This year’s theme social work resilient in times of change is twofold. First we want to elevate professionals working directly with our children and youth as the superstars that they are. This is broader than just the CYFD worker. It is everyone working in the community which we have not built correctly around our youth and mamas. This profession is regarded as invaluable but compensated as disposable.
We hope that the conference offers more resources, learning, and support we know is lacking in order for them be successful. It is time to change script on how we talk about those that are working with our children and youth, and how we talk about our children.
Second, is to bring to attention some of the historical and institutional discrimination that exists within caregiving professions, familial roles and responsibilities, who occupies them, and how our systems continue to oppress them. This profession is mostly occupied by female identifying people and we are still held hostage to oppression and misogynist policies and values. The advocacy, the work, and the conditions are exhausting, even for the warriors. In order for true change to occur and be sustained we all have to acknowledge our responsibility and positively lend to systematic change instead of breaking each other down. The blame and shame does nothing to improve outcomes. It essentially works against the goals to 1. Increase workforce ; 2. to improve quality and 3. to truly heal the community for the purpose of a better opportunity for our youth and children.
Understanding Structural and Social Determinants of Health (SSDH) is integral to social work. Just as we address the intersectionality of a person, we must address the intersectionality of the practitioner.
So please come with open hearts and open minds, be kind to each other with your words and actions, most of all enjoy the conference.
We are strongly encouraging mask wearing as a courtesy to your colleague who may be working with at risk populations
BEFORE YOU CHOSE THE ONLINE OPTION PLEASE KNOW AND COMMIT TO THE FOLLOWING:
You asked and we listened! Below are a few additional perks at this year's conference:
Day One Focus: The profession-Providing tools to enhance competence.
Day Two Focus: To provide cultural perspectives for professionals.
Day Three Focus: Structural and Social Determinants of Health:
Increasing the resource wealth of both the profession as a whole and professionals within it. All presentations on day three are general assembly (all participants).
For more information and to become member please follow: