ALIGN - Advance Learn Innovate Grow Network View Loaded

The AdCert courses will facilitate the implementation of a cohesive and progressive path of professional development that meaningfully connects to their pre-service training. The program will provide to DCF a university-led, evidence-based, trauma-informed, engaging training that will increase workers’ preparation and self-efficacy to handle the complexity of their caseloads. This ongoing program will engage child welfare workers and give them new knowledge, technical assistance, and support throughout their advancement up the career ladder. This will allow them to build expertise and specialize, ideally resulting in both improved worker job satisfaction and advanced and diverse competencies within the workforce.

Currently, there are three professional certification pathways under development. Research is clear that substance use disorders, domestic violence, mental health, and the concomitant trauma are often the leading reasons that families enter the child welfare system. The field is also recognizing that while there are adverse childhood experiences, there are also positive experiences that can be identified as strengths. We now understand that it is important to be not only trauma informed but also trauma responsive.