Overview of the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Our Vision

• Every child, youth, and family

experiences a life rich with positive

opportunities, nurturing relationships,

and supportive communities.

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Our Mission• National leadership in advocating for

an enhanced quality of life for Pennsylvania’s children, youth and families. 

• Preparation and support of exceptional child welfare professionals and systems through education, research and a commitment to best practice in partnership with families, communities and public and private agencies.

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Our Shared Values

• Service Excellence

• Honesty

• Accountability

• Respect

• Engagement

• Diversity

As adopted by OCYF

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Our Partnership

• Department of Public Welfare (DPW)

– Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) • University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

– Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program (CWTP)

• Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators (PCYA)

• Child Welfare Training Steering Committee (TSC)

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Who We Serve

• Department of Public Welfare

• County Children and Youth Agency Staff

• Private Provider Agency Staff

• Cross System Partner Staff

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Transfer of Learning

Degree Education Programs

Training

Child Welfare Training Program (CWTP)

Technical

Assistance

Child Welfare Education for Leadership (CWEL)

Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureates (CWEB)

Child Welfare Education and Research Programs (CWERP)

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

The PA Child Welfare Training Program Organizational Chart

Director

Fiscal andHuman

Resources

Curriculum/Trainer

Development

OrganizationalEffectiveness/

RegionalTeams

Updated: 2/9/10

TechnologyDevelopment

Administrative

PrincipalInvestigator

StatewideQuality

Improvement

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Our History

• Started in July 1992 as an Interagency Agreement between Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and Shippensburg University

• Arose from concerns voiced by Children and Youth Administrators that child welfare needed training to support new workers in obtaining the knowledge and skill needed to perform child welfare work

• A partnership between Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators (PCYA) and DPW

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

In 2000, the American Humane Association (AHA) conducted an evaluation of the Training Program Training Program was viewed as having

quality curriculum and trainer development processes

In 2001, Training Program moved to the University of Pittsburgh to support the Program growth

Our History (cont’d)

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Program Evolution

• Use of practitioners as trainers• Expansion of services:

– training in computer skills– transfer of learning– skills-based training

• Expansion to include staff from Private Provider agencies

• Geographically “customized” training (county and regional needs)

• Integration of Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureates (CWEB), Child Welfare Education for Leadership (CWEL) and Training Program

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Key Strategies

• Conduct Research and Evaluation • Train Child Welfare Professionals • Provide Consultation and Support • Organize and Sponsor Events • Advocate for Policy and Practice Improvements • Develop and Revise Tools, Materials, and

Curricula • Youth and Family Engagement and Integration• Develop and Implement a Quality Improvement

Process• Resource Coordination

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Areas of Focus• Services for Older Youth• Facilitating & Sustaining Change• Safety Assessment & Management Process• Caseworker Visitation & Mobile Technology• Citizen Review Panels• Online Education• Continuous Quality Improvement• Child and Family Services Review

– Self- assessment– Onsite Review– Program Improvement Plan

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

Funding That Supports Our Work

The following funding streams and/or funders support the work of the Training Program:

IV-EIV-B

CAPTAIndependent Living

Caseworker VisitationCasey Family ProgramsUniversity of Pittsburgh

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

CWRC Power Point #3The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center

For More Information

• Link to our Annual Report FY 2009/2010 at http://www.pacwcbt.pitt.edu/AnnualReports/Annual%20Report%202009.2010.pdf