Core 3.5 Davis January 2026 Cohort

Core for Social Workers provides a foundational understanding and skill set related to child welfare practice in California. The goal is to provide training that reflects real world application of knowledge and skill to daily child welfare practice. Additionally, Core for Social Workers allows participants to build a network of support with colleagues in Northern California as they work through the variety of key concepts and foundations of child welfare practice

Cohort Course Schedule

This cohort will be held in-person at Hyatt Place in Davis, CA.

• Full day trainings: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Half-day trainings: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

COURSE MAKE-UP REQUESTS: In order to be enrolled in select courses within this cohort for make-up, please email your request to Academy@ucdavis.edu

Module 1 

• Orientation to CA Child Welfare Practice Jan. 27, 2026
• Intro to Child Development Jan. 28, 2026
• Trauma-Informed Practice Jan. 29, 2026
• Fairness and Equity Jan. 30, 2026

Module 2 

• Child and Family Teaming Feb. 24, 2026
• Legal Procedures Feb. 25, 2026
• Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Working with Native American Families and Tribes Feb. 26, 2026

Module 3

• Key Issues in Child Welfare Mar. 17-18, 2026
• Cultural Humility in Child Welfare Interviews Mar. 19, 2026
• Critical Thinking & Assessment Mar. 20, 2026 (1/2 day)

Module 4

• Engagement & Interviewing Apr. 14, 2026
• Interviewing Children Apr. 15, 2026
• Child Maltreatment Identification Skills Lab Apr. 16-17, 2026

Module 5 

• Structured Tools & Assessment Skills Lab May. 12-13, 2026
• SOP Foundations May. 14-15, 2026
  (SOP Foundations is not part of the statewide standardized Core requirements but is a regional addition. If students miss this class, they will still successfully complete Core.)

Module 6 

• Teaming with Families to Develop Behavioral Case Plans Jun. 16, 2026
• Managing the Plan: Supporting Safety, Permanency and Well-Being Jun. 17, 2026
• Transition Practice Jun. 18, 2026

Please note this schedule only lists the classroom requirements for the Core for Social Workers program. Please refer to the Core 3.5 Overview document for information on the full requirements of the program, including eLearnings and Field Activities.