UPDATES ON COVID-19
The University updated their expectations to require masks (Indoors) on campuses located in counties designated by the CDC to be in high transmission.
As of right now, participants must notify CWRC if they test positive for Covid-19 after attending an in-person CWRC training. Please complete this form, CWRC Covid Reporting, as soon as possible, including after hours for EMERGENCY notification, because for example, day 2 of a training will be occurring the next day.
Participants who test positive for Covid-19 should not attend a subsequent in-person training until they are medically cleared to do so. Upon notification, CWRC will contact all the participants from the affected training to inform them of their potential close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. No confidential information will be shared. Participants will be directed to follow their employer’s guidelines for potential close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
CWRC will continue to share important Covid-19 training guidance on our website at University of Pittsburgh: Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center - Updates on COVID-19.
Training Update
Please see information below on how to register:
Registration can be submitted two ways:
- Directly in Bridge (https://www.bridge.pitt.edu) all trainings have now been open for liaisons to register staff
- Foundations
- Please use the cohort sequence charts when registering. If you are registering via Bridge you can either register for the entire series or by individual module.
- All modules MUST be attended in order (Modules 2-9 in Bridge; Modules 1 and 10 are accessed in E-learn). If participants are registered out of order, they will not be permitted to attend training and will need to be rescheduled.
- The participant max is 12 for each session.
- All online pre-requisites are mandatory. If your staff do not have the required pre-requisites complete prior to the start time of the training, they will not be permitted to attend and will need to be rescheduled.
- FOS
- Please use the cohort sequence charts when registering. If you are registering via Bridge you can either register for the entire series or by individual module.
- The participant max is 10 for each session.
- For all other trainings listed on the calendar (Child Sexual Abuse Series and Advanced Level)
- FGDM Part 1 must be taken prior to attending FGDM Part 2.
- Overview of Child Sexual Abuse must be taken prior to any other Sexual Abuse Series course.
- Online Prework is mandatory for the 400 Ethics in Child Welfare and 400 Ethics and Technology in Child Welfare Practice
- Please note- all registrations are handled on a first come first serve basis
- Contact the registration account- cwtpreg@pitt.edu
Confirmation Emails:
Confirmation email invitations will be sent out to all participants and training liaisons for virtual trainings starting in January from confirm@pitt.edu. The emails will include either a training location (if running in person) or a zoom link (if running virtual). They will also include the date, time, prerequisites, pre-work attachments, handouts, and E-Learn instructions as applicable for each training. They also contain a reminder of the mask policy and to bring an electronic device to the training.
Mandated Reporter HelpDesk
- For our Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse, our agency will only be able to assist you via email until further notice via helpcpsl@pitt.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience you may encounter.
County Resources
- The Education Law Center - has maintained a COVID Resources page with a multitude of resources. Resources include a legal support line, links to FAQs, and media articles from across the Commonwealth. The site also includes school closure resources for youth in foster care, youth with disabilities, and youth experiencing homelessness.
- The Legal Center for Foster Care and Education - has developed resources related to education and COVID. Resources include tip sheets on how child welfare agencies, school districts, and courts can help support children during the pandemic.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit for Essential Workers: Getting Started
- Education on the different types of Vaccines
- FAQ About COVID-19 Vaccine
- PA COVID-19 Vaccination Phases, Dashboard & Vaccine Provider Map and Distribution
- Self-Checker Tool
- The Difference Between Viral and Antibody Testing
- Testing Guidelines Simplified
- Viral Testing
- Antibody Testing
- CDC Healthy Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
- American Medical Association (AMA) - Prioritizing Equity: Trustworthiness & Vaccines
- Article from the CDC Community Engagement of African Americans in the Era of COVID-19: Considerations, Challenges, Implications, and Recommendations for Public Health
-
CDC: COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
-
AARP: Blacks, Hispanics Hit Harder by the Coronavirus, Early U.S. Data Show
-
Stabilizing Children and Families
-
Black Social Workers during COVID-19
- Resources for Caseworkers
- Advocacy for Youth in Congregate Care Webinar
-
Part 1: Leading Adaptively in the Time of COVID-19 & Beyond - In this webinar, Ellen Kagen discusses the considerations, skills, and strategies needed by leaders in an environment of anxiety and chaos that necessitates being “present focused” and adapting to change. Also the need to maintain a focus on major strategic objectives, and the adaptive work of leaders both during and after this crisis, are discussed, along with strategies for accomplishing this. Participants were provided with a framework for identifying opportunities for the future and actionable items that they can take from this session to apply in their states and communities.
- PDF copy of the presentation -
Part 2: Leading Remote Teams in the Time of COVID-19 & Beyond - Since most leaders are now functioning in virtual environments, the presenter will discuss considerations and specific strategies for achieving objectives using remote teams. The topics covered include assuring effective communication, achieving alignment on strategies assuring attention towards focused action maintaining clarity, and giving people hope, among others. Participants will leave with information about what leaders should pay attention to and what they should do when their teams are not on site and in-person interaction is not possible.
- PDF copy of the presentation -
Part 3: Self-Awareness of Leadership Energy in the Time of COVID-19 & Beyond - Leading during a crisis is challenging work, and self-awareness of the energy needed for effective leadership is essential. During this session, the presenter provided information and processes for self-assessment to determine how leadership energy is affecting your work, what is draining your “bucket.” This session will support you in identifying how you as a leader can take ownership and manage your leadership energy.
- PDF copy of the presentation -
COVID-19 and Child Welfare Cases
-
Supporting a Virtual Workforce Series
-
Child Prevention During COVID-19
-
COVID-19 and Refugee Populations
-
Child Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19
- Three-Part Webinar Series on Leadership During COVID-19 by Ellen Kagen, shared by PA Care Partnerships
Families and Workers & Child Welfare Providers
- Staying Connected - From a Distance Tip Sheet
- PA Parent and Family Alliance: Article on The Holidays and Video Call Fatigue - Finding the Happy Medium
- Planning Your Holidays During COVID-19 Pandemic
- COVID Christmas Plans: How to Celebrate the holidays during COVID-19
- "Kwanzaa in the Midlands" Free Virtual Event
- 13 Tips for an Amazing Hanukkah at Home
Specific to Meetings for Child Welfare Workers with Families
-
From The Marshall Project: Is Domestic Violence Rising During the Coronavirus Shutdown?
-
How COVID-19 May Increase Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
-
Domestic Violence Hotline
-
Helplines, Safety Planning, and Other Resources
-
Simple Steps to Stay Safe During COVID-19
-
Find Local Resources
-
Supporting Domestic Violence Victims During the Pandemic
-
Domestic Violence Considerations During COVID-19
-
Resources to Assist in Supporting and Advocating for Victims and Survivors
-
For Victims and/or Survivors
-
For Child Welfare Staff
-
Family Visits are an Essential service - This article offers strategies on how to maximize virtual visitation
-
2-4-2 Reading for Visitation - This resource highlights a specific strategy for resource parents to assist in maintaining the parental connection and strengthening bonds when face-to-face visits are not possible
-
Helping Kids Feel Safe
-
A Workbook to Help Kids Cope with the Pandemic
-
Georgie & the Giant Germ Book/Coloring Book
-
Tips on Having a Conversation with Children about COVID-19
-
Children's Comic - This comic explains COVID-19 in a child friendly way and with illustrations
-
Talking to kids about Coronavirus - This article from the Child Mind Institute talks about how to have a conversation with your child about COVID-19
-
The Story of the Oyster and The Butterfly: The Corona Virus and Me - Children’s book on understanding COVID-19
-
FREDLA - Resources for Talking with Children and Youth about Coronavirus
-
Talking to kids about coronavirus - Video
- Child Mind Institute
-
How to Talk to Teenager about COVID 19 - Central Penn Parent Article
- 15 Tips to Distance Learn Like a Pro
- 4 Actions to Improve Your Child's Experience With Online Learning
- Apps for Students with Special Needs
- Staying Healthy and Active with Virtual and At-Home Learning
-
American Academy of Pediatrics - Guidance for Children and Families involved with the Child Welfare System During the Pandemic
Provides guidance on:- Visitation Principals
- Child Welfare Guidance concerns for Children who are positive or exposed
- Collaborating with the Pediatric Community
- Other Informative Links:
- Helping Agencies Prioritize Kinship Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Support Kinship Caregivers: How Child Welfare Agencies Can Prioritize Kin Families During COVID-19
- Supporting Grand Families through the COVID-19 Crisis
- KinConnector
- Launch of KinConnector.org
- Community: Other Ways to Help
- Family: Help for Parents & Caregivers
- Breastfeeding Precautions
- Coronavirus in Babies and Children
- Caring for Newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Caring for Foster Children During COVID-19
- CDC Household Checklist - Making sure your household is as safe as possible
-
Single parenting during the Coronavirus
-
Parents Guide to Coping with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis
-
Returning to Childcare During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Helping families cope - The National Child Trauma Stress Network has put together this guide to assist in how to help families cope with these uncertain times. It also includes a chart that shows how children of different ages may feel during this time
- Psychological impact training - This 1-hour podcast talks about the psychological impact on your clients and communities (1 free CE is available)
- Helping clients navigate uncertainty - This short video presents a 3-step approach to assisting clients in uncertain times
- PA Parent Alliance:
- Self-care Starter Kit - This resource from the University of Buffalo is an introduction to self-care, developing a self-care plan, and additional resources that could be of assistance
- Self-care tools - This resource is a collection of self-care tools, curated to specifically cope with COVID-19
- Self-care Wheel - The wheel can help one visualize what makes up a healthy balance, in one’s life
- Managing Stress - This resource from the CDC offers ways for parents, first responders, and other individuals to cope and manage the ever changing landscape of this crisis
- Self-care Strategies - NCWWI has put together a resource of self-care strategies and apps that can be of assistance to the child welfare workforce and families
- Self-care Practices - This resource has 45 practices to improve your mind, body, and soul
- The Center for the Study of Social Policy
- How EC-LINC Communities Responded to COVID-19
- Coming Together During COVID-19: Early Childhood Systems Supporting Families
- Equity in Action: DULCE Addresses the Health and Emotional Needs of Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Hope in the Time of Chaos: CHOC Children's strengthened response to COVID-19 through DULCE
- NCWWI - What Child Welfare Workers Need in a Pandemic
- Telework in Child Welfare - This link includes a multitude of resources including guidance on technology, policy development, confidentiality, and more.
- Lessons Learned in Mobile Workforce Development
- Triage Tool from the Center for Community Investment - This tool can help Administrators and Directors (re)assess their agency’s work in the context of COVID-19. This simple tool can aid in prioritization, while not losing sight of initiatives that may need to be placed on hold or acknowledging initiatives that no longer align with the agency. To access the tool, instructions, and samples of the tool in use
- Virtual Workforce Supports - NCWWI has developed links to assist in supporting a virtual workforce. These links include work around virtual conferences, virtual visits, and tips for working from home
- Child Welfare Supervision during Social Distancing - The National Council on Crime Delinquency has put together this easy to follow guide on how to structure supervision during social distancing
- Keeping Employees Engaged - Tips on how to maintain employee engagement during the crisis
- Digital Tools - This resource has a list of digital resources that can be used to provide virtual supervision
- COVID-19 Mental Health and Addiction Resources
- Celebrating National Recovery Month - Sobriety During the Pandemic
- Virtual NA and AA Meetings
- SAMHSA: Your Recovery Is Important: Virtual Recovery Resources
- Understanding Screening and Assessment of Substance Use Disorders - Child Welfare Practice Tips
- Potential Implications of COVID-19 on those with substance use disorders - The article discusses implications of being infected with COVID-19, while in active use
- Treatment, care, and rehabilitation of those with substance abuse disorders - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have put out this infographic to assist in treating those with substance abuse disorders
- American Society of Addiction Medicine Resources - Resources include information on drug testing, support groups, and telehealth
- Virtual Recovery Resources - SAMHSA has put together a list of various virtual recovery resources
- Online Support Meetings - This resource offers 130 free weekly meetings
- Social Media Groups - Here is a list of social media groups that are easy to access that you may find helpful: