Using Technology to Strengthen Victim Services: Sexual Assault and Beyond
For sexual assault victims and victims of other violent crimes, help should never be out of reach. But barriers like geography, fear, stigma, and limited service capacity too often put help out of reach. Fortunately, technology is helping to change that. From text-based crisis hotlines to personal safety apps, technology is reshaping where, when, and how […]
Supporting Mental Health Awareness Month: How to Connect Social and Health Services
Behavioral health services in the U.S. are facing unprecedented demand, a reality that comes into sharper focus each May during Mental Health Awareness Month. In 2023 alone, more than 59 million adults, nearly one in four Americans, experienced a mental illness, yet nearly half received no treatment at all, according to the Health Resources and Services […]
Spring Into Action: Social Work With Families to Help Them Rebuild
Social work with families focuses on a wide range of issues, from financial stability to emotional dynamics, giving you lots to consider in your treatment plan. It requires a family-centered approach that includes clients in the decision-making process early on, empowering them to take control of their goals and objectives. The best family-centered practices, such […]
The Role of an Individual Employment Plan in Workforce Development
The path to employment is rarely a straightforward one, especially for job seekers who are navigating barriers like a limited education, housing instability, or a long period of unemployment. For those working in workforce development — whether in nonprofits, government agencies, or community programs — the challenge isn’t just helping people find jobs; it’s helping […]
Developing the 9 Core Competencies in Social Work
Social work is a practice-driven profession where your ability to adapt and advocate determines your impact. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) defines nine core social work competencies that serve as the backbone of an ethical, effective practice. What Are the Council on Social Work Education Competencies? The CSWE’s nine competencies are the gold […]
Self-Care and Social Work: 4 Strategies & Tips to Care for Your Wellbeing
As a social worker, you help others, but because you have to deal with complex human struggles every day, the job can take a toll on your own well-being. Self-care matters more than ever, and neglecting it could impact both your work and your personal life. Let’s explore how to deal with the challenges of social […]
My Experiences Working with Young Children and their Families Before and After Having My Own Children
Connecting with families has always been a professional strength. My peaceful demeanor and empathetic nature lend themselves well to building deep, trusting relationships—even before I became a parent. Because of this, I found myself frustrated when well-meaning colleagues spoke about the various parenting challenges they and our clients faced only to quickly close out the […]
The Role of Case Management in Supporting Sexual Assault Victims
For survivors of sexual assault, the path to healing is rarely linear. Along with emotional injury, many face medical needs, safety concerns, legal difficulties, disrupted support systems, and even housing insecurity. Take, for example, the key domestic violence statistic that nearly half of all women in an abusive relationship will be sexually assaulted by their […]
Case Management in Social Work: A Comprehensive Guide for New Social Workers
Case management is a central component of social work, with implications for the manner in which individuals receive assistance in times of crisis. From helping a lone parent secure housing after an eviction to guiding an individual through the complex health system, effective case management plays a critical role in giving vulnerable people access to […]
Why Working in a Preschool was More Challenging than Providing Counseling
As a kid at heart, working in a preschool was a good fit for me but it was not without its challenges. Working in a preschool meant shifting from a planned schedule to handling unpredictable moments—from managing behaviors and multiple crises in the classroom to navigating the sometimes competing needs of students, families and teachers. […]