Assessing Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents: New Course Available

This past September, we launched the first offering of Assessing Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents (CWTA X220). This course, formerly known as Home Studies, is designed to help licensors gain an understanding of the Home Study Assessment process. It is an introduction to engaging and conducting interviews with applicants and exploring how to equitably and collaboratively assess an applicant's strengths and needs.

By enhancing knowledge of the Home Study Assessment, learners will develop their ability to gather, synthesize, assess, and summarize an applicant’s ability to provide for the safety and well-being of children. This course consists of three self-paced training modules followed by two instructor-led trainings (in-person). Completion of this course is also worth 15.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Self-paced topics include an overview of the foster care licensing and adoption processes, an introduction to the Home Study Assessment, and consideration of the impact of bias on the processes involved. Instructor-led training topics include gathering information, writing the Home Study Assessment, and making decisions regarding approval of applicants.

The Learning Objectives for this course include developing the knowledge and skills to be able to:

Articulate the goals of assessing applicants for foster care and adoption as they relate to the values of child welfare work;
Demonstrate cultural responsiveness when interacting with applicant families whose identities represent different life experiences;
Facilitate effective conversations in order to obtain the necessary information for a meaningful Home Study Assessment;
Identify "areas of concern" in an applicant that could pose a barrier to meeting the responsibilities of being a foster or adoptive parent; and
Identify the laws and policies that guide the Home Study Assessment process.

This course was developed to support the workforce with knowledge around the expectations and policies that guide the worker’s role and essential practice skills in effective conversations and cultural responsiveness. Relevant policies related to this course include Minn. Stat. 259.41 (Adoption Study), Minn. Stat. 260C.215 (Welfare of Children), Minn. Stat. 260C.611 (Adoption Study Required), and Minnesota Administrative Rule 2960.3060 (License Holder Qualifications).

The next offering of this course will take place December 3-4 at our Twin Cities Metro Learning Center in Roseville. We plan to schedule several regional offerings throughout 2025. If you have questions, contact us at info@mnchildwelfaretraining.com.