New Staff Training For Social Services Specialist
Welcome to New Staff Training for Social Services Specialist. We at MidSOUTH are excited that you have taken this challenging and rewarding job. DCFS, MidSOUTH, and the other universities of the IV-E Partnership are very invested in your professional development. You will have a lot of support from all of us along the way.
MidSOUTH is part of the College of Business and Health and Human Services at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA-Little Rock). We provide the classroom parts of New Staff Training at our three locations throughout the state. Click here to locate the site nearest you. In addition, MidSOUTH provides field training in Areas 3 and 6.
Training is more than just the classroom experience. It is a process that occurs over the first 18 weeks of your employment. It is based on competencies identified by DCFS and aligns with the DCFS Practice Model. Training is a combination of classroom instruction, practice coaching, and simulated learning experiences. Click each section below to learn more about the training structure.
DCFS Portal
When you began with DCFS, MidSOUTH created an account for you in the MidSOUTH/DCFS Portal. As part of the New Staff Training (NST) Foundations and Specialty Training Model, you will log in to complete required learning modules and access transfer-of-learning materials. Throughout your DCFS career, you will use this portal to access select required online modules, classroom Landing Page resources, and other learning materials.
Orientation Activities in the County Office with University Practice Coach
Orientation exercises are designed to start your first week on the job. These activities are likely to be significant and/or frequent job tasks. Some of these are done with your practice coach, supervisor, and/or peers. Others are self-directed study exercises to acquaint you with your policies and procedures.
Practice Coaching by an University Partnership Field trainer
Practice Coaching begins in your first week of employment. The Practice Coaches should meet you or contact you during that week. The Practice Coach’s primary responsibility is to help you improve the quality of your work with families.
For more information about field training for new DCFS staff in Area 3 and 6, please contact:
Amber Bajorek
Practice Coaching Coordinator
Email: abajorek@midsouth.ualr.edu
Phone: 501-747-0581
For more information about field training for new DCFS staff in Areas 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 9, and 10, please contact:
Amy Wisdom
Statewide Field Training Coordinator, Little Rock
Email: aawisdom@uark.edu
Phone: 501-454-6981
Classroom Training at MidSOUTH
Classroom training takes place at a MidSOUTH training site. It consists of…
Curriculum Training Roadmap Infographic: Download PDF
New Staff Training Infographic: Download PDF
Important Information
MidSOUTH tracks your training records and arranges your hotel room if you are eligible to stay in a hotel during training. So there is some data we need to collect from you. Please complete the MidSOUTH Training Academy Participant Information form and bring it with you when you come for your CHRIS Orientation and Navigation Training.