This 16-part series highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child welfare practice and workers.
Episode 1: It Takes A Village Introduction
In the midst of this pandemic, CASCW (Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare) has begun a new series that highlights how COVID-19 is shifting the everyday lives and work of frontline child welfare professionals and the children and families they serve across the state of Minnesota. To protect one another, we must practice social distancing. But what does that mean for those of us in child welfare? Korina Barry speaks with professionals at all levels of the child welfare workforce to answer that question. Aside from insight and advice offered in each episode, what we find is that to continue the work of protecting children and families it takes all of us. It takes a village.
Episode 2: Interview with Traci LaLiberte
In this episode Korina chats with Traci LaLiberte, Executive Director of CASCW. Traci shares how the pandemic has impacted the work of CASCW over the first month of social distancing and Stay at Home Executive orders in Minnesota. Traci provides insight into some of the ways the child welfare workforce has been impacted so far and how CASCW can support the workforce in the coming months.
Episode 3: Interview with Jamie Sorenson
In this episode, Korina chats with Jamie Sorenson, Director, Child Safety and Permanency Division, MN Department of Human Services. Jamie highlights the latest updates related to policy change and practice guidance for the Minnesota child welfare workforce as a result of COVID-19. We also hear about the ways that key state divisions, county agencies, and community providers are working together to best support children and families across the state. UPDATE: Since speaking with Jamie on April 20th, the Children’s Bureau has released a statement encouraging governors to classify child welfare workers as Level 1 first responders. You can find the link to this letter below.
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Episode 4: Interview with Liz Snyder and Tracy Crudo
In this episode, Korina chats with Liz Snyder and Tracy Crudo, Co-directors of the MN Child Welfare Training Academy. Liz and Tracy update us on how COVID-19 has impacted training for child welfare workers across the state and how their team is quickly adapting training delivery methods to meet social distancing requirements. We also hear more about how the implementation of the new Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy has been impacted and what the coming months will look like for the roll out of new training around the state.
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Episode 5: Interview with Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
In today’s episode, Korina chats with Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. During our conversation Lt. Governor Flanagan discusses how she has been navigating change and loss due to COVID-19, including how she is taking care of herself and her family. She also highlights some of the ways that she and Gov. Walz continue to advocate for vulnerable children and families during this time, including important policy changes that are underway.
Episode 6: Interview with Ashley Rooney
In this episode, Korina chats with Ashley Rooney. Ashley is a Child Protection Worker and Title IV-E Child Welfare Fellow. In this episode, Ashley discusses how COVID-19 has impacted her work as child protection investigator. Ashley also shares how she has navigated unexpected changes to her life as a graduate social work student during this time.
Episode 7: Interview with Kim Clemenson
In this episode Korina chats with Kim Clemenson, Division Director, Ramsey County Children and Family Services. Kim discusses how her staff have adapted quickly and how child welfare practice in her county has shifted due to COVID-19 so far. Kim shares how her staff are staying connected and supporting one another as well as the ways they are connecting with other counties and community providers to best support children and families during this time.
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Episode 8: Interview with Becky Tripp
In this episode Korina chats with Becky Tripp, Child Protection Supervisor at Wilkin County. During our conversation, Becky shares more about how COVID-19 has shifted child welfare practice in Wilkin County. Becky also highlights some of the ways that rural communities are being impacted as well as what resources are available and what resources are still needed.
Episode 9: Interview with Mary Doyle and Carly Cantu
In this episode Korina chats with Mary Doyle and Carly Cantu of the Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) team at Hennepin County in Minnesota. During our conversation, Mary and Carly shared more about the FGDM approach and how the pandemic has shifted this process over the past couple of months, all while still allowing for meaningful connections with youth and families.
Episode 10: Interview with Linda Eagle Speaker
In this episode Korina chats with Linda Eagle Speaker, Cultural Elder in Residence at the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. Linda starts us off with a beautiful and grounding meditation. Linda also shares her story and experience in boarding school and how that experience led to her work supporting families in child welfare. Linda leaves us with tips for healing trauma and taking care of ourselves during the pandemic.
TRIGGER WARNING: there are descriptions of physical and sexual abuse in this episode.
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Episode 11: Interview with Anne Gearity
In this episode Korina chats with Dr. Anne Gearity, Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. During our conversation, Dr. Gearity reminds us all of the resilience of children and youth. Dr. Gearity shares more about how adults can support children and protect their own well-being while doing so. Dr. Gearity provides tips and tools focused around three key topics: trauma, regulation, and resilience.
Episode 12: Interview with Mary Harrison
In this episode Korina chats with Dr. Mary Harrison, Research Associate at the Center for Early Education and Development, University of Minnesota. During our conversation, Mary shares more about her research on reflective practice, which includes reflective consultation and supervision. Mary discusses how we can incorporate reflective practice in our everyday lives during a pandemic. Mary also discusses new training resources that have been tailored for frontline child welfare professionals.
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Episode 13: Interview with MyVoice Youth Leaders
In this episode Korina chats with Armanda and John of MyVoice. MyVoice, of Ampersand Families, is a youth leadership program for and by young people impacted by the foster care and adoption system. Armanda and John share more about themselves and their experiences in the foster care system and beyond. Armanda and John also discuss ways they are taking care of themselves and offer suggestions for other young people in taking care during these times.
TRIGGER WARNING: mention of self-harm, abuse, and placement disruption in this episode.
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Episode 14: Interview with Cheri Goodwin
In this episode Korina chats with Cheri Goodwin, Director of Red Lake Children and Family Services. Cheri shares with us some history of Red Lake Nation as well as how Red Lake has responded and navigated the pandemic so far as a sovereign Nation. Cheri also discusses the ways her child welfare team continues to support children and families with culturally-specific services during the pandemic.
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Episode 15: Interview with Dr. Amy Krentzman
In this episode Korina chats with Dr. Amy Krentzman, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work. During our conversation, Dr. Krenztman shares what we know about addiction recovery support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Krentzman also highlights brand new resources that she has created on supporting addiction recovery. These resources can be found at the links below.
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Episode 16: Interview with Tracy Shoberg
Addiction Recovery in COVID-19 Resource WebsiteIn this episode Korina chats with Tracy Shoberg, Deputy Director of the SAFeR Project, Battered Women’s Justice Project. During our conversation, Tracy shares what we know about intimate partner violence and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tracy shares more about the work of the Battered Women’s Justice Project and provides additional resources for supporting survivors during these times.
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