The ABC’s of CPS – What Professionals Should Know about
Child Protective Services
Program Description
This workshop will provide an overview of the fundamentals of making child protective
services (CPS) referrals and assist community practitioners with understanding what
families experience when involved with CPS. Participants will be provided with specific
guidelines that will help with gathering information from children and caregivers to help
accurately capture potential safety issues affecting children. Additionally, there will be
exploration of what happens after the referral is made. Participants will receive a unique
opportunity to gain insight into the comprehensive workings of the child welfare system
in North Carolina. Information will be provided about the investigative process, in home
services, foster care, and adoptions.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:
1. Explain their understanding of child welfare services including investigations, inhome services, foster care and termination of parental rights/adoptions;
2. Describe the specific safety factors that professionals should attempt to identify
which place the child at risk for harm;
3. Examine the varying aspects of the child welfare system;
4. Demonstrate their ability to implement the knowledge gained in order to make more
safety-specific referrals to social services; and to better inform their clients about
child welfare system;
5. Discuss the reporting process for intake referrals with colleagues and clients alike to
emphasize the family-centered approach that is used by CPS in order to minimize
perceived fear of the child welfare system.
Target Audience
This workshop is for any community practitioner that engages with children and families.
Therapists, health care professionals, case managers, mental health providers and any
other professionals that are professionally bound to report child maltreatment are
encouraged to attend.
Contact Hours
6.25
Program Agenda
Time line of the day – including 15 minute AM and PM breaks and lunch (usually 1.0 –
1.5 hours)
Hour 1-1.5
Mandated Reporting and Legal Definitions of Child Maltreatment
Hour 1.5-2.25
Identifying Safety Issues - What should professionals know
when making a referral?
Hour 2.25-2.5
15 minute break
Hour 2.5-3
Multiple Response System
Hour 3-4
What Happens after the Referral is Made? Overview of
Investigations and Assessments.
Hour 4-5.25
1:15 minute lunch
Hour 5.25- 6
What Happens After Investigation/Assessment: Overview of InHome Case Management Services
Hour 6-7
What happens when children cannot remain safely in their homes?
An overview of foster care and out-of home services. (includes a
15 minute break)
Hour 7-7.5
Adoptions & Termination of Parental Rights.
Hour 7.5-8
Conclusion/Evaluation
Faculty
Alycia Blackwell, MSW, is currently employed as a Child Protective Services
Supervisor and has spent the last 8 years employed by child welfare agencies. Much of
her experience involves working with children and families specifically related to their
involvement in the child welfare system. Ms. Blackwell is also a Field Instructor for
UNC School of Social Work and hase been contractually employed as an adjunct faculty
member at NCCU School of Social Work.
Additionally, Ms. Blackwell has also participated in study abroad trips to China (2009)
and South Africa (2012) thus fostering an interest in international social work practices.
She is an active volunteer of Fathers on the Move, a program based in Chapel Hill that seeks
to provide parenting support, housing and employment to fathers who are involved with the
criminal justice system.
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