Motivational Interviewing Application & Readiness Assessment

Applications must be submitted electronically by November 30, 2026. DCF will evaluate applications based on the quality and completeness of responses in Part 2 as well as readiness for participation and learning. Please refer to Appendix A of the application packet for more information on the readiness assessment tool; which is Part 3 of the application.

Part 1: General Information

Application point of contact:

Full Name:

Email:

Phone:

Who will be the primary Senior Leader overseeing the MI implementation?

Full Name:

Email:

Phone:

Who will serve as MI Implementation Lead (primary contact for DCF)?

Note: The application point of contact, the primary Senior Leader, and the MI Implementation Lead can be the same person.

Full Name:

Email:

Phone:

How many child welfare workers is the local agency interested in seeing trained total?

IA:

Ongoing:

Dual Role (IA/Ongoing)

Dual Role (Ongoing/YJ)

Clarifying notes on above numbers if applicable:

Would you prefer staff participate in peer groups with; (select all that apply):

CWPs in their own county

CWPs in other counties

CWPs in their same job responsibility

CWPs in other job responsibilities

How many supervisors will be trained?

Note: Direct supervisors for staff in the implementation phase are required to complete the 11 hours of Intro to MI training.

Each agency will identify 3-5 members of a Local Implementation Team. If known, describe who will participate in the agency’s MI Local Implementation Team

(include name, title, and anticipated role in the MI initial implementation phase, see key functions of an implementation team).

If unknown, describe your approach to building an implementation team if selected.

Each of the following implementation team functions should be covered by at least one implementation team member:

Know the practice and the local context.
Know and lead change management.
Use improvement cycles.
Promote and take part in systems change.

What role will lived experts serve in MI initial implementation?

If unknown, describe your approach to exploring lived experience input as part of the agency’s phased implementation process. Current experience with lived experience engagement is not a requirement for MI initial implementation.

Part 2: Narrative Questions

The narrative questions correspond to key domains on the MI Readiness Assessment. Narrative Questions are meant to be addressed in 200 words or less than 5-10 sentences per question.

The table below includes a description of what DCF will look for when reviewing the five open-ended questions.

What we look for	5 = Well developed	3 = Partly developed	1 = Needs development
Clear purpose	The response says plainly what the agency means to do and why, in the local agency's own words.	The response is general or restates DCF language without making it local.	The response does not answer the question asked.
Specific and concrete	The response names real examples, real numbers, or real commitments a reader could follow up on.	The response describes intent but stays at the level of principle.	The response offers no detail a reader could check.
Realistic	The response acknowledges constraints and explains how the local agency will work within them.	The response mentions constraints but does not say how they will be handled.	The response describes conditions as ideal with no constraints noted.
Consistent	The written responses and the rating responses tell the same story.	There are small gaps between what is written and what is rated.	Written and rated responses conflict without explanation.

Why is the local agency applying to implement Motivational Interviewing? Describe specifically what observable outcomes the agency is hoping to achieve by implementing MI.

How would the local agency prioritize staff and supervisor time to accommodate training and ongoing skill development? Consider adjustments the agency is willing to make both during the initial implementation phase and long-term to sustain MI.

Describe the processes, practices, and/or structures that enable child welfare professionals to meaningfully participate and contribute to planning and implementation of change efforts. If applicable, use examples from recent projects or efforts to illustrate.

Part of any implementation is learning and making changes to improve. How does the agency currently evaluate practice and manage improvement efforts?

If the local agency were selected, describe what supports and resources might be needed from DCF to support successful participation and learning. Are there any areas that you think would be most helpful to talk through in the Statewide Implementation Team?

Part 3: Readiness Assessment

The Readiness Assessment includes 14 questions rated on a five-point Likert scale. For additional information on the readiness assessment tool please refer to Appendix A.

The child welfare leader is asked to complete the Readiness Assessment based on their perspective. If selected for Phase 1, DCF will provide additional guidance on using the MI Readiness Assessment with the local agency team prior to initial implementation beginning.

Leadership believes MI is beneficial to their work with children and families.

Child welfare professionals believe MI is beneficial to their work with children and families.

MI fits with existing programs and aligns with agency culture and vision.

Leadership sees MI implementation as doable.

Leadership can explain to external partners what the agency hopes to achieve by implementing MI.

The agency promotes an environment that supports learning.

The agency is open to innovation and regularly considers new ways of doing things.

Leadership has the knowledge and skills to support change management.

Leaders consider competing priorities and motivate through change fatigue.

Child welfare professionals and their direct supervisors are prepared to learn the skills MI requires.

MI connects well with the needs of the families the agency serves.

Child welfare professionals will be receptive to MI fidelity monitoring and coaching.

Child welfare professionals are willing and able to use data to improve practice.

There are regular, working channels of communication between leadership, supervisors, and child welfare professionals that could carry information about MI implementation and change management.

Part 4: Director Acknowledgement

I have reviewed our agency’s responses to the MI Implementation Application and agree to the commitments outlined in the Motivational Interviewing Information Packet. I approve the submission of this application and, if selected, support our agency’s participation in the MI implementation process.

I agree with the above statement.

Director Signature:

Sign above

Motivational Interviewing Application & Readiness Assessment

Part 1: General Information

Application point of contact:

Who will be the primary Senior Leader overseeing the MI implementation?

Who will serve as MI Implementation Lead (primary contact for DCF)?

How many child welfare workers is the local agency interested in seeing trained total?

Part 2: Narrative Questions

Part 3: Readiness Assessment

Part 4: Director Acknowledgement

DCF-F-6019-W (N. 10/2026)