training and consultation

The collective number of years our staff has been doing this work makes us feel old. ;) But we know that with the collective experience and knowledge comes wisdom. And because discovering new and innovative ways to impact the child welfare field is our passion, we can talk about our work for days on end.

Our training can be delivered virtually, to a small group or to a large agency audience. We adapt our presentation to the size of the audience and the experience and roles of the participants.

In person training is always our favorite. We enjoy traveling and seeing your agency and staff in action. Unfortunately, gatherings of large groups for training and travel is hard right now. We are following the recommendations of the CDC, as well as the guidance from state and local government, on the safety of travel and conducting group trainings.

Here are some of our specializations

Child Care System Reform and Mindset Change:

In our collective push to serve children in a better way, and focus on family and community, our training overlays diffusion of innovation theory and social change theory with the transition that individuals, organizations and governments are currently doing from the way child welfare WAS done to how it can be done. What does this mean? We conduct interactive learning collaboratives, simulations and individual coaching on the HOW of child care system reform. How does your 10 year residential treatment worker start including family search & engagement as a percentage of their job duties? How does a country office communicate to partners about the front-end family finding work? How does a CASA rethink their initial engagement with a young person? We are ready to address these questions and thousands more. 

Prevention and Early Entry:

This training is for those agencies with a focus on family search and engagement in the early stage of child welfare involvement. The best time to get family involved is BEFORE the state takes over. The second best time is at the time of entry into foster care.

This training begins with a base of why placement with family is important and the benefits to both children and families. From there, we delve into how to find family members by highlighting diligent search techniques and how to get family members to become active participants in the search. And, to assist in knowing what to say once you locate a family member, a heavy emphasis is placed on family engagement. Finally, we outline potential barriers to quickly placing a child with family, and some strategies to swiftly overcome these barriers.

Getting Kids Home, Maximizing Reunification

Getting children back to their parents or caregivers is the most fundamental function and goal of the child welfare system. Unfortunately it often is a messy and lengthy process. We offer training on how to engage parents and the extended family network to promote quick and sustainable reunification. Extended family members can be utilized not only as supports to the children, but to the parents as well as they work services to get their children back. Ultimately this is the best way to limit trauma on children in the foster system; get them HOME FASTER.

Intense Family Search & Engagement:

We also provide in depth training on Family Search and Engagement. This training is customized to the needs of your agency because we want to make sure it fits what you’re looking for. Hands on assistance with searching, interactive coaching for engagement, a little bit of all of the above – you name it – and we’ve got you covered.

Activating the Family Support Network:

How often do we hear stories of a child being placed with a relative, only to disrupt back to a foster home? Unfortunately, far too often. Searching for family and finding a family member willing to take a child is exciting stuff! But the work doesn’t end there. Finding the supports and making sure the family is set up for success is even more rewarding. This training emphasizes the importance of supports in placement stability, and highlights how to engage family members in filling the support roles. We will walk you through how to identify what supports are necessary – for both the relative placement provider and the child – and how to achieve those supports. We will also explore the best way to link the supports when incorporating family members who aren’t already connected.

Achieving Permanency for Older Youth:

So much of the discussion about permanency for older youth is centered around legal permanency. That is, adoption, guardianship, or preparing them for independent living. However relational permanency is just as important for this vulnerable population. These youth need established lifelong connections they can turn to long after the child welfare system is out of the picture. Where will they spend holidays? Who do they call when their car breaks down? These questions we often take for granted in our own lives but it is so crucial for our older youth in foster care to establish these connections while we still have the opportunity to assist. We can show you how!

Sound like something your agency might be interested in? 

 For more information on training, please contact Melanie Moredock at melanie@forchildwelfare.org

Sometimes you know what you want to do, but aren’t quite sure how to get there. We get it. We’ve been there and muddled our way through. For those agencies that don’t want to learn the hard way by repeating our mistakes, we are happy to walk hand in hand to guide them along. Whether it’s instruction on how to search for and engage family members, secure community and stakeholder buy-in, or start a new program from the ground-up, we are here to help. In fact, witnessing the innovation across the country to help children and families, is what drives us. It would be our privilege to help you help the children and families of your community.

 For more information on consultation, please contact Melanie Moredock at melanie@forchildwelfare.org