New child protection training coming to Illinois State University

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — A new training hub is coming to Illinois State University this fall.

The ISU Child Protection Training Academy (CPTA) is opening in November.

Partnering with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), the training hub includes simulations of situations DCFS workers would need to assess. These include house visits and courtroom situations.

"We are so excited to partner with our community, and to be able to provide this sim lab to prepare the next generation of workers for this life-changing work," said Sam Guillory, Vice President of Development and Public Relations for The Baby Fold.

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Guillory said the experience students will engage in can't be taught traditionally.

"You can only learn so much from a textbook," Guillory said. "To have a real sim lab where you have an apartment space and some other spaces where you can get real world training but in a safe environment is really the best of both worlds."

The project was made possible by a four year, $2.1 million grant finalized in June.