In This Issue
Dear trainers and coaches,
I am honored to join the important work of the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) and my colleagues at the Institute for Human Services to promote the best child welfare practices through training. You are a key element of a successful training program. The OCWTP highly values its trainers and coaches and supports them through our various services.  Common Ground, a newsletter for trainers and coaches, is one way and promotes an exchange of information and dialogue between the training system and you.
I am also excited to share that an ad hoc group was created to look at ways to better serve the changing needs of OCWTP trainers and coaches. This group is represented by Regional Training Center staff, members of the trainer pool and IHS staff.  Stay tuned for more information! 
I look forward to working on Common Ground and I appreciate the guidance and support of Laura Hughes during the transition.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any comments or feedback about  Common Ground.  

Dilya Limes

SavetheDateSave the Date


The Annual Trainer Conference will be held on April 4, 2016

Stay tuned for more information!
Retreat2015 OCWTP Strategic Planning Retreat
by Kyle Hoffman & Sally Fitch, IHS
  
This year, OCWTP's strategic planning retreat was attended by 60 participants. During this retreat participants discussed data the OCWTP can provide for the upcoming Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR).       
  
The goal of the federal CFSR is to help states meet national child and family safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes. The current CFSR runs from 2015 through 2018, with Ohio's onsite CFSR review scheduled for 2017. Ohio must provide data to the Children's Bureau in 2016 as a precursor to the federal onsite review in 2017. Read more

BrandingOCWTP Finds a New Face in Our Updated Brand
by Kelli Hughes & Leslie Ahmadi, IHS

One year ago the OCWTP Communications Work Team and Advisory Group began an intensive rebranding process. What has resulted is a colorful, updated  brand for the OCWTP - that is to say, a visual and verbal expression to the public of who we are and what we represent.

During a series of creative developmental meetings, group members identified OCWTP qualities reflected in our new vision, mission, and guiding principle statements. Members also identified OCWTP audiences and messages the new visual identity should express to those audiences. Read more 
Click on the image to visit the webpage
SAT
Substance Abuse Training Partnership 
by Kristina Allwood & Bobbie Boyer, IHS

Regional teams came together in Columbus to meet one other and explore how they could work together to enhance the success of families affected by substance abuse in Ohio. Key leaders at the state level provided information regarding their collaborative efforts and participants heard a leading expert present on the impact of opiate addiction.RTC directors and staff participated along with a select group of public child welfare supervisors and IHS staff.  Read more 
 
CongratsApplause and Recognition

  • Congratulations to John Ward for receiving the NEORTC Trainer of the Year 2015 Award!
  • Congratulations to Rhonda Reagh, an OCWTP trainer and coach, for receiving the Ohio State University, College of Social Work's Distinguished Career Award on October 9, 2015.
  • Congratulations to OCWTP trainer, Theresa Johnson, who has been promoted at South Central JFS (Hocking Site) to Supervisor after serving many years as a Caseworker. This will definitely be a benefit for the OCWTP!
Trainer Tips
NormalcyNormalcy and the Reasonable and Prudent Parent 
Standard Guide

By now, you may have heard the term "normalcy" and "Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard" come up in the classroom. The OCWTP has created a brief guide that explains these concepts. The tool was developed for foster caregivers, but you'll find the information is relevant to casework and supervisor practice as well.

OhioMindsMatterOhio Minds Matter Tool Kit 

Check out the video on how to use the Ohio Minds Matter Tool Kit. This interactive tutorial targets various groups (i.e. adolescents, parents and caregivers, health professionals, social services workers and teachers) and can serve as a resource for trainers in classrooms. Follow the link and click on "See the Tool Kit in Action" to access the video.
TransitioningYouthTransitioning Youth
by Charlotte Osterman, IHS

We've been hearing a lot lately about the issue of "Transitioning Youth". It seems to be a recurring theme that is drawing the attention of child welfare and mental health practitioners, politicians, community partners, and many other special interest groups. 

OCWTP trainers, likewise, recognize how important this topic is to caseworkers and caregivers, and many are beginning to incorporate content on transitioning youth into their learning outlines. Here is a link to the Children's Bureau Express (CBX) website containing a list of several of the latest resources on transitioning youth which you might find helpful in your training. 
TrainerListTrainer To-Do List

Did you know the average person forgets 50% of what she learns within an hour of learning it? 

Did you know you have the power to 
significantly 
increase retention by using effective visuals?

The OCWTP is offering a new virtual classroom TOT: Strengthening Presentation Design to 
Enhance LearningIn this two-hour live online module, appropriate for all trainers, you'll learn to apply key cognitive design principles to increase the effectiveness of your training presentations. Find out more by following  the link.
Do We Have a Current Trainer Biography for You?

We are working on updating OCWTP trainer biographies. You trainer bio is entered in E-Track and used to advertise learnings. If you haven't recently updated your bio, please follow the link to share information related to your education, licenses held and professional experience. Thank you in advance! 

Your Input Is Needed!


Please share your ideas about topics for future  issues of Common Ground by following this link

ResourcesResources for OCWTP Trainers

Check out the resources tagged NEW! to see what's been added this month.

Click here to access Resources for OCWTP Trainers.


RTCNewsFrom Around the OCWTP
The Latest News, Updates, and Announcements



Welcome New RTC Staff!
Denise Orchard

Denise Orchard joined SWORTC as the Director in July 2015. She comes with a long history of child welfare experience. Ms. Orchard worked in Hamilton County Children's Services since 1994. She held multiple front line positions, including Ongoing, Intake, and After-Hours Investigations. After she completed her MSW in 1999 she moved into Children's Services Quality Assurance where she developed policies, completed record review audits, and assisted in the Accreditation process. Ms. Orchard later transitioned into management in 2003-2015 as a Section Chief, where she managed the Intake, Ongoing, and Foster Care/Adoption divisions. While working full time, Denise also held various part-time positions throughout her career as an Emergency Department social worker, therapist, and an Adjunct professor with University of Cincinnati. 
 
Denise is very excited to be part of the SWORTC and working with other professionals to enhance the child welfare system.

Mary Serapiglia, LISW-S has been selected as the Department Director, Professional Development & Training.  Mary has been with Summit County Children Services since 1991 and has a wide range of experience, specifically in the training and staff development departments for Summit County. As part of her duties, she will oversee the Summit training, New Worker Orientation and Student Field Placement Programs as well as serve as the Director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Training Center. Mary was a previous Caseworker Core trainer and has experience working with the OCWTP.

Alexis Radcliff has joined the SEORTC team as the Staff Training Coordinator.  Alexis brings a wealth of previous experience from Stages Early Learning Center, Kids on Campus, Noble County Children Services, and the Athens Community Center.  Alexis holds two Bachelor's Degrees, one in Psychology and the other in Theater.   
TrainingCalendarUpcoming OCWTP Learning Opportunities for Trainers
So You Want to be a Trainer (9am-1pm)

January 8, 2016 - TBD
May 6, 2016 - CORTC

Stand Up and Take Charge of the  
Learning Environment (9am-4pm)

December 8-9, 2015 - CORTC
February 10-11, 2016 - CORTC
April 11-12, 2016 - CORTC
June 8-9, 2016 - CORTC

Curriculum Development (9am-4pm)
November 2-3, 2015 - TBD
March 14-15, 2016 - CORTC
May 9-10, 2016 - CORTC  

Strengthening Presentation Design to Enhance Learning (7 pm - 9pm)
January 20 & 27, 2016 - Go to Training
May 10 & 17, 2016 - Go to Training

Culture and Diversity Training of Trainers 
Self-directed process with an OCWTP staff member

2016 OCWTP Trainer Conference 
April 4, 2016 - TBD
 
For more information or to register please contact Debra Sparrow.

The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program | 1706 E. Broad Street | Columbus | OH | 43203