Blog

By Andrea Sebreros

When the International Association of Social Workers developed the following definition for social workers, we think they had our own Lynne Jones in mind.

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.”

The California Wraparound Hubs are regional groups that share information, collaborative practices, and discuss topics relevant to Wraparound. There are currently three Hubs: Northern, Southern and Central. The Hubs meet quarterly, in person and via virtual platform. They are hosted by local Wraparound providers and the meeting locations regularly change. Each Hub sets its own agenda, typically providing significant time for county updates, sharing and networking, as well as inviting members to provide more in-depth presentations on relevant topics.

By Susan Brooks, Department Chair, Human Services at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education

By Jason Borucki, Human Services at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education

The Governor’s Budget for fiscal year 2020-2021 highlights plans to continue to combat homelessness, which remains a statewide concern. The budget lays out funding and delegates significant responsibility to state and local governments.

The Linkages Project was implemented by pioneer counties with the direction and support of CDSS and the California Center for Research on Women and Children in 2000. This project represented a collaborative approach between child welfare and CalWORKs staff in serving families, with a focus on prevention prior to intervention. Fast forwarding twenty years later, the philosophy of Linkages remains, and has impacted culture and service delivery across the field of human services.

In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newson appointed pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris as California’s first-ever Surgeon General. A UC Davis School of Medicine graduate in 2001, Burke Harris is well known for her role in spreading awareness to all healthcare providers about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress.

Tiffany Salcido has more than 15 years of experience in the field of human services and social services programs. Passionate about empowering others, her experience spans various roles and programs, including clerical/reception, CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, Foster Care, Aid to Adoptions, Kin-GAP, CAPI, Linkages, and Welfare to Work. Salcido has also served as a staff development trainer, providing induction training and continuing education for eligibility, the C-IV automated system, and Welfare to Work programs.

In May the UC Davis Human Services Evaluation team participated in the Sonoma QMAG (short for Quality Management Advisory Group) biannual meeting for the fourth consecutive year. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in lieu of convening at the North Bay Regional Center in Sonoma County as originally planned, over 30 participants attended the meeting virtually.

UC Davis Human Services’ Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice team was proud to partner with the California Department of Social Services and many contributing partners on the development of this timely and relevant Playbook, Flexible Foster Care Rated During COVID-19: A Playbook for Supporting Child and Youth Permanency through a Wraparound-Informed Approach Operationalizing All County Letter 20-44.

By now, some of us are beginning to adjust to the “new normal” at work. But that doesn’t make our jobs any easier. In an effort to help county human services professionals address issues and challenges related to the COVID-19 health crisis, we’ve developed three new courses that’ we’re offering as free webinars:

In this relevant (and relatable) news story, CBS News' Jericka Duncan shares the accounts of some child welfare workers who recorded video diaries of the lengths they must go to meet with children and families while observing health precautions during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Watch the video and consider sharing it with your colleagues—there maybe a variety of ways to use this video with your staff and community.

Designed for resource parents who are caring for school-aged children and youth, this webinar provides a timely discussion with a panel of experts on topics, including:

Like so many of you, our Human Services team has undergone a huge shift in the way we approach our work in response to the challenges presented by COVID-19. Many on our team are working from home for the first time and are learning quickly how to remain impactful remotely, while others are seasoned veterans at remote work and are sharing their wisdom freely.