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News Updates

News Updates

    • 2015 Michigan Teen Conference

      Thursday, April 30, 2015

      This special conference is for youth ages 14-21 preparing to exit foster care, their caregivers and the professionals who work with them.

    • Recorded Webinar Now Available -- SCAO-CWS Attachment, Trauma, and the Developing Child

      Friday, February 13, 2015

      The SCAO-CWS webinar that was held February 12, 2015 on, "Attachment, Trauma, and the Developing Child," was recorded and is now available for viewing. The video can be streamed or downloaded at the link below. The webinar is approximately 90 minutes. Please contact myself or Kate McPherson (McPhersonK@courts.mi.gov) if you have any questions. Have a great day.

    • Supporting Children Involved in Multiple Systems Using a Team Approach

      Thursday, February 05, 2015

      This workshop will be focused on how to assemble and facilitate a multidisciplinary team in order to improve outcomes, reduce duplication of services, and reduce worker and participant burn out for families involved in multiple systems. This workshop will utilize large group discussion and visual displays.
       

    • Child Welfare Webinar -- Parent-Child Attachment Relationships & the Effects of Attachment Disruption

      Sunday, July 26, 2015

      Webinars are live web-based seminars or workshops that are transmitted over the Internet yet still allow interaction between the presenter and participants no matter where they are located. After viewing the webinar, you will be sent a link to a site where you can complete an attendance record, evaluation, and post-test. Pending a passing score of 75% or higher on your post-test, we will mail you a Certificate of Completion.

    • Secondary Trauma - Healing the Healer

      Friday, March 20, 2015

      Child welfare work is emotional, stressful, and often draining, leading to secondary trauma for child welfare professionals. This workshop deals with the impact of being exposed to stress, distress, and trauma as they affect the resilience of the “helping” professional. Participants will learn about the dynamics of secondary trauma, selfcare strategies, and a framework for helping workers cope with secondary trauma. This includes the monitoring and assessment of burnout, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and hardships in a distressed environment. This workshop will utilize role playing, exercises, games, small and large group discussions, and visual displays.

    • Recorded Webinar Now Available -- SCAO-CWS Child Welfare Case Law Update

      Thursday, January 15, 2015

      The recording of the SCAO-CWS child welfare Case Law Update webinar that was held on Tuesday, December 16 is now available. You can view the recording at the following link: https://meetings.webex.com/collabs/url/LVZmhD0kdxnqledBL20PGAqlhBZSu54AqgIOgSbfbg800000 Thanks once again to our presenter, Liisa Speaker from Speaker Law Firm, PLLC. Please contact myself or Kate McPherson (McPhersonK@courts.mi.gov) should you have any questions. Have a great day.
       

    • Drug Courts: Meeting the Challenge and Improving Outcomes

      Wednesday, April 08, 2015

      This free two-day training will cover drug court best practices, working with special populations, sanctions and incentives, tribal-state collaboration, and much more.

    • Facilitating Successful Supervised Visitations: Working in the Best Interest of Children & Families

      Monday, March 23, 2015

      Supervised visitation is often a core component of a reunification plan between children in out-of-home placements and their parents. Visitations can be stressful and unsuccessful if guidance and support of the parents is unavailable. This training will provide visitation monitors with tools and tips to assist in the facilitation of meaningful interaction between children and parents. Attendees will have the opportunity to role play and discuss ideas to improve the visitation experience for children and families. Further, attendees will learn to recognize the transition issues children may exhibit before, during, and after visitation. This workshop will utilize role playing, exercises, and large group discussion.

    • Infant Mental Health: Supporting Families with Infants, Toddlers & Young Children

      Sunday, March 22, 2015

      This course will review the primary components of attachment theory, describe the components of IMH interventions, and review the use of various IMH interventions with different clinical populations. This workshop will utilize small group discussion and visual displays.

    • Supporting Parents with Limited Reflective Capacity

      Wednesday, July 29, 2015

      Conference details and registration forms will be available in late summer

    • Special Education Advocacy

      Saturday, March 21, 2015

      Until the 1970s, children with disabilities were excluded from school in large numbers. Michigan law (1971) and federal law (1973, 1975) assured access to school for these children and provided a range of specialized instruction, services, and supports identified through a multidisciplinary planning and evaluation process. Social work professionals are critical participants in the special education process. This presentation provides: a basic overview of special education rights and responsibilities; practical techniques to resolve the most common problems; and resources to access for more detailed information and help. Participants will have an opportunity to apply their knowledge through a hypothetical situation and will be able to ask questions about specific issues. This workshop will utilize exercises, small and large group discussions, pre- and post-tests, and visual displays.

    • New LMS

      Monday, November 02, 2015
      The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Workforce Development and Training (OWDT) is excited to announce the implementation of the Cornerstone OnDemand learning management system (LMS). Cornerstone OnDemand gives users access to browse for training, register for instructor-led training, complete web based training, and access training transcripts. This user-friendly system is being implemented on December 1, 2015.

    • 2015 Kinship Adoption Festival

      Thursday, August 20, 2015

      State park day passes will be available for those who need one, but to be guaranteed one, you should register in advance. For more information, visit www.mare.org or call 800-589-6273

    • Understanding the Needs of Adopted Children & Families

      Friday, October 23, 2015
      The experiences that children and families have before, during, and after adoption impact how they approach treatment. Professionals who want to maximize their effectiveness with adoptive families need to have an understanding of the complexity of the adoption experience for children and families they are working with. This training will provide information about the impact of the adoption process on children and families, common and lifelong issues that all adoptees and adoptive families face, and the trauma experience that adopted children and their families share. Trauma symptoms and the impact of trauma on the development of adopted children will be the focus as well as trauma-informed treatment strategies. In a case-driven experience, participants will complete a trauma assessment and design trauma-informed interventions based on an adoptive family case study designed to present the unique needs and trauma issues that are common to adoptive families.

    • Supervision Certificate #1: The Role of Leaders in Staff Retention

      Monday, June 01, 2015

      As a leader in a child and family service agency it is crucial to recruit, select, and retain the right staff to do the job. Attaining positive outcomes for children and families are a main priority for service leaders. It is very difficult to succeed in this area without a qualified and committed workforce. This workshop has been developed for child and family service leaders and anyone who aspires to have a leadership role in a child and family service agency. Topics such as leadership models for staff retention; leaders and relationships; developing a leadership team; staff development; mission and direction; salaries, benefits and non-monetary rewards; accountability and outcomes; as well as developing a culture for staff retention will be covered. *This is a core course for the Supervision in Child and Family Services Certificate.

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    2021-2022 Child Welfare In-Service Training 2022 Child Welfare In-Service Training
    • Getting It Right, From the Start

      Monday, December 08, 2014

      The Michigan Federation for Children and Families is hosting this conference in response to the need for education for appropriately assessing the needs of youth in residential settings, understanding their trauma histories, and providing effective tools and strategies for treatment and healing of these youth.

    • Testifying in Court for Nonlawyers

      Wednesday, September 17, 2014

      The morning portion of this full-day training will feature the components of witness testimony and courtroom hearing procedures. Through group discussion and mock trial practice exercises, the afternoon portion will help caseworkers develop and expand their courtroom presentations and improve their ability to testify effectively. The training will focus on the roles and responsibilities of adoption, foster care, and protective services workers as they relate to child protective proceedings. The training will explain the importance of being prepared and how preparedness improves courtroom performance. The presenter will discuss the do’s and don’ts of testifying in court, including courtroom demeanor and the substantive elements of effective testimony.

    • Stop Trying to Manage Your Time: Why It Doesn't Work in Child Welfare

      Wednesday, November 26, 2014

      Child welfare is a unique field to work in. Along with the passion for helping others, the field requires a great deal of attention to detail, time management skills, patience, and resilience. A career in child welfare means operating in an environment of constant change, with various priorities demanding your attention all at once. It can become difficult to manage your time and attention while working in an often chaotic environment. There are practical tips and tools for managing your time and attention to increase energy and productivity and decrease stress to create a much more sustainable and enjoyable working environment. This workshop will utilize exercises, small group discussion, and visual displays.

    • 6th Annual Great Lakes Summer Institute

      Thursday, June 26, 2014

      Back by popular demand, Michigan State University School of Social Work is holding the 6th Annual Great Lakes Summer Institute (GLSI), a professional development experience comprised of two-day, one-day, and half-day intensive courses on a variety of current topics taught by experts in their fields. Designed to blend meaningful learning with maximum relaxation, the GLSI is held in beautiful Traverse City. Minutes from the famous Grand Traverse Bay, the Institute will be held at the Great Wolf Lodge where you can be treated at the premiere Elements Spa, play in Fort Mackenzie, a four-story interactive waterpark, and enjoy any or all of three dining experiences on site.

       

    • In-Service Child Welfare Training Initiative

      Tuesday, March 11, 2014

      Executive Summary of 2013 Cohort Evaluation Michigan State University School of Social Work and the Michigan Department of Human Services To advance positive outcomes for children and families in Michigan, to support worker competency and job satisfaction, and to address the in-service training requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan State University coordinates an in-service training initiative involving Michigan’s seven graduate schools of social work. This partnership with the Department delivers workshops across the state of Michigan aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills needed by child welfare workers to effectively achieve positive goals for families. This partnership includes collaboration of curriculum, strategies for engaging trainees, and evaluation. The evaluation consists of a pre-training survey, post-training survey, and follow-up survey with participants administered approximately three months after the training. This is an evaluation summary for training delivered in 2013. MSU acknowledges the funding and strong support of MDHHS in this work together.

       

    • 2014 Youth Fire & Life Safety Seminar

      Wednesday, January 22, 2014

      This seminar is designed for a multi-disciplinary audience: Fire Service, Police, Juvenile Justice, Injury Prevention Educators, Social Workers, Case Workers, Probation Officers, School Personnel, Mental Health Clinicians and Health Care Personnel.

       

    • Adoption Assistance Negotiation Webinar

      Thursday, January 09, 2014

      Effective January 21, 2014 the process for adoption assistance applications is being updated to include a worksheet to assist in the negotiation process. This webinar will discuss those changes described in CSA CI 13149.

       

    • Influencer training

      Thursday, February 13, 2014

      Influencer training is for individuals, teams and organizations looking to overcome profound, persistent and resistant problems. The training provides students with the skills to develop an effective influence strategy to overcome these problems. Influencer training uses a combination of in-class practice, group participation and personal planning to develop the strategies for resolving tough issues.

       

    • Michigan Fatherhood Conference

      Wednesday, February 05, 2014

      The Michigan Fatherhood Coalition is excited to announce their 12th Annual Michigan Fatherhood Conference, The Power of a Fathers Presence… Nurturing Men - Thriving Children, to be held on Friday, February 21, 2014 in Howell, MI.

       

    • Child Abuse Investigations in the Cyber Age

      Tuesday, January 21, 2014

      The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, Child Abuse Training Services, in cooperation with the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council, and the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is pleased to present this cross-professional Specialized Child Abuse Training seminar.

       

    • Michigan State University School of Social Work Continuing Education: Upcoming May 2014 Events

      Friday, May 09, 2014

      The Michigan State University School of Social Work offers extensive continuing education for social workers this spring, including ethics, trauma, positive psychology, social security work incentives, dementia, leadership, and much, much more. The MSU School of Social Work Continuing Education Program's mission is to help people thrive in service to their communities by offering innovative, valuable, and accessible professional development opportunities throughout the State of Michigan and beyond.

       

    • 2014 Conference on Adolescent Health

      Friday, January 17, 2014

      This will be the first state-wide conference on Adolescent Health in Michigan! Come join us as we learn how to translate knowledge on working with adolescents into practice!

       

    • Michigan State University School of Social Work Continuing Education: Upcoming October 2014 Events

      Wednesday, September 24, 2014

      The Michigan State University School of Social Work offers extensive continuing education for social workers this fall, including ethics, nonprofit sustainability, trauma assessment and treatment, psychopharmacology, suicide assessment and intervention, and much, much more. The MSU School of Social Work Continuing Education Program's mission is to help people thrive in service to their communities by offering innovative, valuable, and accessible professional development opportunities throughout the State of Michigan and beyond.

    • Michigan Autism Safety Training (MAST) Family, School, & Community

      Tuesday, April 01, 2014

      These trainings will provide participants an opportunity to: • Expand their knowledge of autism and autistic behaviors. • Increase their recognition skills of persons with autism. • Acquire information and tips on how to effectively interact with individuals with autism and their families and care providers. • Learn community outreach strategies that will increase support and safety of those with autism.

       

    • Michigan State University School of Social Work Continuing Education:Upcoming September 2014 Events

      Wednesday, August 06, 2014

      The Michigan State University School of Social Work offers extensive continuing education for social workers this fall, including ethics, nonprofit sustainability, trauma assessment and treatment, psychopharmacology, suicide assessment and intervention, and much, much more. The MSU School of Social Work Continuing Education Program's mission is to help people thrive in service to their communities by offering innovative, valuable, and accessible professional development opportunities throughout the State of Michigan and beyond.

    • Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

      Friday, September 05, 2014

      Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Working for Youth Justice and Safety List of upcoming events:

    • Kinship Adoption Festival

      Thursday, July 24, 2014

      Talk with adoption workers, attend informational workshops, participate in children’s activities, and meet some of the Detroit area’s waiting children.

       

    • 2014 Training: Educational Requirements and College Resources for Foster Youth in Transition

      Wednesday, April 23, 2014

      Lutheran Social Services of Michigan is hosting five informational trainings across the State of Michigan. Presenters include: ETV Coordinator, Tanya Maki, MDHHS Departmental Analyst, Ann Rossi, Director of Outreach and Training with Fostering Success Michigan, Maddy Day, and College Representatives from ten schools across the State.

       

    • Fall 2014 Child Welfare In-Service Training

      Friday, August 15, 2014

      If you have questions regarding any of the training sessions listed in this catalog, please contact the university providing the training directly. Contact information for each school is available at the end of each school’s course offerings. This Child Welfare In-Service Training initiative was made possible through a grant from the Michigan Department of Human Services.

    • Effects of Removal & Placement on Children & Their Parents

      Monday, November 24, 2014

      When children are removed from their parents’ care, there are emotional, physiological, and mental consequences that are best understood as a trauma response. Their parents most often experience the effects of removal in these same areas, which affects their ability to engage with workers, engage with their children, and participate in services. This workshop will identify common reactions of children and their parents, while exploring methods of responding to children that promote an understanding of their experience of removal, and maximize their parent’s ability to cope and engage in services. This workshop will utilize role playing, exercises, small and large group discussions, and visual displays.

    • Keep Kids Smiling: Understanding Dental Neglect

      Thursday, November 06, 2014

      Participants will hear from practicing dentists on the topics of good oral health, common misconceptions regarding youth dental health, as well as signs of dental neglect. Representatives from the Michigan Oral Health Coalition and Michigan Primary Care Association will also share strategies for working with dental providers during an investigation and accessing dental services for youth.

    • Juvenile Competency in Court: Understanding and Applying Michigan's New Law

      Wednesday, March 19, 2014

      Wondering how Michigan’s new juvenile competency laws will affect your youngest clients? Join state and national experts to learn about the legal process for handling competency cases; the practical aspects of implementing the new laws; and suggestions and information needed for making legal arguments, decisions, and changes to current administrative practices.

       

    • 10th Annual Child Welfare Services Issues Conference

      Friday, March 07, 2014

      This multidisciplinary training will feature local and national speakers to discuss how using a strengths based protective factor approach to case planning can promote child well-being, while also ensuring safety and permanency for the child. Workshops and plenary sessions will include information on infant mental health, trauma-informed case practice, child sexual development and indicators of abuse, psychological maltreatment, and self-care for child welfare professionals. The sessions will also highlight local programs and resources that participants can use in their practice to improve outcomes for children and families in Michigan’s child welfare system

       

    • 2014 Michigan Teen Conference

      Thursday, March 06, 2014

      Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Michigan Federation for Children and Families, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are sponsoring the annual Michigan Teen Conference. The Michigan Teen Conference is for current and former foster youth 14 – 20 years old, foster parents, foster care workers, and other individuals working with foster youth.

       

    • Child Care Fund Conference - Champions for Change

      Tuesday, July 29, 2014

      The conference will consist of two plenary presentations and one supplementary presentation. During the conference, John Tuell from the Robert F. Kennedy National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice will discuss working with dual status youth, including funding issues associated with this special population. Jane White from the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force will discuss human trafficking and interventions to work with in Michigan with this population. Ann Carrellas will present on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

       

    • CHILD WELFARE ESSENTIALS: A TRAINING FOR CHILD WELFARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE UPPER PENINSULA

      Monday, June 09, 2014

      This training will provide child welfare professionals with an understanding of the current legal framework and best practices for handling child welfare cases, which include using a trauma informed approach for case planning. There will also be a session on case process and planning requirements under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA). In the afternoon, participants will attend breakout sessions covering various practice area topics specific to their professional role.

       

    • Fostering Success Michigan 3rd Annual Summit

      Wednesday, February 19, 2014

      FSM's 3rd Annual Statewide Summit is just around the corner! This year's theme is focused on each of us identifying the one thing we can do in our daily work to improve access to higher education for students from foster care. We are busy planning skill-based workshops that will address the issues you have identified as important; from policy to practice, we are working to bring you advice from experts in the field.

       

    • Functional Engagement & Assessment of Families

      Friday, November 28, 2014

      This workshop focuses on methods of engagement and assessment with challenging families. Using active learning methods, participants will develop beginning skills in positive engagement strategies, developing rapport, and conducting assessments with a family adaptation and resilience perspective. This workshop will utilize role playing and small and large group discussions.

    • Winter 2014 Child Welfare In-Service Training

      Tuesday, December 02, 2014

      These child welfare training sessions are offered free of charge for MDHHS CPS, foster care and adoption workers and MDHHS contracted private agencies’ foster care and adoption workers on a first come, first serve basis.

    • Child Development And Responses To Child Sexual Abuse: Exploring Perspectives And Approaches For Planning, Placement, And Advocacy

      Wednesday, July 23, 2014

      This training will focus on issues of child development and working with children who have been sexually abused. Participants will learn about the stages and behaviors associated with normative child sexual development, indicators of sexual abuse, and strategies for appropriately responding to sexualized behavior. Participants will also learn about pediatric sexual assault examination protocols and strategies for working with children and families impacted by sexual abuse. Additionally, participants will receive information regarding infant mental health and the impact of trauma on child development.

       

    • Child Welfare Essentials Training - A Local Training Opportunity For Benzie, Clare, Lake, Mason, Manistee, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana And Osceola Counties

      Monday, July 14, 2014

      This training will provide participants with an overview of the legal framework governing child protective proceedings, including the applicable statutes, court rules, and MDHHS policy. Participants will learn the procedural rules, time guidelines, and legal standards applicable to each hearing, as well as receive best practice tips. In the afternoon, participants will learn about the federal Title IV-E regulations governing foster care funding and their impact on child welfare practice. The day will conclude with a session on strategies for drafting effective petitions and reports, as well as providing courtroom testimony. This training is intended to be collaborative and bring together legal advocates, caseworkers, and other local child welfare professionals to learn and discuss issues in child welfare practice.

       

    • Child Development and Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

      Wednesday, June 11, 2014

      This training will focus on issues of child development and working with children who have been sexually abused. Participants will learn about the stages and behaviors associated with normative child sexual development, indicators of sexual abuse, and strategies for appropriately responding to sexualized behavior. Participants will also learn about pediatric sexual assault examination protocols and strategies for working with children and families impacted by sexual abuse. Additionally, participants will receive information regarding infant mental health and the impact of trauma on child development.

       

  • 2013 CWTI News & Updates
  • 2012 CWTI News & Updates
  • 2011 CWTI News & Updates
  • 2010 CWTI News & Updates