The Acorn | May 2023

You are invited to an Open House in Detroit Lakes!
The event is on Friday, May 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at our Northwest Regional Learning Center. Come meet our staff, participate in a listening session, learn more about our programs and partners, and share feedback on what is most important to you! Learn more and RSVP here.

May is National Foster Care Month
Whether you are a foster parent or child welfare professional who helps those in foster care, we want to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices you make to help children, youth, and families. Every May we observe National Foster Care Month, recognizing the many children and youth affected by the foster care system, and the efforts made to make their lives better. Learn more.

Foster Care Training
If your agency has prospective foster care parents, the next Cohort Training will begin on Thursday, May 18. The new process asks families to start by contacting the foster care licensor at their local county agency or tribe, and then they will be given more information about how to register for training. If you are not aware of the new process, please let us know at info@mnchildwelfaretraining.com and we will get that info to you.

Qualified Individual Training (CWTA X400): May 17-18
In support of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA or Family First), 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.

The courses below are now available for registration through the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) Training Portal. Go to our website, www.mnchildwelfaretraining.com, and then LOGIN to the Training Portal using the top-right navigation. From there, select the Training Catalog, where you will find course descriptions and links to register.

Need a Training Portal Profile?
Ask your supervisor to invite you. If you are a tribal leader or supervisor, or you do not need a supervisor to assign your trainings, submit the New Profile Request Form. If you have questions or technical issues, let us know.

Collaborative Safety - Advanced Practice (CWTA X208)
June 27-29 | 9:00 - 12:00 p.m. Each Day | Online

Self-Paced Online Training

Mandated Reporter Training (CWTA X101)
This 45-minute training is designed for child welfare professionals identified by law who must make a report if they have reason to believe that maltreatment of a child has occurred. The course you select will depend on your job title and responsibilities. A module for Youth Programs is also now available. Learn more.

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) CW Supervisors (CWTA X401)
NTI for Child Welfare Supervisors is a 25-hour, web-based training that focuses on case work practices and professional skills for staff across the child welfare continuum to promote child well-being, permanency, and family stability for children living with foster, adoptive, or guardianship families.

New Worker Training

Child Welfare Foundations Training (CWTA X100)

Foundations training is only for new county and tribal workers who are involved in child protection, and is assigned by a supervisor or tribal leader through the Training Portal. Participants must be able to attend all dates/times. Remind your employees that they still need to enroll in a course even after you have assigned it to them. Learn more here. A checklist of all new worker requirements can be found here.

NTI Modules: The NTI self-paced online training, which previously was built into each Foundations cohort, is now a separate course. Supervisors can assign this to new workers, or have new staff register on their own, as it is still a requirement for completing Foundations. Look for the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) CW Professionals (CWTA X401) course in the Training Catalog. New workers need to complete NTI before the end of Classroom 4.

Cohort 109 | Northwest Regional Learning Center

Classroom 1: May 16-18 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
TTCP ICWA/MIFPA Training: June 1-2 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
Classroom 2: June 13-15 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
SSIS Classroom 2 Lab: July 6 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online)
Classroom 3: July 11-13 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
SSIS Classroom 3 Lab: July 18 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online)
Classroom 4: August 1-3 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)

Cohort 110 | Northeast Regional Learning Center (hosted by TTCP)

Classroom 1: June 6-8 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
TTCP ICWA/MIFPA Training: June 28-29 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
Classroom 2: July 18-20 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
SSIS Classroom 2 Lab: August 1 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online)
Classroom 3: August 8-10 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
SSIS Classroom 3 Lab: August 15 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online)
Classroom 4: August 22-24 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)

Cohort 108 | Twin Cities Metro Learning Center

Classroom 1: June 13-15 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
Classroom 2: June 20-22 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
SSIS Classroom 2 Lab: June 27 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online)
TTCP ICWA/MIFPA Training: July 6-7 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
Classroom 3: July 11-13 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)
SSIS Classroom 3 Lab: July 20 (9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online)
Classroom 4: August 1-3 (9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day)

Coming Soon

Accommodation Requests
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in a training, contact us as soon as possible at info@mnchildwelfaretraining.com.

Attendance
Learners who miss more than 30 minutes of training will not receive credit. Learners who miss more than 30 minutes of Foundations (new worker) training will need to repeat that specific classroom. If the training takes place over several days, you can only miss 30 minutes total; not 30 minutes per day. Please plan ahead to adjust court dates, on-call shifts, caseload responsibilities, etc.

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.

CW360° Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Child Welfare
Child Welfare 360° (CW360°) is an annual publication from the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) that provides communities, child welfare professionals, and other human service professionals comprehensive information on the latest research, policies, and practices in a key area affecting child well-being today. This issue focuses on how people, teams, programs, and policies all work effectively together to optimally serve children and families. Learn more.

Parenting Done Differently: Parents with Disabilities Podcast
In Episode 18: Slipping Through the Cracks, Liz Lightfoot speaks about parents with disabilities slipping through the cracks and not receiving the support they require. In Episode 19: After They Are Gone, Rachel Mayes looks at the grief response of parents with disabilities who lost custody of their children. Mayes shares a valuable perspective that will likely resonate for those working with parents. Learn more.

SSIS Coffee Talk: Statewide Release v23.2
SSIS users are invited to join the DHS SSIS Business Operations Section Tuesday, May 23, at 9:00 a.m. as they share what’s ahead in SSIS Statewide Release v23.2. Registration is required and will close one hour prior to the event. Send questions in advance to Heide Moris heide.moris@state.mn.us.

ICWA/MIFPA Ongoing Worker Training (CWTA X212)
This training is brought to you by the University of Minnesota Duluth Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP). This is an introductory course to the basics of the history of ICWA and application of ICWA and MIFPA. Course registration is located in the MNCWTA Course Catalog.

May 8-9 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Online
May 22-23 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Online
June 5-6 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Northwest Regional Learning Center
June 15-16 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Southwest Regional Learning Center
June 29-30 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Each Day | Online

Permanency Regional Training
The DHS Permanency Support Unit staff will hold permanency trainings at the Regional Learning Centers across Minnesota. Each training will be in person; space will be limited to the room size at each location. These offerings are designed for county and tribal child welfare and/or child protection workers. Below are the dates:

May 10: Southwest Learning Center in Marshall
June 28: Duluth Government Services Center

Each training is from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Learn more about these trainings and how to register here.

2023-24 PACC Cohorts are now open with Metro-Hybrid and Fully-Virtual format options*
PACC is a cohort-based training that enhances permanency and adoption competence for professionals working across child welfare and mental health settings. Learn more and apply today for upcoming cohorts starting October 2023!

2023-24 PLX Cohorts opening soon for locations in both the Twin Cities and Duluth starting in September* (spaces are limited)
PLX is designed for those who support and make vital decisions regarding youth involved in systems such as child welfare, juvenile justice, or special education. The collaboration aims to improve high quality service provision while increasing positive relationships between youth involved in the State’s social service systems and the professionals and providers who support them. Learn more and apply today to join a cohort starting September 2023!

*Funding for both PACC and PLX Certificate Programs includes limited FREE enrollment for employees of Minnesota Tribes or Indigenous organizations. Minnesota County child welfare workers (foster care, adoption/permanency, and child protection) may also be eligible for a full scholarship (less $40 registration fee) provided by the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). Visit program websites above for eligibility information and how to apply.

Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA)
Community Trainers
The Training Academy is seeking experienced child welfare professionals to lead Child Welfare Foundations Training for new workers at our learning centers in Roseville, Detroit Lakes, and Marshall. The Community Trainer position is very flexible, and allows for trainers to choose the frequency and timing of the training they want to lead. Our staff will train the community trainers and provide support in developing their facilitation skills. Apply through the U of M Employment website using Job ID 348582.

Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW)

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)

Social Service Information System User Support Supervisor

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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 Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Safety and Permanency Division and the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.