table of contents : experienced schedule

Experienced CPS Training

Training for Experienced CPS Workers

Courses in the Institute's 94-95 experienced worker series will continue to increase caseworker skills in assessing safety and risk to children, in recognizing and building upon family strengths, in introducing family empowerment and family connection strategies to meet child welfare goals, and to working in a multi-disciplinary arena with law enforcement, mental health, family preservation services and the courts. CPSTI continues to offer the following courses:

On Call Training

On Call Training is designed to give non-CPS personnel who provide emergency service for CPS, the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to conduct an effective "on-call" investigation of suspected CA/M. The relationship of the on-call worker and both the full-time CPS unit and the State Central Register is integrated throughout the course. Topics covered include: the utilization of peer and supervisory consultation; the legal aspects of Child Protective Services, including relevant statutes, procedures, and differential cultural influences on the family; crisis intervention skills; the assessment of children's safety, identification of safety interventions and procedures for emergency action, including the mobilization of law enforcement and supportive emergency services; and the impact of placement and separation on the child and the family.

New Course Development: Intra-Familial Sexual Abuse Dynamics and Intervention

This new 2-day course will build on the overview of sexual abuse (self awareness, myths and facts, and definitions) that is offered in CPS Core and will be a prerequisite for Sexual Abuse Interviewing. The course will provide trainees with an understanding of intra-familial sexual abuse: how it happens, who commits it and why, and how it affects each member of the family. The course also will focus on safety and risk reducing intervention decisions and practices. Additionally, the course will present, discuss, and clarify the roles of DSS, law enforcement, community and medical service providers at each stage of intervention, from investigation and safety assessment through service planning and treatment for all family members.

The course's operating framework will be provided by the principles and practices of the Risk Assessment and Service Planning model and family preservation and multi-disciplinary team models and protocols.

Special Training

The Child Protective Services Training Institute conducts special training for specific audiences. Training for State Central Register staff includes an overview of the Core CPS curriculum, which includes a review of basic CPS issues, as well as a series of workshops on special topics (e.g., disabled individuals). The Institute also continues to provide New York City medical issues training.

Fees

The fee for all experienced courses is $20.00 per non-DSS participant per day and the fee is $14.00 per DSS participant per day for local districts. The Department of Social Services will collect fees directly from local districts and voluntary, provider agencies.

Registration

To register, mail or fax the form in this announcement to CPSTI at the address or fax number given on the form. The form may be photocopied as needed. Registration forms must be mailed to CPSTI at least 1 month prior to a scheduled training. Registration cannot be accepted by telephone. Cancellations must be made 5 days before the scheduled training, and participant substitutions must be approved in advance. Space in this training program has been allocated for each county. Training schedules and/or locations may be subject to change. Agency staff development coordinators will be notified of any changes. Confirmation letters and information about training locations will be mailed to the contact person identified on the registration form.