Planned and Purposeful Visitation eLearning

Level: Advanced Practice – Lineworker, Supervisor

Credits: 1

Intended Audience: New and experienced lineworkers and supervisors

Intended Objectives:

• Define the purpose of visitation
• Identify the proven link between visitation and child’s permanency and well-being
• Differentiate between a well-planned visitation and a poorly designed visitation
• Value the right of families to maintain connection in a culturally meaningful manner
• Identify ways you can incorporate planned and purposeful visitation values and activities into your case planning and documentation

Topics Include:

• Review of Federal and State mandates that require visitation activities
• Linking visitation to outcomes
• Practices that enhance successful visitation plans
• What is purposeful visitation?
• Considerations when developing a visitation plan
• Developmental activities that children and parents can engage in during visitation

CalSWEC Competencies Addressed:

1.1 Student demonstrates respect, fairness, and cultural competence in assessing, working with, and making service decisions regarding clients of diverse backgrounds.

3.8 Student demonstrates the ability to respectfully relate to, engage and assess family members from a strengths-based “person in environment” perspective, and to develop and implement a case plan based on this assessment.

3.18 Student understands the dual responsibility of the child welfare social worker to protect children and provide services that support families as caregivers.

4.3 Student works collaboratively with biological families, foster families, and kin networks, involving them in assessment and planning and helping them access services and develop coping strategies.

5.5 Student demonstrates understanding of how the strengths perspective and empowerment approaches can positively influence growth, development and behavior change.