Tribal TANF Case Management Professional Development
Core Courses
Policy and Practice in Human Services
One Day
This course offers a historical overview of public assistance and the development of the human services profession. Core competencies of casework, workplace ethics and professional conduct are considered in terms of their application in a human services setting.
Topics include:
- perspectives on poverty
- theoretical foundations of case work
- the role and purpose of case management
- the influence of values and beliefs on practice
- professional boundaries
- culturally-sensitive practice and strategies
As a result of this course, participants will understand the history and function of the welfare system and case management, and how they affect current policy and practice.
Working with Native American Indian Clients
One day
In this course participants explore how culture affects personal and professional interactions. Concepts, traditions and values specific to American Indian culture are covered to support culturally-competent case management.
Topics include:
- indigenous ways of knowing, communicating and parenting
- indigenous values related to the worlds of work and career
- urban Indian cultures vs. reservation Indian cultures
- integration of Indian cultural values, traditions and practices into daily living and service to clients
As a result of this course, participants will understand the concept of cultural competence, and how personal biases and lack of knowledge about indigenous ways may affect the assessment and delivery of case management services.
Interviewing and Assessing Clients
One day
This course covers strategies and steps to conduct interviews and assessments of American Indian clients. It takes into account the requirements of the assignment and the Indian client's values, traditions and needs with regard to giving and receiving information, as well as building working relationships. Emphasis is given to identifying and utilizing client strengths and focusing all aspects of the interview and assessment on the participant rather than the case manager or organization.
Topics include:
- establishing rapport with clients
- key elements of an interview
- resource assessment
- assessment of risk factors, including domestic abuse, substance abuse and mental health issues
As a result of this course, participants will gain skills to conduct interviews that result in a thorough assessment of client resources, risk factors and strengths. In addition, participants will be able to use cultural knowledge of Native Americans to make more culturally-sensitive and appropriate interventions.
Home Visits and Crisis Intervention
One day
Home visits give caseworkers an opportunity to gain a realistic picture of a family's situation and develop supportive relationships. This workshop addresses how to use home visits to support employment and education through mutual goal setting and development of the family's own problem-solving skills. In addition, this course presents the skills necessary to deal with crisis situations and ways to practice intervention techniques.
Topics include:
- conducting a comprehensive assessment in a home setting
- maintaining a strengths-based, family-focused approach
- increasing trust and communication
- staying safe in the field
- verbal and physical escalation
- what precipitates crises
- observing and assessing the situation
- techniques to deal with potentially violent situations
- self-protection and stress management
As a result of this workshop, participants will learn how home visits can be used effectively to develop trust and respect in work with Native American clients and their families. Participants also learn a variety of intervention techniques and skills that will support them in the office and the field.
Case Management
Two days
This course builds skills to utilize culturally-based strengths to develop, implement and monitor effective case plans and advocate for resources that help Native American clients achieve self sufficiency.
Topics include:
- the case management cycle
- taking a strengths-based approach to case management
- helping clients define goals for employment and services
- developing and modifying the case plan
- reducing resistance
- understanding the strengths and resources of Native American culture
- making effective referrals
- fostering client responsibility for overcoming barriers
- the case manager's role in job retention
As a result of this course, participants understand stages of case management and have skills to help clients achieve agreed-upon goals. Participants also gain knowledge in the use of a strengths-based approach.
Helping Skills
One day
This course focuses on interpersonal skills case managers can use to motivate and support clients. Participants also explore cultural approaches to motivation and support. The course addresses ways to handle difficult situations that can arise in case management.
Topics include:
- engaging the client
- using motivation to promote change
- working effectively with challenging client behavior
- addressing crises
- maintaining cultural sensitivity
As a result of this course, participants will have a variety of methods to help Native American clients with personal issues that can arise in moving toward self-sufficiency.
Technical and Organizational Skills
One day
This course covers techniques case managers can use to organize their work to meet the many demands of the job. It also addresses technical aspects of case management in a human services setting related to helping Native American clients achieve self-sufficiency and access resources.
Topics include:
- organizing and prioritizing work
- time management
- case documentation and narrative
- the job search process and resume writing
- community resource lists
As a result of this course, participants will develop skills for taking an organized approach to their work and their assistance to clients.
Barriers to Self-Sufficiency
Two days
This course offers an in-depth examination of significant barriers to self-sufficiency. Using a strengths-based model, participants will develop knowledge and skills in identifying and appropriately responding to clients who are dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic abuse and child abuse.
Topics include:
- mental health, substance abuse and family violence in Indian families and communities: genesis and etiology
- acknowledging the stigma of mental illness
- working with clients who have a dual diagnosis
- safety planning with battered clients
- dynamics of Indian family and community responses to mental health, substance abuse and family violence
- mandatory reporting
- substance abuse assessment tools
- resources for families and individuals dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse and/or family violence
As a result of this course, participants will have a greater understanding of the dynamics that influence Native American client behavior and will be able to conduct an initial assessment of major health and safety issues.
Working with Native American Families
One day
This course provides a framework for working with Native American clients and their families. It includes skill development in assessing family strengths and supports, and addressing multiple problems.
Topics include:
- historical trauma
- cultural views of the family: traditional views and contemporary transformation
- family dynamics, including roles, rules and boundaries
- identifying and working with family strengths and supports
- family-centered assessment
- addressing multiple stressors and problems in a family setting
- identifying and working with community strengths and supports that are available to families
As a result of this course, participants will expand their abilities to understand, assess and support Native American families.
Group Work Skills
One day
This workshop presents techniques for leading productive small groups in a variety of settings.
Topics include:
- establishing ground rules
- agreeing on group goals
- understanding small group dynamics and individual roles
- dealing with involuntary group members
- addressing resistance
- applying active listening techniques
- working with families
Participants refine their group work skills through role playing, observation and interaction with other members of the training group.
Caseload Management
One day
This workshop is designed to improve the worker's use of time and caseload management techniques. The course is delivered in a hybrid format; half of the day is presented face-to-face, and the second half of the coursework is delivered in an online environment.
Topics include:
- prioritizing tasks
- organizing and planning for deadlines
- planning the work day for optimum efficiency
- coping with procrastination
- removing barriers to effective work management
- arranging personal work areas
- reducing duplication of effort
Participants learn to maximize their time and energy through a variety of techniques.
Fundamentals of Writing
One day
The ability to communicate in writing is a valuable skill. This workshop covers fundamental writing concepts and skills, as well as techniques for collecting, documenting and storing information in a legally-presentable way.
Topics include:
- the fundamentals: grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization
- developing an effective style
- matching strategies and tasks
- effective elements of documentation
- using the case record as a legal document
- keeping records
- recording service delivery
- documenting reasonable efforts
- reviewing case plan efforts
This workshop helps participants produce better written work in less time. Participants learn to record information accurately and to chronicle their work activities and the progress of clients.