The training approach used by a Brazilian organization recognizes and addresses the importance of existing systems and local environmental constraints in developing ways to improve the implementation of child protection systems. Participants are taught to view training as an intervention in the existing system by going beyond the imparting of knowledge and development skills in encouraging critical thinking about processes, system strengths and weaknesses, and approaches for achieving change. During training, participants' observation of the constraints on the child protection system were organized by a simple framework that contained the elements of a functioning integrated child protection system. These consist of legal provisions, beliefs and knowledge, identification, services activation, service response, coordination, and review. The framework reflects the principles underlying a public health and rights-based approach to child protection. Considering framework elements in informing training design permits participants to focus on the features of the current environment and the existing child protection system. Evaluation data were obtained from a small number of professionals from one State in Brazil, who were selected to participate in the training. Sixty-three completed questionnaires. 2 figures and 38 references