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News from the Academy

MAAFPCWDA Active Efforts Training Phasing Out
Starting this summer, MAAFPCWDA Cultural Responsiveness Training will launch and is required training for all Minnesota county child protection workers and supervisors. The Active Efforts Training: Family Preservation and the MAAFPCWDA Framework (CWTA X221), which launched in late 2024, will be phased out by June. Content from this training is being added to the Cultural Responsiveness Training. Learn more about these training changes here.

MAAFPCWDA Training Needs Assessment

This Training Needs Assessment was conducted to inform the development of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA) Cultural Responsiveness Training launching this June. The Needs Assessment examines the knowledge, skills, and conditions needed to support culturally responsive child welfare practice. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach — including an envisioning session, focus groups, interviews, and surveys — the report identifies key themes such as the need for historical grounding, real-time bias interruption, stronger family engagement, and supervisor support. These themes will be integrated into the design of the Cultural Responsiveness Training.

NTI Course Registration Now Through CASE Website

With the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) course no longer required for new child protection workers, as well as the need to accommodate learners who do not need a Training Portal profile, we have decided to stop hosting the NTI course through the Training Portal and instead to send learners directly to the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE) website for the NTI training. 

What about the Training Portal?

Keep that updated as well! Visit the Updating Portal Profile Information section of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to learn how.

Training Data

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Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) training is developed and delivered by the Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP). A snapshot of last month's training data is provided below in infographic form and online. View the complete training report.

Training

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The Academy offers a variety of trainings, such as Advanced Practice, New Worker, Supervisor, Mandated Reporter, and Motivational Interviewing. 

• Use the navigation below to explore trainings by type. 

• To see all courses, click the Full Training Catalog button below. 

Advanced Practice Training

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Human Trafficking and Sexually Exploited Youth: Basic Training for Child Welfare (CWTA X205)

• May 5 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Virtual

Family Group Decision Making: Overview and Facilitation (CWTA X202)

• May 12-13 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Roseville

Responsive Child Welfare Practice with LGBTQIA2S+ Youth (CWTA X210)

• June 2 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Roseville

Assessing Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents (CWTA X220)

• June 3-4 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Owatonna

Structured Decision Making: Updated Safety Assessment Training (CWTA X200.1)

• June 9 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Virtual

Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training

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MI Instructor-Led Workshops Available

Register through the Training Academy’s Training Portal. Learn more about this virtual course and the prerequisites on our website.

• Cohort 42 | May 5, 12, 19, 26 | 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Each Day

Refresher MI Coaching Circle Non-Credit Learning Opportunities
This course allows learners to hone and strengthen their existing Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills with feedback and support from an MI trainer. No credits or CUEs are offered for this learning opportunity.

• April 15 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual (Register Here)
• May 20 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual (Register Here)
• June 17 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual (Register Here)
• July 15 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Virtual (Register Here)

Mandated Reporter Training

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This training is available for Minnesota professionals identified by law who must make a report if they know or have reason to believe that child maltreatment has occurred. This training takes approximately 60 minutes. Visit our Mandated Reporter Training page to learn more.

New Worker Training

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All new child protection workers should plan to take the following courses. Supervisors should assign these courses AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after the new worker's start date to ensure workers complete prerequisites and can enroll in their preferred Foundations cohort. Use this New Worker Checklist to help assign and monitor employee progress. Visit our website for a complete overview of New Worker Training.

NOTE: New Worker Orientation: Instructor-Led Enhancement (CWTA X111) is currently on hold and not a requirement of New Worker Training.

ICWA/MIFPA Foundations (TTCP x101.C)

This training is brought to you by the Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP). You must complete an ICWA/MIFPA 2-Day Training before you can register for New Worker Foundations (CWTA X113).

• April 20-21 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each Day | Duluth

• May 7-8 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each Day | Marshall

• May 11-12 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each Day | Roseville

• June 4-5 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each Day | Detroit Lakes

New Worker Foundations (CWTA X113)

This training consists of self-paced, instructor-led (both in-person and virtual), and simulation or virtual reality opportunities.

• Cohort 234 | May 13 - August 19 | Owatonna

• Cohort 236 | June 10 - September 10 | Roseville

• Cohort 237 | June 24 - September 30 | Duluth

• Cohort 238 | July 14 - October 21 | Roseville

• Cohort 239 | July 28 - November 5 | Marshall

• Cohort 240 | September 8 - December 16 | Roseville

• Cohort 241 | September 22 - January 7 | Detroit Lakes

Foster Parent Training

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Foster Parent Pre-Service Training for resource parents includes four virtual, weekly meetings from 6:00-8:00 p.m., which are supplemented by self-paced modules to be completed before each meeting. Licensors should visit our website to learn more about this Foster Parent training option, see all upcoming cohorts, and to get connected with Foster Parent College.

• Cohort 33 | May 14, May 28, June 11, June 25

Supervisor Training

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Supervisor Coaching Training

Registration is now open for Course 1 (May 7) of the new Supervisor Coaching Training. Register through the Training Portal.

• Course 1: May 7 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual

• Course 2: May 14 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual

• Course 3: May 18 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual

• Course 4: May 29 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual

• Course 5: June 3 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual

ICWA/MIFPA Foundations for Supervisors Only (TTCP x101.C)

• May 8 and 15 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each Day | Virtual

Orientation to New Supervisor Training (CWTA X300)

This self-paced training is the first course of New Supervisor Training, will take approximately 5.5 hours to complete, and must be completed prior to registration for CWTA X310. Learners will also take the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Assessment and attend a debrief session with a Qualified Administrator.

New Supervisor Training (CWTA X310)

This course will be cohort-based, so supervisors will stay with the same group of learners throughout. Supervisors can register once they have completed the Orientation to New Supervisor Training. Registration will open approximately 2 months prior to the first day of training. 

• September 1-3 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Duluth

• September 28-30 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Duluth Government Services Center

• November 3 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Duluth

Additional Opportunities

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SSIS Coffee Talk:  From SSIS to CCWIS: Getting started with data cleanup 
This session launches statewide SSIS data cleanup for the upcoming Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) conversion. Key cleanup areas, priorities, tools and the phased timeline will be introduced.  

SSIS Mentors and others responsible for data oversight and cleanup are strongly encouraged to attend, as they will play a central role in supporting and coordinating agency cleanup efforts. Participants will learn why early cleanup matters and the first steps agencies should start now. April 21 from 9-10 a.m. Register on Webex. 

Multidisciplinary Training: Considerations for Emergency Child Removals

In the absence of a court order, law enforcement holds the sole statutory authority to remove children from their home in emergency situations (§260C.175). This training provides information to deepen law enforcement’s understanding of their statutory authority to remove children in emergency situations. The webinar is focused primarily on law enforcement practice, but is open to professionals that are currently working with an active child protection multidisciplinary team in Minnesota or tribal nations. Two virtual offerings are currently available. Register through Zoom using the following links:

• May 13 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. / 1300-1500
• May 14 | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. / 0900-1100

Qualified Individual Training (CWTA X400)
Training is available to prepare clinicians and community members to become Qualified Individuals (QIs). The next offering of QI Training will be June 3-4 . QIs determine whether or not a child’s/youth’s needs can be met within their family or family foster home with community services rather than being placed in a child care institution, known as a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP). If you have questions or want to express your interest in participating, email ffpsa.qualifiedindividual.dcyf@state.mn.us.

Registration NOW OPEN for 2026-2027 PACC Cohorts

The Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) registration is now open with Metro-Hybrid and Fully-Virtual format options. Coursework includes 70+ Social Work CEUs, including Ethics and Cultural Responsiveness, centered by curriculum written and delivered by those with lived experience. Learn more about this training and how to apply here.

Registration NOW OPEN for 2026-2027 PLX Cohorts

The Phoenix Learning Xchange (PLX) is an interactive, multidisciplinary, non-credit certificate program. The program aims to broaden the knowledge of the development, challenges, positive engagement and well-being of youth and adolescents involved in child welfare and other systems. Learn more about this training and how to apply here.

Substance Use Across Families and Communities

This new course provides child welfare professionals with a comprehensive, trauma-informed exploration of substance use disorders and recovery, with a particular focus on adolescents, families, and underrepresented communities. Using current Minnesota data and evidence-based practices, the course examines how substance use affects family functioning, youth development, and placement stability. Learn more and register here.

Working with Refugees and Newcomers to Minnesota

This new course is intended to help child welfare workers better understand refugee and immigrant experiences, immigration pathways, and practical strategies for support. Learners will also gain knowledge, tools, and resources to better serve newcomers with empathy and cultural humility. Learn more and register here.

Employment

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The Training Academy is looking for applicants for the following positions: 

• Multimedia Specialist
  

• MAAFPCWDA Cultural Responsiveness Community Trainers
  

• Qualified Individual Community Trainer
  

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Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA), 1711 County Road B West Suite 200N, Roseville, MN 55113, United States | The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) is a collaboration between the Child Safety and Permanency (CSP) Division at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.