Training and Staff Development

Training and staff development are crucial for developing, implementing, and sustaining cross-system initiatives. Child welfare, court, and other social services professionals require an understanding of substance use disorders and their effects on families. Substance use disorder treatment professionals require an understanding of the child welfare system and the unique treatment needs of families involved with child welfare. Cross-training programs foster increased understanding of other systems among partners serving families who are affected by substance use disorders and involved with child welfare services.

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  Policy and Practice Resources

  • NCSACW Online Tutorials

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2015

    NCSCAW offers three, free online tutorials that provide cross-training for substance use disorder treatment professionals, child welfare professionals, and court professionals who desire more information about substance use disorders, family recovery, and child welfare and the dependency court.

    Visit Website NCSACW Online Tutorials
  • Family Drug Court Online Tutorials

    Children and Family Futures, 2017

    Geared toward family drug court staff and others working with family courts, these five self-paced tutorial modules feature links to resources, case studies, interactive questions, and information boxes that enhance the learning experience.

    Visit Website Family Drug Court Online Tutorials
  • Training Tool Box for Addressing the Gender-Specific Service Needs of Women With Substance Use Disorders
    (PDF 73 KB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017

    The Training Tool Box is a resource to help trainers educate the workforce about the gender-specific needs of women with substance use disorders. It equips users with PowerPoint slides, talking points, activities, case studies, resources, and references to train staff and others about gender-responsive, trauma-informed approaches to substance use disorder services and key factors that are needed for effective interventions for women.

    View Document Training Tool Box for Addressing the Gender-Specific Service Needs of Women With Substance Use Disorders
  • Understanding Substance Abuse and Facilitating Recovery: A Guide for Child Welfare Workers
    (PDF 1.2 MB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2009

    Providing information about the biological, psychological, and social processes of alcohol and drug addiction, this document helps staff recognize when substance use by clients is a risk factor. The document describes strategies to facilitate and support alcohol and drug treatment and recovery and explains the benefits of partnering with substance use disorder treatment and dependency court systems to improve outcomes for children of parents with substance use disorders.

    View Document Understanding Substance Abuse and Facilitating Recovery: A Guide for Child Welfare Workers
  • Facilitating Cross-System Collaboration: A Primer on Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services and Courts
    (PDF 1.1 MB)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Administration for Children and Families, 2012

    Basic information about child welfare, substance use treatment, and court systems is included in this primer, which supports cross-system communication and coordination within tribal, state, county, and local jurisdictions. The primer also identifies the operational characteristics of each system, to promote and develop cross-system connections designed to improve outcomes for families and children at the intersection of all three systems.

    View Document Facilitating Cross-System Collaboration: A Primer on Child Welfare, Alcohol and Other Drug Services and Courts

• Related Online Trainings, Videos, and Webinars

  • HealtheKnowledge

    A variety of free online learning webinars and videos and low-cost continuing education for healthcare providers are offered by this online portal. Courses include substance use disorder basics and substance use disorders among special populations.

    Visit Website HealtheKnowledge
  • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network—Learning Center

    As part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Center, the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma offers free online education, including webinars, curriculum, and training modules that focus on a variety of topics related to trauma, parenting, child welfare, substance use, and related special-interest topics.

    Visit Website The National Child Traumatic Stress Network—Learning Center

• State and Local Examples

  • Home Visiting Consortium Trainings

    Virginia Home Visiting Consortium, 2017

    The Virginia Home Visiting Consortium supports a comprehensive professional development system for Virginia home visitors. Trainings include: Screening and Brief Intervention Skills: A Series for Home Visitors; Substance Use: Risks and Effects in Pregnancy and Early Childhood; and Mandated Reporters: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect. There are also trainings designed to address the physical and mental health of mothers and children.

    Visit Website Home Visiting Consortium Trainings
  • Substance Abuse Training Partnership: Final Report
    (PDF 489 KB)

    Ohio Child Welfare Training Program & Institute for Human Services, 2015

    This report discusses the work of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, which provides training to child welfare staff to enhance skills and knowledge to support the complex needs of child welfare families affected by substance use.

    View Document Substance Abuse Training Partnership: Final Report
  • Ohio Substance Abuse Training Gateway

    Ohio Child Welfare Training Program & Institute for Human Services, 2015

    This report discusses the work of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, which provides training to child welfare staff to enhance skills and knowledge to support the complex needs of child welfare families affected by substance use.

    Visit Website Ohio Substance Abuse Training Gateway
  • Ohio Maternal Opiates Medical Support Program

    Ohio Department of Medicaid and Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services

    A statewide clinical advisory panel developed a toolkit for child welfare staff and healthcare providers that sets forth guidelines and best practices for establishing a maternal care home for opioid-dependent pregnant women in Ohio. This training tool highlights that toolkit and provides strategies for collaboration and cross-system supports that are necessary for this endeavor.

    Visit Website Ohio Maternal Opiates Medical Support Program

• Additional Resources

  • CapLEARN

    Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative, 2018

    This website provides access to the Center for States training hub that includes training, knowledge, and skills to promote professional leadership development.

    Visit Website CapLEARN
  • Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2017

    The ATTC Network’s workforce development program provides resources to prepare professionals to enter the field of substance use treatment, build their skills as supervisors, and develop leadership skills in the field of substance use treatment.

    Visit Website Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network
  • National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI)

    NCWWI provides diverse resources related to workforce development in child welfare, leadership training, professional development, and community collaboration.

    Visit Website National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI)