University News
CAIT Partners with DCFS for New Online Training
May 8, 2007
MACOMB, IL -- The Center for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT) at Western Illinois University, working with several state partners, has created a new web-based training program in collaboration with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Chicago Children's Advocacy Center (CCAC) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The site was launched April 17, and is available free to the public.
According to Kim Wisslead, CAIT associate director, the center worked with the state partners to establish the online training for all Illinois Mandated Reporters. Mandated reporters are defined as any professional who works with children (teachers, clergy, counselors, doctors, etc). They are required under Illinois law to report suspected child abuse.
"The new online resource helps DCFS reach more child-serving professionals," said DCFS Acting Director Erwin McEwen.
CAIT staff worked with a team comprised of content experts to build the mandated reporter training program. Once the curriculum was completed, the Chicago Police Department, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and the Cook County Bureau of Health Services reviewed the content.
"We were responsible for facilitating these meetings and for designing a storyboard to align content and course objectives to appropriate online instruction. When everyone was on board, we then built the web-based training," Wisslead explained. "This was a project that CAIT felt was very important to complete, and we are proud to have created a system that will help children in Illinois."
Learners are asked to register so DCFS can track users by region and profession, and there are pre and post assessments so efficacy of the training can be determined. Wisslead added. The training includes real world simulations, interactive activities and vignettes so mandated reporters can better recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect; define the types of child abuse and neglect; determine what professions/individuals are mandated to report; know their role as a mandated reporter; understand the legal obligations of a mandated reporter; know when and how to report abuse and/or contact the hotline; identify the steps and tools to use when making a child abuse report; and identify which groups of children may be at a higher risk of being abused or neglected.
"By working with state agencies, not-for-profit organizations and businesses in Illinois, we not only provide outreach but also bring back innovations learned in the field to the University to further enhance our distance learning initiatives and technology planning," Wisslead added.
For more information on CAIT's services, contact Wisslead at 309/298-1804 or visit www.cait.org.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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