Interdisciplinary Training for Effective Implementation of Services in Response to a Social Policy Change

ABSTRACT

This article describes an interdisciplinary (law and social work) training program for child welfare staff and attorneys that was implemented and tested in an extremely socially disadvantaged region in response to the legislative mandates of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. This project was undertaken by university-public agency collaboration and as such is part of a nation-wide trend to encourage partnerships that can enhance the delivery of quality services to children and families coming to the attention of the child welfare system. Coming at a time when the federal government is emphasizing the need for safety, permanency, and child well-being for children entering foster care, an interdisciplinary project that is effective in training staff to meet these objectives is timely.

Key Words:

• Interdisciplinary training
• child welfare workforce
• ASFA