth safety and risk of maltreatment to a child or youth in a situation involving substance abuse