Illinois State University opened the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Protection Training Academy (CPTA) program as the third operational simulation lab with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, April 25, 2025. The four-year, $2.1 million grant to operate the academy was finalized in June of 2024 following months of planning.

“In line with Illinois State’s commitment to community and civic engagement, Illinois State University is proud to launch the DCFS’ Child Protection Training Academy with support from the University’s School of Social Work,” said Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule. “This hub will provide innovative experiential learning opportunities for frontline DCFS and child welfare private sector staff who deliver critical child protection and child welfare intervention services.”

The simulation experience will promote skill development and confidence through real-life training scenarios. As training experiences continue, Illinois State social work interns and graduate assistants will also be offered the ability to observe, learn, and engage in social work simulations through the nationally recognized simulation lab (SIMS lab) created by DCFS.

“Illinois DCFS is thrilled to expand our SIMS programming and extend our partnership with Illinois State,” added Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “The SIMS lab provides an experience unlike any other. Each of our SIM labs is carefully designed to simulate a real-world environment for our workers to practice identifying child safety concerns, assessing risks, and recognizing family strengths.”

Since the announcement of the $2.1 million grant award in September 2024, two staff members have been hired to run the academy and begin trainings for DCFS staff, with a search for additional training facilitators now underway. Coalesce Theater company serves as the academy’s professional acting partner. The CPTA at Illinois State University is housed in the Bloomington/Normal community at the Baby Fold, 614 Oglesby Avenue in Normal, IL.

“The child protection training academy at Illinois State University will allow child welfare practitioners to hone their assessment and engagement skills in a simulated lab setting that mirrors real-life case scenarios.” said Dr. Doris Houston, associate professor of Social Work and director of the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies at Illinois State. “Utilizing professional actors, skilled facilitators, and volunteer medical and legal experts, the SIMS Lab model takes training to the next level by creating an environment for reflective practice that prepares future professionals to effectively engage with families from all walks of life and to ensure the safety and well-being of children.”

The Illinois DCFS SIMS program launched in 2019, training more than 1,000 staff to date at multiple locations. It grew out of a legislative requirement for DCFS to develop sites for experiential learning to bridge the gap between policy and practice, increase worker engagement, and accelerate learning. All new DCFS employees are required to train at an academy site for a minimum of one full week following hire. In addition to Normal (Illinois State University), other established academy sites include Chicago (operated by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and Dekalb (Northern Illinois University).

Illinois State has partnered over the years with the DCFS through the Center for Child Welfare and Adoption Studies, which also implements the Illinois Permanency Enhancement Project, as well as First Star Academy, a college readiness program for high school students receiving foster care services. This longstanding commitment to the professional development of child welfare professionals, child welfare research, and promotion of equity for the children and families served by the child welfare system serves as the basis for this new endeavor to provide simulation experiences for child welfare professionals.

For more information, visit https://childwelfare.illinoisstate.edu/cpta-sim-lab/index.php.