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Online Learning Modules


The varied and changing needs of children and families served by the child welfare system requires child welfare professionals to be informed about a multitude of practice strategies, policies, and populations. The intent of the modules listed below is to present the latest practice-relevant child welfare research from top researchers at the University of Minnesota in a format that is timely, efficient and easy to use.

The online learning modules are best viewed with a high speed, broadband internet connection. If they are accessed with a slower connection, the modules may load very slowly and/or the viewer may experience other technical difficulties. In addition, other users have experienced difficulty watching videos while using Internet Explorer. Viewers may want to use alternate browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.

Certain modules have been identified as being of interest to foster parents. Click to see the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Modules by Subject Area
(New Modules in Bold)

Child Welfare Practice

Common Factors in Case Management with Children and Families (2010)
Engaging Fathers in Child Welfare (2012)
Learning Dreams (2010)
Motivational Interviewing Techniques in Child Welfare (2012)
Promoting Placement Stability in Foster Care (2009)
VOICES: Hearing from African American Families about Trauma and Service Provision (2012)

Child Welfare Workforce

Confidentiality, Disclosures, and Communication in Child Welfare (2010)
Ethics in Child Welfare Supervision (2009)
Title IV-E and Child Welfare (2011)
Secondary Traumatic Stress (2012)

Domestic Violence

Assessing Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence (2009)
Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children (2009)
The Greenbook Initiative: Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence & Maltreatment Cases (2011)
Honor Our Voices (2011)

Child Maltreatment

Patterns of Disclosure in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse (NEW: December 2012)
Resilience and Adult Attachment in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse (2011)

Working with Refugees & Immigrants

Health Literacy Discrepancies Among Immigrant and Refugee Families (2011)
Health Literacy for Immigrant & Refugee Families: Implications for Mental Health Professionals (2012)
Working with Karen Refugee Youth and Families (2011)
Working with Refugee Families in Child Welfare (2011)
Special Education and Child Welfare: Involvement of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Chidren (2010)

Child Development & Education

Attachment through Music, Movement, and Mirth (2010)
Child Protection and Child Disability (NEW: January 2013)
Costs of Out-of-School Suspensions for African American Caregivers (2011)
Development of Self Regulation over the First Five Years (2011)
Homeless and Highly Mobile Students (2010)
Introduction to Infant Mental Health (2011)
Influences on Parenting (2012)
Mitigating School Suspensions: Enhancing Strength of Kinship Caregivers (2010)
Theory of Mind (2011)

Working with Disabilities

Child Protection and Child Disability (NEW: January 2013)
Maternal Depression: Double Jeopardy for Mother and Child (2011)
Social Supports for Parents with Disabilities (2010)
Special Health Care Needs, Child Welfare, & Vital Involvement (2012)
The Value of Parental Supports for Parents with Disabilities in Child Welfare Services (NEW: December 2012)
Types of Social Supports for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities (2011)

Adolescent Issues

Healthy Youth Development and Adolescent Parents (2011)
Developing Educational Goals with Teen Parents (2010)


Modules by Audience

Foster parents
Several counties have recently begun allowing online modules to count towards training hours. Check with your licensor for their policy on accepting online module training and the procedure on how to verify successful training completion. The list below contains the modules identified as being of particular interest to foster parents.
More information on how to use the modules and report online training completion.

Secondary Traumatic Stress (2012)
Learning Dreams (2010)
Promoting Placement Stability in Foster Care (2009)
Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children (2009)
The Greenbook Initiative: Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence & Maltreatment Cases (2011)
Honor Our Voices (2011)
Patterns of Disclosure in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse (NEW: December 2012)
Resilience and Adult Attachment in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse (2011)
Attachment through Music, Movement, and Mirth (2010)
Development of Self Regulation over the First Five Years (2011)
Introduction to Infant Mental Health (2011)
Influences on Parenting (2012)