Reducing High Conflict Communication in Child Welfare: Pracical Tools for Professional
Professionals in Child Welfare and court systems regularly navigate emotionally charged, high conflict communication with parents, social workers, attorneys, colleagues, and other stakeholders. Poorly managed communication can escalate conflict, delay decision-making, increase burnout, and navigate impact outcomes for children and families.
This interactive worship introduces the BIFF communication model-Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm- as a practical, trauma informed framework for responding to high conflict situations in emails, reports, court filings, and verbal interactions. Participants learn how to de-escalate conflict, maintain professional boundaries, reduce emotional reactivity, and communicate clearly and ethically across disciplines.
Using real-world child welfare and court-related examples, this session will help professionals apply BIFF principles in ways that support professionalism, judicial efficiency, and family-centered decision making.