Policy & Practice August 2017

association news

What Works in Training and Technical Assistance? Introducing the NSDTA Journal Training and Development in Human Services—Supporting Change in Child Welfare: An Evaluation of Training and Technical Assistance is the latest journal published by the Association (NSDTA). It presents findings from a series of studies to evaluate the National Resource Centers and Implementation Centers funded by the Children’s Bureau over the past years. Guest Editors—Anita P. Barbee from the University of Louisville and Brian Deakins and Jane Morgan from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—assembled a comprehensive look at what works for building organizational capacity and o er important lessons on how to implement and sustain change e orts. The journal concludes with an article examining how Pennsylvania’s child welfare training system utilizes the APHSA Organizational E ectiveness (OE) model in their training and technical assistance partnership with local child welfare agencies to build e ective child welfare organizations. Research on embedding an OE model into a training system shows evidence of producing positive outcomes on worker performance and organiza- tional change. Led by APHSA’s OE team, the process used the DAPIM™ model to assist the agency in achieving a sequential approach of quick wins, short-term goals, and long-term outcomes. Survey respondents said the work led to National Sta Development and Training

positive organizational changes that have been sustained over time. Projects were most often directed toward con- tinuous quality improvement of agency processes and operations, with smaller percentages focusing on culture and climate, practice change, sta develop- ment, workforce issues, development of internal OE capacity, and client outcomes. Research on embedding an OE model in a training operation shows evidence of its e ectiveness in producing positive outcomes on worker performance and organizational change. In addition to the specific changes targeted by the OE projects, key informants described a new emphasis on accountability, greater empowerment of sta , and more inclu- sive and participatory decision-making within their organizations. According to Barbee, “The model of providing both training and technical assistance to courts, tribes, and states is one that local child welfare systems should consider as they approach building capacity in their own jurisdictions.” The downloadable journal can be found at: http://aphsa.org/content/ NSDTA/en/home.html NSDTA Annual Conference

an awareness of new advancements and technologies. This year’s features include: � The Honorable Mayor Eddie DeLoach presenting the Key to the City. � Bobby Cagle, Director, Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services (GA DFCS), welcoming everyone by sharing innovations occurring in Georgia. � Attend presentations from not one but four nationally recognized keynote speakers! > Art Kohn, AKLearning, inspires with “How the Brain Learns and Retains Information” > Joe Urbanski, Total Solutions Group, with an action-packed “Make Training a Want To Not a Have To ” > Ray Jimenez unleashes creativity with “Micro-Learning and the Shrinking World of Work” > Ginger Pryor, Deputy Director, GA DFCS, motivates with “Setting the Tone: Value Propositions for Building Strong Leadership” � Play and learn at the Innovation Station . Stop by, interact, and apply technology on the spot. Receive keys that will help unlock information for future application. � More than Workshops o ered by national experts to unlock performance. � Join Lunch and Learn opportuni- ties for sharing past experiences and brainstorming innovative ideas together. � Dine-Around with experts in the field. Join Joe, Ray, Art, Ginger, and others for dinner at a variety of restaurants. � Network, Network, Network! Come get your learning on! Gather the keys to unlock your future for inno- vative and creative new ideas! Hope to see you in Savannah!

Join the learning explosion at the National Sta Development and Training Association (NSDTA) Annual Conference in Savannah, GA, at the Hyatt Regency from September – ! Gather keys to unlocking performance by building on the past, growing in the present, and innovating for the future. Come explore and actively participate in cutting edge, innovative techniques and ideas. Expect to leave with enhanced learning along with

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