SF958 Summary

• Commissioner of human services must submit a proposal by January 31, 2021 to replace the Child Welfare Training System with a new Child Welfare Training Academy administered through five regional hubs (northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast, and central Minnesota).

• The Child Welfare Training Academy must use best practices in adult learning including online methodologies, coaching, mentoring, and simulated skill application, and require workers and supervisors to complete biennial certifications with competency-based knowledge tests and skills demonstrations.

• Commissioner must conduct a child welfare workforce stability study in partnership with University of Minnesota's Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, with initial results due June 30, 2021, and biennial reports thereafter examining workforce intent to remain, turnover rates, and retention barriers.

• Commissioner must partner with University of Minnesota's Minn-LInK project to conduct annual studies on characteristics and outcomes of children and families in the child welfare system, with research provided to the Child Welfare Training Academy to inform curriculum development.

• Commissioner must conduct a child welfare caseload study by July 1, 2020 to collect data on the number of child welfare workers and time spent on different work components, with ongoing monitoring process to be developed afterward.