This course provides an overview of the Implementation of Act 409 and its implications for CPS practice. Act 409 was enacted to strengthen child welfare oversight across schools and Early Learning Centers, close loopholes in investigations of child-on-child sexual abuse, mandate SCR Clearances for staff in all public and private school employees, provide clarity concerning dual reporting requirement to DCFS and Law Enforcement, modify CPS Investigative finding terms, require Ombudsman notifications on all fatality investigations; and provide for civil remedies for victims. This is the recorded, self-paced version of the Implementation Act 409 training that was held in July of 2025.

Topics to be covered include expectations relative to initial and on-going diligent search for adult relatives and other persons who have a significant relationship with a child coming into custody. The expectations and timelines for submission of information to the court relative to diligent search and relative/fictive kin notification letters. New provisions in the law related to expectations for relatives as well as circumstances within which a court can find that continuation of the placement of a young child under age 6 with a foster caregiver within whom they have a significant relationship is in their best interest and setting up special procedures to be followed prior to and/or subsequent to changes in placement.

This course describes what the Federal Programs Unit is responsible for, define Title IV-E, outline goals of the Title IV-E program, explain worker roles in maximizing IV-E funding, provide information on RMS, Social Security, Medicaid and Parental Contributions.

This course reviews the changes in the interpretation and case practice of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Information is presented by national and local experts. Participants will learn about the history of ICWA, its purpose, and other key facts related to the legislation.

While each of the Child Development workshops can be taken independently, taking them as a series gives a detailed perspective on the growth and development of children ages 0-12. Each session includes important milestones that typical children achieve and the warning signs that they are falling behind. The sessions also include activities that you can do with the child to help them thrive. All sessions highlight the unique challenges that children in foster care may face as a result of being abused or neglected, born with addiction or fetal alcohol syndrome or attachment problems. All workshops include discussion time, reflection time, and case studies. In addition to developmental milestones, warning signs and activities, The Infant - 3 Years Old session includes info on failure to thrive, shaken-baby syndrome, delays vs disabilities, and early intervention. Upon completion of this course, participants will: - Learn about the important milestones between birth and three years of age. These milestones represent typical development in language, learning (cognitive), physical movement, and social/emotional growth. - Learn about early warning signs that may signal early delays, disabilities, or lack of attachment. - Become familiar with famous theories and studies on the effects of separation, difference between delays and disabilities, and specific conditions such as failure to thrive, fetal alcohol syndrome, and shaken baby syndrome. Participants will learn the short and long term ramifications of early abuse and neglect. - Learn how to help infants and toddlers thrive.

Since 2023, the average number of children in Louisiana who have died due to vehicular heat strokes each year is 29. In most cases, parental neglect was not a contributing factor. Vehicular heatstroke deaths of children can occur when a child is left in a car while a parent or caregiver runs a quick errand, by children accidentally locking themselves in a vehicle, and when parents or caregivers ?forget? that a child is in the car. The purpose of this course is to educate participants on why leaving children unattended in vehicles can be deadly and what steps to take to prevent children from becoming trapped in cars. The science behind how parents and caregivers can easily ?forget? children in vehicles is covered and techniques to implement to prevent ?forgetting? children in cars.