This in-person training is designed to provide participants with an opportunity to apply and practice skills for family engagement and assessment.

By the end of this course, participants will have the ability to:

• Respond respectfully and effectively to clients of different cultural, racial, religious, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.

• Create a positive working relationship with children and families by listening and embracing differences. 

• Manage conflict and use protective authority appropriately.

• Identify, describe, and demonstrate protective authority and the ability to use the least authority necessary to maintain engagement with a family and yet keep one safe. 

• Describe their conflict management style.

• Discuss why anger and conflict is a part of the change process.

• Partner and collaborate with families to improve child welfare outcomes.

• Identify areas for professional growth when managing conflict.

• Explain the importance of empathy and establishing rapport when engaging families.

• Know the importance and value of engaging and involving fathers in the casework process.

• Describe the benefits of engaging fathers in the casework process.

• Show understanding and identify the significance of fathers and their influence on a child's life.

• Self-reflect and examine their own views and biases of the significance of a father and how it could influence their commitment to father engagement. 

• Explain and illustrate ways to engage fathers, including the skills to search for fathers. 

• Identify strategies to foster engagement.

• Use reflective listening, and empathy to enhance engagement skills.

• Explore why anger/conflict is a part of the change process.

• Identify, analyze, and emulate the precepts of Family-Centered Practice and Engagement. 

• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of the importance of full disclosure while working with families and stakeholders.