Critical Thinking and Assessment CORE 3.0 – Classroom

Level: Line Worker CORE

Credits: 3

Intended Audience: This course is intended for new child welfare workers and meets the state requirements for Line Worker CORE version 3.0.

Description of Course: Using lecture, case vignettes and small and large group activities, this course focuses on critical thinking activities that link critical thinking to assessment.

Intended Objectives: After completing this course you will be able to:

• Describe a process to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources when conducting a child welfare assessment
• Describe how life experiences, personal values, and bias may affect determination of minimum sufficient level of care (MSLC) in assessing safety and risk and developing safety plans
• Recognize the role of reflective practice in child welfare assessments
• Given a case scenario, check facts and analyze factors relevant to an assessment of safety, risk, and protective capacity which includes information from the reporting party, extended family members, case records, and other collateral sources
• Identify and resolve effects of your own life experiences, personal values, and biases in establishing MSLC and assessing safety and risk
• Value obtaining consultation as needed to conduct an effective assessment
• Value fact checking in child welfare assessment

Topics Include:

• Application of Critical Thinking Skills
• Defining and Building Critical Thinking
• Identifying and Avoiding Common Errors
• Fact vs. Bias
• Transfer of Learning