Training social workers to use solution-focused interviewing with Child Protective Services clients: A grant proposal

The purpose of this project was to design a program, identify potential funding sources, and write a grant to fund solution-focused training for social workers who are working with Child Protective Services clients to increase client engagement and improve overall outcomes for families in Los Angeles County. An extensive literature review increased knowledge about the problem of child abuse and neglect, the high number of referrals for maltreatment and the high numbers of repeat referrals for maltreatment. The review of the literature also increased knowledge about training for social workers and the use of solution-focused techniques. The grant writer then used that knowledge to design a training program. A search for potential funding sources found that the Weingart Foundation was the best source for this project. A grant was then written to train social workers in Los Angeles County to utilize solution-focused techniques when working with Child Protective Services clients.