The Child Welfare Institute (CWI) is an eight-week, skill based training program for new Department of Human Services (DHS) and contract agency staff. Program areas addressed by CWI include Children's Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption, and Juvenile Justice. The Institute has classroom training interspersed with "On-the-job" training. Participation in the eight-week Institute is mandatory for all newly hired child welfare staff and supervisors. DHS staff may not be assigned a caseload until after they have completed the entire eight weeks of training. Private agency staff may schedule attendance in the classroom training session within the first eight weeks on the job.

Beyond new worker training, experienced staff who have successfully completed the Institute and are transferring or assuming additional duties in a new child welfare program are required to attend a CWI Program Specific Transfer Training. In addition, CWI offers a number of issue-specific training opportunities such as the Indian Child Welfare Act.