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The degree of specialization of staff depends on the size of the agency as well as the needs identified by the community. Some agencies have social work teams within their children’s services unit to help assure consistency for the families served. Other agencies may have only a few social work staff that handles a large variety of services.
Providing protective services in any capacity requires certain knowledge, skills, personal qualities, and respect for the values of others. Specific competencies are required of CPS professionals that enable staff to perform effectively the tasks associated with each stage of the CPS casework process. Supervisors and social workers are expected to meet all training requirements to perform child protective services duties.
The N.C.G.S. §131D-10.6A (b) applies to child welfare services staff initially hired on or after July 1, 1998.
A. Child Welfare Services Staff
The Division of Social Services shall establish minimum training requirements for child welfare services staff. The minimum training requirements established by the Division are as follows:
(1) Child welfare services workers shall complete a minimum of 72 hours of preservice training before assuming direct client contact responsibilities. In completing this requirement the Division of Social Services shall ensure that each child welfare social worker receives training on family-centered practices and State and federal law regarding the basic rights of individuals relevant to the provision of child welfare services, including the right to privacy, freedom from duress and coercion to induce cooperation, and the right to parent.
(2) Child protective services workers shall complete a minimum of 18 hours of additional training that the Division of Social Services determines is necessary to adequately meet training needs.
(3) Foster care and adoption workers shall complete a minimum of 39 hours of additional training that the Division of Social Services determines is necessary to adequately meet training needs.
(4) Child welfare services supervisors shall complete a minimum of 72 hours of preservice training before assuming supervisory responsibilities and a minimum of 54 hours of additional training that the Division of Social Services determines is necessary to adequately meet training needs.
(5) Child welfare services staff shall complete 24 hours of continuing education annually. In completing this requirement, the Division of Social Services shall provide each child welfare services staff member with the annual update information on family-centered practices and State and federal law regarding the basic rights of individuals relevant to the provision of child welfare services, including the right to privacy, freedom from duress and coercion to induce cooperation, and the right to parent.
The Division of Social Services may grant an exception in whole or in part to the requirement under subdivision (1) of this subsection to child welfare workers who satisfactorily complete or are enrolled in a masters or bachelors program after July 1, 1999, from a North Carolina social work program accredited pursuant to the Council on Social Work Education. The program's curricula must cover the specific preservice training requirements as established by the Division of Social Services.
The Division of Social Services shall ensure that training opportunities are available for county departments of social services and consolidated human service agencies to meet the training requirements of this subsection."
Information regarding specific training requirements and course offerings are available through the Division of Social Services, Children's Services Section Staff Development Team. The telephone number is (919) 733-7672.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office.
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