Welcome to Field Notes!
Field Notes is a new blog that will feature IV-E MSW student experiences in their field placements. Watch for upcoming posts this spring!
A commentary on Arizona’s recent child welfare policy response
Source: NY Times/Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press Earlier this week I read several articles (example) about Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's executive order to dismantle the state's Child Protective Services (CPS) agency under the Department of Economic Security and create a Cabinet-level division called the Division of Child Safety and Family Services that would take over CPS [...]
Introduced bills pertaining to early learning, mental health, and the minimum wage (among others)
As promised from yesterday, I am continuing my "brief bill descriptions" post regarding child welfare-related bills introduced during the interim of Minnesota's 88th legislative session. Early Learning H.F. 1880: Introduced by Rep. Ryan Winkler and others, this bill would ensure that each eligible child receives an early learning scholarship. Beginning in FY2015, funding for this [...]
Child welfare-related bills introduced in the interim of the Minnesota legislative session
Although the Minnesota legislative session does not officially begin until February 25, quite a few bills were introduced in the interim on Monday. Because there are several that may impact children, youth, and families involved in child welfare (or at risk of involvement), I have decided to write two posts providing brief descriptions of these [...]
How Social Justice was Inserted into the Framework of Child Welfare
The Child Welfare narrative, for some historians, is linked to this observation of a behavioral economist: "The fate of a child is determined by the accident of birth: to whom that child is born." Thus, the wheel of fate, the luck of the draw, fate without pity and fairness begins the drama of a child's [...]
Looking ahead: The 2014 Minnesota legislative session to focus on issues impacting children & youth
Yesterday I attended the 2014 Children and Youth Issues Briefing at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul, MN. This briefing is held annually prior to the start of the Minnesota legislative session to discuss emerging legislative issues and initiatives that will impact children and youth in Minnesota. The event was well attended (as usual) [...]
Promoting Adoption Act, Part 2: Proposed Legislation Will Alter Adoption Incentives Programs
This post is written by the Stability, Permanency, and Adoption MSW Intern, Andrea Brubaker, with additional content from editor Heidi Ombisa Skallet. Yesterday I provided some background information on adoption assistance and the Adoption and Safe Families Act. As a follow up, I will now lay out two bills about adoption incentives—The Promoting Adoption and [...]
Promoting Adoption and Legal Guardianship for Children in Foster Care Act, Part I: Historical Lens
This post is written by the Stability, Permanency, and Adoption MSW Intern, Andrea Brubaker. This past September, Senator Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced the Promoting Adoption and Legal Guardianship for Children in Foster Care Act. The bill would certify the continued funding for the Adoption Incentives program, prioritize increasing adoption rates, and create a legal guardianship [...]