scholarly journals First Nations Women Workers' Speak, Write and Research Back: Child Welfare and Decolonizing Stories

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Reid
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
Women Workers ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
First Nations Women

This research is a similar study to Gold’s (1998) study on the promotion of physical and mental health of mainstream female social workers in child welfare. Six First Nations women Child and Family Service (CFS) Social Workers (FNWCFSSW’s) who work in First Nations agencies gathered with me to share individual and collective stories about our CFS experiences. First Nations women and I discussed the impacts of our work on our holistic health, how we coped with the work, and strategies to deal with the issues that we face. This study outlines the research process that we engaged in, and, essentially weaves together the challenges, resilience, innovations, and unique experiences of First Nations women CFS Social Workers in a First Nations setting under a delegated authority model. As a result of these discussions five major themes were identified. The five themes that emerged from this study include the stress of dual accountability, the stresses of unrealistic expectations and multiple roles, the emotional costs and benefits of the intensity of the relationships, the fact that meaningful work gives strength and how the women coped and maintained their holistic health. This study reveals the important need for future participatory research to be conducted with FNWCFSSW and First Nations peoples. Ultimately, this paper speaks to the importance of changing the nature of along-term colonial relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples within the child welfare system and in dominant mainstream research processes.

scholarly journals SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS SOCIAL WORKERS IN FRONT-LINE PRACTICE

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-25
Author(s):  
Susan Burke
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Service Organizations ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Western Perspective

Indigenous peoples have been reclaiming jurisdiction over their child welfare services and Western society has been increasingly acknowledging that Indigenous peoples are in the best position to provide these services. While the number of Indigenous social workers has historically been low, especially when compared to the population they serve, their numbers seem to be on the rise. In spite of that reality, most social service organizations continue to operate from a Western perspective, with little attention paid to the ways in which they must change in order to provide space for the Indigenous social workers they employ. This study explores the experiences of nine First Nations and Métis social workers in British Columbia (BC). The researcher, a Métis scholar and former child welfare social worker, conducted data collection and analysis through a Métissage framework, using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed nine themes, including the need for (1) Knowledgeable leadership that supports autonomy; (2) Flexibility in practice; (3) Policy that fits both Indigenous and Western paradigms; (4) Relationships with other supportive social workers; (5) Support to navigate overlap between the personal and the professional; (6) Set standards/experienced co-workers; (7) Equitable workplace resources; (8) Respect regarding Indigenous identity, and; (9) Supports to maintain wellness. Recommendations suggest how this information can be used by organizations to better support the Indigenous social workers they employ.

scholarly journals The Occasional Evil of Angels: Learning from the Experiences of Aboriginal Peoples and Social Work

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Blackstock
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
White Noise ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Children And Families ◽  
Noise Barrier ◽  
Aboriginal Children

This paper explores how the propensity of social workers to make a direct and unmitigated connection between good intentions, rationale thought and good outcomes forms a white noise barrier that substantially interferes with our ability to see negative outcomes resulting directly or indirectly from our works. The paper begins with outlining the harm experienced by Aboriginal children before moving to explore how two fundamental philosophies that pervade social service practice impact Aboriginal children: 1) an assumption of pious motivation and effect and 2) a desire to improve others. Finally, the paper explores why binding reconciliation and child welfare is a necessary first step toward developing social work services that better support Aboriginal children and families.

Reframing the Orphan Mandate

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-49
Author(s):  
Bonni Goodwin ◽  
Angela Pharris ◽  
Dallas Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Colonial America ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
Indian Child Welfare Act ◽  
Faith Tradition ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Indigenous Children

Caring for the orphan is a biblical mandate for those who follow the Christian faith tradition. Yet, far too often, this charge has led to coercion and exploitation of marginalized populations. This manuscript will examine this phenomenon through the adoption of Indigenous people starting in colonial America, when Christian missionaries from Europe believed it was their spiritual obligation to “save” young Indigenous children from their “heathen” culture. This belief still shapes many adoption practices today. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is presented as a step towards legal reparations for the harm done to Indigenous people during this time period. The idea of reparations is discussed as a vital step towards another Christian biblical mandate calling for active repair of broken relationships. Ultimately, this manuscript concludes with an application of the model of praxis from liberation theology to reframe how Christian social workers may approach caring for the orphan.

A Powerful Antidote to Physician Burnout: Intensive Healthy Lifestyle and Positive Psychology Approaches

2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110066
Author(s):  
Liana Lianov
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Lifestyle Interventions ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Physician Burnout ◽  
Lifestyle Medicine ◽  
Persistent Symptoms

Burnout rates among physicians are rapidly rising. Leaders in the movement to address burnout have made the case that health care workplaces need to foster a culture of well-being, including trusting coworker interactions, collaborative and transparent leadership, work-life balance, flexibility, opportunities for meaningful work and for professional development, and effective 2-way communication. The rationale for focusing on organizational change to prevent burnout has pointed to persistent symptoms of burnout even when individual healthy lifestyle interventions are adopted. However, a case can be made that the lifestyle interventions were not implemented at the level of intensity recommended by the lifestyle medicine evidence-base to secure the desired improvement in physical and mental health when facing significant personal and environmental stressors. The lifestyle medicine community has the ethical mandate to advocate for intensive healthy lifestyle approaches to burnout prevention, in conjunction with organizational supports. By combining comprehensive and intensive lifestyle changes with organizational cultures of well-being, we can more effectively turn the tide of physician burnout.

When death strikes early as often will: How counsellors and schools can support grieving pupils and students

2021 ◽  
pp. 136548022199684
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Wango ◽  
Leila Mkameli Gwiyo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Life Event ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Death Of Parent

Death is inevitable and universal, and the corona virus disease has only further intensified a world of uncertainties as a result of frequent accidents, HIV/AIDS, cancer and natural disasters. Bereavement after any death is a potentially disruptive life event with consequences in physical and mental health, relationships and social functioning. Death is a rather odd, thought-provoking and challenging experience, particularly in the lives of children and adolescents. Death of parent/s, sibling, relative/s, teacher, classmate or friend is a relatively new and challenging phenomenon. Persons working with pupils and students, including teachers, counsellors, school chaplain and social workers, need to be prepared to offer help to those who experience bereavement. Death is unpredictable and may occur naturally, suddenly, or traumatically. In several instances, help is sometimes required in advance of bereavement in that the death may be anticipated such as instances of prolonged illness or following a fatal accident. In all cases, the role of the teacher and counsellor in the school is pivotal in supporting pupils and students who have been bereaved. This paper highlights the need to impart post-traumatic growth in bereft pupils and students in schools in order to cope with bereavement.

Heartbeat: Voices of First Nations Women

1996 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
Linda Fujie ◽  
Rayne Green ◽  
Howard Bass
Keyword(s):  
First Nations ◽  
First Nations Women

Challenges of Street-Level Child Welfare Reform and Technology Transfer: The Case of Team Decisionmaking

2008 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Crampton ◽  
Thomas M. Crea ◽  
Anne Abramson-Madden ◽  
Charles L. Usher
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Child Welfare ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Welfare Reform ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Community Partners ◽  
Street Level ◽  
Diverse Communities ◽  
Child Welfare Reform

Team Decisionmaking (TDM) involves a meeting of community representatives, family members, and social workers who review every decision to remove children from their parents or change of placement, including reunification or adoption. Even when the leadership of child welfare organizations mandates the use of TDM, implementing TDM is very challenging. To understand these challenges, a research team visited five diverse communities and conducted 74 focus groups and interviews involving 180 administrators, caseworkers, community partners, supervisors, and TDM facilitators. This article reviews the findings of this TDM study through previous research on street-level bureaucracy and technology transfer. The results suggest successful TDM implementation requires attention to the discretion of street-level caseworkers and the organizational constraints they face.

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