Over the last week, a few bipartisan bills were introduced that would redirect the legislature's and Governor's attention to the importance of positive life experiences for young children in their policymaking. Since the last biennium, early learning and experiences have been a focal point at the legislature, what with the passing of universal all-day kindergarten [...]
Earlier this month, 13 of our IV-E MSW Child Welfare students completed the Minnesota Department of Human Services' Child Welfare Foundation Training (CWFT). The CWFT is mandatory for all newly hired child welfare workers in counties throughout Minnesota, as well as new hires from White Earth and Leech Lake. The training meets the statutory requirement [...]
Senator Kathy Sheran discussing the DE amendment for SF 807 during the Feb. 18, 2015, hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing. Source: Senate Media Services webcast (screenshot) Two of the initial recommendations from the Governor's Task Force on the Protection of Children are the focus of the delete-everything (DE) amendments [...]
Dr. Traci LaLiberte presenting at the Feb. 13, 2015, meeting of the Governor's Task Force on the Protection of Children. Source: Heidi Ombisa Skallet/CASCW The Governor's Task Force on the Protection of Children met last Friday, Feb. 13, in St. Paul. Two of the workgroups also met that day, though I was only able to [...]
With the call for child protection system reform in Minnesota has come a maelstrom of opinions about what works and what doesn't for keeping children safe and protecting their overall well-being. Recent legislation has focused on improving aspects of the system's ability to prioritize high-risk maltreatment cases and ensure child safety. Amid the discussion on [...]
Last month Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Lucinda Jesson stated that DHS would soon be providing practice guidance on child protection screening, track assignment, and other practice issues based on initial recommendations from the Governor's Task Force on the Protection of Children. On Thursday, Feb. 5, this guidance was issued in the form [...]
Board of Social Work Budget Proposal Kate Zacher-Pate, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW), presented the BOSW budget proposal at the House Health and Human Services (HHS) Finance Committee meeting last Thursday. The proposal included recommendations for enforcing social work licensure for those who are practicing social work without a license [...]
MSW IV-E students who are currently in a field placement journal about their experiences, perspectives, new learning, and awareness in their field work. Below, one of our current students reflected this week on the value of her experience and training within the IV-E program and her awareness of the power and influence child protection workers [...]
