Enhancing Client Engagement Using Motivational Interviewing

Level: Advanced Practice-Lineworkers

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: New and current child welfare personnel who are interested in acquiring information and skills in motivational interviewing to enhance client engagement

Intended Objectives:

• Review of dynamics of resistance and stages of change
• Review and practice basic and more advanced motivational interviewing techniques
• Increase knowledge of effective interventions to engage clients in completing case plan objectives

Topics Include:

• Resistance as an adaptive coping mechanism learned in dysfunctional relationships
• Stages of change
• Motivational Interviewing – working with ambivalence
• Motivational Interviewing techniques
• How to use motivational interviewing at all stages of case management

CalSWEC Competencies Addressed:

1.4 Student understands the influence and value of traditional, culturally-based childrearing practices and uses this knowledge in working with families

2.6 Student understands the dual responsibility of the child welfare caseworker to protect children and to provide services and support to enable families to care for their children

2.14 Student understands the importance of working collaboratively with biological families, foster families, and kin networks, and understands the need to involve them in assessment and planning and supporting them in coping with special stresses and difficulties

2.18 Student demonstrates an understanding of the dynamics of engaging and working with involuntary clients

2.19 Student is able to engage families from a strengths-based “person in environment” perspective and to develop and implement a case plan based on this assessment.

ASFA Goals:

• Safety, Well Being