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Celebrating National Social Worker Month and Revisiting Social Work Stories |
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Every March, we celebrate National Social Work Month as a time to recognize the dedication, resilience, and impact of social workers across the country. This year, we want to express our appreciation for the numerous ways social workers are embedded within child welfare work. Beyond our appreciation, we want to invite in the voices of these workers who make a difference every day. |
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That’s why we’re launching the Why I Work in Child Welfare series, highlighting the personal journeys that led individuals into this profession. Learn more. |
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New Worker Foundations Pilot Closing Soon!
Child protection workers pictured below at the Metro Twin Cities Learning Center will soon finish New Worker Foundations as part of Cohort 205! Cohorts 200-205 are considered the pilot phase of this training. Feedback from all of these learners will be analyzed and evaluated to determine what additional changes need to happen with this revised Foundations Training, which launched in September 2024. It will take several months to determine and integrate those changes, so look for updates in the near future. |
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Training Academy Annual Report
The July 2023-June 2024 Annual Report for the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy is now available. All annual reports can be found on the Reports page of our website. |
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2025 MSSA Annual Conference & Expo
Staff from the Training Academy will be available to chat and answer questions at the Minnesota Social Service Association Annual Conference Exhibition Fair on March 26-27 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Stop by our table to say hello, get some swag, and learn more about our organization. Academy staff will also be presenting several sessions, so look for us in your program. |
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Training Data | February 2025 |
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Open seats are available in our trainings. Visit our Training Catalog to see them all. Upcoming trainings include: |
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 to ensure workers complete prerequisites and can enroll in their preferred cohort. Use this New Worker Checklist to help assign and monitor employee progress for the following courses:
New Worker Orientation: Self-Paced Modules (CWTA X110)
Ask new workers to finish this course in the first few days on the job, and remind them that they cannot register for the instructor-led course until this is complete.
New Worker Orientation: Instructor-Led Enhancement
(CWTA X111)
This four-hour virtual training is designed to enhance what was learned in the Orientation modules. This course must be completed before you can register for New Worker Foundations (CWTA X113).
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March 18 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual
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March 27 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Virtual
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April 10 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Virtual
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April 15 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual
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April 24 | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Virtual
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April 29 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Virtual
ICWA/MIFPA Foundations for New Workers (CWTA X219)
This training is brought to you by the University of Minnesota Duluth Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP). This introductory course covers the basics of the history of ICWA and provides information on the application of ICWA and MIFPA. This course is required to be completed before you can register for New Worker Foundations (CWTA X113).
New Worker Foundations (CWTA X113)
This revised training is made up of self-paced, instructor-led (both in-person and virtual), and simulation or virtual reality learning opportunities.
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Specialty Training |
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Permanency Regional Training (CWTA X402) | 2 Options:
March 19 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Olmsted County Community Services
April 29 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Crow Wing County Land Services Building
ICWA/MIFPA Ongoing Worker Training (CWTA X212)
March 25-26 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each Day | Virtual
Human Trafficking and Sexually Exploited Youth: Basic Training for Child Welfare (CWTA X205)
April 1 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Virtual
Family Group Decision Making: Overview and Facilitation (CWTA X202)
April 8-9 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Each Day | Virtual
Assessing Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents (CWTA X220)
April 22-23 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Marshall |
Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training |
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All MI Courses and Pathways are Now Available
All Motivational Interviewing (MI) courses and Pathways are now available for Minnesota county and tribal child protection workers and their supervisors. If you have questions about MI Training, contact our Training Implementation Specialist at mitraining@mnchildwelfaretraining.com. The following virtual courses are available:
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Instructor-Led Workshops (CWTA X406)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Coaching Circles 1-4 (CWTA X407)
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Coaching Circle 3 | March 12 | 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
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Coaching Circle 1 | March 26 | 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
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Coaching Circle 2 | April 2 | 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
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Coaching Circle 3 | April 9 | 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
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Coaching Circle 4 | April 16 | 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Explore the options in the Training Portal. |
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Accommodation Requests
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in a training, contact us as soon as possible at info@mnchildwelfaretraining.com.
Questions about Attendance, Cancelation, or Registration?
Visit our Training Policies page.
Need to Cancel Your Registration?
Our class sizes tend to be small, and we often have a waiting list. Follow the instructions here if you need to drop a course.
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Refresher MI Coaching Circle Non-Credit Learning Opportunities |
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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 CEUs are offered for this learning opportunity.
Motivational Interviewing was selected as one of Minnesota's evidence-based practices for the Family First Prevention Services Act. |
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Foster Parent Training Available |
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Licensors with resource parents that need training should learn more about Foster Parent College and the Pre-Service Training offered by the Training Academy. Cohorts include four instructor-led, virtual trainings from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The next cohort training begins on Thursday, April 3. |
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Additional Training |
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SSIS Coffee Talks
Registration is open for March and April SSIS coffee talk sessions. All agency and state SSIS users are invited to attend. Hosted by the SSIS Business Section at DCYF. Upcoming Sessions:
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SSIS Tools for Supervisors and Lead Workers
Tuesday, March 25, 9:00 a.m.
Registration is required and will remain open until the webinar begins
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SSIS Legal and Financial Responsibilities
Tuesday, April 22, 9:00 a.m.
Registration is required and will remain open until the webinar begins
Qualified Individual Training (CWTA X400) | April 14-15
Training is available to prepare clinicians and community members to become Qualified Individuals (QIs). 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.dhs@state.mn.us. |
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Amber Sosa
Learning Management Systems Coordinator
Amber has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida, a Masters of Education in Educational Technology and Instructional Design, and served for Ameri Corps for a year at an elementary school in Jacksonville, FL. Learn more. |
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CASCW 2025 Spring Conference |
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Join the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare on Tuesday, April 15, for a no-cost, all-day conference centered around Child Welfare and the Evolving Role of Technology. Areas of focus will include Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Simulation, and Technology Platforms. Participants will hear about the different opportunities and limitations impacting child welfare today and into the future. This no-cost event includes a light breakfast and lunch for attendees, as well as MN BOSW CEUs. A virtual option is also available. Learn more and register soon! |
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