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Tags Posts tagged with "OCYF"

OCYF

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The Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) is pleased to announce the release of the Caseworker Recruitment and Retention Study. The report includes 43 recommendations across six themes that address the primary issues driving attrition: cross-cutting; compensation; recruiting; caseworker workloads; training; and safe, supportive workplaces. OCYF recognizes the recommendations will not be applicable, viable, or appropriate to every CCYA. However, the goal is that each CCYA will find some recommendations that will be helpful in bolstering the employee recruitment and retention experience.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director and COO Jim Sharp.

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Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash

The Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) has launched the Pennsylvania Meaningful Family Engagement Toolkit, a web-based resource developed through statewide quality improvement efforts. Over a two-year collaboration period, Pennsylvania system partners defined meaningful family engagement, set consistent expectations for day-to-day practice, and prioritized organizational cultures supporting family engagement. The toolkit provides a comprehensive definition of meaningful family engagement and offers specific strategies and skill-building opportunities for child welfare professionals to enhance engagement and improve outcomes. It also highlights populations needing additional support for engagement, which they have included as fathers, youth, out-of-state parents, incarcerated parents, and extended family. Child welfare professionals are encouraged to utilize this resource to ensure consistent and sincere practice of meaningful family engagement.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Office of Children, Youth & Family has compiled a list of the top 10 frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the renewal process for existing Certificates of Compliance/Licenses. These FAQs cover essential information for providers operating under office regulations, including document requirements, submission procedures, and anticipated timelines. Providers can access the Licensing Administration Top 10 FAQs and are able to share these FAQs with relevant personnel. Providers are also encouraged to include their Certificate of Compliance or License number and agency/facility name in all communications with Licensing Administration staff.

If you have any questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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The Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) is continuing to offer free Trauma Intensive Courses to support individuals and teams in their professional development. These courses provide essential training in trauma awareness and healing. Options include Train-the-Trainer Sessions and sessions on processing pain as well as facilitating healing. Participants can deepen their understanding and skills in trauma-informed care, with limited seats available. To register for these courses, visit the course registration page. Additionally, various trauma-related workshops are open for registration, covering different aspects of trauma. For more information, visit the Lakeside Global Institute — Trauma Workshops 2024 page.

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The Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) is pleased to announce the continuation of their partnership with the Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) in contracting with Lakeside Global Institute to provide PA Child Welfare Professionals FREE trauma training. What is considered a PA Child Welfare Professional? Anyone who serves children and families who live in Pennsylvania. If your work touches on improving the lives of children and families, this applies to you and your organization!

Multiple cohorts for courses and workshops will be facilitated by Lakeside Global Institute and are available until September 30, 2024, or while funding is available. Available trainings will be offered live via a web-based platform. Tuition and material costs are covered!

This opportunity is perfect for new staff that have joined your team who may need workshops (101–110) as well as the child welfare professionals who are ready to take the next step in their trauma-informed care education journey via completion of the Intensive Courses.

Trainings available include the following:

  • Enhancing Trauma Awareness;
  • Deepening Trauma Awareness;
  • Applying Trauma Principles;
  • Trauma-Sensitive Certification;
  • Train the Trainers;
  • Processing Pain, Facilitating Healing; and
  • Trauma 101 through 110 Workshops.

Interested in workshops? Visit here.   

Interested in the Intensive Courses? Visit here. 

Note: Participants who have completed Enhancing Trauma Awareness, Deepening Trauma Awareness, and Applying Trauma Principles should not take Trauma-Sensitive Certification, as content would be duplicated.

The simple distinction between certification as a Trauma-Sensitive Professional (TSC course) and Trauma-Competent Professional (ETA, DTA, and ATP) is:

  • Trauma-Competent Professional: Requires completion of 3 courses — Enhancing, Deepening, and Applying Trauma (75 hours) and 8 books for required outside reading. The courses must be taken in the order listed, and one must be completed before advancing to the next.
  • Trauma-Sensitive Professional: Requires completion of the course of the same name (50 hours) and 3 books for required outside reading. This certification covers fewer topics than the 75-hour course.

DO NOT DELAY for this exciting and FREE opportunity, and schedule your trauma trainings today!

If you have questions relating to any of these trainings, please submit them via email to Lakeside Global Institute.

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Young Girl Talking With Counselor At Home

The Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families (PA OCYF) has announced  that the Pennsylvania 5-Year Prevention Plan for the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was officially approved by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on August 15, 2023. This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance and strengthen our state’s child welfare and family support systems. This also brings to a close a two-year approval process toward the plan, which outlines the comprehensive framework that Pennsylvania will implement to fulfill the requirements and goals set forth by the Family First Prevention Services Act. This legislation seeks to prioritize family-based services aimed at preventing the unnecessary placement of children in foster care, promoting family stability, and improving overall outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

The effective dates of the Pennsylvania 5-year Prevention Plan for FFPSA will be from October 1, 2021, to October 1, 2026. As Pennsylvania moves forward with the implementation of this plan, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (PA DHS) is excited about the positive impact it will have on the lives of Pennsylvania’s children and families. PA OCYF acknowledges the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including partner agencies, community organizations, and dedicated professionals who have contributed to the development of this comprehensive strategy.

Should you have any inquiries or require further information regarding the approved Prevention Plan, its strategies, or the implementation timeline, please do not hesitate to visit Pennsylvania’s Family First website or submit an inquiry through the Pennsylvania Specific Family First Questions Form.

OCYF Leadership will be on the RCPA Children’s Division Meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 1:00 pm and will cover this and other topics. If you have questions or feedback, please contact RCPA Mental Health Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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All child welfare professionals in Pennsylvania are eligible for the following FREE trauma trainings facilitated by Lakeside Global, Inc.

If you have completed Trauma 101 and Enhancing Trauma Awareness, you are eligible to register for the Train the Trainer course scheduled for May!

Train the Trainer (25-Hour Course)

Participants who meet course requirements would be certified by Lakeside Global Institute as Adjunct Trainers with authorization to license and present Lakeside Global Institute workshops. Adjunct Trainers are also equipped to facilitate small group discussions. LGI’s Train the Trainers course applies the same approaches and techniques provided in course content. Participants can expect LGI trainers to maintain a high level of integrity with regard to processes of group leadership, management, and facilitation.

Enhancing Trauma Awareness

Enhancing Trauma Awareness (ETA) is a 15-hour course that is the first in a series of trauma courses. ETA provides a rich and sophisticated exploration of the subject of trauma with an emphasis on encouraging professionals to become highly sensitive regarding the nature of trauma as foun­dational to becoming trauma-informed. Professionals will gain heightened awareness and respect with regard to trauma-related behaviors and the consequences of being impacted by trauma that can extend into relationships, systems, and across generations.

Questions?

If you already registered for training and did not receive a training link, here are your contacts:

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In partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) is funding trauma training opportunities for all child welfare professionals in PA via Lakeside Global. During the time period of September 30, 2022, through September 30, 2023, PA child welfare professionals serving children in PA are able to take advantage of FREE trainings facilitated by the team at Lakeside Global to become trauma-aware, trauma-sensitive, trauma-informed or healing-centered. This also includes Train the Trainer sessions to support trauma-informed sustainability within a child welfare organization.

Please view the flyer to learn more about how you can take advantage of this professional development. If you have questions relating to any of these trainings, please contact PA Care Partnership electronically. If you have any additional questions, please contact RCPA Policy Director Jim Sharp.

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