Effective training for child protection professionals requires a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by stakeholders in identifying and responding to children exposed to violence. To bridge gaps in existing educational frameworks, this project began with comprehensive focus groups involving child welfare professionals, law enforcement personnel, and families with lived experiences in the child welfare system. These discussions highlighted critical themes, including barriers to recognizing subtle signs of violence exposure, the impact of implicit biases, and the need for trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Key findings revealed that professionals often lack sufficient training to address the complexities of children’s exposure to violence and that families desire greater emphasis on equitable and supportive interventions. Insights from law enforcement emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in developing effective child protection responses. These findings informed the foundational design of a new multidisciplinary curriculum, emphasizing real-world applicability through interactive case studies and self-reflective exercises. Early prototypes of training modules now incorporate lived experiences to ensure relevance and cultural sensitivity.

This presentation will detail the focus group methodology, key findings, and their direct application to the curriculum design process. By grounding educational content in stakeholder insights, this initiative demonstrates how participatory approaches can create a training model that better prepares professionals to serve vulnerable children and families effectively.

Authors:
Amy Vargo, University of South Florida, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Amy Vargo is an anthropologist and Research Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida focusing her research on improving care for vulnerable populations, specifically children and families who have experienced trauma.

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