Common Core 3.0
Status Update: Goals, Principles, Phases and Activities
July 2013
This document outlines the work plan for a substantial revision of the Common Core for Child
Welfare Workers, which commenced in FY 2012/2013 and will continue through FY 2014/2015.
Background:
The Common Core was initially created in FY 2004/2005, after several years of intensive work by
the statewide training system. The Core was systematically evaluated and revised, with the
overarching structure remaining essentially the same. As we prepare for our next Strategic Plan
for Evaluation, a more substantial revision of the Core is envisioned.
Goals of the Revision
 Streamlining content in Common Core to assure that it reflects the knowledge and skills
needed for beginning practice. (State regulations require that sections of the Core be
completed in 1 year of hire, and the entire Core be completed within 2 years of hire.)
 Identifying alternative modalities for delivery of material that promote efficiency and learning,
such as eLearning, other forms of distance learning, blended learning, etc.)
 Sharpening the focus of Common Core to build key skills that are critical to practice.
 Identifying areas of the Core that would best be reinforced with on-the-job training and/or
coaching (by supervisors or other coaches/field trainers)
 Aligning Core topics and information more to the practice of child welfare social work,
possibly including:
- Framing the content to support the eventual implementation of a practice model
- Sequencing of topics
- Grouping content into areas of practice (e.g. Assessment, Engagement, Case Planning,
etc.)
 Modifying the curriculum revision process to make it more responsive to practice changes.
 Identifying methods to support the key knowledge and skills in the Common Core for existing
staff and other audiences.
Principles for the Revision
 Common Core content should support the broad concept of evidence-based practice,
integrating empirically supported practices when available, and promising practices in use
widely in the state.
 Content should reflect the set of knowledge and skills needed for beginning practitioner of
child welfare social work.
 Training should be delivered in the modality that most efficiently conveys the information and
allows application to practice.
 Trainee content must be delivered in a modality or modalities that are accessible to all newly
hired social workers in the state.
 The Common Core must provide content that is appropriate for all counties, with the
understanding that information on county policies will be provided by the county.
 Common Core must satisfy the federal requirements as outlined in the CFSR and the Program
Improvement Plans completed by California in 2004 and 2009.
Phases of Core 3.0 Revision Process
Completed and partially completed phases:
Phase I: Stakeholder Identification and
Planning for Engaging Stakeholders
Activities:
 Identification of various stakeholders that
will participate and provide input
 Determination of method and timing of
engaging stakeholders and type/level of
participation.
 Provision of basic information on the
Common Core and proposed revision.
Products:
 Fact sheets and informational materials
for Common Core and goals for revision.
 Preliminary project plan.
 Surveys and Focus Group scripts to assist
in gathering information.
Phase II: Information Gathering from Key
Stakeholders
Activities:
 Structured conversations with Key
Stakeholders (beginning with the
counties) to gather information about
goals of revision and options for changes
to content, delivery, structure and
modality.
 Synthesis of information gathered to
identify key decisions.
Products:
 Matrix of content mapped to new
practices (Katie A., AB 12, CAPP, etc.)
 Summary of other states’ models for core
training.
 Regional focus groups and interviews.
Phase III: Concept Formulation
Activities:
 Key stakeholders consider options and
make recommendations for modality,
content grouping, sequencing and scope.
(Evaluation must be considered.)
Products:
 Analysis of information gleaned from
CC3.0 Work Plan
Status: Completed
Activities:
 Identified a broad array of stakeholders and
their roles in the process, and focused preconcept stakeholder information gathering
on counties;
 Identified statewide county champions and
updated them in more detail on the Project
Plan;
 Reviewed Revision Plan with STEC, and
updated CWDA Children’s Committee.
Products:
 All products completed
Status: Completed
Activities:
 Completed focus groups, surveys and other
information-gathering activities in each
region.
Products:
 All products completed
Status: Completed
Activities:
 Analyzed data from focus groups (regionally
and statewide). Convened a group with
representation from RTAs/IUC, counties,
state staff and CalSWEC to review the data
collected from stakeholders, and begin
formulating a concept for broader and
deeper stakeholder input. Began to
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previous phases
Key decision points that are required for
revision.
Facilitated meeting to make critical
decisions and plan for moving ahead with
recommendations.
Proposed new model based on the
decision points.
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Phase IV: Vetting and Information Gathering
for Concept
Activities:
 Gathering of feedback on concept with
wider group of stakeholders
Products
 Communication tools to present the
concept
 Information gathering tools to obtain and
analyze input.
conceptualize the new Core to be more
aligned with practice, and consistent with
emerging statewide practice model (Katie A.
and CAPP);
Re-convened the group in October, 2012 and
January, 2013 to complete the concept
formulation phase.
Agreed to propose organizing the content
into one foundational area and six practice
areas that are consistent with the Katie A.
Core Practice Components and the CAPP
Core Practice Elements.
Identified the Safety-Organized Practice
tools that support each of the Practice Areas.
Delineated content within the practice areas
that we propose be delivered immediately
(100 level), and content that should be
provided after some time in the field (200level).
Identified priorities for Transfer of Learning
(TOL) and coaching.
Identified content in each proposed practice
area that was most amenable to learning
outside the classroom.
Status: Completed
Activities:
 Planned for stakeholder involvement,
including identifying key stakeholders and
methods to gain their feedback on the
concept.
 Completed 2 statewide webinar-based
feedback sessions in February 2013.
 Completed 1 regional stakeholder meeting in
February 2013.
 Developed a stakeholder on-line survey and
provided the link to stakeholders.
 Completed stakeholder feedback analysis.
 Finalized CC3.0 concept.
Products:
 Completed communication and informationgathering tools.
Phase V: Design and Implementation Planning
Activities
 Synthesis of feedback on concept into
new design and implementation plan.
 Determination of courses, curriculum
CC3.0 Work Plan
Status: In progress
Activities:
 Developed detailed curriculum description
and outline.
 Developing plan to gather stakeholder
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products, evaluation and levels of
standardization.
Gather feedback on content.
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feedback on content.
Developing design and implementation plan.
Developing stakeholder feedback materials.
Products:
 Detailed description of Version 3.0 that
reflects stakeholder feedback.
 Implementation Plan for revising content
and rolling out new curricula, including
timelines and responsibilities.
 Stakeholder feedback materials.
Phase VI: Curriculum Formulation and Piloting
Activities
 Develop and pilot Common Core 3.0
content and field advisor training content
(timeline for preliminary concept includes
1 year of curriculum drafting beginning in
Summer of 2013, and one year of piloting
and revision beginning in Summer of
2014.).
 Develop evaluation materials.
Status: In progress
Activities:
 Develop curriculum and evaluation
materials.
 Pilot individual modules.
 Revise materials.
 Pilot full core.
Products:
 Learning objectives.
 Online modules.
 Classroom curricula.
 Field activity guide.
 Evaluation tools.
Upcoming phases:
Phase VII: Roll-Out
Activities:
 Delivery of Core 3.0 with relevant evaluation components.
 Completed evaluation tools.
Products:
 Finalized curricula
 Evaluation tools (including Quality Assurance plan)
CC3.0 Work Plan
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