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Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training

About Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a practice tool that promotes behavior change through deep listening, reflection, and principles rooted in empathy and supporting self efficacy. As an evidenced-based practice, MI is one of the first approved services in the prevention plan for Minnesota’s Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). Map of Motivational Interviewing Local Agencies

Who Should Take This Training?

This training is designed for Minnesota county or tribal child welfare workers, child welfare supervisors, and lead workers or designated specialists within agencies. If you are not sure, discuss this opportunity with your supervisor. Refer to the PartnerLink FFPSA webpage for the FAQ and one pager on prevention services for more details. Register for MI Training through the Training Portal.

Supervisors, lead workers, or designated specialists within agencies who are designated to provide supervision to MI trained workers must complete MI training within six months of workers starting training.

Training Options

Pathway 1

Academy Hosted: For those who want to complete all training and assessment through the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy.

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Pathway 2

Agency Hosted: For Minnesota child welfare agencies who want to host, or who have hosted, their own MI training with a MINT member or a Training Academy approved MI trainer.

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Post MI Certification Resources and Information

  • Claiming and SSIS
  • Prevention Service Job Aids
  • Fidelity Monitoring

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Interested in hosting an in-person MI Instructor-Led training?



Host an In-Person Training

Refresher MI Coaching Circle Non-Credit Learning Opportunities

This course allows learners to hone and strengthen their existing Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills with feedback and support from an MI trainer. No credits or CEUs are offered for this learning opportunity.

MI Office Hours: 10:00-11:00 a.m. CST Last Friday of Month

The FFPSA MI Team, Michelle Ndely (CQI Change Management Specialist), Amber Forrester (CQI Research Consultant), Miquela Hernandez (FFPSA & Family Preservation Implementation Specialist) and Ashlee Vaughan (Training Implementation Specialist) will host office hours on the last Friday of every month from 10:00–11:00 a.m. CST. This dedicated time provides an opportunity for our team to offer MI implementation support, tech assistance (Canvas/Training Portal and Lyssn), answer questions, and address any concerns you may have.

Office Hours can be accessed at this Microsoft Teams link.

MI Video Library

The following videos were created to help learners understand Motivational Interviewing Training and all the options that are available.

Training of Trainers (TOT)

Training of Trainer (TOT) tracks lays out the proposed requirements for county and tribal staff with/without experience training Motivational Interviewing (MI) to become eligible to provide MI training to their staff. Learn more about TOT.