Understanding Secondary Trauma: How Social Workers Can Care for Themselves While Supporting Others
Have you ever walked away from a client session feeling completely drained—but unsure why? Listening to clients recount the trauma they’ve endured or witnessing first-hand the conditions in which they continue to live puts us at risk of experiencing secondary trauma, a common occupational hazard for social workers that can impact our mental health and […]
Fundraising for a Cause: How Human Services Orgs Can Get Ahead Early
You see the difference your organization makes every day — the families finding stability, the people accessing essential services, the communities growing stronger, and everyone else who’s positively impacted by your work. But to sustainably continue doing that work, you need a strategic fundraising plan. Successful fundraising for human services organizations deeply connects donors to […]
Diversifying Funding for Nonprofits: 7 Tips for Long-Term Stability
Relying on a single donor or revenue stream is rarely a stable business model, especially for nonprofits trying to create impacts in their communities. Diversifying funding for nonprofits helps organizations maintain financial stability and branch out far beyond their existing network. Many nonprofits use a combination of income streams, including government grants, corporate partnerships, and […]
The Role of Social Work in Preventing Burnout for Caregivers and Educators
When your day starts with caregiving and ends with paperwork, burnout isn’t a risk—it’s a reality. Burnout within the caregiving and education sector is at an all time high, with 44% of K-12 teachers reporting “always” feeling burned out. The same is true for professional caregivers, who are tasked with supporting our most vulnerable, and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Building Rapport with Tough Clients
There are plenty of social work interventions, but the worker-client relationship is the foundation for nearly all of them. Social workers must learn therefore how to navigate all types of client relationships and how to build rapport with the most easygoing clients to the toughest. Common Challenges with Tough Clients When I worked in community […]
Home Visiting as a Rite of Passage: The Benefits of Starting as a Home Visitor
Social workers gain experience in a variety of settings over the course of their career but home visiting is often our first stop, a collective initiation into the “real world” way of social work. And with good reason—home visiting offers those at the beginning of their career a rich introduction to both the art and […]
Best Practices for Training Staff on CPT Code Documentation
Accurate CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code documentation is critical in social services organizations and healthcare settings. Social workers who interface with billing or case management tasks often rely on correct coding to secure reimbursements, avoid legal risk, and support quality care. Proper CPT code training will help staff members understand the nuances of these codes […]
How to Measure the Success of Transitional Housing Programs
Transitional housing programs provide temporary accommodation and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. These services typically last for 6-24 months while the individuals work toward securing permanent housing and greater self-sufficiency. There’s no denying that transitional housing programs are critical in solving homelessness. But just understanding what is a transitional housing program […]
