HD44 - Implementation of Child Protective Services Competency-Based Training


Executive Summary:
• House Joint Resolution 82, requested the Department of Social Services to develop a plan which would provide for the required minimum competency standards for child protective services (CPS) staff, including additional training and regular reassessment.

• The Department of Social Services began the delivery of competency-based, in-service training for CPS and other child welfare staff in the spring of 1991.

• This training program, known as the Virginia Institute for Social Services Training Activities (VISSTA), has been voluntarily attended by local social service agency CPS staff and others. The system includes an Individual Training Needs Assessment (ITNA) which assists the worker and supervisor in determining training needs.

• The Department of Social Services has identified three courses that are unique to CPS work and will require that all new CPS staff complete these courses, regardless of ITNA scores, within their first year of employment. Six other courses will be required to be completed, as needed, within the first two years of employment as a CPS worker.

• All CPS staff will be required to assess their training needs biennially and to attend needed training in a timely fashion.

• CPS staff who investigate complaints of sexual abuse of children will be required to do so under direct supervision until they have completed the three mandated courses and are deemed competent by their supervisors.

• The training plan described will require that by FY 1997 approximately 1000 CPS staff will begin attending up to 23 days of training. The standard cost is $43 per day of training per participant for trainers, materials, facilities and other related costs. The department expects to absorb most costs through the contract with VISSTA and through obtaining IV-E federal funds.