Welcome to The Acorn! Each month we share the latest trainings, data, and resources available to child welfare professionals throughout Minnesota.
This July we discuss the worker and supervisor competencies involved with Professionalism. For workers, professionalism should lead to a demonstration of professional growth and competence in child welfare while providing respectful and culturally relevant services to children within the context of a values-based ethical framework. For supervisors, we should begin by understanding that these abilities and skills involve assessing one's own performance, recognizing strengths and
challenges, taking responsibility and learning from mistakes and shortcomings, and continually striving to clarify personal values and develop ethical practice professionally. Check out the articles linked above and let us know what you think!
July is typically a slow month for training. Our staff is currently working to schedule more trainings for August and September. Look for those over the next few weeks. To check on available trainings, visit TrainLink and select Class Schedule. For full courses please add your name to the waiting list; this will help us determine if additional sections need to be scheduled. If registration has closed or if you have trouble with any other part of registration, contact Myrna Kleginat mklegin@umn.edu.
Accommodation Requests If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in a training, contact us as soon as possible at info@mnchildwelfaretraining.com.
Attendance If you need to cancel, even if it seems last minute, please contact Myrna Kleginat mklegin@umn.edu. Our class sizes tend to be small and we often have a waiting list. Trainees who miss more than 30 minutes of any given training will not receive CEUs; for required training you will need to repeat the entire course.
Need Help with
Trainlink? Step-by-step instructions on using Trainlink can be found here.
Meet Sue Jorstad, eLearning Designer and Developer for the Minnesota Child
Welfare Training Academy! Sue is passionate about developing training that enhances workers’ understanding of the families they work with, because with understanding comes the opportunity to collaboratively set meaningful case plan goals. Using the latest educational technologies, she aims to create learning experiences that inform, stimulate workers’ reflection on their own practice, and result in practice changes when
needed. Learn more...
Updates
Regional Learning Center Proposal Request The Training Academy is interested in developing three additional Regional Learning Centers (our Northwest regional location is currently in development). To enhance access to training opportunities across the state, priority will be given to host sites located in or adjacent to the northeast (Saint
Louis County), the southwest (Chippewa/Lac qui Parle/Yellow Medicine/Swift County), and the southeast (Steele County). The Academy is particularly interested in developing a partnership with counties and tribes to be able to best support the workforce, but is also open to working with education partners and private agencies. Learn more...
Tribal Training and Certification Partnership With the passing of the Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus bill, Aabinoojiiyag-Wakhanheza Un Thantanhanpi – For all the Children - Sacred Being: Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP) has been fully funded and will serve a critical role in addressing disparities for children and families in Minnesota. TTCP will ensure child welfare workers learn about American
Indian culture and the historical trauma endured by tribes in this country, from colonization to boarding schools and beyond.
TTCP will also train child welfare professionals in culturally responsive social work practice and effective strategies for working within Native communities and with children and their families. Huge congratulations to our longstanding partners at University Minnesota-Duluth! We are excited for the opportunities this will bring for Minnesota and important modeling for the entire country. We are grateful for the leadership of Jeri Jasken and UMD's Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies. Priscilla Day, Faculty emeritus, initiated this effort and has
served as a tenacious and effective advocate for the TTCP. Learn more...
Curriculum Development Update
Coaching Series for Supervisors Supervisor training, development, and support are critical additions to our Training Academy offerings. As we make plans to develop additional training for supervisors, including training for new
supervisors, we are excited to roll out the Coaching Series for Supervisors in collaboration with the Butler Institute for Families. This month, we will begin the first of three modules in the Coaching in Child Welfare Supervision - Training of Trainers (TOT) cohort, before adding the course to our regular offerings.
The Academy is partnering with the Butler Institute for Families to develop and deliver this multi-module learning series, which is designed to enhance child protection supervisory skills. The curriculum is based on the Butler Institute Academy of Professional Coaching, which is accredited through the International Coaching Federation. The coaching curriculum will also be rooted in the Minnesota Child Welfare Practice Framework, equipping trainers with knowledge and skills to provide coaching to child welfare staff.
The training will explore different ways to utilize natural talents and apply them to the coaching relationship, with an introduction to the coaching mindset, approaches, models, and skills. Throughout the training, learners will assess their readiness to be a coach and will work to discover their unique coaching style.
Employment Opportunities
The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) is now accepting applicants for an Administrative/Operations Professional and for two Curriculum Developers. Visit our employment page to learn more about these positions and how to apply.
Child Welfare Workforce Wellbeing
The best way to thrive during these trying times is to find ways to take care of yourself. Following are several options that may be helpful:
One way to maintain wellness during the summer is by planning ahead, especially for children and summer activities. Check out this CDC resource on Heat and Infants and Children.
Learn more about Five through the Filter: An individual self-care framework, which leads to realizing our global need.
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Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA), 1711 County Road B West, Suite 200N, Roseville, MN 55113, United States