Social Service Specialist 1 Professional Development

There are several classroom training clusters that are required to be completed by each new SSS1 employee throughout different periods in their first year of hire. The first year of professional development training was designed with a worker's success in mind.  All learning objectives for the new worker trainings below were based on and developed by utilizing the Oregon Child Welfare Caseworker Competencies.

This page has been created to help you assist your SSS1s with identifying and registering for required training that is offered through PSU, as well as pre-training tasks and continuation of learning opportunities.

Registration for training is handled through the State of Oregon's Workday Learning Management System. Questions related to Workday, availability of seats in training and other related questions can be directed to the Child Welfare Internal Training Unit at cw.training@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Communications regarding training dates and times, Zoom links and training materials originate from and are managed by Portland State University. Workers should expect their first communication regarding training 10 business days in advance of the first day of training. If you have not received an email, please contact Tyler Blankenship at tblank2@pdx.edu.

Pre-Training

Before attending Essential Elements, there is a required minimum of three weeks between a participant's employment start date and the first day of Essential Elements. This time is to be spent completing administrative requirements, onboarding activities, introduction to branch and community cultures, and familiarization with their position, the agency, and state service.

Participants should also use these three weeks to complete these synchronous training pre-requisites:

• Secondary Traumatic Stress
• Oregon Safety Model Overview Online Session 1
• Oregon Safety Model Overview Online Session 2
• Oregon Safety Model Overview Online Session 3
• Oregon Safety Model Overview Online Session 4
• Oregon Safety Model Overview Online Session 5
• Oregon Safety Model Overview Online Session 6
• Oregon Safety Model Overview Online Session 7
• OR-Kids Basics
• Indian Child Welfare Act
• Values & Ethics for DHS Child Welfare Workers
• The Impact of State and Federal Law on CW Practice
• Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse in Oregon

Synchronous Trainings

• Essential Elements of Child Welfare Practice
• Advocating for Educational Services
• Certifier and Adoption Worker Training
• Family Conditions
• Preparing and Presenting for Success in Court
• Trauma Informed Practice Strategies (TIPS) for Child Welfare Caseworkers
• Well-being Needs of Children and Youth

Post Training & Continuation of Learning

For Essential Elements, a portfolio will be sent out to the participant's supervisor including assignment feedback and post-assessment results, allowing supervisors and caseworkers to understand what areas of content can be focused on for additional learning. 

For any questions about completing pre-requisities, or any questions about training operations and information, please reach out to cwpartnership@pdx.edu.

For any questions about portfolios, data evaluation, and assessment information, please reach out to cwptrain@pdx.edu.