Identified Essential Field Activities/Areas of Knowledge and Skills for Child Welfare Field Placements

The following activities have been identified by child welfare staff at St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services, Carlton County Health and Human Services, and Fond du Lac Human Services during the 2007-2008 academic year. The demonstration of specific social work skills in the area of child welfare practice are essential for MSW students to achieve over the course of their field placements. Specific knowledge relating to child welfare practice in these agencies has been identified.

This information will be updated and modified, as appropriate, with the feedback of agency supervisors and also field students. Students should consider these as they develop their learning contracts.

Local county agencies have identified essential skills and knowledge that are critical to success in a child welfare placement. They are as follows:

Placements with St. Louis County:

1. Understand and be able to apply the mandated reporting law for child maltreatment
2. Understand and be able to apply the mental health screening tool for children
3. Understand and be able to apply IV-E protections for children in out-of-home placement
4. Demonstrate clear documentation in case notes, case plans, court reports and demonstrate sufficient writing ability
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the goals and indicators of safety, permanency and well-being
6. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of concurrent permanency planning in case law and practice, which includes understanding of permanency options-return of custody, long-term foster care, termination of parental rights and adoption, consent adoption.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ICWA, ASFA and Minnesota Tribes
8. Attend at least one case intake meeting in both the initial Intervention and Family outreach Units early in their placement.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of investigations and family assessments
10. Demonstrate an understanding of basic child development guidelines and be able to apply these concepts to common issues that effect families (e.g. attachment, individuation, age appropriate behavioral expectations, safety issues at different ages, etc)
11. Attend at least one Children's Mental Health, Developmental Disability and Intensive Family Based Service Unit meeting
12. Attend at least one ICWA team meeting between tribe and the county
13. Demonstrate skill in using information system (SSIS)
14. Attend a CHIPS hearing
15. Attend a Level IV meeting
16. If possible, follow a case from intake to termination
17. If possible, follow a CHIPS case from intake to termination
18. Demonstrate the ability to identify signs of suspected abuse and neglect
19. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the types of agencies social workers use as referral resources
20. Demonstrate the ability to screen for ICWA eligibility and be knowledgeable with respect to tribal notification procedures required by state and federal law
21. Differentiate between safety factors and risk factors, write a safety plan, and demonstrate understanding of Safety Organized Practice
22. Attend at least one pre-petition screening meeting
23. Observe at least one forensic interview
24. Demonstrate ability to work effectively with diverse clients in child welfare practice

Placements with Carlton County:

1. Attend and participate in Action Team meetings
2. Spend at least one day at Fond du Lac Human Services
3. Attend and participate in Child Protection Team meeting
4. Write a court report
5. Attend at least one Dialogue and probation meeting with Fond du Lac
6. Observe a forensic interview
7. Understand and be able to apply the mandated reporting law for child maltreatment
8. Attend a CHIPS hearing
9. Become aware of how to use the information system (SSIS)
10. Demonstrate the ability to screen for ICWA eligibility and be knowledgeable with respect to tribal notification procedures required by state and federal law
11. Demonstrate an understanding of basic child development guidelines and be able to apply these concepts to common issues that effect families (e.g. attachment, individuation, age appropriate behavioral expectations, safety issues at different ages, etc)
12. Demonstrate an understanding of Alternative Response
13. Demonstrate knowledge of ICWA, ASFA and Minnesota Tribes
14. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the types of agencies social workers use as referral resources
15. Demonstrate interviewing skills in actual case situations
16. Participate in case consultation of non-CPS cases
17. If possible, follow a CHIPS case from intake to termination
18. Demonstrate the ability to identify signs of suspected abuse and neglect
19. Complete a case review, using criteria provided by the UMD Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies, of child welfare cases. (with permission of field supervisor and agency)
20. Attend at least one forensic interview
21. Demonstrate ability to work effectively with diverse clients in child welfare practice
22. Understand and implement the Parent Support Outreach Program
23. Attend at least one biweekly child protection community meeting
24. Attend at least one weekly case consultation community meeting

Placements with Fond du Lac:

1. Write a court report
2. Set up and keep a case file (consents, case activities, reports, etc)
3. Be involved in case management of a CHIPS case
4. Attend an interagency team meeting (ICWA team with FDL and SLC)
5. Work with people of diverse cultures/backgrounds
6. Become familiar with various programs/services offered by FDL
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ICWA, ASFA and Minnesota Tribes
8. Demonstrate an understanding of basic child development guidelines and be able to apply these concepts to common issues that effect families (e.g. attachment, individuation, age appropriate behavioral expectations, safety issues at different ages, etc)
9. Demonstrate interviewing skills in actual case situations
10. Demonstrate the ability to identify signs of suspected abuse and neglect
11. Demonstrate knowledge of American Indian culture/values/parenting styles
12. Attend court hearings
13. Complete a case review, using criteria provided by the UMD Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies, of child welfare cases. (with permission of field supervisor and agency)