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Child Welfare

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Child Protection Training Academy (CPTA) at Illinois State University

What is the CPTA?

The CPTA is a nationally recognized, award-winning simulated learning program that provides hands-on, real-world training environments for frontline child welfare professionals — better preparing them to protect Illinois’ most vulnerable children. Since launching the first SIMS Lab in 2015, DCFS has trained more than 1,400 frontline child welfare workers statewide. In partnership with the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies at the School of Social Work, the new simulation facility is located at a former residential treatment center on The Baby Fold Campus.

Illinois State University joins other DCFS CPTA partnerships at: 
Northern Illinois University (DeKalb)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Chicago)

  • Use of Simulation

    Simulations use diverse professional actors and real-life settings to help child welfare workers apply core knowledge and skills in a safe learning environment.

    Each CPTA simulation lab features mock residential living spaces including bedrooms, kitchens, and living areas to simulate home visits. Medical and courtroom environments provide frontline workers opportunities to practice interviewing and safety awareness, while also gaining experience testifying in a simulated court setting.

  • Why Sim Training matters

    Experiential learning through simulations prepares the professional learner through opportunities for reflection and critical analysis. Frontline child welfare staff are provided with opportunities to develop their engagement and safety awareness skills with families while also working to identify strengths and protective factors. This initiative enhances the preparation and professional confidence of those working to protect Illinois children and youth.

What have we learned?

The program is independently evaluated by the Child and Family Research Center (CFRC) at the University of Illinois Urbana.  Following daily simulation sessions, participants complete surveys to assess their confidence during the 5 days of the simulation experience across 13 skills. Findings indicate statistically significant growth in all areas over the course of the week-long training.

Summary:

ISU has partnered over the years with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services through the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies, the Permanency Enhancement Project and the DCFS Youth-in-College programs. This longstanding commitment to the professional development of child welfare professionals, child welfare research, and promotion of equity for the children and families served by the child welfare system serves as the basis for this new endeavor to provide simulation experiences for child welfare professionals.

The University is committed to supporting workforce development and using the simulation experience to promote skill development and confidence in child welfare professionals.

CPTA simulation classroom
simulated courtroom
A kitchen setup to simulate family and case worker interactionsinteractions
outside view of the CTPA facility
simluation living room with couches

Our Technology

Each of our simulated spaces is equipped with a camera and condenser microphone, which is routed back to our integrated audiovisual system for the monitoring of simulation sessions. We have 2 viewing rooms in each of the wings of our lab which contain a tablet for facilitators to watch live simulation sessions for feedback and debriefing purposes.

CPTA Simulation Lab

614 Ogelsby Ave., Normal IL

The CPTA Simulation Lab entrance is located in the building at the back of the complex. This map provides directions to parking for the complex and those visiting the Simulation Center will need to walk around the building.