Written By: Lauren Seberos, Marketing Coordinator, Lyssn
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented communication style that helps those involved find the internal motivation to change their behavior. As this approach grows in use within child welfare services, it has emerged as a powerful evidence-based intervention that can greatly impact children and families. It’s effectiveness, however, depends entirely on proper implementation.
Research consistently demonstrates that while initial training provides a foundation, sustainability requires ongoing support and structured feedback. The most successful agencies implement systematic coaching and regular fidelity monitoring, while also creating the work environment where MI skills can flourish.
In a recent webinar hosted by APHSA on behalf of its Strategic Industry Partner (SIP) Lyssn, titled, “Motivational Interviewing Fidelity in Child Welfare: Real World Strategies to Improve Outcomes,” panelists shared strategies for embedding MI fidelity into everyday practice. Drawing from real-world experience, including a case study from the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), this session explored methods for monitoring implementation, strengthening supervision, and connecting fidelity measures to quality assurance frameworks. Below are five key takeaways from the webinar
Couldn’t attend live? Watch the full recording!
#1: MI Empowers Families to Explore Their Own Path to Positive Change
MI is a strategic communication approach that focuses on empowering individuals to feel motivated and committed to positive change. Rather than imposing solutions, MI helps family members discover their own reasons and goals for change. MI is particularly effective in addressing challenges related to parenting, self care, and family values in child welfare contexts.
#2: MI Helped Transform Wyoming DFS’s Services Through Empathy While Reducing Caseworker Burden
Wyoming DFS shared compelling insights about their MI implementation journey. Their experience demonstrated how MI transformed their work environment by encouraging practitioners to see beyond immediate problems and connect with individuals on a deeper level. Some key impacts included:
- Improved engagement through empathetic observation-based feedback;
- More consistent expectations and explanations for families;
- Reduced caseworker burden and expedited skill development; and
- Positive outcomes when integrated with existing programs.
#3: Effective MI Implementation Requires Fidelity Monitoring, Not Just Training
Implementing MI without monitoring fidelity is like having a map but never checking if you’re on the right path.
When providers can see the direct connection between their MI training and real-life application, the model’s effectiveness dramatically increases. Having regular check-ins to assess a provider’s use of MI is essential for supervisors to effectively ensure continuous improvement within their team.
Monitoring for fidelity can be assisted with technology, such as Lyssn, which allows teams to witness tangible changes in client interactions and outcomes over time.
#4: Transparent Leadership is Key to Successful MI Implementation
Effective MI adoption requires thoughtful planning and the consideration of organizational culture. Supervisors should communicate transparently that assessment benchmarks are there for the benefit of the provider to help them continue to improve without judgement. This is essential for skill development.
In addition, sustainable implementation depends on ongoing coaching and support beyond initial training sessions. Technology can play a critical role in scaling and successfully implementing MI fidelity monitoring, as demonstrated by Wyoming’s use of Lyssn to provide their staff with consistent feedback and support throughout the implementation process.
#5: Successful MI Adaptation Transforms Staff Burden into Professional Growth
A significant barrier to MI implementation is the misconception that it will complicate the staff’s already demanding jobs. MI should be viewed as a learning opportunity that makes work more rewarding rather than more burdensome.
Effective strategies include taking small, incremental steps in implementation, using observation-based feedback that highlights strengths first, focusing on one learning aspect at a time, leveraging technology to make feedback more efficient, and modeling MI principles in supervision itself.
This approach creates a supportive learning environment where staff can gradually build their MI skills while seeing immediate benefits in their interactions with children and families.
Child Welfare Agencies Should Uplift Training That Sticks
MI in child welfare requires balancing thoughtful implementation with practical application in complex environments. Reimagined MI training includes authentic practice and collaborative learning with the assistance of technology, such as Lyssn’s AI providing targeted feedback for MI practice.
This integrated approach has helped agencies like Wyoming DFS expand evidence-based practices, reduce administrative burden, improve staff satisfaction, and deliver better family outcomes.
Watch the full webinar recording for a deeper dive into MI and how implementing it, as well as adapting it to your needs, can support staff and the communities you serve. You can also learn how Lyssn is transforming child welfare training with practical, evidence-based solutions by visiting www.lyssn.io or connecting with our team.
About the Author
Lauren Seberos
Marketing Coordinator at Lyssn
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The viewpoints expressed in this post are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of APHSA.