112 & 112 Standards Knowledge and Insights Leading to Success (SKILS) Part 1 & 2

SKILS is a mandated four week core training that all new front line workers receive upon hire with the Office of Children’s Services (OCS). SKILS Part I focus is on orientation to OCS, working with diverse cultures, the Practice Model, Intake and Initial Assessment. Competency based training with specific emphasis on family engagement, interviewing, information collection, safety threats and risk factors, analysis and assessment is completed by the end of week two. After completion of SKILS Part I, the workers go back to their offices for three weeks of on-the-job training. The trainees then return for SKILS Part II, weeks three and four, which focuses on Family Services practice delivery once a case is opened for ongoing services due to safety threats or high risk to a child within his/her own home. Permanency goals, protective capacity assessment, case planning, conditions for return home of children in care and case closure are the focus within SKILS Part II. Before workers have completed SKILS, they will also receive legal and ORCA training.

SKILS Annotated Agenda