E1: Immersive Learning: Virtual Reality on the Frontlines

E4: Practice Makes Confident: Simulation-Based Learning in Child Welfare

Host Kristina Finch, Associate Director of Professional Development at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, leads a series of conversations in this podcast, “Innovation at the Frontline: Supporting the Workforce.” In this episode, Kristina discusses how simulation is being incorporated into preservice training for child welfare professionals in Florida. Her guests explain what kinds of simulations are proving valuable for caseworkers, and they envision how this method will influence training in the future. “Once they went through the simulation themselves, they were blown away. Every last one of them said, ‘I wish I had this type of training when I came through preservice.’” William Swain Guests: William Swain, University of South Florida Kimberly Lauterbach, Florida Department of Children and Families Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCAST The Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare Facebook: @fsuchildwelfare Instagram: @fsuchildwelfare LinkedIn: @fsuchildwelfare Host:  Kristina Finch Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring

E3: Coaching From Anywhere: Virtual Coaching in Action

Host Kristina Finch, Associate Director of Professional Development at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, leads a series of conversations in this podcast, “Innovation at the Frontline: Supporting the Workforce.” In this episode, Kristina takes a closer look at virtual coaching and how it’s being used to help child welfare professionals better understand their own strengths and how best to employ them on the job. Learn about successes and challenges resulting from virtual coaching and what the future holds for this innovative approach. “Coaching is tapping into their motivations. Because if I tap into their motivations, they're more likely to achieve what they want to achieve and not what I want to achieve.” Steve McGarvey Guests: Candice Howell, Florida Institute for Child Welfare Steve McGarvey, Florida Institute for Child Welfare Brenda Lockwood, Butler Institute for Families Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCAST The Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare Facebook: @fsuchildwelfare Instagram: @fsuchildwelfare LinkedIn: @fsuchildwelfare Host:  Kristina Finch Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring

E2: Designing for Impact: Instructional Design in Child Welfare Training

Host Kristina Finch, Associate Director of Professional Development at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, leads a series of conversations in this podcast, “Innovation at the Frontline: Supporting the Workforce.” In this episode, Kristina discusses with her guests the value of instructional design in child welfare training—why it matters, how training is shaped by the way people learn, and what type of innovations are being developed to help child welfare professionals in the future. “Instructional design really is the foundation of effective training. It helps us align learning experiences with the actual needs of the child welfare workforce. We see learning as a journey, not a one-time event.” Samantha Schoenberger Guests: Lyndi Bradley, Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies Samantha Schoenberger, Florida Institute for Child Welfare Tenille Taylor, Florida Institute for Child Welfare Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCAST The Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare Facebook: fsuchildwelfare Instagram: fsuchildwelfare LinkedIn: fsuchildwelfare Host:  Kristina Finch Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring

E1: Immersive Learning: Virtual Reality on the Frontlines

Host Kristina Finch, Associate Director of Professional Development at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, leads a series of conversations in this podcast, “Innovation at the Frontline: Supporting the Workforce.” In this episode, Kristina explores with her guests how virtual reality is transforming child welfare training for students and professionals across Florida. They are developing valuable skills designed to help them practice real-world scenarios in a safe environment before they ever meet a family on the job. “VR technology is a technology we can use to immerse them in a realistic situation where they have the opportunity to interview families. How they react to you depends on how you question them. There are 16 quadrillion potential pathways through this experience, so no one's getting the same experience.” — Kyle Cook Guests: Kyle Cook, Former Manager Florida Institute for Child Welfare Katerina Manias, Florida Institute for Child Welfare Kristen Puckett, Florida Department of Children and Families Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare Podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCAST The Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare Facebook: @fsuchildwelfare Instagram: @fsuchildwelfare LinkedIn: @fsuchildwelfare Host:  Kristina Finch Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring

Partners in Prevention – Insights from Foster Parents

Host Vivian Ko, Assistant Director of Professional Development and Worker Well-Being Research & Evaluation at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, explores how Florida’s foster parents serve as frontline partners in prevention, what approaches support positive outcomes for children, and where systems can be improved. Vivian, an adoptive mother and former foster parent, talks with foster and adoptive mothers Lori Ann Chapman and Selena Garrison about their personal journeys through foster care. Both became involved with the system because they wanted to provide stability, love, and advocacy for children who have experienced trauma. Lori and Selena tell stories that reveal how difficult foster parenting can be, but they say watching children heal, grow, and feel safe is what sustains them. “Supporting foster parents is prevention. I hope we're able to clearly identify the gaps so that we can better prepare and support foster parents from the beginning. Because when foster parents are set up for success, kids are going to be more stable, and the outcomes are going to improve.” Selena Garrison Resources mentioned in this episode: The Fostering Foundation: https://www.thefosteringfoundation.org/ The Pearl Project: https://www.thepearlproject.org/ “Memoirs of a Middle Mama”: https://www.facebook.com/memoirsofamiddlemama/ Just a reminder: Our guests’ opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policies, or positions of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. Tune in and subscribe to our Child Welfare Podcast at http://FICW.FSU.EDU/PODCAST The Florida Institute for Child Welfare seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among children and families within the child welfare system. Learn more about our research and professional development programs at http://FICW.FSU.EDU Connect with us on social media: @FSUChildWelfare Facebook: @fsuchildwelfare Instagram: @fsuchildwelfare LinkedIn: @fsuchildwelfare Host:  Vivian Ko Producing/Editing: David Heller, Brantley Jones, Izzy Cring