This week, we will learn about the HHS Training Grant. Thank you, Kathy Olson, for answering the following questions about this project.
What is the HHS Training Grant?
The HHS Training Grant refers to the long-term contract CCFL has had with the Nebraska Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to provide training to prepare new Child and Family Services (CFS) Specialists to serve as case managers to Nebraska's children and their families identified as in need of child welfare intervention because of abuse or neglect. This population includes children who lack proper parental care, either due to the actions of parents or through no fault of parents; children whose parents give up their rights to the child to the State; and children who are wards of another state agency, and for which placement is requested. CCFL also provides in-service training for existing CFS Specialists.
Case managers are trained on resources necessary to help children and families heal from the harmful effects on their lives as well as on the importance of promoting community safety as families are served. Training supports DCFS’s mission to provide services that are least disruptive, timely, and sufficient to give children and adolescents the opportunity to succeed as adults; to help those disabled to live with dignity and respect; and to help families care for themselves––resulting in healthier families and safer, more prosperous communities.
Who are the members of the HHS Training Grant?
CCFL’s training team includes many staff of CCFL located across the state. We have nine trainers; nine Field Training Specialists
(FTSs) whose role includes both field and instructor-led training; five training administrators or coordinators who also provide training; five staff that provide curriculum development and evaluation, coordination, and production; eight support staff; one independent contractor; and three additional legal trainers contracted on an as-needed basis to facilitate legal training simulations.
When did the HHS Training Grant begin, and how long is it for?
The training partnership with DCFS Child Protection & Safety (CP&S) began in approximately 1988. There have been many adaptations to the training as the needs of the Department of Health and Human Services have evolved over the years.
What inspired this project and how has it evolved?
Favorable changes in federal funding for the states starting in 1980 allowed partnerships between state child welfare agencies and universities to develop for training child welfare workers. The State of Nebraska capitalized on those opportunities by partnering with CCFL in 1988 to do in-service training classes for current child welfare staff. Several years after that, pre-service training for new workers was first implemented by CCFL. The project started out with only two part-time staff members and now approximately 40 persons are involved in some way with CCFL’s training program for DCFS.
Any challenges in the project?
Changing and adapting the model of training to meet the needs of the Department, and developing training that incorporates the latest technology for distance learning, are ongoing challenges.
What’s the most exciting or best part of getting to work on or being part of this project?
The professional products and work that is being done by everyone involved in this project equals or exceeds any child welfare training being done anywhere! For more information on this project you can access the New Worker Training Overview on the Training Website. http://ccfl.unl.edu/services/training/