Expanding Lifelong Learning
From professional education to workforce development, we provide learning opportunities that advance careers, strengthen organizations, build a more resilient workforce, and create lasting benefits for communities.
The Office of Workforce Development:
training registrations managed and monitored
hours of updated training content
facilitator/trainer led professional staff training completions
monitored e-Learning completions (staff and caregiver)
caregiver training completions
university students enrolled in University Partnership courses
Strengthening
the Child Welfare
Workforce Across
Illinois
The Office of Workforce Development
The University of Illinois School of Social Work's partnership with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the child welfare workforce through education, professional development, and evidence-informed practice. Through the Office of Workforce Development, the School provides comprehensive training and learning opportunities that support child welfare professionals, caregivers, and future practitioners throughout Illinois.
The Office of Workforce Development designs and delivers high-quality pre-service and in-service training for child protection specialists, caseworkers, supervisors, foster, kinship, and adoptive caregivers, and students preparing for careers in child welfare. Grounded in trauma-informed, family-centered, and strengths-based practices, the program combines research-informed curriculum with practical learning experiences that prepare participants to better serve children and families.
Beyond developing curriculum for in-person, online, and hybrid training, the project provides registration and technology support, examination proctoring, leadership development, data reporting, and continuous quality improvement. One of its most innovative approaches is simulation learning, which allows participants to practice complex, real-world scenarios before encountering them in the field. Barbara Moore, Director of the Center for Excellence in Child Welfare, explains, "Simulation training supports child welfare workforce training by giving professionals a safe, structured environment to practice essential skills before applying them in real cases. Rather than learning solely through lectures or on-the-job experience, participants engage in realistic scenarios that mirror the challenges they are likely to face. Trained facilitators observe performance and offer constructive feedback during debriefing sessions, helping participants identify strengths and areas for improvement."
The partnership also creates a pipeline of future professionals through academic partnerships with colleges and universities across Illinois, giving students opportunities to learn about child welfare and gain hands-on experience through internships with DCFS.
The School's partnership with DCFS strengthens recruitment, professional development, and leadership across Illinois' child welfare system by connecting academic expertise with real-world practice. As participants build their knowledge and confidence, they are better equipped to support children, youth, and families throughout the state.
Center for Excellence in Child Welfare: Expanding Support for Youth in Care with Disabilities
Young people with disabilities involved in the child welfare system face unique challenges as they navigate multiple systems of care. To strengthen the support they receive, the School of Social Work's Center for Excellence in Child Welfare launched the Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Training Project, equipping school-based mental health professionals, child welfare practitioners, caregivers, and educators with practical knowledge and resources.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Education's School-Based Mental Health Grant in partnership with West 40 Intermediate Service Center #2, the project reached 196 participants through a four-part webinar series featuring nationally recognized experts. Participants rated the webinars an average of 4.25 out of 5, reflecting the value of practical strategies and cross-system collaboration. Six follow-up Communities of Practice gave participants opportunities to deepen their learning, exchange ideas, and build lasting professional connections.
The project also produced a comprehensive Resource Guide developed with 13 contributors representing community agencies, faculty, and educational specialists. Its success led to additional funding for a Train-the-Trainer initiative, preparing 42 school-based mental health professionals to deliver future trainings using the guide. Together, these efforts are expanding the capacity of schools and child welfare professionals to provide coordinated, effective support for youth in care with disabilities.
Supporting Illinois'
Behavioral Health
Transformation
PATH
training completions
new courses introduced
new statewide training initiatives
core training models developed
Provider Assistance and Training Hub (PATH)
The Provider Assistance and Training Hub (PATH) supports Illinois' behavioral health workforce by providing training, coaching, and technical assistance to community providers implementing new Medicaid behavioral health services and tools. Since 2018, PATH has partnered with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work, and the Office of Medicaid Innovation to support Illinois' ongoing behavioral health transformation.
As new initiatives and services are introduced across the state's Medicaid behavioral health system, PATH develops and delivers training to help providers build knowledge, strengthen implementation, and maintain fidelity to program models. In addition to formal training, PATH offers strengths-based coaching and technical assistance, working collaboratively with providers to support successful implementation in practice. Fidelity monitoring conducted by PATH's System of Care (SOC) and Clinical Quality Assurance (CQA) teams also helps identify priorities for future coaching and training.
During the past year, PATH continued to expand its educational offerings to meet emerging needs across the behavioral health system. New training initiatives were launched for Violence Prevention–Community Support Teams and Peer Support Workers, each built around four core training models with plans to expand course offerings in the coming year. PATH also introduced more than 20 new courses, including training for crisis providers and providers serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Care Coordination and IM+CANS Coaching and Learning Collaboratives also experienced increased participation in both virtual and in-person settings.
Illinois Integrated Behavioral Health Workforce Education, Learning, and Leadership (BHWELL) Program
BHWELL
years
in HRSA funding
in scholar support
field partners
MSW Scholars
faculty, staff, doctoral students & project personnel
BHWELL: Nine Years of Strengthening Illinois’ Behavioral Health Workforce
For nine years, the Illinois Integrated Behavioral Health Workforce Education, Learning, and Leadership (BHWELL) Program has helped prepare the next generation of social workers to meet Illinois’ behavioral health needs. Supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), BHWELL prepared Master of Social Work (MSW) students to provide integrated, trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavioral health services, with a particular focus on rural and medically underserved communities.
BHWELL at a Glance
- BHWELL operated from 2017–2026, building a sustained pipeline of behavioral health professionals prepared to serve communities across Illinois.
- Two cycles of HRSA funding provided approximately $3.8 million to support behavioral health workforce development, with nearly 70% invested directly in student stipends and scholar support, helping reduce financial barriers to graduate education and clinical training.
- The program prepared 234 MSW students through specialized education, clinical training, and field experiences focused on integrated behavioral health.
- BHWELL developed a statewide network of more than 130 behavioral health and healthcare field placement partners, including community mental health centers, hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, schools, integrated healthcare systems, and other community-based organizations.
- A focus on communities with the greatest need: Scholars completed clinical training in rural, medically underserved, and Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) communities throughout Illinois.
- Training for today’s behavioral health workforce: Scholars received specialized preparation in integrated behavioral health, trauma-informed care, telehealth, violence prevention, cultural humility, and interprofessional practice.
- Learning across health professions: BHWELL created numerous Interprofessional Education (IPE) opportunities that brought social work students together with learners from medicine, nursing, and other health professions. Experiences included the Virtual Immersion in IPE training, Hip Fracture Team Discharge Planning IPE, Farm Disaster, and Poverty Simulation IPE activities.
- A team effort: More than 17 faculty members, staff, doctoral students, and project personnel contributed to BHWELL through program leadership, teaching and training, evaluation, recruitment, field education, and implementation over the nine-year project.
Building an Impact That Lasts
BHWELL’s impact extends beyond the 234 scholars who participated in the program. Graduates have gone on to work in behavioral health, healthcare, school, and integrated care settings, helping expand access to high-quality services for individuals, families, and communities throughout Illinois. The program also leaves behind a strong foundation for the future. BHWELL strengthened relationships among the School of Social Work, healthcare providers, field instructors, and community agencies; expanded opportunities for clinical training in high-need communities; and enhanced the MSW curriculum with content in integrated behavioral health and related areas. BHWELL also developed infrastructure for student recruitment, field education, scholar support, alumni engagement, workforce tracking, and program evaluation. Evaluation efforts included the development of a program dashboard and systematic data collection across multiple survey points, with findings disseminated through scholarly publications and conference presentations. As nine years of HRSA funding conclude, BHWELL’s legacy continues through its graduates, curriculum, faculty expertise, alumni network, community partnerships, and statewide training infrastructure—all positioned to support the behavioral health workforce well beyond the life of the grant.
Building the Behavioral Health Workforce in Winnebago County
Image by By Alex Baumgarner
SWOT Program
grant funding
graduate and undergraduate students supported
in financial support for students
The Social Worker Opportunity Tracks (SWOT) Program
The Social Worker Opportunity Tracks (SWOT) program, funded by the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, provides up to $20,000 in financial support for students pursuing Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees. Eligible students commit to working in Winnebago County for three years after graduation.
The program responds to a critical workforce shortage in the region, where more than 150 social work positions are unfilled. By reducing financial barriers to education and connecting students with local career opportunities, SWOT is helping build a pipeline of professionals prepared to address behavioral and mental health needs in the community.
The initiative is supported by a $2 million grant and led by the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford in collaboration with Rock Valley College, Rockford University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work, Rockford Public Schools 205, and the Boone Winnebago County Regional Office of Education #4.
For the School of Social Work, the investment is already producing results. Fifteen online MSW students receiving SWOT funding have graduated or are expected to graduate by summer 2028, along with three online BSW students. Although the grant was a one time award, the School has extended its funding over approximately two and a half years to help support students through graduation.
The initiative builds on decades of collaboration in the region.
“The School of Social Work has been working with the U of I College of Medicine Rockford and agencies in Winnebago County for over 50 years to offer distance learning for MSW students,” said Janet Liechty, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Professor. “These newer partnerships with the county are a testimony to the long standing positive relationships we’ve built over time with alumni and organizational partners in Winnebago County over the decades. We are thrilled to be working with Winnebago County, Illinois, on shared interests in behavioral health and workforce solutions.”
Through local investment, accessible social work education, and strong community partnerships, SWOT is helping prepare the next generation of social workers while strengthening the behavioral health workforce in Winnebago County.
Professional Education
continuing education events
continuing education hours offered
facilitated community dialogues
Professional Education in Action: Expanding Knowledge, Fostering Collaboration
Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, the School of Social Work's Professional Education program responded to emerging challenges and expanded opportunities for lifelong learning by offering timely continuing education, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and equipping social workers with practical tools to serve their communities.
In response to the rapidly changing political landscape following the new presidential administration, the Professional Education team launched the Social Work in Changing Political Landscapes webinar series. Designed for faculty, staff, students, alumni, community partners, and practitioners, the series featured expert presentations on immigration, women's reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, community organizing, and changes to funding for community-based organizations.
The team also partnered with the Kellner Center for Neurogenomics, Behavior, and Society to present Neuroscience and Mental Health: Moving from Trauma-Informed to Trauma-Transformed, facilitated by Michael Remole, MA, LCPC, NCC, a Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics Mentor. The program explored the connection between neuroscience and mental health, helping participants move beyond trauma-informed care toward trauma-transformed practice. It was followed by a multi-part book study of What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, and Oprah Winfrey, providing participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of trauma, resilience, and healing through guided discussion and reflection.
Leveraging the Arts for Global Dialogue: Exploring Racial and Social Transnational Justice through Creative Expression
With support from the Illinois Global Institute's New Approaches to International Area and Global Studies Grant, the School of Social Work partnered with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and six campus collaborators to launch a groundbreaking, multi-year initiative exploring transnational racial justice through the arts. Bringing together the Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity, the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Asian American Cultural Center, the Center for Global Studies, McKinley Foundation, and the Council on Teacher Education, the initiative creates interdisciplinary opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage in meaningful dialogue on racism and global social justice. Through performances, facilitated discussions, and reflective learning experiences, participants examine issues of racial, social, gender, religious, and political injustice while drawing connections between global movements and historical struggles for civil rights.
The initiative also advances innovative professional education by developing a Continuing Education (CEU) model that leverages music, dance, poetry, film, and digital storytelling to foster empathy, critical reflection, and action. Continuing through 2027, this collaboration positions the University of Illinois as a leader in interdisciplinary education that bridges scholarship, artistic expression, and community engagement to inspire meaningful social change.
The grant team included:
Hellen McDonald (Clinical Professor) and Amy Frederick (Associate Director of Professional Education), with Katie Shumway (Senior Director of Community Engagement), Samuel Smith (Director of Civic Engagement and Social Practice, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Social Work Alumni), Kevin Tan (Associate Dean for Engagement and DEI), and undergraduate student, Gianna Camacho.