Illinois DCFS Events and Resources for Professional Development

These IDCFS-sponsored workshops are hosted free of charge and are available to all child-welfare professionals based in Illinois. See full schedule below.

Upcoming Professional Development Events

To learn more about a workshop and to register on Zoom, click the event on the schedule below. If you have questions or are interested in Be Strong Families partnering with your agency to host in-person or online professional development workshops fully sponsored by IDCFS, please contact Greishen Rodriguez or Andrew Hitchcock.



August 2026 Online Trainings

Living the Protective Factors (Part 1 and Part 2)
Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 25, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT each session
Register Here


September 2026 Online Trainings

Professional Development Café: Living the Protective Factors
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm CT
Register Here

Communicating with Families
Thursday, September 10, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT
Register Here

Vicarious Trauma, Vicarious Resilience (Part 1 and Part 2)
Monday, September 14 and Tuesday, September 15, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT each session
Register Here

Being an Agent for Positive Change (Part 1 and Part 2)
Monday, September 28 and Tuesday, September 29, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT each session
Register Here


October 2026 Online Trainings

Maintaining Family Connectedness
Thursday, October 15, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT
Register Here

Relationship-Based Practice and Making Effective Referrals (Part 1 and Part 2)
Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT each session
Register Here


November 2026 Online Trainings

Recognizing and Responding to Signs of Family Stress
Monday, November 9, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT
Register Here

Reducing Toxic Stress by Living the Protective Factors
Thursday, November 19, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CT
Register Here



Available Professional Development Events & Trainings

Click the button below to view all available Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (Illinois DCFS or IDCFS) events and trainings offered by Be Strong Families. These events are complimentary to IDCFS Child Welfare Professionals. To register, click the event’s name on the schedule above. All IDCFS trainings are available in English and Spanish.