This micro-learning will address the delicate balance in our communications with children – how to inform them of the current local and global situation, and how to balance their needs for safety and comfort.   Delivered by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, this session will address the baseline impacts of trauma on information processing, will discuss ways children may perceive the information you share, and will describe best practice recommendations for addressing fears, concerns and questions children may have. Duration: 18 Minutes Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched all of our lives. But, imagine the impact of this uncertain world on the life of a child – a child who has already experienced abuse and neglect and/or other trauma.  Child welfare agency frontline workers, parents/caregivers, educators, and many others involved with critical social safety systems interact with children and must be able to deliver honest, developmentally appropriate, and transparent communication about the COVID-19 crisis, while maintaining awareness of the impact of the child’s previous traumas. This webinar will explore a child’s perspective of their experience during the pandemic and potential trauma-responses and reactions to the changes experienced. Information presented will include thoughtful, nurturing, and practical ways caregivers can respond to support children and how these responses can increase a child’s resilience.. Duration:  30 minutes Read more

During a Public Health Crisis, circumstances change rapidly.  As the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed our social environments through social distancing and isolation policies to control the spread of infectious disease, public child welfare agencies remain steadfast in working to ensure child safety. In practical terms, with respect to being responsive in day-to-day service delivery, social distancing requires public child welfare agencies to think critically about how to maintain the highest standard for assessing and managing child safety, while accounting for caseworker and community safety.    Public child welfare agencies are compelled to consider the distinction between essential and non-essential functions. Many child welfare workers and supervisors have been identified as essential personnel in a large majority of the country. This webinar and related resources provide support for intake/hotline information collection and investigation/assessment pre-commencement considerations to inform initial contact with children and families. During this period of heightened social distancing, these materials are intended to assist hotline/intake workers, CPS investigators, and case managers in sufficiently assessing and planning for initial contacts with children and families. Duration: 60 Minutes  Read more

Like every other facet of life in our communities, the current health crisis has forced public child welfare practice to adapt to requirements for social distancing. As an essential service, operating on the front line for helping families and protecting children, child welfare supervisors and caseworkers must remain vigilant in assessing and managing threats to child safety.  This webinar will consider the unique challenges posed when in-person, face-to-face home visits with families are necessarily reduced or not possible. It will define the purpose and objectives for proactively managing in-home and out of home Safety Plans. Guidance will be provided for how to proceed with delivery of ongoing safety services, when virtual contacts must occur, to ensure Safety Plans are operating as intended to keep children safe and prevent placements from disrupting. Duration: 75 Minutes  Read more

This webinar examines how increased Emotional Caregiver Protective Capacities can not only support children during this uncertain time, but also help maintain safety in the home.  Caregiver resilience, alignment, and empathy will be explored and contextualized to help parents/caregivers more fully meet the needs of children during this difficult time.  Specific strategies and resources for case workers to support parents/caregivers and others caring for children who experienced trauma will be explored. Duration: 30 Minutes Read more