“I'm wondering if I am completely missing that”: Foster care case managers and supervisors report on their IPV training

The co-occurrence between child maltreatment and adult intimate partner violence (IPV) is estimated to range from 30% to 60%, and child welfare workers have tremendous potential to identify IPV when they are adequately trained. The purpose of this descriptive study is to assess whether any training on IPV is received by child welfare employees in three large geographic areas of one Midwestern state. The study includes survey data from 237 (n = 133 public, n = 104 private) foster care case managers and supervisors. Data from three focus groups of case managers and supervisors are also used to uncover what topics should be included in IPV training provided to child welfare employees. Results revealed that 49% of the respondents received no training on IPV as part of their initial agency training and 32% have received no training on IPV during their current employment, although public employees reported IPV training more often than private employees. Fifty-eight percent of survey respondents report they are not sufficiently trained to address IPV in their caseload, and public employees discuss aspects of IPV with their supervisors more often than private employees. Focus group results show a wide range of IPV training received by the state's child welfare workers and highlight the need for collaborative training and coordinated service provision with domestic violence agencies.

Research highlights
► This study focuses on IPV training among foster care case managers and supervisors.
► Nearly half of survey respondents received no training on IPV when initially hired.
► 58% of respondents feel insufficiently trained to address IPV in their caseload.
► More frequent and advanced IPV training is needed for all child welfare employees.