Virtual Social Work Trainer

This article reports on the development of a virtual reality tool for training social work students and child welfare workers. The tool, called the Virtual Home Simulator (VHS), was created by a team of researchers from the College of Social Work and the Therapeutic Games and Apps Lab at the University of Utah. The tool allows users to assess risks and protective factors for child abuse in a simulated home environment. The article describes the goals, features, and future plans of the VHS, as well as its potential benefits for improving workforce skills and competencies in child welfare. The article is part of a series that showcases student innovation at the university.