Training & Education
Staff Development
At the core of the Staff Development function is the drive to provide a practical, responsive and supportive environment for the professional development of child protection staff both at Partnership as well as for our Case Management Agencies. So that our organization continues to produce permanent and safe outcomes for the children and families we service, the department enhances the skills and knowledge of our staff, provides the opportunity to maintain relevant professional certifications and promotes the cultural awareness and sensitivity essential to satisfying the needs of our clients. The training prepares individuals throughout our System of Care to advocate effectively for engaging families through family-centered practice and active involvement in all stages of the child welfare decision-making and case-planning process.
The department is responsible for the initial training, certification and continued professional development of all Case Managers and Supervisors. Our Staff Development Specialists are certified through the University of South Florida Training Academy and combined they bring a total of more than 100 years of experience in the field of Child Welfare.
We consider ourselves a Learning Organization, one whose people desire and can receive training not only in their current roles but also the training for roles to which they aspire in the future. To accomplish this, the Staff Development function offers training in different modalities: live in a classroom setting with PSF trainers, on-premises classes with guest trainers, webinars done by local and national subject matter experts; on-line courses that Partnership has developed and has contracted with third parties to offer as well as on-the-job training.
As one of three innovation sites in the State of Florida, we offer additional training programs in Solution Based Casework, Structured Decision Making and Signs of Safety.
Solution Based Casework is a family centered practice model that seeks to help the family team organize, prioritize and document the steps they will take to create safety, improved well-being and permanency for their children. The three basis goals of the model are:
- Develop partnerships with the family, providers and family networks.
- Focus on pragmatic everyday family like tasks.
- Promote specific prevention skills tied to the family’s tasks.
Course Descriptions for regular course offerings:
Pre-service training is the pre-requisite for all child protection professionals. Pre-service is a comprehensive 9 week course which introduces the case manager and supervisor to the foundations of child welfare. Some of the topics covered within the Pre-service curriculum include the following: Abuse and Neglect, Assessment, Case Planning, Documentation, Legal as well as an introduction to and navigation of the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN). This program covers state-mandated topics needed for accreditation and is followed by a field-based, on-the-job program leading to certification.
Family Team Conference: Families have a long history of dealing with and solving crisis by convening their own support to help address family emergencies. Family Team Conference training identifies and helps develop both interviewing and problem solving skills that aid in the development, crafting and implementation of the family team and the family plan.
Myers Briggs Training: The Myers Briggs personality instrument is used to gain an understanding of worker’s preferences. It is used to develop an understanding of self and co-workers to enhance creativity and improve working relationships. This course is typically an additional component of the Supervising for Excellence Training Program.
Supervising for Excellence Training, a pre-requisite for new case management supervisors. Participants will learn how to build effective teams, give constructive feedback and steer their team towards positive outcomes for children and families in care.
Staff Development Team:
Bob Holowiak
Vice President, Human Resources and Staff Development
Email Robert
352-244-1509
Connie Pierre Antoine
Staff Development Specialist
Email Connie
352-244-1526
Tia Stover
Staff Development Specialist
Email Tia
Peg McMahon
Staff Development Specialist
Email Peg
352-244-1528
Liz Hendrix
Staff Development Specialist
Email Liz
352-244-1529
Jaclyn Pavai
Administrative Assistant
Email Jaclyn
352-244-1603
By combining the programs, the state of the art training facilities and the talents of the staff development team, PSF offers its people the opportunity for career growth and provides the organization with talent needed for the continuous improvement effort essential to meeting the needs of our community’s children and families.
