Child Welfare Training

Michigan State University School of Social Work, in conjunction with other Michigan graduate schools of social work and through the support of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), offers in-person trainings, live webinars, and online courses. This project, known as Child Welfare In-Service Training, provides FREE training opportunities for DHHS Children’s Protective Services, foster care, and adoption workers and DHHS-contracted private agency foster care and adoption workers.

In-Person Training

Many of the in-person training topics have applicability beyond child welfare practice, thus a LIMITED number of FOR CHARGE spaces are available for interested professionals who work outside of DHHS and contracted private agencies. Early registration is encouraged. Registrations are non-transferable. To learn more about the programs, instructors, and to register, visit our catalog, and select “Child Welfare In-Service Trainings.” Registration is online only.

*We are Going Green! In the spirit of going Spartan “Green,” we will not be distributing printed materials during our in-person events. The link to access handouts will be emailed to you prior to the training.

Live Webinars

We offer interactive live webinars on various topics, for accessibility and convenience. Those who do not meet the DHHS in-service training criteria can still attend for a fee. For more information about webinars, including policies, visit our frequently asked questions. To learn more about the programs, instructors, and to register, visit our catalog and select “Child Welfare In-Service Trainings.” Registration is online only.

Online Courses

Online courses are recordings of live webinars, and can be watched from the convenience of your home, office, or on the go! For each course, you will complete a pre-training evaluation and post-training evaluation. NO CONTINUING EDUCATION CLOCK HOURS (CECHs) are offered for the online courses which are listed on our Online Child Welfare Courses page.