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Social Services Competency Based Training (SSCBT) Certificate of Completion - Program Information

The SSCBT program is available nationwide through a collaboration between the Center of Excellence for Research and Policy in Basic Skills at Tennessee State University and the Early Childhood Training Center at Portland State University. This collaborative offers the SSCBT training and credential, as well as Training of Trainers in the SSCBT curriculum.

The SSCBT program offers a comprehensive curriculum and training process focused on enhancing the quality and depth of services provided by front-line social service workers. The core elements of the training program are: 90 hours of classroom instruction; portfolio work focused on knowledge development, skills application, and self-reflection; field mentor observation and feedback; and a comprehensive oral review of knowledge and practice application. The links and information below highlight the program content and expected outcomes.

SSCBT Module 4 is a follow-up training opportunity for people who have completed the core SSCBT modules. It is intended to build upon the base competencies established in SSCBT, and promote sharing and learning among participants through group process. The targeted outcomes for SSCBT Module 4 are for participants to: experience and learn group facilitation and group process strategies through cooperative learning and reflection; understand and practice the general principles and strategies of Motivational Interviewing in order to gain more accurate information from customers; understand how to help customers transition from building motivation to taking action; learn how to engage in effective mentoring relationships that promote and support customer success and self-efficacy; and learn strategies for promoting safety and problem solving with customers in crisis and conflict situations. SSCBT Module 4 can be used to fulfill SSCBT credential renewal requirements.


SSCBT program highlights

  • Expanded sections on motivation enhancement, supporting literacy, supporting early development, fatherhood, building on strengths, promoting mental health, working in home environments, group facilitation, crisis intervention, service outcomes, community collaboration, and program improvement
  • Worker support strategies including reflective supervision practices, mentoring, time management, and burnout prevention
  • Specific information on worker safety, substance abuse, family violence, suicide risks, diverse families, and parent groups
  • Portfolio assignments focused on applying skills from the training modules
  • Undergraduate and graduate college credit available—credits coordinated with the Portland State University Child and Family Studies Program
  • SSCBT competency areas cross-referenced with Head Start performance standards and training resources
  • Recognition of the SSCBT credential within the Head Start community


SSCBT competency areas

Skills: working with people Attitudes: motivation through use of self Knowledge: systems and human behavior
Creating a Working Relationship: Foundations for Partnerships
-Communicating
-Questioning and Discovering Strengths
-Extending Empathy
-Facilitating Group Interaction
-Environments

Motivating Self
-Agency Expectations
-Self-Development: Leadership, Supervision, and Mentoring
-Decision Making
-Avoiding Burnout
-Incentives and Rewards

Working with Social Systems: Understanding People in Their Environments
-Economic System and Poverty
-Connecting with Diverse Families
-Strengthening the Family System
-Promoting Family Growth: Literacy Education
-Strengthening and Changing Community Systems
Intervening, Supporting, and Problem Solving
-Partnership Part 1: Interests, Goals
-Partnership Part 2: Contracting
-Using Self to Intervene
-Teaching and Building Skills
-Utilizing Agency Resources
-Utilizing Outside Resources
-Utilizing Groups
-Supporting and Sustaining Change 		Motivating Coworkers
-Personal Style
-Attitudes and Values
-Teamwork and Coordination
-Program Improvement and Change 		Human Growth and Development
-Stages of Development
-Personality Development
-Maturity and Growth
-Mental Health
Recording and Tracking
-Specificity
-Confidentiality
-Tracking and Evaluating Outcomes: -Termination 		Motivating Customers
-Managing Behavior Change
-Promoting Self Efficacy
-Providing and Promoting Advocacy and Leadership 		Coping and Adapting
-Stress and Anxiety
-Defense Mechanisms and Self-Protection
-Managing Crisis Situations
-Workers Helping Roles


SSCBT Module 4 Content Areas

Motivation Enhancement Strategies

  • Resolving Ambivalence and Building Motivation- Phase 1
  • Facilitating Commitments and Action Plans-Phase 2

Effective Mentoring

  • Role Modeling as a Foundation for Mentoring
  • Areas of Competency to Attain and Impart
  • Interpersonal Skills of the Worker
  • Mentoring and Teaching
  • Overcoming Resistance and Encouraging Change
  • Advocating and Supporting Self Advocacy

Special Topics in Counseling and Intervention

  • Conditions Requiring Counseling
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Mediating Effective Functioning
  • Addressing Abusive Behavior within the Family

Working with Groups

  • Development of Groups
  • Leadership Roles and Functions
  • Basic Group Work Process