Simulation Training for Child Protection Investigators: Initial Findings from a Statewide Program

Training new child protection investigators is daunting, given the difficulties of the work with families, the obstacles presented in service systems, and substantial turnover in the child welfare workforce. More than... [ view full abstract ]

Training new child protection investigators is daunting, given the difficulties of the work with families, the obstacles presented in service systems, and substantial turnover in the child welfare workforce. More than classroom training is needed to prepare new professionals for the demands of doing child protection investigations in the field. 

The University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) in the U.S.A. is collaborating with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to add a simulation component to the training of new DCFS investigators. UIS has developed the Residential Simulation Laboratory, a frame house renovated to simulate the home of family investigated regarding child maltreatment. It has also developed a Courtroom Simulation Laboratory, a stage set that simulates a civil courtroom. Actors play the roles of a family being investigated in dramas simulating an investigation and real professionals role play in the court simulation.  The project has designed scenarios simulating real life situations confronting investigators and a curriculum to promote experiential learning using these scenarios. The simulations are thought to enhance new investigators’ preparedness as they begin to work with families in the field.

The presentation has the following objectives:

1. To describe project development and review specific content and training methods.

2. To present a logic model detailing the simulation training process

3. To present program evaluation results from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from interviews and a survey of trainees on their perceptions of impact

Simulation training is now standard, over 100 new investigators have been successfully trained, and planning aims to expand training to supervisors.  Initial program evaluation results suggest enthusiastic support for simulation training and the desire for expanded simulation opportunities.  Simulation is an established component of training in Illinois, and future development will address questions about the scope and practice impact of simulation training.