Workforce Training Curriculum

Transforming Engagement: Keeping Children at the Center of Our Work

ABOUT THE CURRICULUM

Engage Children and Youth Authentically

This training curriculum helps child welfare professionals engage children and youth effectively. Through seven dynamic modules, participants will develop key attitude and knowledge competencies that:

  • strengthen relationships;
  • improve permanency planning;
  • and amplify the voices of children and youth in decision-making.

Agencies can integrate any or all modules into their training programs at no cost.

A smiling father and son sitting on the living room floor giving a fist bump.

Curriculum Modules

Roll over each module to learn more.

  • Module 1: Using Engagement to Move Toward Permanency: Foundational Module

    Learn the core principles of authentic engagement and how it drives relational, cultural, and legal permanency for children and youth.

  • Module 2: Having Difficult and Sensitive Conversations

    Master strategies for open, honest communication that builds trust and supports children and youth through life’s toughest discussions.

  • Module 3: Informing and Preparing Children and Youth for Transitions

    Reduce trauma by engaging youth in transition planning, ensuring they feel informed, prepared, and supported.

  • Module 4: Trauma’s Impact on Engagement

    Understand how trauma affects behavior and engagement, and develop skills to create safe, supportive environments.

  • Module 5: Supporting Cultural Connections

    Explore the power of cultural permanency and how cultural curiosity strengthens engagement and identity.

  • Module 6: Partnering and Shared Decision Making

    Shift power dynamics and equip youth with decision-making skills that foster true collaboration.

  • Module 7: Supporting Child and Youth Voice

    Go beyond transactional engagement—empower youth to lead, make decisions, and drive meaningful change.

Implementation Guide

The Implementation Manual is a resource for facilitators that includes big picture implementation information that should be considered prior to training the QIC-EY curriculum.

Facilitator Materials

Expand your toolbox with materials and resources for your trainings, providing detailed and adequate information for participants.

Coaching Guides

A tool for supervisors to reinforce authentic youth engagement practices, encourage reflection, and support ongoing learning for individuals and teams.

Demonstrating Impact

QIC-EY’s approach is grounded in evidence and continuously evaluated to measure its impact. Explore research findings and implementation outcomes that demonstrate how authentic youth engagement strengthens child welfare practice.

Workforce training evaluation results showed measurable impact on:
  • Youth Participation in planning

  • Workforce preparedness

  • Organizational Culture that values youth voice

Impact of QIC-EY Training on the Workforce

Evaluation findings demonstrate how QIC-EY’s workforce training strengthens professionals’ knowledge, confidence, and skills to authentically engage children and youth in permanency Planning.

Bring QIC-EY Training to Your Agency

Interested in bringing these tools and strategies to your agency? Encourage your leadership, supervisors, administrators or training coordinators to explore QIC-EY’s professional development opportunities for child welfare staff.