This page features information and course materials for all of the Safety Organized Practice (SOP) courses the Northern California Training Academy regularly offers. This does not include trainings the Academy tailors specifically to individual counties upon request. If you would like to enroll in one of the courses below, please visit the Northern California Training Academy website for upcoming dates and locations.

This resource provides classroom and supplemental materials for the Northern California Training Academy's SOP Foundational Institute training for child welfare social workers. Learn more about Safety Organized Practice by visiting the Academy website at www.humanservices.ucdavis.edu/academy.

This page will serve as a resource library for counties to share examples of forms, policies and procedures, training materials, communication materials any materials or videos that have supported Safety Organized Practice and implementation.

This resource provides access to the Northern California Training Academy's SafeMeasures training materials. To learn more about the Academy, please visit humanservices.ucdavis.edu/academy.

This issue provides a comprehensive review of Safety Organized Practice, including strategies, skills, implementation efforts and perspectives from counties and child welfare professionals who have championed SOP.

This resource provides access to news, publications, videos, tips, tools, practice briefs and course materials related to Safety Organized Practice in child welfare, with particular emphasis on child child welfare in Northern California counties.

This is the San Diego County CWS Letter of Support that their employee students must have signed in order to be allowed to attend the MSW program once they are admitted.

This resource provides a look at various publications concerning social worker health and wellness.

The following training videos are dedicated to helping child welfare workers learn practical skills to cope with the emotional tolls of their very important work. Throughout this series, child welfare workers will learn about the dynamics of secondary traumatic stress, self-care strategies, and a framework for coping with secondary trauma.

Module I discusses effects of sexual abuse trauma on young children; describes the adverse effects of sexual abuse trauma and the role of past victimization experiences in motivating sexual acting out; includes a literature review; and covers affective, cognitive, and behavioral effects. Two practice models that explain the effects of abuse are discussed and compared, and an integrative treatment model is introduced. Module II discusses childhood sexual development, reviews research on sexual behavior problems in children, presents research findings about normative sexual development in children as well as criteria differentiating sexually abusive behavior problems from age-appropriate sex play, includes experiential exercises on sexual values, and reviews and discusses clinical and research methods used to classify types of children with sexual behavior problems. Each module contains learning objectives, suggested readings, an outline of issues addressed in the module, and suggestions for teaching the module in the classroom and in field practicum. (143 pages)Rasmusssen, L. (2000).

This curriculum examines the types of decisions child welfare workers are required to make, the factors that influence their decision-making patterns, and various approaches that could potentially improve decision making on both an individual and organizational level. To further explore the issues surrounding decision making, the curriculum focuses specifically on Structured Decision Making® (SDM®), a model that can be used to assist social workers in making accurate and consistent decisions about the levels of risk for maltreatment found in families, to provide guidance about service provision, and to assist with reunification and permanency planning. In 1999, the State of California decided to make SDM® a required tool for child welfare agencies statewide, and SDM® has since been implemented in several counties, including Los Angeles. To explore the implementation and effects of SDM®and its implications on child welfare decision making, the authors conducted a multi-level study in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. The study addressed three central questions: (a) what are the challenges related to implementing the full SDM® model in the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), (b) what impact does implementation of the full SDM® model have on child welfare service delivery, and (c) what impact does implementation of the full SDM® model have on child permanency outcomes? (254 pages) Kim, A. K., Brooks, D., Kim, H., & Nissly, J. (2008).

This program explores the correlation between the reduction of the incidence of substance abuse and the reduction of the incidence of child abuse. Estimates indicate that 40-60% of child abuse cases are substance abuse related; yet, meager resources and attention are directed toward alleviating the problem. This tape offers six elements that provide a framework for successful intervention with substance abusers. Three role-playing scenarios show how these elements are incorporated into situations that social workers encounter in the field, translating classroom learning into practice. (28 minutes)San Diego State University. (1994).

This page provides access to recorded webinars and materials from the live webinar sessions. Check back often, as new materials will be added as soon as they become available.

This page provides access to resources related to California Assembly Bill 2083, which requires each California county to develop and implement a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the roles and responsibilities of the various local entities that serve children and youth in foster care who have experienced severe trauma.Not what you're looking for? Return to the Academy's Resource Barn for additional options.

This resource provides course materials associated with the Northern California Training Academy's "Teaming: Leading Family Meetings" course.

This page provides access to the Northern Academy's Transitioning Youth from Congregate Care to Home-Based Family Care required classroom materials.

Aimed at public child welfare (PCW) audiences, these three modules cover key areas of trauma informed practice delivery: the Neurobiology of Trauma; SSHARED: A Tool for Identifying Signs and Sequelae of Trauma; and Trauma Advocacy with Mental Health Systems. Module materials are multi-media, including assessments, and were designed for future or current PCW workers, with a sophistication level designed to be accessible to beginning masters level students.