Cultural Responsiveness Community Trainer

Position Overview

The Cultural Responsiveness Community Trainer (temp/casual, 0001) is a University employee at the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) which is located under the Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW), which also houses several additional dynamic research and training entities, including the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW),and the Minnesota Linking Information for Kids (Minn-LInK) project.

The MN African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPACWDA) was passed in 2024 and seeks to promote family stability by establishing minimum standards to prevent the arbitrary removal of children from their families and improve permanency outcomes, including family reunification. One requirement of this act is that all Minnesota child protection workers and their supervisors receive training in cultural responsiveness.

Community Trainers will deliver a twoday virtual course focused on applying culturally responsive practices when working with families who are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system. The course includes specific content related to African American families, as required by law.

This nonbenefitseligible position works on an asneeded basis, typically a few days per month. Training is conducted virtually through Zoom using the trainer's personal computer and technology. Training schedules are generally established six months in advance.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Classroom Training: (75%)

• Deliver a twoday virtual course on cultural responsiveness as defined by MAAFPACWDA requirements.
• Provide interactive instruction to child welfare professionals.
• Engage learners to support skill development and application of course concepts.
• Ensure participants understand how to apply culturally responsive practices when working with families who experience disproportionate involvement in child welfare.

Classroom Preparation: (20%)

• Review course curriculum and materials in advance of each training session.
• Review participant prerequisite work or assignments.
• Prepare virtual or inperson training environments as needed (e.g., room setup, computer setup).

Training of Trainers/Feedback/Coaching: (5%)

• Participate in Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions with the Training and Development Lead.
• Participate in feedback and coaching sessions.
• Apply feedback and recommendations to improve training delivery.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and at least three years of experience working with communities that are historically overrepresented in the child welfare system.
• At least one year of experience in child welfare or in communitybased work that directly partners with child welfare agencies.
• Experience delivering training in child welfare or community-based work settings.
• Practical knowledge of Active Efforts, cultural responsiveness as defined in statute, and traumainformed practice as applied in casework.
• At least one year of experience working with African American individuals or families, or with other communities that are disproportionately involved in the child welfare system.
• Understanding of cultural norms and the effects of historical trauma within African American communities and other overrepresented groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or a closely related field. We strongly encourage those with lived experience to apply.
• Experience in co-facilitation and virtual course delivery
• Experience delivering training related to culturally responsive practice.
• Strong understanding of how historical factors influence current child welfare outcomes, including components required by Active Efforts and familypreservation practices.
• Familiarity with the impacts associated with child removal from the home and community.

Institute Overview

The Multidisciplinary Institute for Child Welfare (MICW) is a new organizing structure housing several dynamic research and training entities, including The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), the Minnesota Linking Information for Kids (Minn-LInK) project, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA). Each entity is grant-funded and self-sustaining. During an early phase of strategic planning for CASCW in 2024, the creation of the MICW emerged as an essential task to continue to support the growth and productivity of these entities while also continuing the mission of the School of Social Work and the College of Education and Human Development as it pertains to continued community service, growth, and innovation.

The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is a research and training center located within the School of Social Work in the College of Education and Human Development on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. CASCW supports the education and training of public child welfare professionals; identifies and examines effective child welfare practice methods, informs the public and policy makers about various child welfare issues, and incorporates research and evaluation findings into the School of Social Work curriculum.

Minn-LInK, an incredibly rich resource within the University and across the state of Minnesota, is an interdisciplinary, integrated, administrative data project used for research and evaluation projects aimed at understanding the experiences and outcomes of children, youth, and families who are multi-system involved. Minn-LInK staff provide research services to internal and external partners through grants and agreements.

The MNCWTA is a partnership between the University's MICW and the MN Department of Children, Youth, and Family (DCYF). The MNCWTA is responsible for the training and professional development of Minnesota's county and tribal child welfare frontline staff and supervisors. The mission is to train, develop, and support the skills, expertise, and well-being of Minnesota's child welfare workforce while nurturing a commitment to equitable child welfare practice.

Department Overview

Founded in 1917 on its Dakota homeland, the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is part of a public, research-intensive university and one of seven administrative units in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). The School offers several graduate and undergraduate educational programs including: a PhD in Social Work; a Master of Social Work; a Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership; a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies, and undergraduate minors in Family Violence Prevention, Social Justice, and Youth Studies. Underlying all these multidisciplinary programs is a social justice value base and a commitment to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in our society. The curricula of our educational programs, and faculty research and engagement, intentionally seek to emphasize and expand anti-racist perspectives, social, economic, and racial justice, and decolonization. The School is the home to a variety of labs and centers that actively involve our students, staff, faculty, and community partners, e.g., the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, the Center for Practice Transformation, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, an innovative partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services that is funded by the state legislature to further develop equitable child welfare practices.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The starting hourly rate for this position is $40.00/hr. Once all training and onboarding are complete, the hourly wage increases to $80/hr.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. Please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

The following needs to be included for your application to be considered:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume or CV

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).