Training and Professional Development

Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals: The Institute is a free online training resource that offers Family Support Professionals everywhere the opportunity to learn new skills and grow their careers. Use the sites 'Your Compass' tool to assess current knowledge using the National Family Support Competency Framework. When completed, the results are mapped to a personal Career Compass Learning Map which guides home visitors toward the site's most relevant e-learning modules to develop their highest level of proficiency.

Introduction to Using the Ages Stages Questionnaires: Intended for family home visitors who want an introduction to understanding the purpose of developmental and social emotional screening. Participants will also learn how to accurately choose, score and interpret the correct screening questionnaire. This training has recently been updated and will be offered in one combined training on both the ASQ 3 & ASQ:SE 2. Live Webinars will be offered quarterly. Registration is required and all participants must have access to the ASQ 3 & ASQ:SE 2 starter kits from Brookes Publishing either individually or through their employing agency. Click on the link below to register. (Minnesota participants only.)

• Introduction to ASQ 3 & ASQ:SE 2 Screening - May 23, 2023 8:30-11:00 a.m.

RECORDED WEBINARS:

• Improving the Culturally Appropriate Delivery of Depression Screenings (Video)
  • Survey
• CQI Showcase 2021
  • Certificate of Completion (Video)
• Introduction to Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health for Home Visitors:
  • Session 1 (Video)
  • Session 2 (Video)
  • Session 3 (Video)
  • Session 4 (Video)
• Continuous Quality Improvement 101 Webinar:
  • CQI 101 Webinar (Video)
  • CQI 101 PowerPoint Summary (PDF)
  • Continuous Quality Improvement Resources (PDF)
  • CQI 101 Webinar Certificate of Attendance
• Healthy Sexual Development Birth through Teen for Home Visitors
• Incorporating Lead and Radon Safety Screening into a Home Visit
• Newborn Screening and Immunizations during the Prenatal Period for Home Visitors
• Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Evaluation Final Report
• Perinatal Mental Health Risk Factors, Signs, Symptoms and Impacts
• Perinatal Mood Disorders Interventions for Home Visitors
• Perinatal Mood Disorders Screening, Assessment, Referral and Follow up for Home Visitors
• Signs and Indicators of Abuse and Neglect in Young Children for Home Visitors - This recorded webinar contains graphic photos that may trigger strong emotional reactions.

MECSH Foundation Training:
MECSH Foundation Training is available for Minnesota agencies currently implementing MECSH that need new staff to be trained. This is a 5 day in-person training. The training will be held several times per year. Participants must complete the training request form and will be notified if they are approved for the training.

MDH has 2023 training dates set for March 20-24 and July 10-14. MDH is also planning trainings for September and October and will announce specific dates and locations when they have been finalized. All trainings in 2023 will be located in the Twin Cities Metro. MDH will make every effort to approve final registrations 3-4 weeks before the training. Class size is typically limited to 20 participants.

Important: MECSH and MDH require that all home visitors be at .5 FTE implementing MECSH. If an agency has a need to designate a lower FTE for a home visitor, they should reach out to MDH prior to registering for training to discuss.

Please contact Health.MECSH@state.mn.us with any questions.

Futures Without Violence: Based on best practices, this 6.5 hour training provides education on and tools for screening for Intimate Partner Violence during a home visit as well as resources for referral. It is intended for home visitors, their supervisors, their mental health consultants and their local domestic violence partners. Historically has been offered two times a year, in collaboration with the Violence Free Minnesota (formerly MN Coalition for Battered Women), as a live, in-person training in the metro area with video connections to additional facilitated sites in greater Minnesota. This training was not offered during the pandemic and is currently being updated. Anticipating offering later in 2023, watch for an announcement in Tuesday Topics.

Training

• The Rapid Response Virtual Home Visiting Collaborative offers webinars on virtual home visiting practice. Resources along with the recorded webinars are available on the Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals website.

Resources

• The Minnesota Children's Cabinet has developed guidance to support families - Children and Families Resources in COVID-19 Response (PDF)
• The Minnesota COVID-19 Response Get Help webpage has many resources on a variety of topics including food support, financial support, housing, child care and healthcare.
• Futures without Violence has posted Information on COVID-19 for Survivors, Communities, and DV/SA Programs for survivors and communities related to Intimate Partner Violence.
• Zero to Three has a whole section on Resources for Early Childhood Professions that include many resources, including Tips for Families.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has several sections that could be helpful including What to Do if You Are Sick.
• The Disaster Mental and Behavioral Health and COVID-19 webpage includes Crisis Line information along with many other resources including Child and Parent Resources, Family Resources, and Community Resources.