Core Academy Course Descriptions

Course	Description
Better Together	Better Together fosters equal and mutually respectful partnerships between birth parents, foster parents, child welfare agency staff, allies, and community partners. Fathers and mothers, relative caregivers, foster parents, and community partners must be involved in the Division for Children Youth and Families is to successfully improve the lives of children/ youth and also increase reunification outcomes so that together we achieve our goals of keeping children in safe, loving and permanent homes.
Basic Bridges	This training provides introductory information and education to staff utilizing “Bridges,” DCYF’s SACWIS data system. This training provides information on all five of the Bridges modules for staff.
Central Registry	This workshop gives an overview of the function and purpose of the Central Registry. Participants will learn about the various parts of the Appeals Process (i.e., testimony, witnesses, rules, evidence and confidentially). Participants will learn how to access the central registry in Bridges, and have step by step instructions for sending information to the Central Registry.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health	The course, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, will focus on mental health as being part of every child and youth’s development. Children and youth with positive mental health are often able to function well across different environments. While children and youth with mental health challenges, often struggle with daily function in some way. Mental health disorders in children and youth can be treated and managed. The continuum that mental health occurs on and the changing nature of this domain will be explored throughout the course. The course will help participants become more aware of mental health disorders most prevalent in youth, including warning signs, symptoms, and issues related to specific high risk populations. The material will cover strategies for working with youth experiencing mental health challenges and/or a mental health crisis and how to collaborate with providers and families in these situations. The role of the child welfare professional in working with children and youth experiencing mental health challenges will be highlighted.
Communicable and Infectious Diseases	This course provides an overview of a variety of childhood infectious diseases and alerts caregivers to situations that have the potential for disease transmission. The course clarifies how infections occur, how they are passed from one person to another, universal precautions, immunizations, and other ways of protecting children and their caregivers from illness. This course will guide caregivers in the prevention and prompt treatment of illnesses.
DCYF Orientation: Our Practice Model	This training provides an in-depth overview to the mission, vision, values, principles and strategies which guide agency practice with children and families in New Hampshire. The course is trained by agency administrators including the Director, who speak to the specifics of how to engage families in services, placement of children, development of case plans, permanency planning and ethics related to the agencies IV-E plan. Policies, procedures and practices are discussed via case examples.
DCYF Revenue Enhancement and RMS	This workshop will provide crucial information regarding the various federal funding sources and how to access these sources in order to provide services to children & families. Staff will learn about the various federal funding sources, IV-A, IV-E and Medicaid for both services and administration. Documentation requirements for accessing federal funds will be discussed.
Dispositional Assessment Report	This course will teach participants how to effectively communicate with families, youth and collaterals in an attempt to fact find information needed for a PDI. They learn what a PDI is when it is ordered, why it is valuable and how to benefit from having good relationships with collaterals. Discussion and practice are around the DCYF policy and how that can guide your practice and how to complete the report using Bridges.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion	In this class, we are going to explore the knowledge, skills and, attitudes that hopefully, as a person who has chosen to be in service with others, you bring into your interactions with children, youth and families in New Hampshire as you support their system involvement and transition to independence. Some of the things you already know, some will be brand new and challenge your perspective of how you view the world. In the spirit of meeting people where they are, we have to commit to acknowledging that people know what feels right to them and have the power to determine their future. In this way, we as facilitators and you as practitioners are river guides on a journey.
Document Imaging	This course aims to provide an overview of the history of the implementation of electronic records, relative to record management of abuse and neglect reports, and the electronic storage of such records. The Document Imaging course will provide the staff with the knowledge to successfully create a coversheet, create a batch, and how to use a scanning station. The course will also provide information on what should be kept as permanent electronic records, paper records, and what is destroyable.
Effective Engagement and Communication	This training provides strategies to handle communication that can be challenging and the root cause for those challenges including de-escalation techniques, how they can influence communication breakdowns, challenges, and disruptions, and how to prevent conflict when delivering difficult information. Effective engagement and communication involve active listening, clear messaging, empathy, and preventative skills including rewording.
History of Child Welfare and Mandatory Reporting	This training provides an overview of the history of child welfare in New Hampshire and the United States including the key pieces of legislation that made child welfare what it is today. The training also outlines the Mandatory Reporting laws and how it is relevant to every individual in the state. Additionally, the training will review how to recognize various forms of abuse and neglect.
Human Trafficking: Foundation Training	It is very important for child protection and juvenile justice service workers to be aware of the problem of human trafficking and to understand the signs and behaviors children, youth, and adults may exhibit when they have or are being exploited. Children and youth in the child protection and juvenile justice system are at higher risk and are more vulnerable to human trafficking. Traffickers use a combination of threats and subtler coercion to draw people into forced labor and sexual exploitation. It is critical that child welfare workers learn strategies and tools for the prevention, assessment, and documentation of human trafficking. The overall goal of this course is for participants to understand their role as professionals working with children and families experiencing human trafficking.
Impact of Domestic Violence	This course introduces attendees to the dynamics of domestic violence including power and control and the causes of domestic violence. Attendees also will learn about the effects of witnessing domestic violence on children. The course will explain the Family Violence Prevention Specialist program and will explain how the referral to the FVPS works and the services offered by domestic violence crisis centers. The Parent Partner program is also highlighted. Attendees will also become familiar with the NH Domestic Violence protocol and receive some guidance on documenting co-occurring cases of DV and Child Abuse and Neglect.
Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC)	This workshop will provide an overview of the Interstate Compact on the placement of children, and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles. Participants will be given an overview of the Interstate Compact on the placement of children and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles.
Investigations and Assessment in Solution-Based Child Protection	Investigations and Assessment in Solution-Based Child Protection explores the principles common to all investigative processes and unique principles for the investigation and assessment of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Participants will learn the factors to consider in planning and conducting investigations. Participants will learn the complexity of conducting thorough and accurate assessments through the concepts of critical thinking. Key concepts include, among others, conducting interviews, safety planning, unique features of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, structured decision making, safety vs. risk, protective authority, and factors that may contribute to the child’s safety being threatened.
Legal Aspects and Legal Writing of Family-Centered Child Protection	This training covers Federal legislation, New Hampshire’s legal definitions of abuse, neglect, and the New Hampshire Neglect/Abuse Reporting Statute, and gives an overview of the Family court process. Also addressed are the permanent commitment process, what constitutes good testimony, and the caseworker's role and responsibilities in the courtroom (complete with mock–trial). Participants will learn about the various parts of the Appeals Process and pertinent NH Supreme Court decisions (i.e. Bagley, Jane Doe & Ethan H.)
Legal Aspects and Legal Writing of Juvenile Probation and Parole	This module addresses the legal base for child welfare practice. The trainer covers Federal legislation, New Hampshire’s legal definitions of abuse, neglect, and the New Hampshire Neglect/Abuse Reporting Statute, and gives an overview of the Family court process. Also addressed are the permanent commitment process, what constitutes good testimony, and the caseworker's role and responsibilities in the courtroom (complete with mock–trial). Participants will learn about the various parts of the Appeals Process and pertinent NH Supreme Court decisions (i.e. Bagley, Jane Doe & Ethan H.).
Motivational Interviewing	This course provides a foundation for facilitating Motivational Interviewing with clients, which will optimize desired, successful, meaningful outcomes for the individuals. Participants will explore what Motivational Interviewing is and isn’t. This course emphasizes the basic principles of Motivational Interviewing. This practice is a client-led, strength-based method of intervention. Interviewing skills, techniques, and appropriate responses to client statements, consistent with Motivational Interviewing, will be covered. Participants will understand the different stages of change that clients may go through when working to make important life changes and how to effectively respond, as a worker, in these situations.
Permanency	This course will focus on the importance of permanency for children in the foster care system. Participants will identify the timeframes established to achieve timely permanency for children and permanency goals. This course will touch on siblings' relationships, court protocols, the stability of placement, concurrent plans, Roadmap to Reunification, Match Meetings, Disclosure meetings, PPT, and post-adoption services.
Prevention and Placement Case Planning in Solution-Based Child Protection	Prevention and Placement Case Planning in Solution-Based Child Protection emphasizes the importance of joint case planning between the worker and the family to assure timely, high-quality, and culturally relevant services to families. Engaging and involving families in the prevention and placement case planning and delivery process hold an important role in planning success. Topics include understanding steps to identify candidates for Prevention Services, conduct risk assessments, assess child and family needs, develop the Child Specific Plan and oversee and evaluate the effectiveness of appropriately matched services. Additionally, this course discusses the importance of engaging families, specific emphasis on engaging fathers and incarcerated parents in the process. The learner will gain an understanding of the Families First Prevention Services Act and its aim to prevent unnecessary placements along with how to navigate a placement case and case reviews upon the completion of the course.
Procedures for Parole	This training is designed to provide trainees with a functional knowledge of policy procedures related to parole hearings, revocation hearings, parole reviews and formal notifications to families regarding their youth’s parole hearing.
Professional Growth and Self-Care	The mentoring program is designed to provide support to new staff beyond the typical supervisory relationship. This training brings both mentors and mentees together to discuss the concept, benefits, expectations and the implementation of the Mentoring Program at NH DCYF. Mentoring is intended to assist the new CPSW in understanding the functions of their role and the environment in which they will perform their duties and is guided by the Core workbook that accompanies the eight Core Training Modules.
Quality Contacts and Documentation	In this course, you will learn the importance of writing skills, proper documentation, the impact report writing has on your profession, and gain the ability to write reports that meet the qualifications of DCYF best practice, as well as other State and Federal reporting requirements. You will understand the importance of good listening and observation skills and the impact they have on your documentation and report writing. The course will review the elements of grammatically correct, cohesive writing and basic mechanics, as well as give advice on developing your own writing style.
Select Populations	Select Populations are youth in juvenile justice that have unique needs. When working with an offender that falls into a category of fire setting, problematic sexual behavior, or is a violent offender you as a staff can support them by knowing what services are available for them. Being able to identify a youth’s behavior early and intervene by providing them services for their specific issue. Data shows that providing youth within these populations support can reduce the risk of them re-offending.
Separation, Placement, and Reunification	In this class; you will examine the grieving process, and how to help caregivers recognize signs of stress related to loss. You will learn about Separation, Placement, and Reunification from the perspective of the child, the birth parent, and the caregiver. The student will be able to identify different viewpoints and learn how to support families through the process.
Special Education	This workshop will provide staff with a working knowledge of Special Education in New Hampshire, disabilities, the impact on education and the James O. Consent Decree.
Staying Safe During Home and Office Visits	This workshop is based on the belief that staff can provide appropriate, effective interventions in crisis situations. Staff will gain practical strategies and techniques for managing behaviors in various levels of crisis. Emphasis will be placed on understanding crisis and developing the skills to prevent crisis or intervene in early crisis situations. Safe preparation and interventions necessary for safe home and office visits will also be covered.
Substance Abuse: The Impact of Addiction and Drug Abuse	This course will provide education about addiction, recovery and relapse. Various forms of treatment, the process of relapse and the impact of parental SUD’s on children will be discussed during the training. The DCYF drug testing process is reviewed and drug testing as a tool for motivation and accountability is discussed. A presentation about various drugs and drug paraphernalia is provided to participants including ways to identify signs and symptoms of impairment.
Supporting Adolescents in Child Welfare	Adolescence is an exciting time for youth and those who care for them. The adolescence stage of development is a critical time and is another opportunity for adults to support the continued development of youth and young adults. Understanding adolescent development can help supportive adults work with youth in a more productive manner and promote open lines of communication. This class is designed for new child welfare workers to identify ways they can support adolescents on their caseloads, understand the development of adolescents, and ways to support them throughout their time in foster care and when they age out.
The Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect	This workshop examines the developmental consequences of child abuse and neglect from birth through adolescence; establishes a framework for the early recognition of developmental problems; and stresses the importance of including developmental and remedial services in child welfare case plans. Strategies to promote the healthy development of children who have been abused and neglected are presented..
Trauma Informed Child Welfare	This workshop will discuss various facts and myths about mental illness, its impact on families, and available services. The discussion will cover various major mental illnesses that affect both adults and children as well as how the system works to serve individuals and families. The training will cover intervention strategies and options. In addition, individuals with personal experience of the mental health system of NH will be present to share their perspectives and assist trainees to build communication skills and competency related to work with children and families affected by mental illness.
Working with Families Coping with Mental Health Issues	Welcome to the course, Working with Families with Mental Illness! This course will focus on adults/parents dealing with mental health challenges. As workers in the field of child welfare, it is important for you to have an understanding of the stigma surrounding mental health issues, different signs, symptoms, and types of diagnoses, and strategies for working with families. Having a family member with mental illness affects the whole family unit. So, it is also important to have knowledge about how children in the family are affected. Throughout the course, you will connect the information you are learning to your work in the field. Keep your own biases and assumptions in mind as you work through the material, and stay open to shifting these notions.

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