Volume 3, Issue 2, Spring 2021 |
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Goodbye, but Not Farewell
This is my last newsletter as the coordinator of CSTP. After six years, I'm leaving my role as manager of instructional design at Iowa State University and taking on the position of legislative analyst for the Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit. I guess I can’t get child support out of my system!
I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have made CSTP what it is today. What started five years ago as a humble desire to connect with “people who do what we do” has transformed into a national network of child support trainers and instructional designers. It has been so fun to watch attendance on our quarterly calls grow from 14 in August 2016 to 150 in February 2021. We began publishing a quarterly newsletter in 2019 and created a LinkedIn group last year. CSTP now boasts members in all 50 states and numerous tribes. I want to thank all of the members who have offered to present or contribute articles over the years – we could not do this without you. Continue fighting the good fight.
My heart is full knowing that I leave CSTP in capable hands. My colleagues at ISU deserve all the credit for initiating and growing this consortium. We had big dreams when we started – I still have pictures of the poster paper we used for brainstorming ideas – and we’ve achieved many of those dreams. I encourage you to continue aspiring – someday that CSTP conference will happen.
So this is goodbye, but certainly not farewell. I will remain connected to the child support world through my new position, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the ERICSA virtual conference in May. Thank you, all!
– Paula Burns
Manager Instructional Design
Iowa State University/Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Tribal Per Capita Intercept but Never Asked
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I have been in my position as child support manager for just over three years, and I am amazed by the number of misconceptions I have heard about tribes and tribal child support. With more than 28 years in health and human services, I have seen my fair share of exclusion and standardization with respect to perceptions about tribes. This has never stopped me from trying to help others learn about why tribes deliver services to their members the way they do. |
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Quarterly Call Recap: Focusing on DEI Efforts |
The first quarterly call of 2021 took place on Feb. 11. Nearly 150 participants logged on for a discussion about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Martha Stewart, instructional designer for Iowa State University/Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit, presented the results of a survey sent to CSTP members, inquiring about their DEI efforts. Of the 23 respondents, 61% are currently providing such training, and 50% are planning to in 2021.
The remainder of Stewart's presentation focused on behavioral economics and its impact on individuals' personal preference, self-control, decision making, and cognition. Research shows that economic decision-making is a big cognitive drain on resources for lower-income people, and the mental burden of poverty can lead to a decline in IQ.
Also presenting were Tara Knobbe and Tyria Valledor of Solano County, California, who described how they built a DEI group for their county’s child support program. They shared why there’s a need for DEI, what to consider when starting a program, and ideas about how to start. Key takeaways include starting with the basics, having a group agreement and safe space to ask questions, and being open to constructive criticism.
You can find a recording of the call on our web page, using the link below. You can also find past calls and previous editions of our newsletter. Join us for the second quarter call on May 13 at 1 p.m. Central, when Marianne Rosen of Wisconsin Children and Families will present “Embracing Equity.”
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We Are Overdue for a Revolution in Child Welfare |
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This material was reproduced with permission from The Imprint.
Although child welfare reform has been a topic of conversation for many years, what is often meant by “reform” is evolutionary or incremental change, which are efforts to make the current system better, but not fundamentally different. But many systems leaders who operate significantly improved versions of the current system agree that it still falls short of meeting the needs of families.
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"I'm a Trainer. What's Your Superpower?" |
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Give me a T, give me an R, give me an A, give me an I-N-I-N-G! What does that spell? TRAINING! Woo hoo - training! The reality is not many workers get excited when it comes to having to complete training. But training is necessary for workers to be able to do their jobs effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of families served through child support services.
Join us at the 58th Annual ERICSA Conference - On the Road Again: A Virtual Road Trip as we put some spirit into training! This workshop will provide specific examples of successful training projects using in-person delivery, online learning, blended learning, simulation, video, desk aids, and other approaches. Participants will have low-cost strategies to take back to their offices to strengthen their training programs.
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Kate Goudy and Paula Burns,
Iowa State University/
Iowa Child Support Recovery Unit will present Monday, May 24, 12:30-2:00 p.m. Eastern
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Musings about Online Learning from the LMS Guy |
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I have been in the education field for more than 20 years (22 if you count 2020 as the 2+ years that it was). I have seen and done quite a bit in this area (teacher, corporate trainer, curriculum designer, technical writer, training video “Hey, you look worse in person” guy, learning management system administrator, etc.) during that time, including all the day-to-day tasks we do for our various roles in education and training. |
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Professional Development Opportunities |
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All events are subject to change. Check conference sites for the latest information on postponements or cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Copyright © 2021 Child Support Training Partnership, all rights reserved. | CSTP
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