This rule establishes definitions of terms relating to the training and certification of child protection professionals and child welfare trainers. The proposed rule establishes the training and certification requirements for Child Protection Professionals and establishes the position classifications for Child Protection Professionals. The proposed rule establishes that certification must be obtained within one (1) year of the individual’s date of hire, or date of passing the post-test or waiver test, whichever is later. The proposed rule establishes that certification is required for certification designations, except for Specialists, QA Professionals and Field Trainers, for whom certification is optional. The proposed rule sets forth the pre-test, post-test and waiver test protocols. The proposed rule establishes guidelines for protected training caseloads, and requires that the employing agency develop a policy addressing the establishment of a training caseload range, specifying number and types of cases to be assigned to trainees for the first 30 calendar days following successful completion of pre-service training. The proposed rule requires that each agency utilize a standardized, “core” Performance Assessment for certification of each certification designation, developed by the department (2 components: Casework and Interpersonal Skills), to which each agency may add agency-specific elements which reflect the agency’s own System of Care and/or Quality Assurance measures. The proposed rule establishes the competencies to be demonstrated and evaluated in each of the Child Protection Professional position classifications in order to become certified, including additional requirements for supervisor certification. The proposed rule requires supervisors to complete a Performance Assessment and complete “Supervising for Excellence” training to be certified. The proposed rule sets forth the procedures for Performance Assessment test-case assignment and the criteria for serving as an Independent Evaluator. The proposed rule addresses break in service and waiver plan guidelines, by length of break in service. The proposed rule establishes guidelines for Individualized Training and Performance Plans. The proposed rule reinstates the Recertification process, and sets forth the requirements for recertification, which include obtaining and documenting 48 professional development (in-service) training hours every three (3) years. The proposed rule establishes the requirements that (a) no more than 25% of the required 48 professional development training hours may come from college or graduate-level courses in which the individual is enrolled as a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student, and (b) no more than 50% of the mandatory 48 professional development training hours may be credited from trainings which are required by the department (including but not limited to SACWIS/FSFN trainings). The proposed rule establishes Skillnet as the official tracking database system that shall be used by the department and all agencies to document training. The proposed rule establishes the protocol for certificate issuance upon an individual fulfilling the requirements for initial certification or recertification. The proposed rule establishes the waiver process to be followed when an individual, by virtue of his or her certification status, educational credentials or employment experience, meets certain minimum criteria. The proposed rule establishes that, for any individual meeting the criteria, the employing agency shall exercise sole discretion as to whether to authorize a waiver test (and subsequent waiver plan upon successful completion of the test), or require the entire pre-service training and post-test. The proposed rule requires that the waiver test, when given, be administered within five (5) business days of the individual’s start date in the position into which he or she was hired. The proposed rule establishes the requirement that the waiver test may only be given once during any one period of employment. The proposed rule provides for “special and other circumstances” to be accommodated by the employing agency. The proposed rule establishes new criteria to be eligible for consideration to be a Child Welfare Trainer. The proposed rule establishes new certification criteria for Child Welfare Trainers, that within one year of the date of hire, each candidate shall complete. The proposed rule establishes new recertification requirements for Child Welfare Trainers in order to achieve recertification every three years. The proposed rule establishes new guidelines for certification to train the “Supervising for Excellence” curriculum.