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Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VT-CWTP) The Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VT-CWTP) between The University of Vermont's Department of
Social Work and The State of Vermont's Department for Children and Families (DCF) was established in 1993 to
improve the quality of child welfare practice in Vermont by providing social work education and training to current and
future DCF employees. Through its degree program, the partnership offers traineeships to support MSW and BSW
students who are interested in a career in child welfare. The non-degree program provides training for DCF staff who
work with children and families (Workforce Team), and to Vermont kin, foster, and adoptive families (KFAF Team).
Quality and timely Social Worker training directly impacts staff perception of personal safety, the quality of
assessments of abuse/neglect, staff well-being and resilience, and the ability to support and retain a healthy and
productive workforce. With the goal of facilitating these positive outcomes, the VT-CWTP, in partnership with DCF
Family Services Division (DCF-FSD) has enhanced their New Employee Training Program to provide:
Timely, regularly scheduled training and coaching to new social workers, allowing them to acquire
adequate professional competencies within their first 6 months of employment, and prior to being
assigned cases;
Robust evaluation to ensure adequate opportunities for staff to gain necessary knowledge and skills;
Multiple opportunities for staff to gain knowledge and skill in conducting complete, accurate screening and
assessments through skilled use of valid, reliable screening and assessment tools;
Focused training and coaching around safety planning when danger or risks of future harm are identified
and children remain in, or return to, the home, and;
A simple, efficient, and effective method for staff, and the system as a whole, to document and reference
staff completion of training requirements.
For more information, please visit the VT-CWTP Website: http://vermontcwtp.org/
WORKFORCE TEAM CONTACTS: http://vermontcwtp.org/index.php/about-the-partnership/family-services-workforce
How to use this Guide: This Guide is intended to help you successfully navigate the Family Services Division (FSD) New Employee Training Program through completion, which will prepare you with necessary foundational knowledge and skills for assignment of a child welfare and/or youth justice caseload. We suggest you carefully review this Guide, then enroll in available online trainings and register for classroom modules right away. Use the included checklists to track your progress.
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New Employee Training Program AT-A-GLANCE: Your first step is to register for the next Agency of Human Services (AHS) and Department for Children and Families (DCF) classroom orientations. These orientations outline the benefits and responsibilities of being a State employee as well as the AHS and DCF organizational structure, vision, mission, values, and key practices. During DCF Orientation you’ll also learn how to navigate the VTHR system so you will get your paycheck! Attending these orientation classes soon after your hire will help you better understand the Family Services Division role within the wider Department and Agency AND ensure that you are aware of and enrolled in all the benefits for which you are eligible!
Register Online for AHS Orientation and DCF Orientation: http://humanresources.vermont.gov/training/sov-linc Time Sheet – VTHR Login: https://vthr.erp.state.vt.us/psp/HRPRD/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG& Expenses – VISION Login: https://finance.erp.state.vt.us/psp/FMPRD/?cmd=login&languageCd=ENG&
The New Employee Training Program is comprised of three distinct and complimentary components: Foundations Online, Foundations Classroom, and Foundations Field.
Page 4 – Enrollment instructions and Checklist
FOUNDATIONS Online offers immediate, convenient opportunities for new employees to work at your own pace. You can reflect on and practice what you learn through assignments and online interactions with the instructor and other learners. 14 required online trainings include:
FSD New Employee Orientation Protecting Vermont’s Children: Reporting Abuse and
Neglect HIPPA Introduction to Domestic Violence Intercultural Responsiveness Self-Care and Secondary Traumatic Stress Motivational Interviewing: Introduction to Theory
and Practice
Child and Adolescent Development Introduction to the Youth Assessment & Screening
Instrument (YASI) Substance Abuse for the Child Welfare Professional Permanency in Child Welfare & Youth Justice Collaboration and Teamwork (in development) Case Documentation Structured Decision Making (SDM) System for Child
Protection
FOUNDATIONS Classroom engages you and a cohort of peers in 18 days of supported, interactive learning. The curriculum mirrors the case process, beginning at the front-end of a case and moving through to case closure. 6 Required Classroom Modules include:
Professional Values, Roles & Responsibilities Engagement & Assessment – Safety Focused Practice Trauma-Informed Practice Court Advocacy & Engagement Social Work in Complex Circumstances Permanency & Independent Living
Page 5 – Registration Instructions & Checklist
FOUNDATIONS Field practice allows new social workers to gain field experience through observation, peer mentoring, coaching, and documentation review and completion. You “learn the ropes”, ask questions and connect knowledge with practice. Required field-based practice includes:
Child Safety Interventions Ongoing Casework Court and Legal Social Worker in Context Youth Justice
Pgs. 6-12 – Checklists
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FOUNDATIONS Online
All online trainings can be found on the VT-CWTP E-learning Portal: http://training.vermontcwtp.org/
Once there: 1. For first-time users, follow instructions on the home page to set up an account. 2. Read the steps in the right-hand column under “Is this your first time here?” 3. Click on the green “Create new account” button. 4. Confirm your registration through email, then 5. Enroll in trainings.
You can save your course work as you go. There is no need to complete an entire course in one sitting. However, it’s wise to save any substantial work product on your own computer so you do not need to recreate work should a computer problem arise.
Please remember your username and password:
Username: __________________________________________________
Password: __________________________________________________
View course-specific requirements here: http://training.vermontcwtp.org/course/index.php?categoryid=2
Track your progress on the checklist below:
Completed & Certificate Saved
FSD New Employee Orientation □
FOUN
DATI
ONS
Case Documentation □ Child & Adolescent Development □ Self-Care and Secondary Traumatic Stress □ Collaboration and Teamwork (in development) □ Introduction to the Youth Assessment & Screening Instrument (YASI) – ONLY required for social workers who will access YASI at the time of hire. □ Intercultural Responsiveness □ Substance Abuse for the Child Welfare Professional □ Permanency in Child Welfare and Youth Justice
Motivational Interviewing: Introduction to Theory and Practice
Structured Decision Making (SDM) System for Child Protection
□ □ □
AHS
Protecting Vermont’s Children: Reporting Abuse and Neglect □ Introduction to Domestic Violence □ HIPPA □
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FOUNDATIONS Classroom
Foundations Classroom sessions are offered 3 times/year. Each session runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, typically 3 days/week for 6 weeks.
Register Online: http://humanresources.vermont.gov/training/sov-linc for each of the 6 classroom modules and enter dates into your calendar.
Participant Agreement: In order to support a positive, transparent, and accountable learning culture, we ask that you review and sign the Participant Agreement and bring it with you on your first day in Foundations Classroom. Find it at the end of this Guide, or using the link below under “On-boarding Documents”:
http://vermontcwtp.org/index.php/about-the-partnership/family-services-workforce/foundations-for-family-centered-practice
Track your progress on the checklist below:
Day 1
Date:
Day 2
Date:
Day 3
Date:
Completed & Certificate Saved
MODULE 1 AM □ AM □ AM □
□ PM □ PM □ PM □
MODULE 2 AM □ AM □ AM □
□ PM □ PM □ PM □
MODULE 3 AM □ AM □ AM □
□ PM □ PM □ PM □
MODULE 4 AM □ AM □ AM □
□ PM □ PM □ PM □
MODULE 5 AM □ AM □ AM □
□ PM □ PM □ PM □
MODULE 6 AM □ AM □ AM □
□ PM □ PM □ PM □
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FOUNDATIONS Field – Child Safety Interventions (CSI)
Please complete the following to meet the Foundations Field pre-caseload requirement. Work with your supervisor to prioritize and schedule shadowing/coaching opportunities with colleagues and use these checklists to track your progress.
� REVIEW RELEVANT:
• Policy: http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/policies
o Child Safety Interventions (50-68)
o Interstate Compacts (180-182)
o Staff Safety (250)
• Practice Guidance: http://intra.dcf.state.vt.us/fsd/practice-guidance
o Child Safety Intervention: Assessment; Investigation; Documentation
o Planning Checklist for Home and Field Visits
o Safety Checklist for Home and Field Visits
• Home/field visit planning & safety checklists: http://intra.dcf.state.vt.us/fsd/checklists
� REVIEW DOCUMENTATION OF 4 COMPLETE CHILD SAFETY INTERVENTIONS. Discuss with Supervisor.
Date(s) reviewed: ________ MIS #___________Supervisor Initials & Date____________________
Date(s) reviewed: ________ MIS #___________Supervisor Initials & Date____________________
Date(s) reviewed: ________ MIS #___________Supervisor Initials & Date____________________
Date(s) reviewed: ________ MIS #___________Supervisor Initials & Date____________________
JOB SHADOWS: Documentation of the contact should be completed by the new Social Worker and reviewed by the assigned Social Worker and Supervisor before being included in case notes/ the file.
� 1 Pickup Order/Removal
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #___________Supervisor Initials & Date_____________________
� 1 Emergency Placement (Complete Placement Packet)
Date shadowed: _________MIS #___________Supervisor Initials & Date_____________________
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FOUNDATIONS Field – Child Safety Interventions (CSI)
� 3 Child Safety Interventions (at least 1 assessment & 1 investigation) from start to finish, if possible (record
additional MIS#s if not). Shadow each discrete task, and record MIS# and dates below.
MIS#:_________ MIS#:_________ MIS#:_________
INTE
RVIE
WS
Commencement MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
Child(ren)
MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
Parent(s)
MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
Alleged Perpetrator(s) MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
Collateral(s)
MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
SAFE
TY-F
OCU
SED
PRAC
TICE
Initial Home Visit MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
SDM Safety Assessment MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
Safety Plan MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
Identification of Resources &
Referrals MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
SDM Risk Assessment MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
TRAN
SFER
/CL
Case Determination/
IA Summary
MIS#:_________________________
Date:_________________________
MIS#:__________________________
Date:__________________________
MIS#:________________________
Date:________________________
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FOUNDATIONS Field – Ongoing Casework
� REVIEW RELEVANT:
• Ongoing Casework Policy: http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/policies
o Case Records (41-42);
o Working with Families (69-74);
o Placing Children and Youth (90-98);
o Planning with Children and Families (121-125)
o Coordinating with Others (151-157)
o Interstate Compacts (180-182)
• Practice Guidance: http://intra.dcf.state.vt.us/fsd/practice-guidance
o Case Planning Practice Guidance
o Family Safety Planning
o Social Worker Checklist for Ongoing Assessment
o Family Support Cases Practice Guidance
o Working with Youth with Sexually Harmful Behavior
o Vermont Family Time Guidelines
o Positive Youth Development
• Documentation:
o Placement Checklist
o Case Plan Template(s)
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FOUNDATIONS Field – Ongoing Casework
JOB SHADOWS: Documentation of the contact should be completed by the new Social Worker and reviewed by the
assigned Social Worker and Supervisor before being included in case notes/ the file.
� 3 Monthly Face-to-Face Contacts, including at least one in a foster/kin caregiver home.
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� 2 Family-Centered Meetings such as: Family Safety Planning Meeting (FSP), Family Group Conference, Shared-
Parenting Meeting
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� 2 Risk Re-Assessments
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� 1 Family Time Coaching Session (with preference given to Social Worker Observation)
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� 1 Placement Change
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� Draft 1 Case Plan. Review and discuss with Supervisor.
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
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FOUNDATIONS Field – Court and Legal Skills
� REVIEW RELEVANT:
• Policy (80-89): http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/policies o Working with Families in Court (80-89) o Adoption and Guardianship Services (192-196)
• Documentation: o Reasonable Efforts Affidavit (form DFC-602-A) o Affidavit Template o Vermont Judiciary Conditional Custody Order (CCO):
https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/eforms/400-00098.pdf
JOB SHADOWS: Documentation of the contact should be completed by the new Social Worker and reviewed by the assigned Social Worker and Supervisor before being included in case notes/ the file.
� 1 Temporary Care Hearing. Review and discuss with Supervisor. Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
� 1 Merits Hearing. Review and discuss with Supervisor.
Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
� 1 Disposition Hearing. Review and discuss with Supervisor.
Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
� 1 Permanency Hearing. Review and discuss with Supervisor.
Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
� 1 Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Hearing. Review and discuss with Supervisor. Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
� 1 Case Plan Review. Review and discuss with Supervisor.
Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
� Review 2 Affidavits and highlight relevant information. Discuss with Supervisor.
Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________ Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
� Draft 1 Affidavit. Review and discuss with Supervisor.
Date reviewed: __________ MIS #_________Supervisor Initials & Date_______________________
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FOUNDATIONS Field – Youth Justice
Additional Field Practice for those who will carry a youth justice caseload:
� REVIEW RELEVANT:
• Youth Justice Policies (162-179) and related forms: http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/policies
• Vermont Judiciary Juvenile Proceedings Pamphlet: https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/GTC/Family/SharedDocuments/Form%20122%20Juvenile%20Delinquency%20Proceedings.pdf
• Vermont Judiciary Juvenile Probation Pamphlet: https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/eforms/Form%20106.pdf
JOB SHADOWS:
� 1 Delinquency Hearing. Review related documentation and discuss with Supervisor.
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� 1 8-Day Hearing. Review 8-day hearing packet and discuss with Supervisor.
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� 1 YASI Pre-Screen Assessment Interview. Review YASI results and discuss with Supervisor.
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� 1 YASI Full Screen Assessment Interview. Review YASI results and discuss with Supervisor.
Date shadowed: ________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
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FOUNDATIONS Field – Social Worker Role in Context
JOB SHADOWS:
� Attend 2-4 Kin, Foster, and Adoptive Parent (KFAP) trainings.
� Interview 2 colleagues in your office in a role other than Social Worker in order to understand their
role/responsibility and how to collaborate with them.
Date_____________Role___________________Name____________________________________
Date_____________Role___________________Name____________________________________
� Attend 1 Multi-Disciplinary Team or Act 264 Meeting. Review Coordinated Service Plan (CSP) documentation and discuss with Supervisor. Meeting Date: _________ MIS #________Supervisor Initials & Date_________________________
� Interview a minimum of (3) Community Partners in order to understand the role of the agency and the
connection/relationship to child welfare & youth justice work.
Possible partners/ roles to interview: States Attorney, Central Office Consultants, CFS contract staff, Youth
Development Program staff, local mental health agency staff, etc.
Discuss and plan how and when to complete this item with your Supervisor.
Date__________Agency_________________Name_______________________________________
Date__________Agency__________________Name______________________________________
Date__________Agency__________________Name______________________________________
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Approval for Caseload Assignment
A new social worker may be assigned cases upon completion of the New Employee Training Program Pre-Caseload Requirements (checklist below). Optionally, the Social Worker, Supervisor and Child Welfare Training Partnership Training Coordinator may discuss the Social Worker’s onboarding experience and develop an Individualized Learning Plan for continued professional development within 6 months of hire. The Social Worker’s Supervisor must observe the new worker on their first assigned assessment/family visits, assisting as needed.
If those listed below agree, a social worker may be granted Provisional Approval for Caseload Assignment while completing lingering requirements. All requirements must be completed by the 6-Month Evaluation.
Social Worker: __________________________________ Date of Hire: __________________
Supervisor: ____________________________________ District Office: ________________
6-Month Performance Evaluation Date: _________________________
THIS FORM GRANTS (CHOOSE ONE):
� PROVISIONAL Caseload Assignment Approval � FINAL Caseload Assignment Approval
NEW EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAM PRE-CASELOAD REQUIREMENTS COMPLETED:
� AHS Orientation Date Attended:_________________________ � DCF Orientation Date Attended:_________________________ � Foundations Online � Foundations Classroom � Foundation Field � DCF Computer User Agreement: https://159.105.132.50/dcf/fsd/forms/employee-related
__________________________________________________ ___________________ Social Worker Signature Date
__________________________________________________ ___________________ Supervisor Signature Date
__________________________________________________ ___________________ District Director Signature Date
__________________________________________________ ____________________ VT-CWTP Training Coordinator Signature* Date
__________________________________________________ ____________________ Operations Manager Signature Date
*VT-CWTP Training Coordinators signature verifies completion of classroom and online training and, when requested, a review of the Foundations Field requirements.
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FOUNDATIONS Classroom – Participant Agreement
In my effort to demonstrate that I am open to learning, examining and practicing the knowledge and skills required of
me in my new role I agree to the following guidelines:
I AGREE TO:
ATTENDANCE AT 18 DAYS OF FOUNDATIONS FROM 9:00 – 4:00
• Arrive on time in order to respect other participants, trainers, and to receive all necessary content.
• Be present for the full day of training in order to receive full credit.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
• Seek approval from my Supervisor if I plan to be absent from training;
• Notify the Foundations Training Coordinator of my absence;
No more than 3 absences from Foundations classroom training are allowed without exceptional circumstances.
TRAINING WAIVERS
• Seek a waiver for any training content in which I feel knowledgeable and skilled so that the time and energy I
spend in training is as relevant to my learning needs as possible:
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION
• Actively listen and participate in the classroom, as this allows for my best learning and supports the learning
of the group.
CELL PHONES
• Attend to my cell phone sparingly, keep it on silent, and respond to messages only at breaks and lunch;
• Let the Instructor know if I am expecting an urgent message or have an emergency;
PRE-REQUISITE WORK
• Do my best to complete pre-requisite work prior to the related training date to improve my understanding of
the material and prepare for active classroom participation;
SIGN-IN SHEETS
• Sign-in each day I’m present;
If you do not sign in at a training you will not receive a Certificate of Completion and the training will not be listed on
your Training Record even if you were present.
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FOUNDATIONS Classroom – Participant Agreement
I UNDERSTAND THAT:
TRAINING EXPECTATIONS AND GROUP AGREEMENTS
• I will be asked, along with the rest of my Foundations cohort, to create Group Agreements regarding how we
can best support each other in our learning. We will use these Group Agreements as a learning contract.
• I will refer to these Agreements and/or let a VT-CWTP Training Coordinator know if something is getting in
the way of group or individual learning.
CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION
• I will receive a Certificate of Completion by email when I’ve successfully completed a training;
• I should keep my Certificates of Completion in a paper or electronic file;
TRAINING RECORDS
• My registration for, and successful completion of, each training is recorded for future reference.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
• Performance Evaluation is an essential tool that my supervisor and I will use to guide my professional
development.
• A significant portion of my 6-month probationary Performance Evaluation will be based on participation in
training and efforts to transfer learning into the field;
• My participation in classroom and on-the-job learning is an extension of my professional self;
• There is an established feedback process between VT-CWTP and each district office which informs my
Performance Evaluations and ongoing learning plans.
TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS
• When possible, I will carpool with colleagues and use a Fleet Car to and from trainings.
• If a multi-day training requires travel more than 60 miles one way, I may seek approval for overnight
accommodations from my District Director. Districts are responsible for securing overnight accommodations
for their employees.
ONGOING COACHING AND FIELD-BASED PRACTICE
• As I discover practice areas for which I’d like further individual, team, or full-staff professional development,
I’ll discuss with my supervisor and reach out to the VT-CWTP Training Coordinator (TC) in my District for
support.
________________________________________________ _____________________
Participant Signature Date