Q&A
Training and qualifications of CARES specialists
0:56:30
·
102 sec
Council Member Stevens raises concerns about the training of CARES specialists, citing anonymous whistleblower claims. Commissioner Dannhauser explains the extensive training process for Child Protective Specialists (CPS) and additional training for CARES specialists.
- CPS undergo a 9-month ramp-up process with extensive initial training
- CARES specialists receive several additional weeks of specialized training
- ACS offers ongoing training opportunities through their Workforce Instant Institute
Althea V. Stevens
0:56:30
K.
0:56:31
The same anonymous whistleblower raised concern that they were trained as investigators, not as social workers, with specific training to do care specialists receive, to equip them with the skills necessary to provide families with appropriate care and support.
0:56:46
So they're saying that they don't feel like they're even equipped to be care specialists.
Jess Dannhauser
0:56:52
So there's, very extensive CPS training at the the beginning of every CPS's, time with us.
0:57:00
It's about a 9 month ramp up process.
0:57:03
Then for folks who volunteer to be care specialists.
0:57:07
So I just I also wanna be clear.
0:57:09
No one has to be a care specialist.
0:57:12
And so when doing that, there's an additional several weeks of training.
0:57:17
Some of the tools I was describing earlier, the the three houses, doing, intents around motivational interviewing, how to access support for families, how to do a safety assessment in this model, all of that is trained.
0:57:31
And I and I welcome conversation with any staff member who's concerned, doesn't feel like they're prepared.
0:57:37
I want them to reach out to me directly.
0:57:40
Staff have my email, my phone number.
0:57:42
They know how to get me.
0:57:44
We really need need to make sure that, in each instance, however responding to a family, that we're doing that with respect, that we're doing that with integrity and excellence.
0:57:55
So, we'll continue to to build on the trainings that we have.
0:57:59
We have a plethora of trainings through our workforce instant institute, that folks can stack on top of that initial training.
0:58:08
So I think what what's available is appropriate, but we're always looking to evolve.
