CWEL

A message for the workforce as CWEL enters its second year: 

Are you at the Council on Social Work Education’s Annual Program Meeting in Kansas City this weekend? If so, come and visit us at our exhibiting booth! #CSWE2024

Welcome Taryn Anquoe, our newest Culture Keepers Fellowship Program Tribal Leadership Coaching Specialist! Taryn’s commitment to system change stems from her own experience as a relative and witnessing its harmful effects mirrored for other Tribal families involved in the system. Taryn greatly attributes her prevention expertise to sharing stories with others, observing culturally responsive practices in Tribal communities, and engaging in prevention efforts that strengthen Tribal youth, families, and communities. Taryn’s prevention knowledge, coupled with her coaching skills, fosters her commitment to engaging in equitable change efforts and supporting the capacity of the Tribal child welfare workforce. As a Kiowa citizen and a descendant of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Arapaho, and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Taryn believes in the traditional value that children are our most precious resource and we must work together for the wellbeing of the next seven generations. #ChildWelfare #CWWorkforce #ICWA #TribalChildWelfare

Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, a day to honor the first peoples of America. We recognize the beauty and strength in their varied cultures, history, and achievements. For too long, Indigenous people’s voices and experiences have been silenced by the myth of Columbus "discovering" America, erasing their current existence, cultural identities, and place in world history. Columbus Day is still celebrated in many places, but it’s important we shift our focus to truth and justice. Indigenous Peoples' Day reminds us of the real stories—colonization, enslavement, genocide, forced relocation, and the impact of these atrocities on Native communities. It's time to learn, reflect on history, and make sure Indigenous people today are seen and treated with respect, acknowledging their inalienable rights. At the Center for Workforce Excellence and Leadership, we believe in the authentic representation of Indigenous peoples, especially in the workplace. Indigenous professionals should be heard and valued. Too often, Indigenous representation is lacking in media, workplaces, and public policy. When working with Indigenous professionals, it's important to respect their experiences and treat them as experts of their own stories. What can you do to honor Indigenous Peoples' Day? • Learn about Indigenous history and the effects of colonization experienced by the First people in the land you occupy • Attend Indigenous-led events, whether in person or online, that showcase their culture, music, and traditions • Support Indigenous-owned businesses, artists, and creators • Practice respect by reflecting on your understanding of Indigenous cultures and avoiding the misuse of their symbols or clothing By taking these steps, you can help raise awareness, support Indigenous communities, and promote social change. #ChildWelfare #CWWorkforce #ICWA #IndigenousPeoplesDay #TribalChildWelfare

(The last one is the most important!) Looking at you, change-makers. How do we keep the spark going after Workforce Development Month? How do we continue igniting change? 1️⃣ TRIBES! FILL OUT THE INTEREST FORM: CWEL can provide tailored, intentional support through our Culture Keepers Fellowship Program to support decolonization efforts in your Tribal child welfare program. Work with our Indigenous team with lived expertise to build lasting change. Link in the comments. 2️⃣ SUBSCRIBE TO THE CWEL NEWSLETTER: Join the movement to continue real change in the child welfare workforce and get helpful resources. Link in comments to get direct emails from CWEL on the latest ways to transform child welfare. 3️⃣ READ CWEL’S BLOG FOR THE WORKFORCE: Child welfare professionals, we have a lot to talk about. CWEL is having the conversations we NEED to be having, and your organization might benefit from important tools from our lived experts. Link in comments. 4️⃣ KEEP HONORING THE CHANGE-MAKERS AROUND YOU: This one is the most important. We can’t do this work alone, and we need to lift up those who are striving for change. Champion the change-makers in your world and let them know you SEE them doing great things. WE STILL SEE YOU. KEEP GOING. And visit cwel.org for more. #WkDevMonth #ChildWelfare #CWWorkforce #ICWA #TransformingChildWelfare #TribalChildWelfare

We’re excited to announce the first three child welfare agencies partnering with CWEL! They are working with us to enhance and support the workforce so it can better serve children and families. Please join us in welcoming: 1️⃣ Colorado Office of Children, Youth, and Families—Partnering with our ClinicalBridge program to support professionals pursuing clinical social work licensure without leaving their child welfare roles. We’ll also work to increase college graduate interest in child welfare careers and boost enrollment in Title IV-E stipend programs through CWEL PREP. 2️⃣ New Jersey Department of Children & Families—Implementing our RiseUp Fellowship program to support leaders. This 15-month program focuses on developing leadership skills and addressing challenges such as burnout. We’ll also be partnering with them through our CWEL PREP program. 3️⃣ Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, & Families—Launching CoachUp to enhance supervisor skills and build strong, healthy teams. The CoachUp program provides tailored coaching to improve leadership and team dynamics over 12-15 months. CWEL PREP will also be implemented as a recruitment strategy. We are gearing up to launch these initiatives by the end of the year. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to support and grow the child welfare workforce! #WkDevMonth #ChildWelfare #CWWorkforce #ICWA #TribalChildWelfare

Trigger Warning: Abuse against children Every September 30th, we observe Orange Shirt Day to remember the Indigenous children who were forcibly taken from their families and placed in residential schools in Canada and the United States. At these schools, children experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, and loss of their cultural identity. Many children died, some were buried in unmarked graves, and their families were never notified. Orange Shirt Day helps us remember why every child matters and shows how these schools have had a negative long-term effect on Indigenous communities. Why is it important for everyone to know about Orange Shirt Day? Because the history of residential schools affects all of us. We must hold accountable those who committed these offenses and support the healing of Indigenous communities. It's crucial we acknowledge and educate people about the wrongs done to Indigenous peoples to make sure that such abuse doesn't happen again. How can you honor Orange Shirt Day? • Wear an orange shirt to show unity • Learn about the history of residential schools and how they affected Indigenous communities • Support Indigenous artists, businesses, and groups that speak out for their rights • Go to events that pay tribute to the survivors and remember the children who never made it home For more ideas and resources, visit https://lnkd.in/g96T7JPv 🧡 #EveryChildMatters #ChildWelfare #OrangeShirtDay #TribalChildWelfare #TransformingChildWelfare

Making change in the child welfare workforce requires all of us. If we’re not working together to create a positive shift, the spark will die out. We need to collaborate on solutions from all levels of child welfare — case-carrying professionals, to legal professionals, supervisors, administrators, and more. You are not an island — there is hope when we work together. #WorkforceDevelopmentMonth #WkDevMonth #SelfCare #MutualCare #ChildWelfare #CWWorkforce #ICWA #TransformingChildWelfare #TribalChildWelfare

CWEL Change Maker Britt Cloudsdale is #ignitingchange this #WorkforceDevelopmentMonth! 🔥 “When I started out as a case manager, I thought I'd be able to genuinely help families. After reflecting, I realized I was causing harm. Though we weren't acting with ill intent, child welfare systems are set up to be punitive, and we had limited resources or support to do things differently. I'm at CWEL because I want to be a part of something that's addressing hard things in an effort to build something better.” Get involved in the campaign to ignite change: https://lnkd.in/gmjXRYQv

🔥 CWEL is proud to have as its partner Public Research and Evaluation Services (PRES). President/Chief Executive Officer Sharonlyn Harrison is #ignitingchange: “I am igniting change by being more than just present in spaces, but instead showing up with intensity to challenge the structural practices that have hurt diverse families and staff.” Get involved in the campaign to ignite change: https://lnkd.in/gmjXRYQv