Child Welfare Leaders

By Cherish Fields

Welcome to Child Welfare Leaders Podcast, a unapologetic conversation designed to openly discuss issues in child welfare that challenge the status quo. Conversations will empower you in whatever capacity your role is, reignite your passion, give you strategies to lead change right where you are. I will share my insight, expertise, and bring along empowering guests to share how you can be the change and lead change because REAL CHANGE starts with you. Subscribe!
Email inquiries, questions, or feedback to aleader4change@gmail.com
Join our podcast Facebook Group: Child Welfare Leaders Collective

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Professional Dangerousness with Jessica Hoeper

Child Welfare LeadersOct 04, 2021

00:00

30:55

More Than A Foster Kid

Join me in the conversation with Keri Hope. We share experiences and talk about challenges with how limiting it can be to just be considered “a foster kid”. Please note that we say some hard things. This is our experience and insight. Our unique view will give how to overcome this label and challenge others to see More Than the Foster Kid in those that are Alum from the foster care system that share there stories.

Aug 30, 202201:11:21

Foster Care & Mental Health Awareness Month

Join my guest, Brittney & I talk about our experiences and insight to further the awareness of both of these two important topics of Foster Care and Mental Health. Hear what we have to say.

Brittney is the author of Suitcase & A Dream book. Please purchase on Amazon or her website www.suitcasedreams.org

Brittney is a mental health advocate and voice raising awareness on foster care issues. She is leading the way to ensure youth in foster care never stop dreaming and know that they too can make their dreams a reality.

Follow her on IG: suitcasedreamfostercare

What are you doing to raise awareness? Let's keep doing our part.

May 30, 202244:51

Five Unique Ways that Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) Reveals Itself in Child Welfare Professionals

In this episode, we celebrate Social Work Month with my guest, Leah Chapman, LMSW known as the“The Mental Reconstructionist” to discuss how trauma impacts us and how it has significance on how we are experienced as professionals in the ives of those we work with and for. Enjoy the conversation!

To stay connected to Leah Chapman, LMSW:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ntervene/
Website: ntervene.com/
IG: @Ntervene
Email: ntervene@gmail.com

Mar 28, 202201:01:47

Building A Better Bridge to Service Children & Families w/ Lance Hillsinger

My guest is an author and former CPS worker who shares his perspective on what we can do to advocate to be a better bridge for those we serve in Child Welfare. Find his latest book Build a Better Bridge: Social Policy for The 21st Century & In Place of the Parent: Inside Child Protective Services both on Amazon. Make sure to grab your copies. You can find Lance on LinkedIn or GoodReads.

Feb 27, 202201:06:48

Meeting the Needs

I talk to my guest Lesli Suggs about her role as CEO, how the oldest foster care organization in the country has learned to evolve, and some programs that are meeting the needs of children in the community she serves. Of course, you know she will leave giving her advice on how to lead where you are challenging the status quo. I’m excited for you to take a listen as she gave a good insight into how to do this work together.

To support the work of The Home please visit: https://www.thehome.org/

Want to connect more with my guest Lesli Suggs, reach out to her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesli-suggs-licsw-9bb69548/

Jan 23, 202201:08:48

The Second Season is here...Tap In

This episode lets you know who this podcast is for and introduces you to me, your host, and what I have planned for you this season. Check it out and get ready! Empowerment is here for you. I see you, and as Child Welfare Leaders we are here to challenge the status quo and lead right where you are.

Are we connected? If not follow me on IG: cherishfields_msw or email me at aleader4change@gmail.com with feedback or questions to be featured on a future episode.

Am exclusive Child Welfare Leaders Facebook group is coming soon...

Until this enjoy!

Jan 23, 202202:15

Finding Balance

In this episode, we are wrapping up Season 1 to prepare for Season 2. I talk to you about finding balance working in child welfare. I share few strategies that have worked for me that may help you as you find balance. Check out this episode to hear how you can find balance. Also learn how balance can make you a better professional and help you be the best you! Share with others. I look forward to sharing new content for our next season. See you in the new year!

Nov 29, 202133:29

Leading with Innovation in Child Welfare

This episode we talk to an Executive Team Leader in an expanding social service agency based in North Carolina that is leading change in Child Welfare through innovative practices. Innovation is just one of the core values of this organization. They say, "there is a way to do it better--find it." Join me as we hear from Matt Simon about how the programs at Thompson are leading against the status quo. He will also share his insight on how you can lead from right where you are. Thompson is a leading provider of clinical and prevention services for children and families across the Carolinas. The Charlotte, NC-based, nationally accredited nonprofit agency empowers children and families through therapy, education and prevention-based care. Thompson has five locations specializing in clinical and behavioral treatment, developmental education and proactive care. In there expansion there could be employment opportunities. Learn more about Thompson Child & Family Focus by visiting their website: https://www.thompsoncff.org/employment/ Find Thompson on the following social media handles: IG: @thompsoncff LinkedIn: Thompson Child & Family Focus Facebook: Thompson Child & Family Focus

Oct 24, 202148:58

Professional Dangerousness with Jessica Hoeper

Due to technical difficulty, last week we could not release this interview. However this topic is so good that we tried again so we could release this interview. We hope you enjoy it. Professional Dangerousness is a topic we all should know about, however it is a topic we don't hear enough of. Jessica educates us more on this topic. Join me as we discuss Professional Dangerousness in Child Welfare.

If you are interested in connecting with Jessica. You can find her on the following:

IG: @reflective_coaching

Check out her website:https://www.rayofhopereflectivecoaching.com/

or email her at Jesshoeper@live.com

Oct 04, 202130:55

A Call to Change Child Welfare with Lisa Merkel-Holguin

Hear my conversation with Lisa Merkel-Holguin as we talk about child welfare and the need for change. Make sure to check out the conference and register to join in on the transformational conversation.
Event name: A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare: Connecting Communities that Lift Up Child and
Family Well-Being and Social and Community Justice
Dates: October 4-7th, 2021 (17 hours per day for four consecutive days) in North America; October 5-8th,
2021 (Australia, New Zealand), October 4-7th, 2021 (Europe and Asia)
Location: Online
Registration Link: KempeConference.org
Tickets only $100
Share: #KempeAction2021
Event Highlight
225+ sessions that showcase new, radical, alternative, transformational ideas
• 17 hours per day for 4 consecutive days—maximizing our reach and international exchange
• Diverse and engaging learning formats—multi-media, conversation circles, workshops, discussion groups,
opening, and closing sessions
• 1st child welfare conference of its kind, organized to create community, connections, and relationships and
to encourage curiosity and challenging of traditional structures and ideas

Sep 19, 202151:47

Cracks in the System: The Trauma of Waiting and Failed Communication of Systems

How the waiting period and failure of the systems of care to communicate cause more trauma to children and their families. What can we do? Can anything be done. Have you ever thought about this? Listen to this episode as it will help you reflect on how we can be apart of change against the “waiting period” If you would like to sponsor an ad to market to our child welfare community reach out to me. If you have a expertise in the field of child welfare you feel will be a resource contact me aleader4change@gmail.com

Aug 31, 202116:49

Survive As A Child Welfare Worker

My guest is a child welfare social worker from Cali who is an author providing a great resource to those working directly with clients in the field.

Jul 25, 202151:11

Do You Know Policy? 10 Reasons Why You Should

Knowing policy enhances how we can excel in our positions in child welfare. Learn 10 reasons why you should know policy that will help you lead where you are.

Jun 28, 202135:52

A Call To Action: The State of Our Youth in the Pandemic

Bonus Episode: Listen in as I host the discussion led by our guests, Saba Gebrai-Park West Foundation Program Director, Carlos Correa, and Amya Rivera Youth Leaders as they share their experiences and advocacy efforts to lead a campaign to help aging out youth in Michigan struggling in the pandemic.

Follow on Facebook: @PWF Young Leaders

In spite of the federal laws, provisions and funds that are supposed to protect Michigan's foster youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, majority of youth have yet to hear about these historic measures that are set to expire on September 30th, 2021.

The pending COVID-19 Chafee Pandemic Relief fund for Foster Youth 14-27:currently in the Senate Bill 4419 (H-2) of FY 2020-21 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS reflects pandemic Youth In Transition fund to be allocated for those under 23 years of age which is an amendment from previous documents that extended age until 27.

This new change disappoints and leaves out deserving youth in need, that were otherwise qualified for funds and services since January 27, 2020, as federal mandate of Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 expires on September 30, 2021 as COVID-19 relief funds have yet to begin reaching eligible youth.

#iFoster27

Continue to support #iFoster27 by calling and/or emailing your Michigan senate representative and asking them to support Bill 4419 (H-2) for Michigan's foster youth 14-27 and by explaining the preventable hardship caused by the delay of emergency funds and protections to an already difficult transition to adulthood without the support of permanent family.

Contact your Michigan Senator here: https://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysbyaddress.html

Contact Governor Whitmer’s office at 517-373-3400

517-335-7858 (Constituent Services)

Campaign started on June 7th and will last for 27 days. Please urge your friends, family members, co-workers and your social media friends to call the Governor and their state Senator in the next 27 days. And ask them to change their social media Avatar to iFoster27 (find picture in the PWF Young Leaders profile, save it, then upload to your picture) and add an iFoster27 hash tag.