Kinship Care Training

Traditions of Caring and Collaborating Model of Practice

As public and private child welfare agencies and organizations celebrate the considerable contributions of kinship caregivers and strive to support kinship families, a "model of practice" is essential. All staff must have the same vision and mission, share the same values, use strengths-based language, implement evidence-based/informed practice principles and strategies, and achieve outcomes in the best interests of children and families. Through research and field tests, CWLA has developed and is pleased to offer the Traditions of Caring and Collaborating Model of Practice that agencies can implement and adapt.

CWLA is sharing a combined approach to learning and implementing the model of practice in a two-day training prior to the CWLA National Kinship Care Conference. Objectives include: how kinship care developed as a child welfare program and how that history contributes to current practice challenges; the dynamics that differentiate kinship care from foster care; and the Traditions of Caring and Collaborating Model of Practice, with accompanying practice tools to implement the model.

The model of practice includes two significant resources:

1. Collaborating with Kinship Caregivers: A Competency-based, Research to Practice Training Program for Child Welfare Social Workers and Their Supervisors. This 12-hour training program identifies nine issues of concern for kinship caregivers and five competencies necessary for child welfare staff to work collaboratively with kinship caregivers to address those issues.  The collaboration encompasses four phases of service delivery to achieve safety, well-being, and permanency for children in their care.


2. Traditions of Caring and Collaborating: Kinship Family Information, Support Groups, and Assessment. This 27-hour program brings kinship caregivers together to learn skills and share experiences. It also helps kin and agency staff assess the willingness, ability, and resources of kinship caregivers to protect and nuture children, meet developmental needs and address delays, support relationships with birth parents and other family members, connect to relationships intended to last a lifetime, and work collaboratively.

Participants will receive complete training in Collaborating with Kinship Caregivers and an introduction to Traditions of Caring and Collaborating: Kinship Family Information, Support Groups, and Assessment. This dynamic and fast-paced training will be facilitated by Eileen Mayers Pastor, DSW, Professor, School of Social Work, California State University, Long Beach and CWLATrainer/Consultant and Donna D. Petras, PhD, MSW, CWLA Director, Models of Practice and Training Development. Because collaboration is the essential foundation of our model of practice, a kinship caregiver will also be co-facilitating.

Kinship Care Training Schedule
Tuesday, September 16
9:00 am - 5:00 PM (includes lunch)

Wednesday, September 17
9:00 pm - 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm (includes Opening Plenary Lunch)

Kinship Care Training Registration Fee
With Conference Registration: $195
Without Conference Registration: $395

REQUIRED MATERIAL MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY.

Collaborating with Kinship Caregivers: A Competency-based, Research to Practice Training Program for Child Welfare Workers and Their Supervisors

Participants must bring the Collaborating with Kinship Caregivers curriculum to the training. It is available for $180 CWLA Member; $225 Non-Member at the CWLA Bookstore.

For questions or assistance, please contact BuildingKinshipCommunities@cwla.org.