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The OCWTP Is Currently Revising Caseworker Core!
These changes will ensure all Caseworker Core modules align with new Ohio best practices. These include: - CAPMIS
- SACWIS
- Differential Repose
- Family Search and Engagement
- Trauma-Informed Practice
Each is being offered as it is revised so new caseworkers are already receiving updated information in many of these content areas. Read about the Caseworker Core modules that have been revised. |
Participate in a Distance Learning Opportunity Just for Supervisors!
Workshop: Caseworker Core Overview for Supervisors
With the implementation of Differential Response, CAPMIS, and SACWIS in the last decade, Casework best practice in Ohio has evolved. In this 2-hour webinar, supervisors will learn how these casework best practices have been integrated into Caseworker Core. They will be provided information about what they can expect their new caseworkers to know upon completion of Caseworker Core and strategies they might adopt to support the transfer of learning. We are offering two sessions of this workshop:
- Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Please email ssaunders-adams@ihs-trainet.com to register. Space is limited, so register ASAP!
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Why Are My Caseworkers Struggling to Complete Quality Visits?
Few things are as critical as seeing the children we serve face to face, and yet as a state we continue to struggle. Many supervisors are challenged to understand why their caseworkers are not meeting expectations for making face to face visits. Robert Mager (1997) provides a valuable lens for this question. We know that performance deficits are a result of either a gap in knowledge or a gap in execution. Gaps in execution can be about concrete barriers (e.g., large caseloads), but there can also to be a motivation barrier. Supervisors should have a good understanding of how to approach caseworkers who are not making necessary face to face visits with the children on their caseloads. Help your staff make quality home visits by using these strategies to address their performance gaps. |
SACWIS Spotlight
Utilizing the SACWIS Comprehensive Visitation Report
By Kristine Monroe and Lindsay Williams, OFC
The Comprehensive Visitation Report provides child and adult visitation data for the foster care (custody) and in-home (non-custody) data populations. The report was originally designed as a management tool to assist supervisors in ensuring that required ongoing monthly foster care and in-home visits were completed and documented in SACWIS.
Public children services agencies (PCSAs) can use the summary version of the report to determine the percentage of child and adult visits that have been completed in any given month. The detailed version of the report lists each case/person combination requiring a monthly visit and allows PCSAs to easily identify which children and adults have not been visited. As a result, it was a logical choice for Office of Families and Children (OFC) to utilize the Comprehensive Visitation Report as a means of determining the Performance-Base Caseworker Visitation Incentives.
Click here to read about recent changes to the report, common errors that may negatively impact your data, and additional tools to help you use the report as a management tool.
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Dear Supervisor
"Dear Supervisor" is our take on the well-known "Dear Abby" advice column. This segment is devoted to helping supervisors meet the challenges of the job. The questions come from you, child welfare supervisors. If you have a challenge you'd like us to address, email us at supervisor@ihs-trainet.com.
Question: I understand, and agree with, the push to involve fathers when we're providing casework services. However, if we put fathers on case plans and don't see them, it brings our visitation numbers down. If we don't include fathers, our compliance ratings suffer, especially if we know the identity of the fathers but don't include them. There are also those situations where fathers may be in prison or live out of state, making it difficult to visit or involve them. Is there a rule that can guide us that can help us know what we should do?
Click here to read the response. |
Visit with Grandpa
By April Fleming, MS
During my time as a supervisor in human services, the demands of my administrative tasks sometimes felt so consuming; I unintentionally lost sight of the value of human experience. Undoubtedly, adhering to policy, optimizing best practices, and taking advantage of any opportunity to update myself on evidence-supported research was, and still remains, essential. However, I have begun to realize that taking a moment to absorb the lessons we encounter in everyday life is equally fundamental.
I feel great compassion for what you are tasked with every day: high caseloads, at times limited resources, and seasons when you cannot seem to connect with a staff member, a decision-maker, or a client. I also feel compelled to share a personal story (which has a splash of supportive academia) in hopes you may connect with my family's heartfelt human experience. Perhaps you will be reminded of something significant that occurred in your own life or the life of someone you know, and this remembrance will ignite the fervor within you and aid you in your journey as a leader and an advocate.
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Superstar Supervisor
Congratulations Jennifer Schumacher, Seneca County Children Services Supervisor!
Nominated by: Stacy Unum, Staff Training Coordinator for the Northwest Ohio Regional Training Center
What makes Jennifer a "superstar supervisor"? Let's hear from her colleagues!
Jennifer Schumacher became a supervisor at Seneca County Children Services in November 2014 and has shown that even as a new supervisor, small changes can make a big impact in practice. According to the agency's CPOE review, "As the Assessment and Investigation Supervisor, a notable shift in assessments and investigation practices have been reported during the agency's most recent CPOE review."
I have known Jennifer for 13 years and worked with her in investigations. She has shown compassion to the families she worked with and advocated for their needs. I went out on a removal case with Jen and the mother would not let me in the home since she didn't know me. I literally sat in the car for four hours communicating with Jennifer only through text to make sure she was okay. Jennifer spent the rest of the day trying to help the mother find a relative placement so her children would not have to go into foster care. Jennifer has made it through some very challenging times as a worker and a supervisor and I respect her professionalism, commitment, sense of humor and her ability to always see the good in people and situations. As you can see, I am very proud of her and very fortunate to call her a friend.
Stacy Unum, MCJ
Staff RTC Coordinator
Training & Development
Northwest Ohio Regional Training Center
Jennifer has done an outstanding job of evaluating and resolving issues with best practice and state mandates in the intake and assessment unit. She immediately recognized issues and implemented changes without hesitation. During the agency CPOE review, the TAS commented several times on these changes and the positive impact those changes had on case work.
Jennifer immediately increased the number of desk reviews and team meetings with her unit to share best practice and OAC mandate requirements with her staff. During the agency CPOE review the TAS commented several times on how well and quickly Jennifer was able to implement changes with best practice. Jennifer very quickly identified the best way to communicate changes to each individual worker and tailored training to their individual needs. As indicated above, Jennifer handles her work duties very effectively and very quickly. Even while making some dramatic changes she was able to do so in a very positive manner and maintain a high level of moral, receiving compliments from her staff and ODJFS staff. Due to the training and changes implemented by Jennifer and her fellow supervisor, Mindy Strupp, the agency did not have to complete any QIPs for this CPOE round.
Jeffrey Sell
Social Services Program Administrator
Seneca County DJFS Keep up the fantastic work Jennifer! Do you have someone you would like to nominate as a "Superstar Supervisor"? Email supervisor@ihs-trainet.com and tell us about them. |
Attention Supervisors of Assessors
Do your Assessors know about the revised Preservice training and accompanying tools?
Assessors have long expressed concerns about the length of time between Preservice training attendance and placement of a child in the home. By the time placement occurs, caregivers have forgotten important information shared in Preservice. To enhance their retention, the OCWTP developed a series of tools to be used by caregivers and Assessors at three points in time.
Preservice Training: Every Preservice module includes transfer of learning activities and ends with participants completing a Reflection Sheet.
Assessment: Assessors review, with caregivers, the Preservice Reflection Sheets and use the newly revised Family Interview Guide (FIG) to assess understanding of Preservice content.
Assessors can learn more by attending the workshop Preservice Training Overview for Assessors. Register in E-Track searching for the learning number code 201-89-S.
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New From the OCWTP
Just-In-Time SACWIS Resources
The OCWTP has created a webpage to house short video's and guides related to several SACWIS functionalities. Add this page to your "Favorites" and check back often as we are always adding new items.
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Family Finding Convening 2.0 - November 10th
The Family Finding Convening 2.0 will be held on November 10th in Columbus, OH. The day will be designed as a learning and engagement opportunity for administrative and management level representatives from county child welfare organizations, ODJFS, private providers, funding organizations, the judicial community, university social work departments, mental health organization, family finding programs, and Permanency Roundtable pilot counties. The day will focus on learning from existing models and holding strategic conversation to move the practice of authentic family-centered engagement forward in Ohio.
Click here to access more information. |
OCWTP Resources for Supervisors
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We are seeking your input about the supervisor newsletter and other OCWTP learning activities. Please take a moment to give us your feedback. The information will be used to tailor the newsletter to best meet your needs and to help OCWTP plan supervisor learning activities.
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