Child Welfare Mentoring Plan for New Workers

Mentor will assist new hires in progressively building case practice knowledge and is expected to shadow the new hire as they complete key activities in a case. 

The designated mentor must not have a caseload exceeding current caseload standards.

Before PSI

• ·  Local offices must designate an experienced caseworker (mentor) for each new hire.  This person should have strong policy knowledge, superior coaching skills, solid decision-making skills, demonstrated efficiency in managing a caseload, and an overall positive perception of DHHS mission.

• ·  The supervisor should meet with their new hire to discuss expectations while in classroom training and when back in the office for on the job training (OJT).
• ·  The supervisor should review OJT community activities with the worker and mentor and discuss a plan for completing them over the course of the training.
• ·   The mentor should view the PowerPoint (below) presentation describing their responsibilities as well as the benefits of being a mentor.

During PSI

            ·        The mentor should take new hires with them on community calls to learn essential casework activities.  The new hire should take notes during interviews and visits, shadow court activities, enter social work contacts in MiSACWIS, make referrals to service providers, co-supervise visits, partner on investigations, etc.

            ·        Supervisors will meet with new hires frequently to discuss progress towards meeting expected outcomes.

o    Key areas to be discussed include but are not limited to the following:

·        Importance of Policy and how it relates to child safety

·        Steps to a thorough CPS Investigation

·        Importance of making contacts

·        Properly servicing of Ongoing CPS/FC/Adoption Cases

·        Report Writing

·        Work Rules

·       County specific petition filing procedures

Supervisors, mentors and training staff should communicate concerns about a new hire as soon as they are identified.  Supervisors are responsible to work with their new hire to resolve concerns regarding behavior, performance, time and attendance issues, etc.   that may occur during the PSI.

The new hire should communicate their understanding of the topics discussed during mentor/trainee training weeks.  The mentor should provide at least a weekly verbal analysis to the supervisor.

Transfer of Learning Guide