WiLearn Youth Justice is a training program that provides new youth justice professionals with fundamental knowledge and skills at a basic level of proficiency. WiLearn YJ content compliments agency orientation, onboarding, supervisory oversight, and coaching for new professionals.
Topic areas build knowledge of values and practices that support all children and youth entering the child welfare system regardless of which “door” they enter. This cohort-based program fosters collaborative learning and networking among new professionals. WiLearn YJ uses a combination of web-based and online learning, activities, independent studies, applications, and facilitated discussions.
You are eligible for the WiLearn YJ Program if
- your primary role is youth justice professional, and
- you were hired or transferred (start date) 7/1/25 or later, and
- you are employed in a county agency
We will enroll you into a cohort upon confirmation from your supervisor. You cannot register yourself for these trainings in PDS Online.
When you are enrolled, be sure to
- Read your confirmation email with program details and review your schedule.
- Put all dates in your calendar and block adequate time for your online work.
- Contact yjtraining@wcwpds.wisc.edu with questions.
Just getting started in your new YJ professional role? See the YJ WiLearn Program Professional Development Plan below.
WiLearn YJ: Pre-Service Web-based Modules
Collection of 11 modules provide beginning knowledge of child welfare values and practice, accompanied by an optional, on-the-job activity workbook to support learning transfer.
WiLearn YJ: eWiSACWIS Modules
These 8 modules support the use of eWISACWIS, including its features and functionality.
WiLearn YJ: Getting Started with the Foundational Elements
A short training that describes the Foundational Elements phase of the program.
WiLearn YJ Foundational Elements
Comprehensive initial training sequenced to build knowledge and skills in four critical areas:
- Culturally Responsible Practice
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Engaging Families
- Case Practice with American Indian Tribes*
The Foundational Elements uses a flexible learning approach within a cohort model.
- Individual online learning, activities, and post-tests
- Live community huddles with cohort colleagues
- Workbook for each topic
*Case Practice with American Indian Tribes is followed by a one-day training Understanding WICWA.
Agency Support
- Orientation and onboarding
- Enhanced supervisory oversight and coaching
- Transfer of learning, job shadowing, on-the-job training and learning evaluation
- Local agency training
We want to provide an exceptional training experience for you and your cohort colleagues. In order to create a safe, supportive learning environment and meet learning goals, we need your commitment to active participation. Here’s how:
- Follow instructions provided in your WiLearn YJ emails
- Come to the orientation session for your cohort
- Complete all online packet work and activities prior to each community huddle
- Participate in all of the community huddles
- Use your workbooks as a learning tool
- Commit to practice what you have learned
- Share your learning and questions with your supervisor
Have questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions document.
Visit the WI Department of Children and Families – WiLearn Program webpage.
Still not finding what you are looking for? See our Contacts tab.
Contact us at yjtraining@wcwpds.wisc.edu or 608-890-3965
For WiLearn Program information for child protective services professionals, go to
WiLearn YJ Program Supports
Here are the WiLearn YJ Program resources and materials for learners, supervisors, and coaches/lead staff.
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YJ WiLearn Program Professional Development Plan
You can use this template for planning and tracking professional development for those enrolled in WiLearn YJ. It includes enrollment instructions, WiLearn YJ requirements, and other required and optional training for new youth justice professionals.
Foundational Elements Scheduling Overview
You can see a sample overview of how the WiLearn YJ components are scheduled with other YJ training. You and your supervisor will receive a detailed schedule with dates and times with your enrollment confirmation email.
YJ Pre-Service Activity Workbook
You will reinforce the concepts you learned in Pre-Service with these practical, on-the job applications and resources.
Supervisors and coaches can review a summary of the learning objectives and key learning points to support conversations with your YJ professional.
Getting Started with the Foundational Elements Video (5 minutes)
You can learn more about the Foundational Elements phase of WiLearn with this 5-minute video.
If you are enrolled in WiLearn YJ and you watch this video now, you will still need to watch it on PDS Online to count toward your program requirements.
WiLearn YJ Foundational Elements Descriptions, Learning Objectives, and Behavioral Indicators
WiLearn YJ Foundational Elements Sections At-A-Glance
Here is a breakdown of the work for each Foundational Element with estimated times.
WiLearn YJ Foundational Elements Workbooks
Workbooks are the materials you need for each Foundational Element. You will use these during your online learning and community huddles.
Workbooks contain course information, content, and activities for your online learning and community huddles. Your workbooks:
- Provide space for notes, responses, and questions
- Help supervisors follow your learning
Workbooks are posted in two versions – printable with space to write and electronic-fillable.
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Workbook Introduction
Culturally Responsible Practice
Trauma Informed Practice
Engaging Families
Case Practice with American Indian Tribes
Supervisors and Coaches/Lead Staff – Additional Resources
In addition to the resources above, the following are designed to help you, as supervisors and coaches, support WiLearn YJ. You will learn about these during the cohort’s orientation meeting.
Here are some quick tips for supporting your learner:
- Use the Pre-Service Activity Workbook
- Expect active participation in huddles
- Discuss their workbooks together
- Track their progress
- Ask about their commitments to practice after each element
- Link learning to agency practice
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WiLearn YJ Program Supports and Resources List for Supervisors
Community Huddle Absence - Instructions for Supervisors
Learners are expected to attend every community huddle, and we hope you’ll be proactive in preventing a miss. In the rare event of a huddle absence, the supervisor or their agency designee will conduct the huddle. The aim is to provide a similar facilitated discussion. This keeps the learner moving forward in WiLearn YJ.
This resource provides general information about your role, steps, and tips. We will provide you with a specific guide, instructions, and timelines for the missed huddle via email.
WiLearn YJ Foundational Elements for Supervisors & Coaches Curriculum
Are you interested in reviewing the WiLearn YJ Foundational Elements online packets to better support a learner in your agency? Email yjtraining@wcwpds.wisc.edu
Tracking Tools for Learner Progress of Foundational Elements
You can track progress for a learner you supervise on PDS Online. This helps you see if the learner is completing their online work on time. Knowing where they are at may assist you with onboarding support and workload decisions.
See a demonstration video link
Learning Promotion Tool
The Learning Promotion Tool reflects the overall purpose of the WiLearn YJ Foundational Elements: To prepare new YJ professionals to demonstrate basic proficiency in the key skill domains defined in the Wisconsin Child Welfare Model for Practice.
The tool has four domains that list specific skills (behavioral indicators) that new professionals should begin demonstrating at a basic proficiency level in their work following initial training.
This tool is best used to record observations and talk with your new professional about:
- Skills (behavioral indicators) they are currently demonstrating
- What steps to take in their ongoing skill development
- How you, as their supervisor or coach, can aid in taking those steps
It is not expected that you would observe every skill during every observation. You are free to focus on whatever skills are relevant and leave others blank.
We recommend that each new YJ professional be observed in the field at least once during their initial 6 months on the job. Of course, more observation is encouraged whenever possible.