FSS Onboarding Lesson 11: Additional Training & Continuing Education
Required and optional continuing education for home visiting staff -- model-specific trainings and state certifications.
Model-Specific Required Trainings
Each of Delaware's four home visiting models has its own mandatory training curriculum. These trainings are required to ensure fidelity to the model and are non-negotiable for FSS workers and supervisors implementing that model.
- Healthy Families Delaware (HFD) -- FSS workers are required to complete the Healthy Families America (HFA) training curriculum, which covers the model's philosophy, visit structure, family assessment tools, and strengths-based engagement principles.
- Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) -- Nurses implementing NFP are required to complete the NFP Clinical Education curriculum, provided through the national NFP organization. This is a nurse-specific training that covers clinical protocols, the visit content domains, and the NFP data system.
- Parents as Teachers (PAT) -- FSS workers implementing PAT are required to complete PAT Foundational Training, which provides Certified Parent Educator (CPE) status. This training covers the model's core components, personal visit curriculum, and developmental screening protocols.
- Early Head Start (EHS) -- FSS workers in EHS home-based programs are required to complete training aligned with federal Head Start Program Performance Standards, including training on child development, family engagement, health and nutrition.
State-Required Trainings
- Mandatory Reporter Training -- Delaware law requires anyone who works with children to complete mandatory reporter training, covering how to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect and how to make a report to the Division of Family Services. This training must be renewed regularly.
- First Aid and CPR Certification -- FSS workers who work with infants and young children are required to maintain current first aid and CPR certification. Renewal is typically required every two years.
Annual Training Hour Requirements
MIECHV and model standards require FSS workers to complete a minimum number of training hours each year. The specific hourly requirement may vary by model and LIA agency policy. Your supervisor will clarify the requirement for your position at the start of each program year. Training hours are tracked through the LMS in the Delaware Family Support Hub.
Optional Professional Development
- Reflective supervision training -- for FSS workers who want to deepen their understanding of the reflective supervision model
- Advanced Motivational Interviewing training and certification
- Infant mental health and IECMHC-related trainings -- including endorsement pathways through the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MiAIMH)
- Specialized topic trainings -- such as safe sleep, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, domestic violence advocacy, or early literacy
How to Find Upcoming Trainings
- Check the Events Calendar in the Delaware Family Support Hub regularly
- Review the Course Library in the LMS for self-paced trainings you can start at any time
- Ask your LIA supervisor about agency-specific training opportunities
Learning Check
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
- Identify the required training curriculum for each of the four home visiting models
- Name the two state-required trainings all FSS workers must complete
- Identify at least three optional professional development opportunities and explain where to find upcoming training offerings