States use a variety of models to train the child welfare workforce and improve workers' effectiveness in meeting the needs of children, youth, and families. Find links to State training websites and resources for developing and improving training systems.
Creating an Effective Child Welfare Training System (PDF - 67 KB)
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (2005)
Discusses key components of an effective training system and strategies for assessing an agency's training system in three phases.
A Guidebook for Building Organizational Effectiveness Capacity: A Training System Example (PDF - 1,289 KB)
American Public Human Services Association (2012)
Provides an example of how a training system can use constructive and instructive dialogue among different agency components to support an agency's organizational effectiveness capacity.
Key Strategies to Educate Public Child Welfare Workers and Improve Child Welfare Systems
Zlotnik, McCarthy, & Briar-Lawson
Evaluation Exchange, 11(4), 2006
Reviews research and evaluation findings on public agency-university partnerships to educate public child welfare workers and the impact of such partnerships on workforce retention.
Lessons Learned From an Innovative University-Community Agency Collaboration: The Development of a Direct Practice Training for Child Welfare and Mental Health Social Workers
Boyd, Morrow, Shobe, & Tack
Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 9(2), 2006
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Reports on the development and implementation of a six-session training series, lessons learned, and suggestions for future training.
A Model of Collaboration Between Schools of Social Work and Immigrant-Serving Community-Based Organizations to Ensure Child Well-Being
Rivera & Earner
Protecting Children, 21(2), 2006
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Describes an innovative, collaborative model that brings together university-based social work resources with immigrant-serving CBOs to provide training to social work students with a special focus on child welfare issues. Discusses the evaluation of the model's implementation, as well as implications for social work education.
National Evaluation of Child Welfare Training Grants: Final Report
Boston University School of Social Work (2008)
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Discusses the outcomes of a federally funded study and evaluation that consisted of four parts: a multiple case study of nine previously funded training grantees focused on Independent Living; a comprehensive literature review of child welfare training; a phone survey of State training directors; and a survey of faculty members of schools of social work. Includes findings and suggested next steps in research.
Report of the ACF Region V 2008 Roundtable on Child Welfare Training Systems (PDF - 133 KB)
Children's Bureau (2009)
Presents results from a roundtable discussion on mutual training issues, challenges, and successes from five States: Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Topics include curriculum development, coaching and mentoring, supporting supervisors, and e-learning and learning management systems.
Review of the Literature on Child Welfare Training: Theory, Practice, and Research (PDF - 4560 KB)
Collins, Amodeo, & Clay (2007)
Reviews macro issues impacting child welfare training, describes training practice and delivery approaches, discusses the development of partnership models between public child welfare agencies and institutions of higher education, and presents information on evaluation research.
University/Child Welfare Agency Partnerships: Building a Bridge Between the Ivory Tower and the State Office Building
Collins-Camargo & Hoffman
Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 9(2), 2006
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Explores the rationale for and aspects of a true partnership between university social work programs and public child welfare agencies.
University-Child Welfare Partnerships: Familiar Collaborations, New Possibilities
Dickinson & Gil de Gibaja
Protecting Children, 19(3), 2004
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Identifies the components of successful partnerships and highlights trends and opportunities for the future.
Funding child welfare training partnerships
Advocacy Toolkit for Title IV-E Training
National Association of Social Workers (2005)
Provides links to information on Title IV-E Federal funding for the education and training of social workers. Includes information, tips, and materials to use when contacting members of the U.S. Congress to advocate for funding.
Operational Issues in Child Welfare Training Grants Management (PDF - 39 KB)
Jhirad-Reich (2002)
Offers some solutions to grant management issues, including the project start date, involvement of deans and directors in the pre- and postgrant award process, coordination with State and local child welfare agencies, and evaluation of training effectiveness.
Child Welfare Information Gateway encourages organizations to submit resources from their workforce or training efforts for inclusion in our library. Send information to library@childwelfare.gov.