USM Muskie School: A Partner in New National Workforce Institute
December, 2008
Portland, ME—As baby boomers retire, the nation faces a workforce crisis in human services. In response, the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine along with eight institutions across the U.S. were awarded a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute.
"This is a great opportunity to partner with other experts across the country and make a positive impact on the well-being of children," said Sue Ebersten, an associate director at the Muskie School who will lead the School's part in the Institute. "There's a serious need nationally to provide training to the people who deal on a day-to-day basis with children who need extra support. This program will do it effectively and efficiently."
The purpose of the Institute is to build the capacity of the nation's child welfare workforce through the development of skilled child welfare leaders in public, private and tribal child welfare systems. For its part, the Muskie School will direct the creation of national training programs, delivered online, for child welfare supervisors. This project complements the activities of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement housed at the Muskie School.
According to Freda Bernotavicz, principal investigator of the Muskie School's component, this funding provides an opportunity to continue a national network and build on the expertise in workforce development developed through prior funding from the Children's Bureau.
Partners in administering this 5-year $16.5 million collaborative venture with the DHHS Children's Bureau include the National Indian Child Welfare Association and the Universities of North Carolina, Denver, Michigan, Iowa, Southern Maine, Michigan State and Fordham. The University at Albany in New York is the hub for the Institute and its partners.
Through education, research, and public service, the Muskie School works to improve the health and well-being of families and communities across the United States. The School's key areas of focus include state-level health and social policy and sustainable communities. More information is available at http://muskie.usm.maine.edu.
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