Blog

Visit our Human Services Blog regularly for information about current issues, research and happenings in the field of human services. All content is generated by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education staff, instructors or colleagues.

We also produce several digital publications—each with a specific focus on an area of human services practice:

California Wraparound

From the Director

  • by Nancy Hafer, M.S., Director, Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice
While it’s often been said that the only certainty is uncertainty, Wraparound remains relentlessly determined to be there for children and families when they need it, and as early as they need it, so that their lives are strengthened and improved by services rather than overwhelmed by such uncertainty. This is what Wraparound can be, and needs to be, to keep our most vulnerable and marginalized children, families and communities safe.
Kimberly with her older sister, Savannah, and mom, Eveline.

Kimberly and Eveline: A Ventura County Wraparound Family Success Story

  • by Beau Godtel, MA, BCBA, Senior Administrative Specialist Ventura County Human Services Agency, Child and Family Services
After months of being away from her family, Kimberly was returned to her mother’s care alongside her other siblings. The Wraparound team worked diligently to build connection and trust with Kimberly and Eveline as the family began to navigate their new life together. The flexibility of Wraparound and access to flex funds allowed us to creatively support the family in their goals, and to celebrate accomplishments.
Parent Partner Advisory Committee

A Heartfelt Thank You and Appreciation to Ebony Chambers-McClinton

After serving as an outstanding co-chair for the Parent Partner Advisory Committee (PPAC) for more than a decade, Ebony Chambers-McClinton is moving to a special advisor role. As this longtime champion for social justice, child welfare and mental health takes on her new role, the PPAC would like to share this open letter of gratitude.
Beau Godtel

Wraparound Makes a Difference, and We Have the Data to Prove It!

  • by Beau Godtel, MA, BCBA, Senior Administrative Specialist Ventura County Human Services Agency, Child and Family Services
How do you know if your Wraparound families continue to be successful after services have ended? Much of this answer will come down to what kind of outcomes data you collect.
Person writing in notebook

Acronym Corner

  • by Tamara Trejos, LMFT, Wraparound Specialist, UC Davis Human Services
While using acronyms at work amongst those familiar with them creates a shorthand and easy mode of communication, acronyms can also create confusion and communication barriers when used in situations where not everyone is familiar with the meaning. Acronym overuse can also make new team members or people outside of a specific field feel excluded.
Michael J. Rauso

A Promise Kept

  • by By Michael J. Rauso, Division Chief, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
Early in my career, way before DCFS, I worked in a psychiatric facility with the chronically mentally ill. That is where I met Paul, who was much older and had such a gentle soul. He grew up in an orphanage in New York, and essentially never got to experience a family. He went from one institution to another, and eventually died in one. I promised myself that I would do everything in my power to make sure no one ever had to experience that.
Two smiling adults with a happy young girl.

New Wraparound Training and Resources

The Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice at UC Davis Human Services is excited to announce the launch of two new Wraparound Skills Labs. We’re also offering Wraparound Foundational Class Passports—easy-to-use tools available on our website to help you keep track of your attendance in the fundamental Wraparound classes.
A group of people putting a giant puzzle together.

Specialized Toolkits to Support the Human Services Workforce

  • by Jason M Borucki
California’s human services workforce is as vast and diverse as it is vital to the health and well-being of the children, adults, families and communities it serves. As national leaders in the transformation of human services through innovation, collaboration and pursuit of best practice,  UC Davis Human Services frequently produces practice-specific Toolkits to meet the specialized needs of this valued workforce.
child-mom-gramd[arents

CFT and CANS Updates

  • by Jason M Borucki
Learn about the new CFT and CANS Resource Hub, get updates from the CFT Statewide Forum and find out about the latest CANS Curriculum upgrades in our Jan. 2025 update article.
People climbing up a mountain

2024 Autumn Institute for Public Assistance Professionals Builds Resilience and Leadership in Human Services

  • by Sai Siddhaye
Human services professionals gathered from across California to exchange insights and develop approaches for cultivating resilience, advancing leadership and creating transformative outcomes. 

Held on November 13-15 as an online conference, the 2024 UC Davis Human Services Autumn Institute brought together leaders and professionals statewide from across the field to virtually explore strategies for fostering resilience, leadership and meaningful change.

People in a circle putting their hands together

Kin-first Systems Spotlight: Model Programs

Imagine, as a child or youth, being guided by someone you don’t know to their car, to be driven to the house of someone you don’t know. You are told this is where you will stay. When you ask how long that will be you are told “we are not sure.” When you ask when you will be able to see your family again, you are told “soon.” What comes up for you imagining this scenario? 

UC Davis campus

Lucy Fuentes and Rose Chahla to Lead California Title IV-E Education Program at UC Davis Human Services

  • by Jason M Borucki

Human Services at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education is pleased to announce Lucy Fuentes and Rose Chahla have accepted positions with its new, fifth program: The California Title IV-E Education Program, which was previously administered by the California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC). Fuentes will lead the development of this new and growing team as the Title IV-E Northern site director, and Chahla will support the team as a senior project officer.