New Worker Learning Activities
Some new workers are in the field for several weeks prior to beginning their official training. Listed below are specific learning activities the new worker might complete during this pre-training period.
- Get to know DCO services and staff (food stamp, TEA, and Medicaid workers) and write questions to discuss with Field Instructor.
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- Get name on sign in/out board and learn more about office procedures.
- Review Resource Manual and make a list of resources you would want to visit. Make sure you know where Juvenile Court and the County Clerk’s Office are located.
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- Shadow workers in ASSESSMENT/ INVESTIGATION unit on client interviews. Before you go or as you are traveling to client homes, get information on case from the worker—why reported, family composition; etc. (If possible, look at case on CHRIS). Ask to look at the report the worker received. Review interview process with workers as you are returning from client visits.
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- Meet with Field Instructor to process what you have learned and have questions about.
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- Attend a court hearing(s).
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- Begin visiting community resources. Begin compiling a resource directory for yourself.
- Visit with INTAKE workers in the office (if applicable). If possible, look at case on CHRIS. Review process/procedures of that unit. Ask to look at the paperwork and/or CHRIS screens they complete.
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- Review the hard copies of case records and case documents (case plan, court reports, affidavits). Ask someone to give you a listing of what goes where in a case record so you can make yourself a dummy file.
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Shadow PROTECTIVE SERVICE workers on the job. Be sure you get to visit some client homes. Prior to going to visit a family, review the Health & Safety (CFS-6025), Risk Assessment (CFS-6026), and the Family Strengths and Needs (CFS-6009) for each family. Be sure you know what the purpose of the visit is. Ask the workers to let you look at the Case Plan, and the contact pages on each family (in CHRIS) you visit. Make notes on each family you visit to discuss with your Field Instructor. Be sure you and the worker decide who will enter the contact in CHRIS. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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- Accompany workers on several HOME VISITS. Discuss family strengths and issues. Discuss how you would work the case if you were the caseworker.
- Shadow FOSTER CARE workers in the field. Be sure to visit a biological parent, a foster home, and at least two foster children. Prior to visiting children, bio parents, or foster homes, be sure you have looked at the case plan and have learned the purpose of the visit you are making. Note the strengths and issues facing the families you visit. Interview a foster parent to learn what it is like to take care of foster children and work with DCFS. Discuss what you learned with your Field Instructor.
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- Review the court reports and court orders on at least two of the families you visit.
Note questions to discuss with Field Instructor. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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Attend a court hearing on a case you have observed. Prior to the hearing, ask to review the court report. Do you understand and agree with the recommendations? Discuss with caseworker, Supervisor, or Field Instructor. ______________________________________________________________________________________________
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- Accompany a worker & child on an initial health screening. Note what happens with the screening and the placement of the child. Discuss with Field Instructor.
- Accompany a worker on a comprehensive health assessment. Observe as much of the process as the child/doctors are comfortable with you observing.
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- Review a copy of a completed comprehensive health assessment on a child you have come into contact with. Discuss questions with the assigned caseworker or your Field Instructor.
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- Work with your Supervisor to get assigned to some cases (as secondary worker) so you can assist the primary caseworker with services to the families.
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- Get I.D. made and if possible, meet Academy staff.
- Review how phone calls are handled with supervisor. (i.e. what questions to ask of the caller, info to gather if taking call for another worker)
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Additional Activities:
· Read and get copy of agency policy
· Get city and county maps
· Get list of frequently called numbers (begin rolodex)
· Get list of office staff and phone extensions
· Review information on supervising visits
· Attend a case staffing
· Get and review copy of “Directory of Services” for Sebastian County
· Get and review Pub 357—Child Maltreatment Act