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The Professional Development Plan Guidebook

The Professional Development Plan Guidebook was written using materials from the following sources:

“The Value of a Practice Model” draft (Alabama Department of Human Resources, 2010)

Creating a Professional Development Plan, Wellesley College, Educause

NASA’s Financial and Resource Management Individual Development Plan Advisor

Robin Ryan, What to Do with The Rest of Your Life: America’s Top Career Coach Shows You How to Find or Create the Job You’ll Love (New York: Fireside, 2002)

The Professional Development Plan Guidebook is a self-guided resource tool to assist the Child Welfare Worker and the Supervisor toward the development of a dynamic plan for development of skills. Components of Alabama Department of Human Resources newly revamped Practice Model are articulated throughout this guidebook to assist staff in clarifying and honing their skills as related to Worker Core Competencies and Worker Enabling Competencies.

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES PRACTICE MODEL

Alabama DHR is adopting a revamped Practice Model that has the intent of providing an integrated philosophical framework and practice pathway which are designed to promote achievement of improved outcomes with and for the children and families served by the Department.

It is believed that such a Practice Model, that is consistently emphasized and reinforced, should help provide direction for best practice as consultants, supervisors and workers ask questions such as: “What would application of a given principle or value mean or “look like” in our relationship with this particular child or family”?, or, “How will a given practice standard impact the work being done in this situation with this particular child and family”?

In order for a Practice Model to be operational and effective, it will have to be promoted and demonstrated for/by all staff from the first day of one’s employment to his/her last day. It must be central to the development, revision and delivery of all training curriculum. It should guide policy development and it needs to serve as a daily focus point of all that is done in supervision, consultation and management. With due diligence, it will be inherent in the coaching and feedback that is given and received at all levels. As it becomes a dynamic entity, it will be valued, adopted and observed at both the county and state levels of the Department. Ultimately, it will hopefully translate into improvements in the direct work that is conducted with, and desired outcomes experienced by, children and families.

Finally, though the Practice Model, in its entirety, is comprehensive, the core principles and desired outcomes are concise statements of purposeful practice, that reflect how and to what end the Department has chosen to shape its approach to serving the families of Alabama.

Contents

Current Child Welfare Competencies Worksheet	4
Alabama Child Welfare Practice Model	5
Knowledge of Guiding Principles Worksheet	6
Knowledge of Self Worksheet	7
Pinnacle/Foothill Activity Directions	8
Pinnacle Moments Worksheet	9
Foothill Moments Worksheet	10
Goal Development Worksheet	11
Action Steps Worksheet	12
Goals and Steps Worksheet Example	13
Goals and Steps Worksheets	14-19
Your Supervisor’s Role	20
Example Professional Development Plans	21-25

CURRENT CHILD WELFARE COMPETENCIES WORKSHEET

(5 minutes)

Which of these are true for you at this time?

Check the items that are true for you at this time. Place an asterisk * beside each item which is true on a beginning level but on which you want to improve through practice.

I am able to use questions (open-ended, indirect, closed, solution-focused, etc.) in a purposeful way.

I am able to use reflections and summarizations in an intentional manner.

I am able to use attending behaviors/skills in strategic ways.

I am able to use interpersonal helping skills to demonstrate empathy, genuineness and respect.

I am able to use interpersonal helping skills to conduct ISP group meetings in a way that seeks and utilizes input.

I am able to use interpersonal helping skills in helpful ways with individuals who are using resistant and angry behaviors.

I am able to help families access emergency services when required.

I am able to give effective feedback to parents/caregivers, co-workers, and community partners.

Alabama Child Welfare Practice Model

The following diagram illustrates the general steps involved in the Practice Model

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

SAFETY, PERMANENCY,

WELL-BEING

OPERATIONAL

VALUES

DESIRED

OUTCOMES

BEST PRACTICE

INDICATORS

WORKER CORE COMPETENCIES

Consistently Demonstrated Actions

WORKER ENABLING

COMPETENCIES

Consistently Demonstrated Activities

WORKER KNOWLEDGE & INFORMATION

Consistently Demonstrated Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE OF GUIDING

PRINCIPLES WORKSHEET

(15 minutes)

Answer the following questions to identify your knowledge of child welfare Guiding Principles. Don’t worry if there are things you don’t know as that is part of making an assessment:

What is the first and foremost guiding principle in child welfare?

____________________________________________________________________________________

What do children need with regard to “permanency”?

____________________________________________________________________________________

What do children need with regard to “well-being”?

____________________________________________________________________________________

What type of approach do parents need from child welfare staff?

____________________________________________________________________________________

What is the purpose of community collaboration?

____________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

What are some professional characteristics which should be exhibited in child welfare staff?

___________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

KNOWLEDGE OF SELF

WORKSHEET (15 minutes)

To gain a better understanding of your self, answer the following questions:

In my current position at DHR, what are my current skills and strengths?

________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

What is most important to me in my work? What values guide the kind of work I want to do?

____________________________________________________________________________________

What are my limiting factors? (These are things that put limits on the type of job you can take. Examples would be health concerns, geography, travel, need of an advanced degree, poor relationship with co-workers or supervisor, etc.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Other things I would like to learn are...

____________________________________________________________________________________

PINNACLE/FOOTHILL ACTIVITY

The purpose of this activity is to increase your self-awareness of elements of work which energize you (Pinnacles) or drain you (Foothills). Recognizing your “Pinnacles” helps you create a direction for your Professional Development Plan.

Directions:

On the Pinnacle Moments Worksheet, think about your job and some of the events or projects that went especially well for you.

For those new to the job, you can think about a previous job or something from your higher education program.

Try to think of examples of things you have done that were very energizing and satisfying. Write some sentences to describe two or three examples of those moments. Write down some adjectives, phrases, or a few sentences that describe what was satisfying about the events. This doesn’t need to be perfect prose- phrases are fine. This is for your own use.

On the Foothills Moments Worksheet, do the same for your Foothill moments. Try to think of examples of events that have been unsatisfying (at work, school, or previous job). Write some sentences to describe two or three examples of those moments. Write down some adjectives, phrases, or a few sentences that describe what was unsatisfying or draining about the events.

Pinnacle Moments Worksheet (15 minutes)

Pinnacle Moment Example

Description:

The first time I was able to place a child back with his

birth family.

What was energizing or satisfying? (adjectives, phrases)

I felt excited for the child and his family because they had done so much work and were now able to be back together. It also felt good to be able to close a case a few months later, like a weight was now off my shoulders.

Pinnacle Moment #1

Description:

____________________________________________________________________________________

What was energizing or satisfying? (adjectives, phrases)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Pinnacle Moment #2

Description:

____________________________________________________________________________________

What was energizing or satisfying? (adjectives, phrases)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Summary

____________________________________________________________________________________

Foothill Moments Worksheet (15 minutes)

Foothills Moment Example

Description:

When I thought it was safe to place a child back into her home

and found that the family was not ready and the child had to

be placed back into care.

What was draining or unsatisfying? (adjectives, phrases)

I felt like we were starting all over and that much of our previous work was

for nothing.

Foothills Moment #1

Description:

____________________________________________________________________________________

What was draining or unsatisfying? (adjectives, phrases)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Foothills Moment #2

Description:

____________________________________________________________________________________

What was draining or unsatisfying? (adjectives, phrases)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Summary

____________________________________________________________________________________

GOAL DEVELOPMENT (15 minutes)

What do I want to accomplish?

A goal is a statement of a desired outcome or accomplishment which is specific, observable and realistic. Based on the data you have generated about yourself on the previous worksheets and your specific competencies(p.4) & knowledge(p.6), write some goals for the next 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years.

1. What I want to accomplish and the knowledge/skills I want to acquire within six months are…

_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. What I want to accomplish and the knowledge/skills I want to acquire by this time next year are...

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. What I want to accomplish and the knowledge/skills I want to acquire by the end of the second year are...

_____________________________________________________________________________________

4. What barriers or obstacles might prevent me from accomplishing my goals on time (e. g., time, other commitments, etc.)?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5. What can I do to overcome these barriers or obstacles? What resources are available to help me?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

ACTION STEPS WORKSHEET

(15 minutes)

What actions can I take?

Think about the gap between your skill level now and where you would like it to be. Consider an area you would like to improve. List some steps to move yourself from where you are now toward where you want to be. For example, you may want to learn how to be more respectful to family members whose values may be different from your own, or you may want to learn how to facilitate an ISP meeting so that the group stays on topic.

List some steps to move you from where you are now to where you’d like to be.

Here are some examples of possible tasks:

New assignments in my current job Rotation to a different project/job

On-the-job learning from someone who has more expertise in a specific area

Seminars/conferences

University courses

Self-paced learning (books, videos, computer-based instruction, etc.)

Academic degree or certification program

Conduct informational interviews

DHR training sessions

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Categorize the steps as immediate, medium-term, or long-term actions.
Identify some projected time frames for achieving a given step.

GOALS and STEPS WORKSHEET

Example:

Goal: To become more adept at faciliating ISP meetings.

Step 1: Attend an ISP Meeting

Time Frame: Within 1 week

Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Completed Ongoing

Step 2: Watch my supervisor conduct an ISP meeting and take notes on facilitating skills that I want to be sure to use when I lead an ISP meeting.

Time Frame: Within 1 week

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 3: Conduct an ISP meeting in front of my supervisor and receive feedback on what I did well and what I need to work on.

Time Frame: Within 1 month

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

GOALS and STEPS WORKSHEET

Goal: _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Step 1: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 2: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 3: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

GOALS and STEPS WORKSHEET (continued)

Step 4: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 5: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 6: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

GOALS and STEPS WORKSHEET

Goal: _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Step 1: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 2: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 3: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

GOALS and STEPS WORKSHEET (continued)

Step 4: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 5: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 6: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

GOALS and STEPS WORKSHEET

Goal: _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Step 1: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 2: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 3: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

GOALS and STEPS WORKSHEET (continued)

Step 4: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 5: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

Step 6: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Time Frame: ___________________________________

Circle One: Immediate Medium-Term Long-Term

Circle One: Completed Ongoing

YOUR SUPERVISOR’S ROLE

Your supervisor is in an excellent position to support your development by:

Providing feedback on your performance in your current job and identifying your strengths and areas for improvement
Acting as a mentor and coach
Representing the department’s needs, goals and opportunities
Communicating what is happening at DHR
Helping assess your advancement potential and your qualifications for other positions
Acting as a resource and referral for exploring your career development options
Supporting your training and development, and providing training and coaching for you

Mentor(s) or “buddy” co-workers can also support your development.

The information you gathered in this guide, and the feedback you’ve received while in ACT I will guide the development of your Professional Development Plan.

Complete your plan and share it with your supervisor..

The worksheets for this guide can be used for your Professional Development Plan (PDP) or if you or your supervisor want a more formal format a few examples are attached for your use.

Professional Development Plan Examples

Professional development plan

Child Welfare Worker: Date:

My Support Team/Network
Supervisor: Co-worker(s):

Specific Areas to Improve:
(Think about distinct accomplishments and activities to be achieved.)

Barriers to Overcome:
(Describe the barriers that must be eliminated or reduced and how this will be done.)

Step 1.
Step 2.

Step 3.

Step 4.

Step 5.

Step 7.

Step 8.

Step 9.

Signature of Child Welfare Worker: ________________________________
Date:

Signature of Supervisor: _________________________________________

Signature of Co-worker(s): _______________________

___________________________             _____________________________

*Establish set day and time for ongoing activities.

Professional Development Plan

Child Welfare Worker:
Training Intervention: Date:

My Support Team/Network
Supervisor:       Trainer:

Co-worker(s):

Specific Areas to Improve:
(Think about distinct accomplishments and activities to be achieved.)

Barriers to Overcome:
(Describe the barriers that must be eliminated or reduced and how this will be done.)

Detailed Specific Actions in Sequence
(Include regular progress reviews with the support team as a part of the specific actions.)
Responsible Person(s) Resources Date/Time* Changes to Look For

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Step 4.

Step 5.

Step 6.

Step 7.

Step 8.

Step 9.

Step 10.

Step 11.

Commitment of Support Team/Network:

Signature of Learner: ________________________ Date:

Signature of Supervisor: ____________________

*Establish set day and time for ongoing activities.

Sample Professional Development Plan

Child Welfare Worker: Marty Monso

Training: ACT II: Underlying Conditions Date: April 3, 2010

My Support Team/Network

Supervisor: Mary Marilyn Consultant or Other Supervisor: Bobby Bernard

Co-worker(s): Fala Fabuloso (attended training with Marty), Dory Donut, Mini Mercy, Abdul Milhouse

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Specific Areas to Improve: I want to be able to engage the Smith family to look at the cycle of need so that their ISP team can understand the underlying conditions within this family.

(Think about distinct accomplishments and activities to be achieved.)

Barriers to Overcome: May need additional coaching and protected time from my supervisor (other than at our regular scheduled weekly meetings) to analyze the information in the Smith family.

(Describe the barriers that must be eliminated or reduced and how this will be done.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detailed Specific Actions in Sequence
(Include regular progress reviews with the support team as a part of the specific actions.)
Responsible Person(s) Date/Time* Changes to Look For

Step 1. Participate in post-training meeting with all support team members to review, revise, and endorse my action plan (along with Fala's action plan). Entire support team. May 1, 2010 1pm roles and actions are clarified

Step 2. Study the material I received from the training to better understand the cycle of need and how it is used as a tool. Marty and Fala May 2, 2010 2pm can clearly communicate the cycle of need with my co-worker

Step 3. Observe an experienced worker engage a family by using the cycle of need. Marty and Dory May 3, 2010
9am
able to discuss the things that went well and the areas for development with Dory

Step 4. Role play using the cycle of need with co-worker. Marty and Dory May 3, 2010
1pm
able to role play engaging a family using the cycle of need/ receive feedback from Dory

Step 5. Schedule and meet with the Smith family to discuss the cycle of need. Marty May 4, 2010
1pm
able to discuss some of the assessment information about the Smith family and apply it to the cycle of need

Step 6. Meet with the ISP team for the Smith family. Marty and ISP team. May 10, 2010
4pm
Faciliate ISP meeting and discuss possible underlying issues using cycle of need information.

Step 7. Review assessment information with Supervisor. Marty and Mary May 15, 2010
1pm
Feel successful at analyzing the assessment information.

Step 8. Review action plan. Entire team May 16, 2010
2pm
Team feels steps have been reached and goals achieved.

Step 9.

Step 10.

Step 11.

Signature of Child Welfare Worker: ___________________Date: April 3, 2010

Signature of Supervisor: _____________________

Signature of Co-worker(s): _______________________

___________________________             _____________________________

Revised 10/31/2010

Child Welfare Worker: Date:
My Support Team/Network Supervisor: Co-worker(s):
Specific Areas to Improve: (Think about distinct accomplishments and activities to be achieved.)
Barriers to Overcome: (Describe the barriers that must be eliminated or reduced and how this will be done.)
Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4. Step 5. Step 7. Step 8. Step 9.
Signature of Child Welfare Worker: ________________________________ Date: Signature of Supervisor: _________________________________________ Signature of Co-worker(s): _______________________ ___________________________ _____________________________

The Professional Development Plan

Recent Documents:

Recent Search:

Child Welfare Worker: Training Intervention: Date:
My Support Team/Network Supervisor: Trainer: Co-worker(s):
Specific Areas to Improve: (Think about distinct accomplishments and activities to be achieved.)
Barriers to Overcome: (Describe the barriers that must be eliminated or reduced and how this will be done.)
Detailed Specific Actions in Sequence (Include regular progress reviews with the support team as a part of the specific actions.)	Responsible Person(s)	Resources	Date/Time*	Changes to Look For
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Step 9.
Step 10.
Step 11.
Commitment of Support Team/Network:
Signature of Learner: ________________________ Date: Signature of Supervisor: ____________________