New Worker Training

In the Training Portal, supervisors will assign the following four courses to all new child protection workers (a checklist for supervisors with additional details can be found here).

Please note: Learners must complete Orientation (Self-Paced and Enhancement) AND ICWA/MIFPA Foundations for New Workers before they can enroll in New Worker Foundations.

New Worker Orientation: Self-Paced Modules (CWTA X110)

As the initial course in the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy's New Worker Training series, New Worker Orientation: Self-Paced Modules is an interactive, self-paced, virtual training designed to give you a basic understanding of the Minnesota child welfare system. You’ll be introduced to the values, concepts, and practices underlying child welfare practice in Minnesota, and you’ll gain an understanding of, and become familiar with, the following areas: Development of Cultural Practice for New Workers Roles and Responsibilities of Child Welfare Workers in Minnesota Structure of the Child Welfare System Child Welfare History and Policy Guiding Statutes and Practices Family Assessment/Family Investigation Disparity and Disproportionality Self-Care and Well-Being Mandated Reporting Please note: You must complete this course before you can register for New Worker Orientation: Instructor-Led Enhancement. 5.0 CEUs.

This course takes about 5 hours to complete; however, the Attest Completion of IDI Assessment quiz and the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) - Debrief Session quiz may take 1- 3 business days to be graded. Please plan accordingly.

New Worker Orientation: Instructor-Led Enhancement (X111)

This four-hour virtual training is designed to enhance what was learned in the orientation modules, rather than repeat the information. The goal is to provide experiential learning that shows how the content covered in orientation intersects with worker practice through a case study. Trainers will guide learners through a series of activities, reflections, and discussions. This course is required to complete before you can register for CWTA X113: New Worker Foundations. 4.0 CEUs.

ICWA/MIFPA Foundations for New Workers (CWTA X219)

This training is brought to you by the University of Minnesota Duluth Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP). This is an introductory course to the basics of the history of ICWA and application of ICWA and MIFPA. We have an education team comprised of several community trainers that come from University of Minnesota Duluth's MSW faculty and instructors, the Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies instructors and researchers; tribal child welfare workers, county child welfare ICWA specialists, urban ICWA workers, individuals with lived experience, the MN GAL program, and elders. Your education team will include a mixture of individuals representing these varied backgrounds. This course is for new child protection workers. 12.0 CEUs.

New Worker Foundations (CWTA X113)

New Worker Foundations provides comprehensive training for new child welfare workers. The Foundations curriculum is a blended learning experience staggered over time for workers to further integrate knowledge and skills into practice that supports healthy outcomes for children and families. Building intercultural competence is a golden thread that is introduced and followed throughout training by way of debriefs, check-in’s and connections that are made throughout the curriculum. Training is designed to support anti-racist practice and reduce disparities and disproportionality of Native American and African American children being removed from homes. Learners who are new child protection employees in Minnesota are statutorily required to complete New Worker Foundations within the first 6 months of employment. 114.0 CEUs.

Supervisor Training

ICWA/MIFPA Foundations for County Agency Supervisors (CWTA X216)

This training is led by the University of Minnesota Duluth Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP), and is an introductory course to the basics of the history of ICWA and application of ICWA and MIFPA. The education team includes a mixture of individuals representing varied backgrounds from the following: community trainers that come from the University of Minnesota Duluth's MSW faculty and instructors; the Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies instructors and researchers; tribal child welfare workers; county child welfare ICWA specialists; urban ICWA workers; individuals with lived experience; the MN GAL program; and elders. This course is only for County Agency Supervisors.

ICWA/MIFPA Foundations for County Administrators (CWTA X222)

This training is led by the University of Minnesota Duluth Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP), and is an introductory course to the basics of the history of ICWA and application of ICWA and MIFPA. The education team includes a mixture of individuals representing varied backgrounds from the following: community trainers that come from the University of Minnesota Duluth's MSW faculty and instructors; the Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies instructors and researchers; tribal child welfare workers; county child welfare ICWA specialists; urban ICWA workers; individuals with lived experience; the MN GAL program; and elders. This course is only for County Administrators.

Specialty Training

Active Efforts Training: Family Preservation and the MAAFPCWDA Framework (CWTA X221)

The Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA) was passed in 2024 and seeks to promote family stability by establishing minimum standards to prevent the arbitrary removal of children from their families and improve permanency outcomes, including family reunification. This initial four-hour training is designed to ensure county workers are prepared to utilize active efforts in their casework with disproportionately represented families, with special emphasis on African American families. 4.0 CEUs.

Assessing Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents (CWTA X220)

This course, also known as Home Studies, is designed to help you gain an understanding of the Home Study assessment process. It will introduce you to engaging and conducting interviews with applicants and explore how to equitably and collaboratively assess an applicant's strengths and needs. By enhancing your knowledge of the Home Study Assessment, you will enhance your 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 trainings followed by two instructor-led trainings (in-person). 15.5 CEUs.

Case Planning (CWTA X211)

Participants will utilize strengths-based strategies in case planning with complex families in the child welfare system. Participants will complete goals and tasks for Child Protective Services and Out-of-Home Placement Plans. Intended Audience: Experienced workers who have not taken Foundations training since January 2021. 6.0 CEUs.

Collaborative Safety - Advanced Practice (CWTA X208)

This training is designed for child protection staff. The goal is to provide a framework of system safety. Learners will engage in a comprehensive and holistic introduction to human factors and system safety. Participants learn how to integrate safety science concepts into daily work with respect to unique roles. In addition, administrative rules and legislative mandates are considered. 12.0 CEUs.

Domestic Violence Co-Occurrence: Partnering and Engaging Parents (CWTA X209)

This training will address crucial aspects of best practice in child welfare and domestic violence co-occurrence cases. Training will include historical social context setting and practice application, focusing on strengths-based practice. Partnering with non-offending parents and engaging offenders in accountability and change. In particular, participants will utilize two key protocols and practice applying them in scenario-based exercises to help build skills to enhance field work. Intended Audience: Experienced workers who have not taken Foundations training since January 2021. 6.0 CEUs.

Family Group Decision Making: Overview and Facilitation (CWTA X202)

The goal of this training is to introduce learners to the Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) process, and to understand how to work with families/youth involved with the child welfare system. An overview of the principles and phases of FGDM, including which cases are appropriate for referral to the FGDM process, is provided. Individuals will learn the specific skills, strategies, and techniques fundamental to facilitating and coordinating FGDM meetings in the context of child welfare. The training will include a review of the history, philosophy, and practice elements of FGDM. 12.0 CEUs.

Human Trafficking and Sexually Exploited Youth: Basic Training for Child Welfare (CWTA X205)*

At this time this course is only offered for child welfare and child protection workers. The training allows trainees to gain knowledge of trafficking and exploitation, and to develop skills pertinent to the child welfare response to youth and families impacted by trafficking and exploitation. The goal of this training is to provide staff with the knowledge and skills to: identify trafficking, identify exploitation, identify youth at-risk of trafficking or exploitation, assess and respond to potential trafficking and exploitation of youth, and coordinate with partners in meeting the needs of youth and families; and demonstrate culturally responsive practice. Intended Audience: Experienced workers who have not completed Foundations training (since 2020) or SEY x203 or x204 (since 2019). 6.0 CEUs.

ICWA/MIFPA Ongoing Worker Training (CWTA X212)

This training is brought to you by the University of Minnesota Duluth Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP). This is an introductory course to the basics of the history of ICWA and application of ICWA and MIFPA. We have an education team comprised of several community trainers that come from University of Minnesota Duluth's MSW faculty and instructors, the Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies instructors and researchers; tribal child welfare workers, county child welfare ICWA specialists, urban ICWA workers, individuals with lived experience, the MN GAL program, and elders. Your education team will include a mixture of individuals representing these varied backgrounds.

Legal Practice Skills (CWTA X201)

The goal of this course is for case workers to learn about their roles and responsibilities when involved in child protection legal proceedings and collaborating with courtroom professionals. Federal and Minnesota law requires county agencies to engage in reasonable/active efforts to support families involved in the child welfare system. Learn how focusing on family’s cultures and strengths can be beneficial. In addition, gain in-depth knowledge of how to prepare for court hearings and prepare proper documentation and acquire tips for testifying at trials. 6.0 CEUs.

Responsive Child Welfare Practice with LGBTQIA2S+ Youth (CWTA X210)

The goal of this training is to introduce best practices when working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and trans, queer and questioning, intersex, asexual or agender, and two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) youth. LGBTQIA2S+ youth are over-represented in child welfare systems and have been subjected to historical discrimination and oppression contributing to vulnerability and challenges. This training is intended to increase the awareness, knowledge, skills and abilities of social workers and supervisors to work effectively with this unique population through self-reflection, data, resource sharing, and interactive activities. 6.0 CEUs.

Signs of Safety + Signs of Safety: Three Month Review (CWTA X215)

The Signs of Safety (SOS) course teaches a strength-based, safety organized framework that focuses on engagement and child safety. SOS provides practical skill development based on the guiding principles of child welfare practice for workers and supervisors. Participants will learn about the Signs of Safety overview with brief history, Appreciative Inquiry, the Questioning Approach, Harm and Danger Statements and Safety Goals, Three Houses, Safety House, Mapping, and Safety Planning and Safety Networks.

Then 3-months later, learners will attend a review course that provides an opportunity to consult and improve their practice of the Signs of Safety techniques. Learners must be able to attend all dates of Signs of Safety, including the Three Month Review, in order to receive credit. 16.0 CEUs.

Structured Decision Making (CWTA X200)

This training will refresh the professional's knowledge, deepen the application of safety-focused practice utilizing the Structured Decision Making (SDM) safety and risk assessments, and strengthen the connection between the safety assessment and safety planning. Additional outcomes include understanding the "why" behind the SDM assessments, how to leverage the tool within consult teams, and connect engagement skills with assessments. Participants will be expected to bring applicable practice experiences. 6.0 CEUs.

*All Minnesota county and tribal staff with child protection duties are required to complete training on sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of youth. If you have questions about if this applies to you or if you have met the requirement, we have updated our information about this legislative requirement. Contact the Training Academy if you still have questions.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Self-Paced (CWTA X405)

Motivational Interviewing (MI), a collaborative conversational style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change, has been shown to be effective in supporting the engagement and progress of individuals and families involved in child welfare services. The self-paced training will introduce learners to MI, including its history, spirit, principles, processes, and skills. NOTE - This course is a prerequisite for Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Instructor-Led Workshops. 4.0 CEUs.

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Instructor-Led Workshops (CWTA X406)

These instructor-led virtual workshops build on the Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Self-Paced course. Learners will dive further into the spirit, principles, processes, and skills of MI, with an emphasis on practical application. 4.0 CEUs.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Coaching Circles 1-4 (CWTA X407)

The 1.5-hour Coaching Circles are designed to help you foster a realistic self-appraisal, hone your MI skills (with practice and feedback) and increase your confidence in the approach. The topics in each course have some similarity that will prepare you to take the final skills demonstration course. Learners will need to register for each of the four sessions. Circles do not need to be completed in order. 1.5 CEUs Each.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) Skills for Child Welfare Professionals: Skills Demonstration (CWTA X408)

In the final course in MI Training, you will be asked to demonstrate your Motivational Interviewing skills through a series of simulated encounters. In particular, you will watch a series of videos that simulate a person you might be working with as a child welfare professional. After each video, you will record yourself as if you were responding to this person sitting across from you in a way that is consistent with the Motivational Interviewing skills and approach. Your responses will be coded, a final score will be assigned, and you will receive feedback on your demonstration. Upon completion of the course, you will receive an email from the DHS CQI Department about the final MI phase/fidelity monitoring requirements under the FFPSA policy.

Stand-Alone Self-Paced Trainings

Mandated Reporter Training (CWTA X101)

This 45 minute training is designed for child welfare professionals identified by law who must make a report if they have reason to believe that maltreatment of a child has occurred. Learn more.

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) CW Professionals (CWTA X401)

The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) is a self-paced online training designed to enhance the capacity of child welfare professionals to better understand and address the mental health and developmental needs of children moving to or having achieved permanency through adoption or guardianship. The state-of-the-art, evidence-informed, standardized training provides casework and clinical practices to promote child well-being and family stability. At the end of the training, learners will receive a downloadable certificate of completion.

Note for new workers taking Foundations: Starting with Cohort 118, NTI will no longer be required.

National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) CW Supervisors (CWTA X401)

NTI for Child Welfare Supervisors is a 25 hour web-based training that focuses on case work practices and professional skills for staff across the child welfare continuum to promote child well-being, permanency and family stability for children living with foster, adoptive or guardianship families. Child Welfare Supervisors will receive a “Supervisor Coaching and Activity Guide” to support staff in applying learning to daily practice.

SSIS Essentials (CWTA X404)

SSIS Essentials is a collection of six modules designed to provide caseworkers with an introduction to basic navigation and functionality of core SSIS functions. Learning is self-paced and experiential. Each module takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. While not required, we strongly suggest that all new workers complete this course. This is the same SSIS Essentials found in TrainLink, but will be reflected in your Training Portal training record.

Additional Trainings

The following courses are not scheduled through the Training Portal. Instructions are included in the course descriptions.

Foster Parent Training

Prospective foster care families will start the training process by contacting the foster care licensor at their local county human services agency or tribe. The licensor should then provide those individuals with information about how to register for Foster Parent Pre-Service Training. 8.0 CEUs. Learn more.

Qualified Individual Training (CWTA X400)

In support of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), Qualified Individual (QI) training is available to prepare clinicians and community members to help reduce the number of children in child care institutions. QIs provide an objective and independent review of the needs and strengths of children to determine whether or not those needs can be met within their family or family foster home with community services, rather than being placed in a child care institution, known as a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP). 12.0 CEUs. If you have questions about the QI training or want to express your interest in participating, email ffpsa.qualifiedindividual.dhs@state.mn.us.