CASCW podcast: Recent Episodes
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare
The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is committed to connecting child welfare professionals to relevant and accessible training resources. We are excited to bring you the latest in research, policy, and practice via podcasts. This channel will cover a wide range of topics and will feature interviews with researchers, policy makers, frontline child welfare workers, community members, and many others. If you would like a transcript of any of our podcasts, please visit our website podcast page: https://cascw.umn.edu/podcasts/.
Asylum is complex and can take a long time. Episode two of this three-part series does a deeper dive into the process of asylum in the United States. Hear about the different types of asylum, the requirements, and the challenges of legally acquiring status, as well as the avenues of support that are available for families. You'll hear from immigration attorney Sarah Brenes (Binger Center for New Americans, University of Minnesota Law School) about how the complexities of the asylum process can impact asylum-seeking families, the history of and recent changes to these processes, and what this means for child welfare professionals who work with these families.
Seeking asylum is an act of resilience and protection. This final episode of the three-part series focuses on the implications for direct practice social work with families who are seeking or navigating asylum. Amy Smith, Clinical Faculty and Director of Social Work Services at the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services at the University of St. Thomas and Liz Franklin, Director of Behavioral Health at Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), discuss how to join with families as a social worker, considerations for establishing and sustaining trust, contextualizing care, navigating benefits eligibility, and sustaining yourself as a social work practitioner.
Don't panic, collaborate! You’ll hear about this advice and more in episode one of this three-part series focused on considerations for child welfare and county workers who encounter families who are navigating the asylum process, are currently undocumented, or have mixed documentation status within the family. In this episode, you'll learn about local changes occurring in Minnesota by exploring a collaboration that occurred in 2023 in Hennepin County. You'll hear from school and county staff who faced the challenges of change by collaborating across sectors, learning from neighboring districts, and keeping their focus on relationships.
There is a movement of energy in, through and around each of us. Meditation can be an incredible tool to help us respond to these energies. People who enter into professions such as child welfare tend to be sensitive and empathetic, and are naturally more impacted by the energy of others. Finding ways to address these energies and messages can be profoundly helpful. This initial episode of The Practice Space offers an introduction to the meditation skills that can help us to build resistance and better sustain ourselves in practice.
In this episode of The Practice Space, learn about ways to navigate the intense energies associated with trauma that you may be exposed to in your work. Gently clearing your own energy space helps to create spaciousness for others while allowing them to find their own resilience. This episode shows us how to redirect energy and to be compassionate in a more holistic way.
In this episode of The Practice Space, learn about ways to retain your neutrality and openness as you navigate challenging energies and intense emotional situations. Hear about some simple daily habits that you can use to ground yourself to be present and encounter each unique situation as it is, not as you might imagine or prefer it to be.
In this episode of The Practice Space, learn about the importance of developing skills to guide human interactions, especially in practice settings that may be uniquely challenging. Some professional arenas can include chronic stress for workers (such as with child welfare and palliative care), and we can also experience isolation and difficulty talking about our experiences with others. Caring for yourself includes cultivating human connections where you can talk about and deal with tough and complex issues, together.
Energy exchange is happening all the time, all around us. Your own personal, emotional space that you carry with you wherever you go accumulates finished and unfinished interactions, and these can sit in your space and create discomfort. In this episode of The Practice Space, experience a guided meditation and clearing practice where you can dive deeper and learn ways to find more room for yourself and discern what belongs to you and what you need to let go.
In this episode of The Practice Space, we discuss grief. Our own grief, plus that of others. We all carry unprocessed, unassimilated experiences that we hold within our own energetic space. These experiences can be triggered by others, and they can really rattle us and we don’t always know why. If something hasn’t been assimilated within us, it lights up! When things light up for us, it can be uncomfortable. But, it’s important to remember that it is not a failure, but an opportunity to process and build more space for yourself. The more you allow your grief, the more you are able to take part in joy and life.
In this final episode of a Guide through ICWA & MIFPA, the hosts discuss placement preference and considerations that child welfare workers must make according to state law. The order of preference is discussed as follows: 1) A member of an Indian child's extended family 2) A foster home or license approved or specified by an Indian child's tribe 3) Indian Foster home licensed, approved by a authorized non-Indian license authority and 4) an institution for children approved by an Indian tribe, or operated by the Indian organization with a program suitable to meet the Indian child's needs. Hosts respond to FAQs and best practices as well. We hope you have enjoyed this podcast series! Please share widely!
In this episode, you will learn the laws that qualified expert witness (QEW) covers in both ICWA and MIFPA. The episode also shares best practices, frequently asked questions and a story from an ICWA Compliance Consultant.
This episode discusses how Active Efforts is covered under both ICWA Act and also under MIFPA. Active Efforts under ICWA deals with remedial service and rehabilitative programs or preventive measures. Under MIFPA, active efforts includes acknowledging traditional helping and healing systems of an Indian child's tribe and using these systems as core to help and heal the Indian child and family. The episode will also address frequently asked questions regarding Active Efforts.
This episode addresses the types of proceedings and who should receive the ICWA Notice. The hosts review frequently asked questions regarding ICWA Notice.
This episode outlines the purpose of the MIFPA Notice, which is intended to involve the Indian child's tribe at the earliest point possible. Early engagement and collaboration between the child welfare agency and tribes and the establishment of a good working relationship can lead to better outcomes for Indian children and their families. The episode also addresses frequently asked questions regarding MIFPA Notice and best practices.
This episode describes the process of Inquiry and how it is considered an active effort. Local social service agencies and private licensed child placement agencies are responsible for finding out if a child has Indian heritage. This episode will also answer frequently asked questions and share best practices regarding Inquiry.
This episode outlines the federal ICWA requirements that apply to all state child custody proceedings involving native children. The hosts will also provide the background of MIFPA and its amendments that strengthen and expand parts of ICWA.
In this series, University of Minnesota School of Social Work faculty Dr. Jessica Toft, Amelia LeGarde and PhD candidates Elin Amundson and Channel Lowery speak about how neoliberal managerialism- or the increasing push for standardization and productivity has impacted child protection social workers’ level of professional discretion and ways in which they use and practice professional discretion and resistance.
Resources available at https://cascw.umn.edu/portfolio-items/theoretical-underpinnings-in-child-welfare-podcast-series/
RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:
In this episode, University of Minnesota School of Social Work faculty Dr. Jessica Toft, Amelia LeGarde and PhD candidates Elin Amundson and Channel Lowery continue their discussion about how neoliberal managerialism- or the increasing push for standardization and productivity has impacted child protection social workers’ level of professional discretion and ways in which they use and practice professional discretion and resistance.
Resources available at: https://cascw.umn.edu/portfolio-items/theoretical-underpinnings-in-child-welfare-podcast-series/
In this episode Marjorie Aunos and Dr. Traci LaLiberte reflect on the Parenting Done Differently Podcast. In this series Marjorie interviewed over 20 scholars and researchers in the field along with parents with disabilities and the children of parents with disabilities. Marjorie and Traci speak about the importance of providing tools for professionals who work in child welfare and looking for answers where we least expect them.
In Episode 25, Marjorie speaks with Eliza Hull, musician, writer and disability advocate. She was the 8-parts-series podcast host of We've Got This and is the editor behind the books of the same title that brings forward the stories of families headed by one or two parents with disabilities in an Australian, US and UK edition.
SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at: http://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode 24, Tommie Forslund talks about how he and his colleagues have used the lens of child attachment and maternal sensitivity to view the parenting of mothers with intellectual disabilities. He also talks about the importance of taking into account contextual factors, such as the parents’ experiences of abuse and maltreatment, in order to intervene and provide support more efficaciously.
SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at: z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode 23, Marjorie speaks with Lesley Tarasoff. Lesley has interviewed several parents with different disabilities about the disparities they faced pre, during, and post pregnancy. She shares the insight she gained while speaking to them.
SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at: z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode 22, Hilary Brown presents her groundbreaking data around pregnancy rates in women with all kinds of disabilities. She brings forward data from large datasets and complements them with some elements of qualitative data Lesley Tarasoff has collected.
SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at: z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode 21, Marjorie speaks with Dani Izzie. Dani is a disability advocate and wheelchair user and a new mom to twins. She is the subject and producer of the documentary film, “Dani’s Twins,” about pregnancy and motherhood as a quadriplegic during the pandemic.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
Robyn Powell speaks about the discrimination persons with disabilities face when it comes to their right to have and create their family the way they see fit. She talks about how ableism is ingrained into child welfare and how this system should be completely remodeled.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode 19, guest Rachel Mayes looked at one thing that not many thought of focusing on: the grief response of parents with disabilities who lost custody of their children.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode 18, Liz Lightfoot speaks about Parents with Disabilities slipping through the cracks and not receiving the support they require. She talks about the need to change practices within the child welfare system and dreams of implementing a national training curriculum for social workers that would include dissemination of knowledge around parenting with a disability.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
Hanna Bjorg Sigurjondsottir and Jim Rice have extensive knowledge of the Child Welfare System in Iceland. In episode 17, they speak to the faults and preconceived biases that the system can impose and how detrimental it can be, especially to parents with intellectual disabilities.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode sixteen, Marjorie speaks with Carmit-Noa Shpligelman. Carmit is a mom by choice and a woman with a disability. She discusses her research on the attitudes of workers towards the parenthood of parents with disabilities. In their work with children and families, child welfare workers can learn from Carmit’s incredible lived experience and applicable research. SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In episode fifteen part 2, Ella Callow speaks more with Marjorie about the law pertaining to the rights of parents with disabilities and the intersection of parenting, disability, and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). She discusses Native people’s experiences of disability in their community and how explicit or implicit bias about disability and an inability to parent leads to detrimental decisions for families. At 34 minutes, listen to the story of Ella’s fondest memories with her grandfather.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In part 1 of this two-part episode, Ella Callow speaks about the law pertaining to the rights of parents with disabilities and the intersection of parenting, disability and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). She points out the systemic discrimination that is still pervasive in many states and other parts of the world. Ella’s lens as a member of an Indigenous community and experience as a lawyer working with parents with disabilities will be useful for child welfare workers.
In episode 13, Marjorie speaks with Beth Tarleton, who believes that workers need to be empowered to do their job. She talks about her orientation has always been to look for new ways to train, infuse knowledge and support the workers who support the parents.Beth Tarleton is a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol. Beth has been researching positive support for parents with learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities) and milder learning difficulties since 2005. Beth is co-ordinator of the Working Together with Parents Network which shares positive practice about working with parents with a learning disability/difficulty.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Amanda Moses interviews Rebecca Shlafer, PhD, MPH, to discuss parental separation, including incarceration, and how it impacts families. It includes an exploration of research and advocacy work around current practices in Minnesota for incarcerated parents, and a discussion for how to work with prison systems around advocating for families. Strategies are discussed for how child welfare workers can help parents maintain involvement in their children’s lives.
In this episode, Andre Dukes, MA, interviews Gil Domally to discuss the important role of fathers in children’s development and how child welfare workers can be more inclusive of fathers. Drawing on research, personal, and professional experiences, the conversation includes topics such as barriers to father involvement, misconceptions around fathers, and strategies to engage fathers in a more inclusive practice.
In this podcast, Alyssa Meuwissen, PhD, interviews Kristin Johnson, MSW, LGSW, IMH-E, and Jessica Hoeper, MSW, LISW, IMH-E about the concept of well-being for the child welfare workforce. Topics include why well-being is so important to focus on and why child welfare can be a particularly difficult field. Drawing on research and personal experience, the participants explore the role of emotions and reflection in well-being, and discuss strategies, both individual and systemic, that can promote child welfare worker well-being.
Rinal Ray is the Interim Executive Director at People Serving People. She leads a dynamic team in responding to the crisis of family homelessness and works to change systems to prevent the experience of family homelessness in Hennepin County. Rinal is a former deputy public policy director for the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits where she advanced the organization’s policy agenda at a state and local level, trained leaders on nonprofit advocacy, and lead special legal projects for the statewide association. Rinal currently serves as a co-chair for the Voices & Choices Coalition for Children and is on the Board of College Possible Minnesota. She teaches Nonprofit Advocacy in the Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) program at Metropolitan State University.
Ending Family HomelesssnessMarybeth (Beth) Shinn is a Cornelius Vanderbilt professor at Vanderbilt University who studies how to prevent and end homelessness. She was co-principal investigator of the 12-site Family Options experiment examining approaches to ending family homelessness, the evaluator for the initial study of the Pathways Housing First program in New York City, and the developer of a model used by that city to target its homelessness prevention services. Her 2020 book with Jill Khadduri, In the midst of plenty: Homelessness and what to do about it (Wiley], surveys research to show that we know how to end homelessness, if we devote the necessary resources to doing so. Beth has received research or publication awards from the Society for Community Research and Action, the Society for Research on Adolescence, and the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. She serves on her local Homeless Planning Council and on the Research Council for the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Charlotte Kinzley is the Homeless/Highly Mobile Manager for Minneapolis Public Schools where she supports students and families experiencing homelessness. Over the past 20 years she has developed programming and initiatives in family shelters and supportive housing facilities in Minneapolis. Her focus in this work has been to support the development of young people and to advocate for the importance of stable housing for all families. She currently serves as co-chair of the Hennepin County Family Coordinated Entry Leadership Committee and is a member of the Operations Board for Hennepin County’s Continuum of Care. She helps coordinate the Stable Homes Stable Schools initiative which includes a recent expansion through a Homework Starts with Home grant.
In episode 12, Laura Pacheco brings forward the importance of understanding a family's culture to better understand their experience, goals and aspirations and know how to best support them. She speaks briefly about Tim and Wendy Booth's legacy and how they influenced her way of conducting research and practice.Dr. Laura Pacheco is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work and Memorial University and adjunct professor at McGill University’s school of social work. Her current projects are related to how mothers with intellectual disabilities are negatively constructed and treated within the child welfare court system and workers’ needs in supporting parents with intellectual disabilities in order to build systems capacity.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
This episode features four professionals working together to address homelessness in Northwestern, Minnesota. Brandi Wilkie is the Rental Assistance Specialist for Clay County HRAAmy Riccio is the Transitional Student Support and Homeless Liasion for Moorhead School DistrictSierra Neeland-Martinez is the Youth Self-Sufficiency Advocate for Lakes and Prairies Community ActionChandra Calixte is the Family Case Manager for Churches United Micah’s MissionTake a listen to this two-part episode where the group of professionals is in conversation about challenges and opportunities to address homelessness within their respective roles.
This episode features four professionals working together to address homelessness in Northwestern, Minnesota. Brandi Wilkie is the Rental Assistance Specialist for Clay County HRAAmy Riccio is the Transitional Student Support and Homeless Liasion for Moorhead School DistrictSierra Neeland-Martinez is the Youth Self-Sufficiency Advocate for Lakes and Prairies Community ActionChandra Calixte is the Family Case Manager for Churches United Micah’s MissionTake a listen to this two-part episode where the group of professionals is in conversation about challenges and opportunities to address homelessness within their respective roles.
In this episode, Marjorie speaks with Marja Hodes, a clinical psychologist from the Netherlands with extensive experience working with parents with intellectual disabilities. Her frame of mind is about finding appropriate ways to support parents and continuously staying open to their lived expertise. Together with her colleagues, Marja developed a toolkit “Talking About Children” (and earned a national award). This toolkit supports future parents with intellectual disabilities to think carefully about the consequences of having and raising a child.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Marjorie interviews Tammy Bachrach, a researcher and adult child of parents with intellectual disabilities. Tammy speaks to her research interviewing adult children of parents with IDD and her own lived expertise. Her perspective and multitude of experience should be really interesting to child welfare workers working with parents and children!SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Marjorie interviews Margaret Spencer who has extensive experience as a social worker, as a 'mother' supporting a mother with intellectual disabilities (Beth & Lily's mother) and as a researcher. She brings forward the issues of using or relying on parenting capacity assessments, how our beliefs on capacity affects our views, how offering a supportive environment is possible and makes a big difference in the lives of families headed by parents with intellectual disabilities.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Liz Snyder, Co-Director of the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, speaks with Ricardo Pina and Nancy Carre-Lee from New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) as they share some of the innovative efforts New Jersey has put in place to support worker safety and wellness, including the establishment of the Office of Staff Health & Wellness.SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at:https://z.umn.edu/oxygenmask
In this episode, Marjorie interviews Evelina Pituch. She speaks of the needs and service gaps of parents with neurological and physical disabilities, based on focus groups she has conducted with parents with disabilities, their support partner, workers in the field, their managers and community organization workers.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Monika Mitra speaks about parenthood of persons with disabilities and the notion of representation in large population datasets.Dr. Monika Mitra is the Nancy Lurie Marks Associate Professor of Disability Policy and Director of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. Her research broadly focuses on disparities in health outcomes and health care access among people with disabilities.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Marjorie interviews researcher Dr. Susan Collings. Dr. Collings has met with several school-aged children of parents with intellectual disabilities. She brings forward their perspective in her research and reminds us that children feel connected to their family. Empowering families is thus supporting children.SHOWNOTES, RESOURCES, and Transcript available at:https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Marjorie interviews Beth and Lily, who are 18-year-old twins of Amanda, a mom with an intellectual disability. They talk about being raised within a community of support and about how the decisions we take 'for' the children often have repercussions that we don't consider. This is an important episode that offers child welfare workers a chance to hear from young people with lived experience!
SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at: https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
Episode 2 of Putting on your oxygen mask while helping others
In this episode, Dr. Kristy Piescher, Director of Research and Evaluation at CASCW, interviews Dr. Austin Griffiths, an Assistant Professor at Western Kentucky University, about his ongoing research focused on improving the health and wellness of the child welfare workforce.
SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at: https://z.umn.edu/oxygenmask
David McConnell uses three important papers to bring to the forefront context and reminds us how taking a slightly different perspective can lead us to imagine different outcomes. David also speaks about Tim and Wendy Booth's legacy and shares what it was like to work with them.
SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at: https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
In this episode, Stacy Gehringer, Director of Outreach at CASCW, hears from Sharon Kollar from the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) about the resources offered by the organization to strengthen child welfare practice. She also provides important results from the Comprehensive Organizational Health Assessments (COHA), a tool to better support the child welfare workforce.
SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at: https://z.umn.edu/oxygenmask
Maurice Feldman explains to us how the general principles of applied behavioral analysis has led to the creation of some important parenting education programs and a framework around assessing parenting capacity of parents with IDD.
SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at: https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
Gwynnyth Llewellyn takes us on a journey that starts with the first few researchers focused on parents with intellectual / learning disabilities and how they chose to work together for the benefits of science and parents.
SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at: https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
Reflections on what becoming a mom with a physical disability has changed in my perspective as a researcher & practitioner who works with parents with intellectual disabilities.
SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES available at: https://z.umn.edu/parenting-done-differently
Marjorie invites us all to stay open to possibilities and reflect on our own positioning and values. She then introduces us to the world of Parents and Parenting with Disabilities.
In this episode, Doing the Work: Centering Storytellers, CASCW’s Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) Program Coordinator Keely Vandre talks with Elliott Odendahl, MSW, LICSW about Lifebooks in practice across child welfare and clinical mental health settings and populations.
Elliott is a clinical social worker in private practice at Sankalpa Therapy and Wellness Center who has extensive experience working with children, youth, individuals and families of diverse backgrounds who are experiencing behavioral and mental health needs, disruptions in attachment and family relationships, trauma, as well as those experiencing the negative impacts of systemic and structural bias and racism. She has also provided Therapeutic Supervised Parenting to families, crisis support services to foster care providers and support services to families involved with Child Protection. Elliott is a PACC alumni and facilitator for the program around cross-cultural practice and case consultation.
RESOURCES: https://www.adoptionlifebooks.com/ http://www.ifapa.org/publications/IFAPA_Lifebook_Pages.asp https://www.adoptionlifebooks.com/
EPISODE 1: “Sharing Stories, Sharing Lives" n this episode, CASCW’s Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) Program Coordinator Keely Vandre talks with Kendra Morris Jacobson about the history and state of the research around Lifebooks and Lifestory work, and how this framework can be more accessible for integration into child welfare practice. Kendra oversees the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC) and the Oregon Adoption Resource Exchange (OARE), and is Certified in Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSWi). In previous clinical work at Oregon Health & Science University, Kendra counseled children and families, led groups and contributed to research projects. Kendra obtained her B.A. in English Literature at Gettysburg College, and M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Lewis & Clark College. She was a supporting contributor to Dr. Redmond Ream’s recently published article in Adoption Quarterly, titled “Lifebooks in Child Welfare: Why Isn’t a Great Idea Used More Often?”.
Visit http://cascw.umn.edu/podcasts for resources and references
In this 30-minute podcast, Dr. Jessica Toft and PhD candidate Ruti Soffer-Elnekave discuss survey findings from a scoping review they conducted in which they summarized the literature that discussed what neoliberalism actually is and how it interfaces with social work. This podcast episode focuses on brand new findings from a survey of all licensed social workers in the state of Minnesota examining how neoliberal managerialism affects social workers working conditions. They specifically examine the impact on child welfare social workers in Minnesota.
RESOURCES: https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Neolib_FactSheet_1.pdf
https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Neolib_FactSheet_2.pdf
In the fourth episode of the Heart of Supervision podcast series, Mimi Choy-Brown (host) talks with four current supervisors and practitioners working in child welfare services about what child welfare supervision is like today, what it could be, and why it matters.
In this episode of the Heart of Supervision podcast, Mimi Choy-Brown (host) talks with seasoned child welfare practitioner and supervisor-Katrina Cisneros who isi also on the faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work and a leader in racial and social equity, culturally responsive services and clinical supervision.
In this episode of the Heart of Supervision podcast, Mimi Choy-Brown (host) talks with Dr. Alyssa Meuwissen from the Reflective Practice Center at the Center for Early Education and Development at the UMN about the basics of what reflective supervision is and how it could be an important tool for the child welfare workforce.
RESOURCES: https://ceed.umn.edu/reflective-practice-center/ https://ceed.umn.edu/reflective-practice-center/reflective-interaction-observation-scale-rios/
In this first episode of the Heart of Supervision podcast, Mimi Choy-Brown (host) talks with Christina Haddad Gonzalez, MSW, LICSW who is a leader both teaching clinical supervision practice to future and current supervisors at the UMN SSW and supervising youth mental health services today.
Faith Eidson, LMSW interviews Kim Eckel, the founder of Footbridge for Families, about the process for obtaining SESED Credential and how the program has impacted their approach to Child Welfare.
RESOURCES: Online Supporting Early Social and Emotional Development Credential https://ceed.umn.edu/sesed-credential/ Footbridge for Families https://afootbridge.org/
Kristin Johnson, MSW interviews Salam Soliman, Psy.D, IMH-E to discuss the effect that elevated levels of stress have on the developing brain and how Child Welfare workers might help mitigate stress levels through providing resources to at-risk families.
RESOURCES: The National Child Traumatic Stress Network https://www.nctsn.org/ Leadership | Child First https://www.childfirst.org Relationship-based practice and the creation of therapeutic change in long-term work: social work as a holding relationship https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02615479.2020.1837105
Kristin Johnson, MSW interviews Professor Daniel Berry to explore the interactions between genetics and the environment on a child’s brain development.
RESOURCES: Institute of Child Development: https://icd.umn.edu/ Childrens Emotional Development is Built into the Architecture of Their Brains https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Childrens-Emotional-Development-Is-Built-into-the-Architecture-of-Their-Brains.pdf
Kate Walthour, MSW, LISW talks with Anna Paulson, M.Ed. and Janell Schilman to discuss the referral and evaluation process when there are concerns about a child’s development and when screening is required through the Child Protection and Treatment Act (CAPTA).
RESOURCES: Help Me Grow Minnesota https://vimeo.com/596213650/abcefc7f10 Pacer Center-Champions for Children with Disabilities https://www.pacer.org/ Help Me Connect https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us/HelpMeConnect/
Dr. Tanika Eaves Simpson, IMH-E interviews Andrea Penick, LMSW and Cassandra Thomas, LMSW to discuss how their unique cultural perspective(s) influence their work in Child Welfare.
RESOURCES: https://www.allianceaimh.org/ https://ceed.umn.edu/ https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ghosh-Ippen-Lewis-They-Just-Dont-Get-It-A-Diversity-Informed-approach-to-Understanding-Engagement.pdf https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/tenets-2018.pdf
Dr. Tanika Eaves Simpson IMH-E and Amittia Parker, PhD, LMSW, MPA explore the importance of being able to acknowledge and engage with diverse cultures in the Child Welfare field.
RESOURCE: https://www.nabsw.org/
Christine Cole, LCSW, IMH-E and Dr. Kathleen Thomas delve into the topic of early brain development and its reliance on adult interaction.
RESOURCES: Davies & Troy (2020) Ch. 2 Brain Development - pp. 43-50 Davies & Troy (2020) Ch. 2 Brain Development - subsection - Risk and Protective Factors influencing brain development --Specific focus on pp.51-53 Harvard Center for the Developing Child Videos U of M https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resourcecategory/multimedia https://icd.umn.edu/
Faith Eidson, LMSW talks with Dr. Sarah Shea about how using an Infant Mental Health (IMH) framework in Child Welfare work can benefit young children and their caregiver(s).
RESOURCE: https://www.allianceaimh.org/
Christine Cole, LCSW, IMH-E interviews Kristin Irrer, IMH-E to discuss how recognizing the various developmental needs of children is crucial for Child Welfare workers in order to appropriately engage with youth and families.
Faith Eidson, LMSW interviews Dr. Marva Lewis to discuss the impact of early caregiving relationships on a child’s ability to self-regulate.
RESOURCES: http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/attachment/online/inge_origins.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258144317_Attachment_and_Culture
Early Development and Child Welfare is a new podcast series co-created by CEED and The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW). The series of 10 episodes covers a range of important aspects of child development and child welfare work.
RESOURCE: https://ceed.umn.edu/online-courses/introduction-to-infant-mental-health/
IIn this episode, Erin Ward, from the University of Minnesota LEND Program (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities), interviews Heather Van Brunt, Program Manager at MN Adopt. MN Adopt is an organization in Minnesota that provides support and resources to foster and adoptive families. Erin also interviews Alyssa Mason, a pediatric occupational therapist working in a school district. Alyssa is a second year LEND fellow. Both guests share information and insight for foster and adoptive families in the midst of navigating parenting resources, specifically for children who have experienced trauma.
RESOURCES: https://www.mnadopt.org/ https://lend.umn.edu/ https://www.proofalliance.org/ https://adoption.umn.edu/ https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/index.html https://www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/seniors-disabilities-supports https://www.pacer.org/ https://adoptionsupport.org/
Join Steve Carlson PsyD from the Center for Practice Transformation (practicetransformation.umn.edu) for the final podcast of this series: Trust with healthy suspicion. Common sense tells us we cannot trust and mistrust at the same time. And yet, when it comes to working with substance use disorders, this is an essential skill. A famous biblical phrase captures the important shared stance of mistrust and trust: “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves”. Today’s meditation will support our capacity to fill the gap of honesty and deceit with our unwavering commitment to truth and compassion.
Steve Carlson PsyD from the Center for Practice Transformation dives into the topics of Freedom and Responsibility. Although we usually cannot choose our circumstances, we are always free to choose how we respond and our attitude. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. This meditation will help support our capacity to respond to our clients mindfully, believing in their inherent ability to find their way.
Steve Carlson PsyD from the Center for Practice Transformation (https://practicetransformation.umn.edu/) leads another meditation in this episode called Truth with compassion. Today we will ground ourselves in Satyagraha, which is the Sanskrit word for “holding onto truth”. This meditation will support our ability to respond to anger and another’s reactivity with truth, understanding, and compassion.
We know that child welfare workers value and benefit from even small moments of mindfulness and relaxation. Every Monday this month, tune in for a short podcast - designed for the busy social worker - filled with guided imagery and centering to help folks open themselves to their work and learning ahead. This meditation will acknowledge and honor the role of hope in our work with caregivers who are in the grips of a life situation that seems hopeless. In the mystical sense of the word, hope is not just wishful thinking. Hope is a life force that rests on a steadfast belief in our human capacity to change, even with an incomplete vision of what we will be.
Join Steve Carlson PsyD from the Center for Practice Transformation (https://practicetransformation.umn.edu) in this guided meditation. This meditation will acknowledge and honor the role of hope in our work with caregivers who are in the grips of a life situation that seems hopeless. In the mystical sense of the word, hope is not just wishful thinking. Hope is a life force that rests on a steadfast belief in our human capacity to change, even with an incomplete vision of what we will be.
In this episode Katherine Nulicek, MSW interviews Paula Brandt of Minnesota Alternatives. Paula describes the benefits of using harm reduction and person-centered strategies to help child welfare workers and practitioners understand individuals in recovery.
Additional Resource: http://mnalternatives.com
In this episode Katherine Nulicek, MSW interviews Steve Carlson, PsyD from the Center for Practice Transformation to discuss the importance of putting a person-centered philosophy into practice when working with individuals with substance abuse disorders and mental health and the implications it can have on child welfare professionals and decision making.
Additional Resource: https://practicetransformation.umn.edu/clinical-tools/how-person-centered-is-my-practice/
In this episode Professor Jessica Toft interviews Mimi Abramovitz and Jennifer Zelnick to discuss their New York City Study about Managerialism Effects on Social Service Providers.
RESOURCES: https://academic.oup.com/sw/article-abstract/65/3/213/5892873
Dr. Jessica Toft and PhD candidate Ruti Soffer-Elnekave take a look at what early research tells us about how Neoliberalism affects Child Welfare Services.
RESOURCES: • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190740904001410 • https://econpapers.repec.org/article/eeecysrev/v_3a32_3ay_3a2010_3ai_3a2_3ap_3a246-254.htm • https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Zelnick-Abramovitz-2020-The-perils-of-privatization.pdf • https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Toft-2020-History-matters.pdf
REFERENCES: • https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NeoLiberalism-References.pdf
Dr. Toft and PhD candidate, Ruti Soffer-Elnekave dive into what Neoliberalism is and why it matters for Social Work.
RESOURCES: • https://www.maes.umn.edu/toft55-073
REFERENCES: • https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NeoLiberalism-References.pdf
Dr. Traci LaLiberte speaks with Dr. Jessica Toft to introduce a three part series on Neoliberalism. Dr. Toft provides an in-depth introduction to Neoliberalism, Social Work and Child Welfare Work. The series will feature research and interviews describing how it relates to Social Work.
jtoft@umn.edu, @jessica_toft https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-toft-27336014a/ https://experts.umn.edu/en/persons/jessica-e-toft
Additional Resources: https://www.aliainnovations.org/
In this episode Korina Barry interviews Dr. Wendy Haight, Gamble-Skogmo Chair in Child Welfare and Youth Policy at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Haight gives an overview of moral injury and healing for mental health, social work and child welfare professionals.
Additional Resources: https://cascw.umn.edu/portfolio-items/moral-injury/ https://innovation.umn.edu/gamble-skogmo/ https://mnonestop.org/services
In this episode Korina Barry interviews Dr. Kimara Gustafson of the University of Minnesota's Adoption Medicine Clinic. Dr. Gustafson shares more about the services provided to families at the clinic and also shares how this work has shifted due to COVID-19.
RESOURCES: https://adoption.umn.edu/ https://www.mnadopt.org/ https://evolveservices.org/adoption/
In this episode LEND Fellow Jenny Tessmer interviews long time foster parent Gail Meyer. Gail speaks about the joys and challenges of being a foster parent for over 20 years. She also talks about the necessity of supports and programming needed in order to support foster children with diagnosed and undiagnosed disabilities.
RESOURCES: https://lend.umn.edu/ https://www.mnadopt.org/fostering-network/general-fc-information/ https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/children-and-families/services/foster-care/resources/
In this episode Jenny Tessmer, a Minnesota LEND Fellow (Minnesota Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities), interviews former LEND Fellow DerJuan Strons (DJ) about the intersectionality of disabilities, social work and child welfare. Listen as they take a deep dive into how disabilities can impact parenting. DJ speaks on how his education in neurological disabilities has guided him in his work as a child protection worker. He also describes how Hennepin County aims to support families by providing resources, family-centered care and support with the goal of reunification.
RESOURCES: https://lend.umn.edu/ https://www.pacer.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1KiBBhCcARIsAPWqoSp6NT6nxdSO98Xo5oeO_4aOLHY6pZNYwiIAh6MzNgDZMfpIUEBXGMwaAtfxEALw_wcB
In this episode Dr. Liz Lightfoot, Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, interviews Dr. Sharyn DeZelar about the parent-centered planning model and its benefit to parents with disabilities involved in child welfare. RESOURCES https://acl.gov/about-acl/about-national-institute-disability-independent-living-and-rehabilitation-research https://cascw.umn.edu/portfolio-items/parent-centered-planning-for-parents-with-disabilities-pn36/
In our final episode of the be@school Webinar series we take a closer look at several initiatives and partnerships that Hennepin County launched in order to strengthen and leverage relationships to reduce disparities in education for youth involved in county services.
RESOURCES: https://barrcenter.org
In this episode from the be@school webinar series, we take a closer look at special education for students with disabilities during Covid-19. The episode will include a brief overview of the legal framework schools operate within and real-world examples of how schools and service providers are "getting it right" in spite of the challenges schools are facing.
RESOURCES:
https://ratwiklaw.com https://sswce.umn.edu/directory/first-instructor/ https://www.richfieldschools.org/depts-progs/student-support
This episode from our Be@School Webinar series explores Pre COVID absentee policies and how they disproportionately penalize students of color and strategies for reform.
Resources: Hennepin County Be@School Program https://www.hennepinattorney.org/prevention/students-youth/be-at-school
Policy Brief on racial disparities in truancy program. https://publichealth.utk.edu/2019/02/12/policy-brief-on-racial-disparities-in-truancy-program/
additional: https://www.northpointhealth.org/be-at-school
https://centromn.org/be-at-school
Introducing a series of child welfare related podcasts featuring a varietry of topics, people and perspectives. The series will touch on chemical and mental health, disabilities, theoretical underpinnings in child welfare and more.
In this episode Korina chats with Tracy Shoberg, Deputy Director of the SAFeR Project, Battered Women’s Justice Project. During our conversation, Tracy shares what we know about intimate partner violence and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tracy shares more about the work of the Battered Women’s Justice Project and provides additional resources for supporting survivors during these times.
Resources
https://ncadv.org/ https://www.bwjp.org/ https://www.bwjp.org/news/coercive-control-covid-19.html
In this episode Korina chats with Dr. Amy Krentzman, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. During our conversation, Dr. Krentzman shares what we know about addiction recovery support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kretnzman also highlights brand new resources that she has created on supporting addiction recovery. These resources can be found at the links below.
Resources
https://cascw.umn.edu/portfolio-items/supporting-addiction-recovery-during-covid-19/
https://sites.google.com/view/addiction-recovery-covid19/
In this episode Korina chats with Cheri Goodwin, Director of Red Lake Children and Family Services. Cheri shares with us some history of Red Lake Nation as well as how Red Lake has responded and navigated the pandemic so far as a sovereign Nation. Cheri also discusses the ways her child welfare team continues to support children and families with culturally-specific services during the pandemic.
resources: https://www.redlakenation.org
In this episode Korina chats with Armanda and John of MyVoice. MyVoice, of Ampersand Families, is a youth leadership program for and by young people impacted by the foster care and adoption system. Armanda and John share more about themselves and their experiences in the foster care system and beyond. Armanda and John also discuss ways they are taking care of themselves and offer suggestions for other young people in taking care during these times.
TRIGGER WARNING: mention of self-harm, abuse, and placement disruption in this episode.
RESOURCES: https://www.myvoicemn.org https://ampersandfamilies.org
In this episode Korina chats with Dr. Mary Harrison, Research Associate at the Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota. During our conversation, Mary shares more about her research on reflective practice, which includes reflective consultation and supervision. Mary discusses how we can incorporate reflective practice in our everyday lives during a pandemic. Mary also discusses new training resources that have been tailored for frontline child welfare professionals.
Resources https://news.cehd.umn.edu/reflective-practice-in-uncertain-times-how-you-are-is-as-important-as-what-you-do/
Insight Timer meditation app - Times of Uncertainty Playlist https://insighttimer.com/meditation-app
In this episode Korina chats with Dr. Anne Gearity, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. During our conversation, Dr. Gearity reminds us all of the resilience of children and youth. Dr. Gearity shares more about how adults can support children and protect their own well-being while doing so. Dr. Gearity provides tips and tools focused around three key topics: trauma, regulation, and resilience.
In this episode Korina chats with Linda Eagle Speaker, Cultural Elder in Residence at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. Linda starts us off with a beautiful and grounding meditation. Linda also shares her story and experience in boarding school and how that experience led to her work supporting families in child welfare. Linda leaves us with tips for healing trauma and taking care of ourselves during the pandemic.
TRIGGER WARNING: there are descriptions of physical and sexual abuse in this episode.
RESOURCES: https://www.miwrc.org/learning-center
In this episode Korina chats with Mary Doyle and Carly Cantu of the Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) team at Hennepin County in Minnesota. During our conversation, Mary and Carly shared more about the FGDM approach and how the pandemic has shifted this process over the past couple of months, all while still allowing for meaningful connections with youth and families.
In this episode Korina chats with Becky Tripp, Child Protection Supervisor at Wilkin County. During our conversation, Becky shares more about how COVID-19 has shifted child welfare practice in Wilkin County. Becky also highlights some of the ways that rural communities are being impacted as well as what resources are available and what resources are still needed.
In this episode Korina chats with Kim Clemenson, Division Director, Ramsey County Children and Family Services. Kim discusses how her staff have adapted quickly and how child welfare practice in her county has shifted due to COVID-19 so far. Kim shares how her staff are staying connected and supporting one another as well as the ways they are connecting with other counties and community providers to best support children and families during this time.
Ramsey County Attorney Message to Child Protection Workers (video) https://youtu.be/LgJtztOumyM
In this episode, Korina chats with Ashley Rooney. Ashley is a Child Protection Worker and Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellow. In this episode, Ashley discusses how COVID-19 has impacted her work as child protection investigator. Ashley also shares how she has navigated unexpected changes to her life as a graduate social work student during this time.
In today’s episode, Korina chats with Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. During our conversation Lt. Governor Flanagan discusses how she has been navigating change and loss due to COVID-19, including how she is taking care of herself and her family. She also highlights some of the ways that she and Gov. Walz continue to advocate for vulnerable children and families during this time, including important policy changes that are underway.
In this episode, Korina chats with Liz Snyder and Tracy Crudo, Co-directors of the MN Child Welfare Training Academy. Liz and Tracy update us on how COVID-19 has impacted training for child welfare workers across the state and how their team is quickly adapting training delivery methods to meet social distancing requirements. We also hear more about how the implementation of the new Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy has been impacted and what the coming months will look like for the roll out of new training around the state.
RESOURCES:
MN Child Welfare Training Academy https://mnchildwelfaretraining.com/
Mn Child Welfare Workforce Collaborative https://mnchildwelfare.com/
In this episode, Korina chats with Liz Snyder and Tracy Crudo, Co-directors of the MN Child Welfare Training Academy. Liz and Tracy update us on how COVID-19 has impacted training for child welfare workers across the state and how their team is quickly adapting training delivery methods to meet social distancing requirements. We also hear more about how the implementation of the new Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy has been impacted and what the coming months will look like for the roll out of new training around the state.
RESOURCES: Children’s Bureau Letter https://cascw.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Childrens-Bureau-Letter-CW-Leaders-Emergency-Responders.pdf
Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Resource Site https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/
Minnesota Department of Human Services COVID-19 Resource Site https://mn.gov/dhs/
In this episode Korina chats with Traci LaLiberte, Executive Director of CASCW. Traci shares how the pandemic has impacted the work of CASCW over the first month of social distancing and Stay at Home Executive orders in Minnesota. Traci provides insight into some of the ways the child welfare workforce has been impacted so far and how CASCW can support the workforce in the coming months.
In the midst of this pandemic, CASCW (Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare) has begun a new series that highlights how COVID-19 is shifting the everyday lives and work of frontline child welfare professionals and the children and families they serve across the state of Minnesota. To protect one another, we must practice social distancing. But what does that mean for those of us in child welfare? Korina Barry speaks with professionals at all levels of the child welfare workforce to answer that question. Aside from insight and advice offered in each episode, what we find is that to continue the work of protecting children and families it takes all of us. It takes a village.
In this episode Korina Barry, Director of Outreach at the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), sits down with Jean Quam. Jean Quam is the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Dean Quam is also one of the co-founders of CASCW, which was founded in 1992 at the University of Minnesota's School of Social Work. In this interview, Dean Quam shares more about how the Center was brought to life, how the work of the center has evolved over the years, and her hopes for the future.