Tennessee News Update – September 2017

Did you know?…

NTI is developing two state of the art, standardized, web-based trainings to build the capacity of child welfare professionals and mental health practitioners in all States, Tribes and Territories. Our end goal is to empower professionals nationally to better understand and address the mental health needs of children, youth and their families moving toward or having achieved permanency through adoption and guardianship.

We’ve been getting great feedback and participation from the initial pilot states, and Tennessee has done well!

Highlighting NTI’s reach in Tennessee:

This 20+ hour online training was launched in January of 2017.

- 3,800 users are participating in NTI across the nation.
- 1,253 have enrolled from TN.

Thanks to the efforts of the Bonnie Beneke, the State Implementation team and cohort leaders for enabling so many professionals across the state to participate.

Growing NTI Completion Rate:
- 930 TN users have completed the training (74% current completion rate) as of July 31^st.
- 18,600 hours of training have already been received by TN child welfare professionals and this number is growing daily!
Almost there…celebrating user completions
- 130 completed users away from hitting a very bold goal of 85% completion. Wow!
- Now Available: NTI Success Chocolate Bars for NTI Completion Celebrations! Contact your NTI implementation specialist, Mary Wichansky for details.

A solid statewide public-private training collaboration
- 807 users from DCS and
- 336 users from the following private agencies:

AYS Magnolia, Camelot, CASA, Centerstone, FCS , Harmony, Helen Ross McNab, Miriam’s Promise, Natchez Trace, Omnivisions, Oak Plains, Meritan, Monroe Harding, Therapeutic NTI and Youth Villages

Hear the Buzz from Tennessee:

NTI Users are saying:

Youth Villages – Chattanooga TFC team member stated,
“NTI was an amazing collection of resources and knowledge surrounding adoption and permanency for kids in foster care. The videos were my favorite part and allowed me to see how important all aspects of permanency are for the kids involved…READ MORE

Knoxville – TFC Clinical Supervisor stated,
“My team and I enjoyed completing the NTI training. It was very beneficial and applicable that the training specifically targeted child welfare workers, verses an overall mental health training. All the material was evidenced and research based… READ MORE

Youth Villages Foster Care Counselor shared,

“Team members have begun to incorporate these lessons into their sessions already and with treatment parents too”

Youth Villages Regional Supervisor expressed,

“My team and I have really enjoyed this training. The attachment pieces as well as the grief and loss were the most talked about as being helpful to them. Also, they remarked on how some of the lessons were a review. They connected this to previous boosters and the current treatment expectations they are held to. So kudos goes to the NTI development team!”

Youth Villages Foster Care Counselor shared,

“The NTI training is amazing! I would go so far as to say that it’s the best training I’ve had in the time that I’ve been with YV!”

Share your NTI training feedback with us HERE! We want to hear your thoughts and appreciate your insights.

Hear the Buzz from other states:

News Release: The Palmetto Association for Children and Families

Facebook Live event: announcing the winners of the Palmetto Association’s NTI drawing which just ended…https://www.facebook.com/PalmettoAssociationforChildrenandFamilies

Facebook Post: OK Dept. of Human Services announcement: https://www.facebook.com/connectcounselingok/

NTI Research Results

Want a sneak peak of great research results?

Preliminary research is showing great gains from pre to post test. An impact study of how this training is impacting the day to day practice of NTI completers is now underway. Formal results Data collection continues until December 31^st.

If you have already enrolled, there is still time to complete the training. And if you have not enrolled but want to participate, contact Bonnie Benneke.

Your NTI Pilot Site Materials ARE HERE

Remember to check our website regularly for news and updated pilot site materials.

Sign up to Receive Updates and News

NTI Pilot States Contact Information to share with others:

California and Oklahoma • Emily Smith-Goering 202.798.3424 Email Emily

Illinois, South Carolina and Tennessee • Mary Wichansky 240.606.4846 Email Mary

Maine, Minnesota and Washington • Lisa Maynard 585.507.7588 Email Lisa

Funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, Grant #90CO1121. The contents of this email do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the funder, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This information is in the public domain. Readers are encouraged to copy and share it, but please credit the National Adoption Competent Mental Health Training Initiative.