Quarterly Report_Q1 FY2025
Program Updates
Motivational Interviewing
The Alliance recently brought in-house the courses “Foundations of Motivational Interviewing,” which launched in May, and “Advanced Practice in Motivational Interviewing,” which launched in June.
These courses are part of a strategic initiative bringing Motivational Interviewing skills and practice to the forefront, and educating workforce is a priority for Child Welfare leadership.
Since launch, we have been able to evaluate potential barriers to attendance and are continuing to make adjustments.
- A look at low turnout for one of pilots (four completions out of 15 registrants) showed that class dates conflicted with the Supervisors Conference and another training. We are now prioritizing communication internally about scheduling across departments.
- We have offered classes both in-person and virtually. Many more learners completed the virtual session and we continue to have wait lists for upcoming sessions. After a conversation with Child Welfare leadership, The Alliance is going to look at the locations offered and work with DCYF to champion in-person participation in local offices. This is an opportunity for rich interactive learning and we want to put resources into attendance.
Supervisors Conference
The Alliance hosted this year’s Supervisors Conference on Sept. 4 and 5 at Centennial Davenport in Spokane. You can view the agenda here.
- General session topics focused on skills such as leadership, supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, and employee wellness.
- Attendees were given the opportunity to break down silos with “Silo Demo,” a session where they broke into small groups and led through conversation prompts with individuals they had not worked with. The goal was a look at work happening across DCYF and building new relationships.
- Breakout content included a look at Tribal government relations, tech, court culture, and multiple internal DCYF programs.
"This was one of my favorite parts of the week. I loved meeting other supervisors, putting faces to names that I email often, and hearing about other programs."
"As a person that works behind the scenes in the finance department but relies heavily on the timely orders with specific judicial findings, I often reach out to social workers for questions. Attending this session was an eye opener. I did not realize all the work and struggles our social workers go through in the court system and how they themselves do not control the narrative or outcome that happens in court. It was a great opportunity to learn more about how the court process truly works."
By the Numbers
LGBTQIA+ Courses
The “LGBTQIA+ Basics for Supporting Youth” eLearning and “LGBTQIA+ Youth: Guiding the Work for Licensing Staff” launched in May, with learning objectives tied to centering the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth in conversations with licensed providers, both in childcare and out-of-home care systems.
This project highlighted opportunities to grow the way we incorporate feedback.
- The “LGBTQIA+ Basics for Supporting Youth” eLearning was modified within the first few weeks of implementation based on direct feedback from the field to affirm/clarify the definition/use of the term “family.”
- Based on learner survey data from the webinar, and from facilitator and observer feedback, curricular adjustments were made to address pacing of content and allow for more skills application.
The pilot of “LGBTQIA+ Youth: Guiding the Work for Licensing Staff” received favorable feedback around scripting and prompts, and strategies for how to engage with caregivers who may be less informed or resistant to caring for LGBTQIA+ youth.
By the Numbers
TBRI for DCYF
“Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) for DCYF” was launched in FY2024, and The Alliance continues to gather data about learner experience.
This course was launched as part of an initiative to share with workforce the TBRI skills that caregivers have been learning. Staff showed interest in the trauma-informed foundation of TBRI with the understanding that many of the strategies of TBRI are transferrable for people beyond caregivers.
Feedback from FY2024 classes has informed adjustments to the course going forward. Data from the pilot and facilitator and observer feedback prompted the course being increased to 2.5 hours, clarifications to instructions for an activity, and an example developed to support the last “Mila” activity.
Looking ahead, The Alliance is continuing professional development around TBRI with the intent of employing related skills to adolescents.
By the Numbers
Course Launches
Click each title for a description of courses launched this quarter.
The goal of foster care is to reunify the child with their original family, but the journey from placement to permanency can be long and winding. Sometimes it feels like you are all living in limbo between planning and permanency.
During this topic support group, you will talk through the different types of permanency, the emotional challenges of concurrent planning, and some of the ways you can support the child during the waiting. You will also have a chance to consider the supports you need. Lastly, you will create an action plan to help you navigate the unknowns.
Training Summary
* A unique learner is each individual learner who has taken any class this quarter, whereas the total number of learners will count a learner each time for each course they complete. The number of unique learners includes eLearning learners.
Foundational/Core Training data for Q4 FY2024 was not available.