Virtual Reality to Improve Outcomes for PA Families
News Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
VR training helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice.
Virtual reality is being increasingly used to train children and youth caseworkers by creating realistic, interactive simulations of the environments and situations they face on the job. VR allows trainees to practice decision-making, interviewing, home visits, and crisis response in a controlled, immersive setting—without putting real families or children at risk.
Through VR, caseworkers can:
VR training helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. It improves confidence, reinforces best practices, and allows caseworkers to reflect on their choices with guided feedback.
In short, VR equips new and experienced caseworkers with hands-on learning that is safe, repeatable, and more lifelike than traditional training—ultimately supporting better judgments and better outcomes for children and families.
Pennsylvania counties are currently using some of the available technology in this area. One is a program developed by the University of Utah and one is a program developed by Accenture. PCYA is happy to have been instrumental in making the Avenues program more affordable for counties by managing the contract and dividing the cost among participating counties.
Through VR, caseworkers can:
- Experience realistic home environments, including signs of neglect, substance use, or safety hazards.
- Practice trauma-informed communication with virtual children, parents, and caregivers.
- Develop assessment and documentation skills, such as noticing red flags and prioritizing next steps.
- Build empathy and cultural competence by encountering diverse family dynamics and contexts.
VR training helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. It improves confidence, reinforces best practices, and allows caseworkers to reflect on their choices with guided feedback.
In short, VR equips new and experienced caseworkers with hands-on learning that is safe, repeatable, and more lifelike than traditional training—ultimately supporting better judgments and better outcomes for children and families.
Pennsylvania counties are currently using some of the available technology in this area. One is a program developed by the University of Utah and one is a program developed by Accenture. PCYA is happy to have been instrumental in making the Avenues program more affordable for counties by managing the contract and dividing the cost among participating counties.
- The University of Utah’s VSWT offers immersive home-visit simulations and interactive exercises where trainees practice key skills like family engagement, risk assessment, motivational interviewing, and safety planning in realistic virtual environments — with immediate feedback and analytics to track learning progress.
- Accenture has developed AVENUES, a VR-focused immersive learning platform used across public service sectors — including child welfare, social services, safety, and mental health training. AVENUES places learners in realistic VR scenarios where they interact with virtual clients, simulating complex case interactions such as interviewing families and assessing needs