FCSP and Massachusetts DSS: Three Years of Successful Collaboration

Over the last three years FCSP has effectively demonstrated its ability to partner at the state level. We have developed an extensive collaboration among the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS), Massachusetts Child Welfare Institute (MCWI) and the Family Institute of Cambridge. Within this partnership, FCSP provides training and consultation to inspire and enhance the capacities of participants as well as contribute to an organizational culture characterized by reflection, appreciation, and shared learning. Components of this training have included:

Staff Training

• numerous intensive year-long trainings on collaborative child welfare practice for workers, supervisors and administrators
• several year-long follow-up trainings designed to help participants implement local projects to support and spread family-centered practices and values
• numerous hands-on workshops emphasizing culturally responsive, strengths-based, collaborative approaches to child welfare

Supervisory Training

• a supervisory workshop that integrates cutting edge theories and practices in contemporary child welfare practice
• a workshop that helps supervisors design and facilitate effective meetings in challenging situations

Systems Level Training and Consultation

• reviewer trainings aimed at enhancing peer review effectiveness by grounding reviews in a spirit of reflection, appreciation and shared learning
• numerous retreats and organizational development consultations for area offices and regional teams
• a retreat to help develop support for the emerging Family Engagement Model from private agency administrators throughout Massachusetts

FCSP is currently creating new partnerships and collaborations with other large agencies and state organizations throughout New England. If you are interested in partnering with FCSP or would like more detailed descriptions of our training and consultation activities, please contact FCSP directly. In line with our practices and principles, all training and consultation can be customized to the needs of your agency or organization.

Contact us for more information:
William Madsen, PhD
Family Institute of Cambridge
51 Kondazian Street
Watertown, MA 02472
617-868-9044; madsen1@comcast.net