Quarterly Report_Q4 FY2025
Program Updates
Core trainings
The Alliance continues to work through development of two of its foundational offerings, Workforce Core and the update for Caregiver Core Training.
Workforce Core
The workforce core curriculum is in its final stages of revision and is on target to launch in September 2025. Starting in June, the Workforce Core facilitators began the Training of Trainer. The Alliance has requested to partner with DCYF program managers as appropriate to support the TOT. The full schedule as well as an adapted schedule has been provided for their consideration.
Caregiver Core Training
CCT is being redesigned to a six-eLearning series from an eight-eLearning series. Each session is in development, although at different stages. Three of the six have gone through their initial review by DCYF.
Goal statements, learning objectives and outlines have been approved by DCYF for all six sessions, and all sessions have been through a table read.
We are planning to launch both the English and Spanish eLearnings in Q2 FY2026.
Internal processes and policies
The Alliance CQI team has been focusing on creation of templates and processes that will guide creation of curriculum and help set standards for training participants. Click on the title to review the full document.
eLearning template: This template is meant to be used by the project team to complete the analysis and design phase of the project. Development and Facilitation Specialists assigned to write the course content will work in this template. Instructional Designers will help sequence the content, recommend activity types, review knowledge checks, and ask clarifying questions to ensure they have everything they need to develop effective eLearning.
Participant guidelines: These guidelines address expectations for any participants of Alliance training sessions.
Nurturing Conversations with Children about Race
Nurturing Conversations with Children about Race launched on March 27, 2025.
The content focuses on supporting both kinship caregivers and licensed foster parents to practice new skills, and to increase their confidence with conversations about race. This training builds on what’s learned in Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Families.
Participants indicated that on average the level of the course is “just right” for them. When considering learner confidence and willingness to talk to children about race, all learners indicated they had more confidence after the training, and all rated their willingness to talk to a child about race at high or very high after the training.
Learners noted that they felt supported by shared peer experiences, facilitator knowledge, and the practice scenario conversations. Several learners mentioned that facilitators were responsive and allowed space for questions and comments.
Opportunities for improvement include adding a youth’s perspective and possibly increasing the amount of time allotted for the course.
By the Numbers
Assessing Safety Beyond Removal
The pilot revision for Assessing Safety Beyond Removal launched in February 2025. The training helps workers understand how to explain the safety threat that’s keeping a child in out-of-home care and think about how this threat impacts child safety during family time.
The training rated very highly across all metrics, averaging above 5 out of 6 on all markers. Learners appreciated the chance to go through a case scenario and hearing a variety of perspectives.
By the Numbers
Area Administrators Summit
The 2025 Area Administrators Summit was a virtual two-day event held May 20 and 21.
The theme was “The Look of Leadership,” and focused on leaders’ role in supporting teams, implementing policies and creating positive cultures. Sessions focused on leadership styles and outside-the-box ways to inspire staff. You can view the full agenda here.
This year’s event featured 13 sessions on topics related to team support, policy implementation, and organizational culture. Keynotes included:
- “The Science of Hope,” with Dr. Chan Hellman;
- “Let’s Talk About Fentanyl,” with Lynn Riemer, president of ACT on Drugs; and
- “Motivational Interviewing for Leaders: Cultivating Excellence, Driving Vision,” with Casey Jackson, CEO of IFIOC.
The event capitalized on the virtual format by offering a lunchtime “Indigenous Radio Hour” compiled by KEXP DJ Tory Johnston, as well as a sound bath optimized for the audience.
By the Numbers
Program Managers Conference
The 2025 Program Managers Conference was held on May 28 and 29.
The theme this year was “A Look Inside Program Management” and focused on what makes program managers tick, including sessions around the brain, behavior and tools to grow. You can view the full agenda here.
This event featured 14 sessions, with keynotes including:
“Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Wellbeing, and Productivity in the Digital Age,” with Dr. Gloria Mark;
“Unleashing Your Creativity: The Power of Slow-Motion Multitasking,” with economist and author Tim Harford;
“Leading with Integrity: Aligning Personal and Agency Values,” with Mackenzie Dunham, LICSW; and
“The Science of Hope,” with Dr. Chan Hellman.
By the Numbers
Caregiver Conference
The Alliance was awarded the contract for planning and execution of the 2025 Caregiver Conference as part of a state grant dedicated to this event.
The conference was held June 27-29 both online and in-person at locations across Washington, aiming to support convenient learning as well as relationship and family building. Participants noted they appreciated the flexibility and opportunity to connect and learn through in person and virtual formats.
The conference featured 17 virtual learning sessions, including the keynote “The Past Becomes the Present” with Washington native Kiantha Duncan, who experienced foster care as a child. The 16 sessions on Saturday were built in a way that let caregivers choose a track to focus their learning or jump between tracks to best suit their needs.
You can view the full agenda here.
By the Numbers
Course Launches
Click each title for a description of courses launched this quarter.
This course explores the ethical responsibilities and challenges faced by child welfare professionals. You will examine the core values and ethical standards that guide decision-making, including confidentiality and professional boundaries.
This training is designed for both new and experienced FRS case workers who wish to learn more about the Family Reconciliation Services (FRS) program. The course is structured to support the steps of an FRS case from intake to case closure with the goal of increasing opportunities for statewide consistency in practice when serving families seeking FRS services. You will also explore strategies to engage families to complete a family assessment. Working through a case scenario, you will think through service and legal recommendations.
This eLearning focuses on DCYF’s Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Notice process. This training covers the procedures for Social Support Specialists, Active Efforts Specialists, and ICW Legal Specialists. The eLearning also covers the forms needed to initiate the process, timeframes to follow, and the components needed to meet the “Reason To Know” requirements when a child is or may be an Indian Child.
Pathways to Permanency is a collection of courses designed for both caregivers and workforce professionals to strengthen their understanding of permanency options for children in out-of-home care, with a focus on the role of each team member in the permanency planning process. In this session, you will explore the pathway of reunification, gaining insights into the child safety framework and how it informs decision-making for reunification. You will review concurrent planning and best interest considerations for children. You will have the opportunity to reflect on the emotional experiences of all parties involved in the reunification process and will engage in discussions around trauma-informed strategies to support children during these transitions.
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.