Child Welfare Partnership Receives Technology Innovation Award

Remember what it was like in those first few weeks of 2020, when the pandemic originally kept us inside? At Portland State University and other educational institutions across the world, that shift from physical classrooms to virtual instruction was (and still is) a lot to manage. But we’ve learned that virtual education can also save both time and money, while increasing accessibility for those unable to attend in person for any variety of reasons. 

This is why the National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA) has awarded Jeff Baker and the Child Welfare Partnership (CWP) the 2021 Technology Innovation Award. His innovative use of technology created a more engaging virtual training environment repurposing technology the Partnership already owned, including Smart Boards and video cameras. Baker will have the virtual honor of accepting the award on behalf of the CWP at the NSTDA Annual Professional Development Conference held from October 4 – 6.

Jeff Baker is an Information Technologies Consultant and Distance Training Specialist for CWP. He has developed multiple computer based trainings and has expertise in incorporating games and other interactive learning experiences into asynchronous training.  

One of the programs within the Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services at the School of Social Work, the Child Welfare Partnership combines social work research, training, evaluation, and education for the state of Oregon and other clients. But what do you do when a pandemic keeps you from showing participants physical items like drugs and drug paraphernalia in a Substance Use training session on Zoom?

In April 2020, employees Jeff Baker, Chris Bowling, and Jose Maciel designed and implemented a Dual Smart Board Model of virtual training so they could better engage training participants on Zoom, while still retaining the show and tell elements of their presentations. They set up one Smart Board behind a presenter, with another in front of them. The presenter then used the board behind them to display their slide presentation, videos and other videos, instead of using the Zoom “share screen” option many of us have come to know so well. Their camera captures both the board and the trainer, allowing for a more flexible presentation. The size of the board also makes it easier for trainers to read and respond to Zoom’s chat while conducting training.

The Child Welfare Partnership presented this model at the 2021 West Coast Trainer’s Conference and received an overwhelmingly positive response. Since then they have been asked to host roundtable conversations and monthly national affinity groups to support trainers across the country interested in making similar adjustments to their online trainings. 

The School of Social Work is very proud of the Partnership’s accomplishment and their hard work to make a difference for children and families across the nation.