Volume 39, Issue 3, Fall 2014 THE

www.acsw.ab.ca ADVOCATE ALBERTA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

Towards reconciliation We are all impacted by our history see page 24

Feature stories: Training Child Intervention Workers page 18 A Day in the Life: David MacMain and Safe Communities Initiative page 21 Meet your area coordinators page 14 Towards reconciliation page 24 The restricted activity of psychosocial intervention page 8 Wicked problems page 9 in this issue JANUARY 15for SPRING issue, APRIL 15 for SUMMER,JULY 15for FALL, OCTOBER 15for WINTER. The “Share your knowledge” before submitting. Publication does not imply endorsement bythe College. Editorial Board reserves the right toeditsubmittedmaterial. Pleasecallthe ACSW office for acopy of are alsowelcome on topics thathave been addressed inprevious issues, announcements, cartoons, artwork, and pictures are welcome to submit articles, stories, anecdotes, poems, thoughts and ideas. Letterstothe editor workers; continuing education and job opportunities; and member activities. Members and the public affairs; social issues; the work of the College; books, journals, and other media of interest tosocial by publishing information about social workresearch, theory, practice, and education; professional THE ADVOCATE EDITORIAL POLICY: All material withbylines is©2014byauthor. ACSW retains copyright when no author islisted. incidental, orconsequential damages thatcould arise. expressed orimplied, aboutthe accuracy orlinkscontained inthe Social Workers (ACSW), itseditorial board, orcontractors. The aforementioned make no guarantee orwarranty, either The opinions and interpretations expressed inthispublication do not necessarily reflect those of the AlbertaCollege of For Your Information Book Review: New RSWs Asian Communities U of CUpdates: Private Practice: Diploma Dialogue: Social Action/Social Justice: psychosocial intervention Ethics in Action: New endeavours, renewed energy President’s report REGULAR FEATURES From our desk to yours NEWS Safe Communities Initiative A DayintheLife: Training ChildIntervention Workers Meet yourarea coordinators FEATURES Towards reconciliation COVER Advocate STORY ...... ispublished quarterly inMarch, June, September, and December. Advertising deadlines: PHONE: 780-421-1167 •TOLL-FREE: 1-800-661-3089 •FAX: 780-421-1168. My NameisShield Woman Researchers aim to reduce stigma of mental illness among men and boys in

The restricted activity of The (reports, letters, announcements 400-600 words; articles1000wordsmaximum) The freedom of private practice ...... David MacMain and

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servesasa“meeting place”for Albertasocial workers ...... [email protected] Advocate Alec Stratford Announcements Jean Lafrance Membership asof August 7,2014 Natalie Dawes Stephanie Wellings Colleen Courtoreille and DeniseSmith Lori Sigurdson Bruce Llewellyn Lynn Labrecque King Richard Gregory Charity Lui Joan Marie Galat Joan Marie Galat Joan Marie Galat

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21 12 10 18 14 24 27 17 13 11 6 5 3 9 8 Advertising spaceisavailable;pleasecallIlona Cardinal WINTER 2014ISSUEADDEADLINE:OCTOBER 15,2014 Competence Program Coordinator/Hearings Director: Ph: 780-421-1167/Toll-free (inAlta):1-800-661-3089 Indigenous SocialWork CommitteeRepresentative: details ortoplaceanad. The Editorial Board reserves The Executive Assistant /Administrative Team Lead at the ACSW office oremail [email protected] for (outside Canada: $26US/year) Pleasenotify ACSW RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIANADDRESSESTO Fax: 780-421-1168/Toll-free fax: 1-866-874-8931 Registration /OnlineServiceSupportAnalyst Cynthia Gallop 550 10707100AVE NW, Edmonton ABT5J3M1 550 10707100AVE NW, EDMONTON ABT5J3M1 Promotions Coordinator: Jo-Anne Beggs, Alec Stratford The AlbertaCollege of Social Workers (ACSW) Dolores McSharry Margaret Brown office immediately of any address changes. Advocate Tasha Novick Jill Hoselton, Contributing Editor: Registration Coordinator: Membership Activities Coordinators: Administrative SupportProfessionals: [email protected] —www.acsw.ab.ca Vice President: Canadian subscriptions are $26/year Finance &Administration Officer: the right toreject any advertising. ACSW and other interested parties. President: Theresa Duban Production Editor: Manager, Professional Affairs: Treasurer: Secretary: Managers, RegulatoryPractice: Volume 39,Issue 3,Fall2014 Design: Leslie MacKinnon Lyle Berge [email protected] Lynn Labrecque King Heather Johnson Sheryl Pearson, Exec. Director &Registrar: ispublishedquarterlyformembersof Kanakii Mekaisto The Advocate Bruce Llewellyn Kelly Brisebois Lori Sigurdson [email protected] [email protected] Members atLarge: , MSW, RSW Charity Lui, , MSW, RSW ISSN 0847-2890 Public Members: PM NO. 40050109 Editorial Board: , BSW, RSW ACSW Council: The Advocate Gladys Smecko Published by: Kyle Loranger Design Laurie Nelson Noreen Majek Richard Gregory BSW, RSW , MSW, RSW

BSW, RSW Rick Guthrie Terry Wilson Neetu Dodd Austin Mardon Austin Linda Golding

Jennifer Vasquez Richard Shelson Peter Smyth

, MSW, RSW(Chair) Cindy Haugen Timothy Wild BSW, RSW Eugene Ip MSW, RSW, LLB Ilona Cardinal Joan Marie Galat , MSW, RSW, Jena Snyder , BSW, RSW , SWDip,RSW , MSW, RSW Linda Fehr , BSW, RSW , MSW, RSW Brenda Gross , MSW, RSW , BSW, RSW

Desiree Hurst , MSc, RSW , MSW, RSW

, CM

, DPhil,RSW , MSW, RSW

, MSW, RSW

, MSW, RSW

, BSW, RSW •

, MSc, RSW Fall 2014 , BA, BFA

:

:

From our desk to yours

by Charity Lui, BSW, RSW

New books co-authored by local social workers in the Linda Kreitzer, PhD, RSW, University of Calgary Charity Lui Associate Professor, has co-authored two new books. news

The first isSherpa in My Backpack: A Guide to International Social Work Practicum Exchanges and Study Abroad Programs and the second is Lying Down in the Ever-Falling Snow: Canadian Health Professionals’ Experience of Compassion Fatigue.

Linda Kreitzer

Jim Pritchard, MSW, RSW, has co-authored (with Ruth Scalp Lock) a new book entitled My Name is Shield Woman. Please see our review on page 17.

Young social workers take up leadership Next Up is a Parkland Institute leadership program for people aged 18-32 who are committed to social and environmental justice.

Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW, Heather Sweet, SW Dip, RSW, and Jill Hoselton, BSW, RSW, graduated from the Edmonton

Jim Pritchard program in May 2014. Congratulations Alec, Heather and Jill!

Edmonton events The ACSW Retired Social Work Group met May 28th for a presentation by Kate Quinn, Executive Director of CEASE (Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation). Quinn’s talk on proposed new federal legislation relating to human trafficking elicited lively discussion and a number of interesting questions. L to R: Alec Stratford, Jill Hoselton, and Heather Sweet

On June 11th ACSW area coordinators presented The New Standards of Practice: What You Need to Know. Sheryl Pearson, MSW, RSW, LLB, ACSW Manager of Regulatory Practice, delivered the workshop, which will be offered again in September.

On June 5th, Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSW, Manager of Professional Affairs, attended the Youth Power job and career fair. This event was hosted by the Government of Alberta and other sponsors. Many youth dropped by ACSW’s booth to ask questions and collect information about our profession. Numerous social workers were involved in the development of this event, including Andres Arboleda, BSW, RSW, and MacEwan University social work field placement student,Lisa Maddex, SW Dip, RSW.

From our desk to yours continued on page 4 Lisa Maddex, Lori Sigurdson, and Andres Arboleda

Volume 39 • Issue 3 3 in the news toll free 1-800-661-3089. by emailat inthese groups,participating pleasecontactHeatherJohnson andMedicineHat.in Lethbridge Ifyou are interested in Justice/Social Action MemberInterest groupsare alsostarting of developing itsfocus, members. isrecruiting New Social Children’sThe Calgary IssuesGroup, which is intheprocess interest groups New Calgary, LethbridgeandMedicineHat (Counselling Psychology), RSW is amemberoftheGitksanNation, and Keynote speakers were was took placeinRedDeerJune 16thand17th. This year’s theme The 5th Annual Central Social Alberta Work Conference Central AlbertaSocialWork Conference CentralLibrary.at theCalgary Planning Social Justice Encounter2014: Social The Calgary Workers forSocialJustice the supported Calgary event magnificent Lindentree. year-end potluck. They are pictured here infront ofLori’s Interest Group Sigurdson’s gathered atLori homefora oftheEdmontonSocial Members Action forSocialJustice Edmonton events (cont.) Continued from page3 From ourdesktoyours Social Work: andTransformationAdvocacy, Empowerment enter. *Survey closesSept.19,2014. http://tinyurl.com/menqrm4 tag, and books. Pleasevisit messenger bag, travel mug, luggage include anACSW faux leather online survey towinprizesthat the What wouldyoulike to read in Share ideastowin . Over 200peopleattendedthisevent, heldMay 21st Advocate [email protected] ? Filloutourshort . Cindy Blackstock Affordable HousingandUrban , by phone780-421-1167or to Wanda Polzin , PhD (SocialWork) , PhD , PhD . , who 4 Save thedate! Plamondon, Heidi Jaeggin, Pat Power, George Jason, David Von Haller L toR:Barbara McPherson, Natasha Prihoda, LoriSigurdson, Marg Brown, Meagan September 30, 2014 The deadlinefor conference workshop submissionsis acsw.ab.ca/news_items/2015_annual_conference Workshop Proposal at SubmissionForm You candownload theCall for Proposals and communities ofit. issurely asignificantpart Whatever your fieldofpractice, ofcultivating theart or itmay focusonnewer frontiers suchaseco-socialwork. of ourprofession, group, suchasthe creation ofasupport Your proposal may focusontraditional psychosocialaspects connections beenmadeandwhatbenefitshave developed? communities thatwere nonexistentpreviously? How have of cultivating communities. How hasyour work created This year we are inviting proposals thatilluminate theart indeed, it’s theonlythingthatever has.” group ofthoughtful, committedcitizenscanchangetheworld; anthropologist Margaret Meadsaid, “Never doubtthatasmall tocreating ahealthycontributes environment. As renowned group advocating forsocialjustice, eachinitsown uniqueway group ofseniors, residents location, ofageographical oravirtual Communities This year ourconference themeis every day. Social Workers work withandinthecommunities they serve 2015 Conference Theme: March 26-28,2015,CalgaryTelus Convention Centre ACSW AnnualConference . Whether your community isinterdisciplinary, a . n

The Artof Cultivating Communities The ofCultivatingArt The Advocate .

• Fall 2014

regular feature n Richard Gregory Richard Please remind one another of the great work you see in see in you one another of the great work Please remind and offer support communities to members who your “Is there just need to ask, Sometimes we struggling. are in work No one should ever something I can do to help?” to help each responsibility a professional have We isolation. other. or questions. ideas, concerns, Please contact me with your and options, and over the next few months we will develop will develop months we the next few and over and options, to this issue. specific and implement a membership survey a strategy to develop A Council subcommittee is in place to facilitate this. our registrar and I had an opportunity ago, months A few a group of social to meet with a delegation representing countries been trained in different and who have workers to meet and hear a pleasure It was Alberta. practice in now of the expertise and appreciative I am very their concerns. Alberta bring practice in they to social work knowledge in programs social work our unlike am mindful that, but has no influence on the content of the social ACSW Alberta, will While we outside Canada. receive education they work for to use the entrance exam as a requirement continue can do to things we many are there I believe registration, who come to practice in mentor and support social workers I cannot imagine what it other jurisdictions. Alberta from home to pursue a life in a place my to leave be like would to what I be so different and climate may the culture where am used to. want to ensure all members are aware of the various positions all members aware to ensure are want 5 , vice-president, assumed responsibilities for me, and I and me, for responsibilities assumed , vice-president, Linda Golding MSc, RSW MSc, . Issue 3 •

President’s report President’s Gregory, Richard Richard Gregory is President of ACSW Council. He is He Council. ACSW of is President Gregory Richard Program Work Social the of instructor also chair and at Richard can contact You College. Hat at Medicine [email protected] of our members is the question of whether or not ACSW ACSW of our members is the question of whether or not Workers Association of Social the Canadian should rejoin We that this is still on our agenda. you I assure (CASW). provide feedback on our vision, mission and strategic goals. feedback on our vision, provide satisfactorily for some One of the issues not yet resolved this work and truly informed the process. I feel confident and truly informedthis work the process. by influenced strongly in a direction forward moving are we the time to those who took our membership and appreciate strategic goals for ACSW. Information during gathered the ACSW. strategic goals for a foundation for provided membership consultation process Prior to leaving for Africa pleased to be part of I was Prior for to leaving Council spent the strategic process. planning ACSW the and mission, deliberating the vision, days better part of two source of happiness. My return to Canada is always a time of My return to Canada is always of happiness. source reflection. village of Mwandi are—people who have few possessions few who have are—people village of Mwandi experience It is a humbling that brings me our standards. by back to existential questions of the purpose of life and the happiness from the accumulation of material possessions. All of material the accumulation happiness from possessions. the people in the happy the students commented on how Each time I return with gratitude and for the programs that our I am reminded Alberta. in here have services we focused on the quest of extrapolating is very culture Western appreciate her willingness to do this. this. to do willingness her appreciate During the months of May and June, I was on my fourth trip to Africa, my third with students. I with students. third my trip to Africa, fourth on my I was June, and May of months the During life- and amazing, as incredible, experience the described who with students am in full agreement absence, my During changing. President’s report President’s Volume 39 Volume regular feature to share yourthoughts on thisorany other topic. registrar for ACSW. Contact her at Lynn Labrecque King isthe executive director and competency program reporting is currently available,competency program iscurrently reporting we College, completerenewals, andmake payments online. While Once inplace, willbeable withthe to register members members, withproject completionanticipatedby early2015. Work isunderway for toimplementonlineservices ACSW Online servicesare coming! choose website. Selectthe Planonthe Please lookfortheDraftStrategic ACSW consultations. statements thatdraw inmember uponfeedbackgarnered goals fortheCollege, aswell asrevised visionandmission available tothemembership. Highlightsincludefourkey Once finalized, ACSW’s planwillbemade updatedstrategic ACSW website. throughwith membership email, theE-newsletter, andthe plan.draft strategic The planwas shared andinputrequested planningprocess astrategic andcreated anewundertook reach ondirection. agreements This pastquarter, Council they setgoals, anddesired outcomes, identifypriorities and activity fororganizationsas planning isacritical Strategic Strategic planning exciting updates for fall 2014. is akey month for important tasksinthe operation of ourcollege and committees. Here are some toward ourworkand projects. ACSW isinacontinual cycleof year-round projects and September For many of us, Septemberisatime tokick-off new endeavours and resume directing energy New endeavours, renewed energy Lynn Labrecque King, & registrar Executive director Council and Social Workers Strategic Plan2014 [email protected] MSW, RSW

drop-down menu and

. 6 developments! our growing membership. Stay tunedforpostingsonnew willofferto planandonlineservices that ourstrategic We are very excitedaboutthechangesandimprovements project.services redevelopment withthenew online willoccurconcurrently electronic features. communication andservices Website canexpecttoseeanewMembers lookwithupdated submit andtrackdocuments. anticipate thenew systemwillmake to iteasierformembers Strategic Plan2014 The Advocate Lynn Labrecque King • Fall 2014 regular feature

! Dolores McSharry Dolores Laurie Nelson Laurie tes 4, 2014 4, a

27, 2014 27, : :

: : D , who , Amandeep ecember ember ov algary D hese dmonton N C , , , , E Executive director Executive & registrar T Laurie Nelson , who is taking on the , ave hursday begins her family leave. begins her family leave. hursday S T T Holiday Socials n for providing excellent front-desk support over the support over excellent front-desk for providing Dolores McSharry Dolores McSharry Dolores administrative of professional role support assistant and will be providing while for the competence program Hurst Desiree Desiree! All the best in the coming year, and best wishes to Thank you Chahal summer. New Staff New Laurie Nelson in the role ACSW joined has recently of registration/online services support Laurie brings of a wealth analyst. experience in database and knowledge in role a key management and will play for improving project the web/database services to members. electronic Another warm welcome is extended to Another warm welcome A big welcome to A big welcome 7 Code and Standards of Practice Standards

– South [email protected] – North Issue 3 • are a core resource and always a good first-guide. If a good first-guide. and always resource a core are

[email protected] at or myself, [email protected] Charity Lui Heather Johnson

these key documents, call the ACSW office to speak with a office to speak with ACSW call the documents, these key on duty. social worker of Ethics seeking clarification questions or are after consulting have you within your own organizations, but to provide a resource a resource to provide but organizations, own within your for ideas and the opportunity to clarify practice social work the When questions arise, issues. who may occasionally contact the office for consultation. who may The purpose supervisor is not to replace or manager guidance or have questions that require clarification. ACSW staff have ACSW staff have clarification. questions that require or have colleagues to serve roster on duty” “social worker a developed Social worker on duty Social worker resource office is a ACSW the association, professional As your for members who encounter difficult situations in their practice In-House Notes Membership Activities Coordinator: Membership Activities Coordinator: If you have any questions about participating any budget in have If you please get in touch with your group, for your forecasting mid-November, the Finance Committee will bring the draft mid-November, Council. by for approval forward budget to prepare a recommended budget forecast for their group. for their group. forecast budget a recommended to prepare and considered reviewed are All submissions and requests In year. for the next calendar when drafting the budget Annually, legislative committees, standing committees, ad standing committees, committees, legislative Annually, invited groups are member interest and hoc committees, Budget forecasting Budget forecasting for September/October is the time I did mention exciting. Yes, budget. annual ACSW input into the member and committee Volume 39 Volume regular feature social work activity of istherestricted activities, activity thatappliesto indicatestheonlyrestricted Organization Act Government regulates many healthprofessions, includingsocial work. The by the This isdetermined activities ofpsychosocialintervention? restricted perform When doesasocialworker to require authorization However, asmall number of activities conducted byhealth professionals are restricted. work withcouples, orfacilitate agroup, it’simportant tobeaware thatthese are not restricted activities. Social workisahighly respected profession thatprovides psychosocial intervention. Ifyoucounsel youth, psychosocial intervention The restricted activityof By BruceLlewellyn Ethics in Action Practice/Complaints Director (South). Bruce Llewellynisthe ACSW Manager, Regulatory activity withtheexpectationoftreating asubstantialdisorder activity ofpsychosocialintervention meanstherestricted According tothe activity ofpsychosocialintervention.in therestricted disorder” intothe isincorporated testimony. The samewording usedtodefinea “mental andwhoisable toprovidewho isfittostandtrial expert demandsoflife.ordinary The (iii) capacitytorecognize reality, or(iv) abilitytomeetthe (i)judgement(ii)behavior thatgrosslyimpairs or memory substantial disorder ofthought, mood, perception, orientation, The intervention according toLegislative intent. activity ofpsychosocial therestricted toperform authorized College ofSocial Workers whoare identifiesmembers psychosocialintervention.perform However, the Alberta In ageneralizedway, yes, allsocialworkers, degrees, tovarious Do notallsocialworkers psychosocialintervention? perform hasgeneratedconfusionwithinourmembership.This term Mental Health Act Mental Government Organization Act Government definesa “mental disorder” asa , MSW, RSW Health Professions Act Health , whichcontainsalistofrestricted Mental Health Act Mental Government Organization Act Government psychosocial intervention psychosocial , therestricted , which addresses .

8 This restricted activity ismostoftenfoundinmentalhealth This restricted inducedpsychosis,drug orsevere depression andanxiety. of thought. Someexamplesmay betreating schizophrenia, toll-free in at1-800-661-3089.Alberta [email protected] require additionalinformation, pleasecontactmeviaemailat the applicationprocess foritsmembers. Inthe interim, ifyou Staff atthe ACSW officeare andsimplify working toclarify Application for Authorization for RestrictedActivities Resources ACSW website underthe are available andapplicationforms Information onthe social workers must applyforandreceive authorization. intervention. Inorder toprovide independently, thisservice disorder, isproviding activity ofpsychosocial therestricted disorder. The mentalhealththerapist, intreating asubstantial therapybegins withtheintentionoftreating theunderlying is amentalhealththerapist. The mentalhealththerapist counsellor referstheyouth toanothersocialworker who youth willnotbeable togainemployment. The employment mental healthproblem. Unlessthisproblem isaddressed, the social worker from thattheyouth asevere learns issuffering of psychosocialintervention activity. but notarestricted The toemployment.to identifyandremove barriers This isatype counsellor. Inthisposition, thesocialworker counsels youth Suppose asocialworker isemployed asayouth employment through thefollowing example. settings. The bestway toillustratethe difference may be andscroll down to or by calling 780-421-1167, ext266, or Social Workers More Information The Advocate Bruce Llewellyn n tab. Goto toaccess • Practice Fall 2014 . regular feature

Lori Sigurdson n [email protected] Feminism and Politics in Alberta: State of State of Alberta: Feminism and Politics in , University of Alberta Political Science professor Science professor Alberta Political of University , during the 1970s or the use of liberal pluralism in the 2003) (Harder, 1980s. Ralph Klein’s successful leadership bid and his Ralph Klein’s a state dealt of the provincial subsequent remaking Alberta. organizing in series to women’s of mortal blows in social spending, Dramatic and far-reaching reductions of the legitimacywholesale rejection of claimsmaking and sector, groups not associated with the business by demands on the unpaid labour of women the increased to undermineserved feminist organizing in a manner the resort to formalunparalleled by equality deployed Yes, gender inequality is a wicked problem. is a wicked gender inequality Yes, to contact me at Please feel free questions or comments. with any Women make 68 cents on the man’s dollar (Statistics Canada, dollar (Statistics Canada, 68 cents on the man’s make Women experience women high rates a social standpoint, From 2013). Shelters, of domestic violence (Alberta Council of Women’s in the form work the amount of unpaid 2013) and do double 2013). and cooking (Sandberg, house-keeping, of caregiving, In her seminal volume, the Struggle for women explains that things got worse Lois Harder as leader of the Progressive election after Ralph Klein’s Conservatives: Institute and other sponsors, ACSW is supporting research is supporting research ACSW Institute and other sponsors, social policy recommendations that has a goal to develop an From Alberta. face in to mitigate the challenges women Alberta has the largest that know we economic standpoint, wages. disparity men and women’s in the country between 9 MSW, RSW MSW, Issue 3 •

the impact may take years to show up. to show years take the impact may solutions; the effects of any policy changes are policy changes are the effects of any solutions; if successful, and even and uncertain; unpredictable interventions from many levels of government, and and of government, levels many from interventions is there sectors; and private the community from on effective evidence little agreement or conclusive issues are seen as “wicked” problems in policy in policy problems “wicked” as seen issues are by “solved” cannot be This means that they circles. require but there, or an investment here a program fundamental economic and social structures of fundamental economic and social structures of These kinds of complex social capitalist society. shaped by many interdependent factors, all all factors, interdependent many shaped by in the and deeply rooted constantly changing,

Social Justice Social Lori Sigurdson, Social Action/ Social ran in the last provincial election and is a candidate for the upcoming one. upcoming the for is a candidate and election last provincial in the ran to is Alberta’s gender inequality. Along with the Parkland Parkland Along with the gender inequality. Alberta’s to is She gets. she every chance leadership female boldly promotes Lori Sigurdson life. dedicated resources has recently ACSW problem One wicked Yes, these wicked problems are part of our day-to-day work work part are of our day-to-day problems these wicked Yes, are complex and difficult to resolve. The Wellesley Institute Wellesley The resolve. and difficult to complex are stating these (2011) offers detailed explanation, a more are: problems As social work professionals, we work with what some call work we professionals, As social work that The short definition is—problems problems. wicked inhibit your clients from moving forward. Understanding the forward. moving clients from inhibit your assist in work may work with in social we significant issues frustration. your alleviating sophisticated analysis of the challenges and reasons they exist. exist. they reasons sophisticated analysis of the challenges and frustrated the barriers to be also continue by may that You aren’t my clients able to make ends meet, despite doing the best they can? can? they best the doing despite meet, ends able to make clients my aren’t a more have may you of practice, after years Today, Do you remember those innocent questions you had when you first began in the social work work social you first began in the you had when questions innocent those Do you remember Why is so difficult? this situation come How services? gaps in many so there are Why profession? Wicked problems Wicked Volume 39 Volume Diploma Dialogue

Colleen Courtoreille, MSW, RSW, and Denise Smith, MSW, RSW Northern Lakes College, Slave Lake

feature Practicum challenges in northern Alberta

When you consider six small towns located hundreds of kilometres apart, limited options for practicum placements, and social work students entering the workforce

regular in communities where they know a great deal of people—you have a recipe for both challenges and rewards.

Northern Lakes College (NLC) delivers the social work diploma program to six communities in northern Alberta: Slave Lake, Grouard/High Prairie, Peace River, Wabasca/ Desmarais, High Level, and Valleyview. The distance to supervise and maintain practicum placements in such a large service area can see agencies overtaxed, sometimes leading to high turnover. These situations require faculty field liaisons to make time to train new supervisors and form new relationships with agency staff.

Northern Alberta winter weather and road conditions can work program. This leads some to question their own future also cause unpredictable upsets, leading to rescheduled and whether social work is truly the profession they wish to practicum meetings, placement breakdowns, and in some embrace. cases, less time available to invest in forming new agency relationships. Due to limited options within some service Despite the roadblocks, faculty and students also enjoy areas, securing an alternate practicum placement for a student rewards. Once relationships are formed between the college, can be extremely difficult. Students might need to travel to faculty, and agency staff, practicum placements can be secured neighboring towns or communities, or accept a placement much more quickly and with positive outcomes. Agency staff outside their specific area of interest. play a vital role in educating future practitioners. Through collaboration and teamwork, the NLC Social Work program Practicum students may also face a variety of complexities is able to meet these challenges and incorporate new and surrounding dual relationships. Connections to family and creative ways to provide meaningful practicums for northern community members may confront them in new ways as they students. n become involved in the workforce, causing them to question Colleen Courtoreille and Denise Smith are Northern Lakes College Social Work their personal and professional identities. Some students have diploma program faculty. confided that their previously established relationships have changed as a result of their learning and growth in the social

10 The Advocate • Fall 2014 regular feature

➔ to view: Stephanie Wellings Stephanie Private Practice Private ➔ Members Services/Activities Services/Activities Members ➔ n Social Workers Social Workers 2014 Private Practice Roster 2014 Private Practice 2014 Report for Renewal Annual wishing Roster Members Practice Private of 2014 list give consultation/supervision. and to receive Member Interest Groups Groups Member Interest • • • The ACSW Private Practice web page has been updated. has been updated. web page Private Practice ACSW The Select: isn’t to hold a nine to five job with weekends off, because a off, weekends job with to hold a nine to five isn’t practice I’m in private time. need more suicidal client may the work I feel I need to do me the freedom because it gives face they and find their clients end the wars I love—helping for becoming reasons Each of us has our own freedom. own and for the timing within our careers. practitioners, private for entering consider good reasons private What do you practice? Conversation with others in private practice has shown me with others practice has shown in private Conversation us to find a niche—a part of the that our practices allow knowledge more This leads us to gain that is dear to us. work Some with our clients. to do good work in order in our area that the of us choose to specialize while others discover we learned in school and All the things specialty finds them. skills and life as do our own training come into play, through and about The clients teach us about themselves experiences. on. this knowledge pass and we ourselves, to become practice? It isn’t go into private do we Why and often bono work of us do some pro because many rich, It could in other parts of the profession. less than we make 11 , MSW, RSW , MSW, Issue 3 •

Stephanie Wellings is a social worker in private practice in private practice worker is a social Wellings Stephanie its effects. and trauma in post-addiction specializing paperwork seems endless, and because I work alone, the alone, and because I work seems endless, paperwork camaraderie found in an agency does not exist. over my hours and choice of clientele. my over Sometimes the sides. some down of course, are, There to meet six to eight clients in a day, and address a much more more a much and address to meet six to eight clients in a day, me better control practice allows Private varied set of issues. can better serve clients when I see fewer people for longer clients when I see fewer can better serve I often feel After four trauma sessions, periods in a day. counseling agencies expect social workers many Yet drained. into private practice? There are multiple reasons. One is reasons. multiple are There practice? into private of This type with trauma clients. well I work discovering I find I sessions longer than 50 minutes. often requires work After spending many years in business and coming to in business years After spending many me go someone like would why later in life, social work trust I will not take their power, as many have in their lives, but but in their lives, have as many their power, trust not take I will and dignity. power will instead assist them in gaining their own way of yielding to their own growth process as they learn as they process growth of yielding to their own way I feel privileged when and the world. to trust themselves how They a week. if only for one session clients offer me trust, tools. Of course we use the methods we have been taught have the methods we use Of course we tools. I can only say I use, and when someone asks me which ones singular needs—a different because all clients have “eclectic,” but does not have to remain, their “now.” We do not do this do not We “now.” their to remain, does not have but and caring our greatest because empathy are unscathed, work pain, we must address it. We must stand alongside and go stand alongside must We it. address must we pain, into better their situation, through walk with them as they understanding of what has been, and hopefully acceptance alongside our clients, helping them find the tools to live a better life, and sometimes just to live. just sometimes and tools to live a better life, the find them helping our clients, alongside clients ease their to help in order Our job is not an easy one: offices, we see war going on within our clients, causing ceaseless, senseless pain as they strive strive they pain as senseless ceaseless, causing clients, on within our war going we see offices, that war we fight in private practice, clinicians As self-worth. of a sense and sanity, normalcy, for The freedom of private practice private of The freedom In our starving. children and needlessly with people dying place, war is taking given time, any At Private Practice Page Practice Private Wellings By Stephanie Volume 39 Volume regular feature work, Sato, andChrista studentand research undergraduate as well as and June Clark, from inEdmonton, HealthServices Alberta The teamincludesShireen Surood, Mummery, Christine groupsdifficulty fortheseofmenandboys.” different attitudes, culturalandreligious creates great trait. This, combinedwithracism, and language barriers, help- orcare-seeking isgenerallyperceived asafeminine that was disappointingtosee,” says Guruge. “We know that “Given thegrowing inCanada, populationofimmigrants nodatalooksattheissuefromvirtually agenderperspective. mental illness, andracializedpopulations. andimmigrant Also, little research hasbeenconductedinCanadaaround stigma, of Social Work, associate dean, (research). Henotesthatvery says Este, whoserves astheUniversity ofCalgary, Faculty “We’ve hadinterest intheproject from across thecountry,” withintheir communities. support and activismwillbeinvolved, sectors tobuild mentalhealth from Asia. from Community leaders faith-based, media, art, because they have thelargestpopulationsofimmigrants living inCalgary, Toronto, and Vancouver—cities chosen development. Itwillencompassabout2,200menandboys education, knowledge tofacilitate building andskill stigma;reduce internalized andcontact-basedempowerment stigma interventions—acceptance commitmenttraining, to The project involves studyingtheeffectiveness oftwo anti- By NatalieDawes U of Cupdates visit the Faculty’swebsiteat fsw.ucalgary.ca of Calgary’s Facultyof Social Work. You canreach her [email protected] or Natalie Dawesisthe manager of communications and marketing at the University and professor, SepaliGuruge professors and co-principal investigators David Este stigma of mental illness among men and boysinAsian communities. The teamincludes University of CalgarySocial Work A multi-disciplinary teamof researchers isconducting aninnovative research project withafocus onreducing the illness among menand boys in Asian communities Researchers aimto reduce stigma of mental Lana Wells , MSW, RSW, , BPR , RN,BScN,MSc, PhD, associateprofessor ofsocial of RyersonUniversity. , PhD,RSW, 12 and Daniel Lai from theMovember Foundation. The research ismadepossible through a$3million grant communities.” will make adifference inthelives ofCanadiansandour the FacultyofSocial Work’s commitmenttoresearch that mental illness,” says Este. “This project exampleof isa great “Everyone winswhenwe reduce thestigmaassociated with intheirownanti-stigma efforts culturalcommunities. whowilltake rolesambassadors onleadership inbuilding They aimtoengageboys andmentobecomementalhealth research. agencies, in Toronto and Vancouver, are alsoinvolved in the institutions, andmentalhealthcommunity-based co-investigators from academic andcollaborators various assistant, bothfrom theUniversity ofCalgary. Additional Este, and ChristaSato,met inCalgaryearlier thisyear. Photo caption: Part of the research team,Shireen Surood, SepaliGuruge, Dave , PhD, and willbeledbyprincipal investigator n The Advocate • Fall 2014 regular feature Evgeny Shabash Evgeny Slupek Allison Hillary St Martin Marie Brandie Arya Sumesh Taschuk Leanne Valerie Thibeault Tegan Karissa A Thomson Candace Travis Larissa Ian Vaughan Virk Navneet Walter Wayne Mark Warowicki Adrianna Diana Weir Holly Jessica Williams James Taylor Youngquist Elizabeth Sophia Elizabeth Yusep Mary Zamiruddin Dayna Alycia Ziegler Frances Andrea Launa Charlene Patrick Charlene Launa Pfiffig Christine Nathalie Philip Sheena Pilot Michelle Jenna Poirier Alexandra Chelsea Power Deanna Stephanie Rahmani Shazia Elizabeth Reed Jessica Ri Kei Richard Charlene Ros Naryrath Schachinger Claudia Seidel Marie Dana for details. for greberwritingaward.com Nanaquawetung Oliphant Osmond Roden McLaren Wanted: social justice writers Wanted: the for applying consider justice, write about social If you to was established It Award. Writers Freelance Dave Greber portray that on projects writers working freelance empower projects. magazine book or through issues justice social Visit Margaret Ellen Mitchell Ellen Margaret Moore Erin Madison Murrell Richard Cody Mustus Rosanne Vicent Lincoln Ndobegang Asongafeh Neiman Lana Olyssa Lum Ngwa Eveline Oberiko Christopher Lea-Anne Stephanie Osborne Anne Timena Danielle Sara Julie Palani Shenow Palmer Teri Parmar Harnoor Lisa Marie Maddex Lisa Marie Al Mamun Md Sumon Manoj Jose Josmy Mariak Christine Tammy Masood Lina Mathew Binu Mazwi Nomathemba Lynn McBride Jennifer Rae McKenzie Athena Marie Sarah Megan McVey Chris James 13 Longacre Lambert Langvand Madeleine Lonappan Kirkpatrick McLean Gallant Brittany Samantha Samantha Brittany Lamoureux Louise Anne Marie Kassandra Large Aurora Chantel Leeuw Elisabeth Marretje Lenzen Lasca Lee Mulavarickal Joby Margaret Kimberly Kristen Nicole Immel Kristen Nicole Jackson Curtis Lane Jessop Marie Sheila Sanil John Kardar Asif Komal Kieser Maria Petra Evelyn Barbara Hilary Renju Korath Kozlowski Carrie Janine Stacey Labelle Jennifer Karyn Paige Giesbrecht Paige Karyn Haggarty Renae Shannon Haji Aliya Samira Hampson Anne Hanson Ester Jean Harrison Michelle Jayna Heaton Joseph Gerald Hosack Mae Leanne Hoselton Hunter Jill Howse- Anne Carrie Jennifer Maragret Flynn Maragret Jennifer Leah Fox Bethany Gale Anne Jo Ashley Grace Anita Shannon M. Galotta Carolyn Anju George Gidosh Lynn Sara

Issue 3 •

Ighodaro

Membership as of of as Membership 7, 2014: 7,159 August New RSWs New Jessica Mary Fawcett Mary Jessica Firth Adam Jerald Floccari Sabrina Ese Agnes Ero Ese Agnes Evans Lynne Rhea Deborah Adebola Emmanuel- Adebola Deborah Engstrom Kelk Jane Sandra Emily Victoria Diaczun Emily Victoria Dorosz Patricia Stefanie Elanhikuzhy Paul George Morgan Lea DeMone Lea Morgan Desroches C. Carolanne Rae Deutscher Alyssa Casey Joyce Dacyk Casey Joyce Lee Demerchant Timothy Nyasha Cheryl Chidamahiya Nyasha Cheryl Chowdhury Nath Shambhu Beverly Coveny Krystal Jeffery John Manley Chalifoux Manley John Jeffery Ruth Chan Jessica Chan Mei-Yuk Peggy Sarah Elizabeth Carson Elizabeth Sarah Casey Adrian Adam Chacko Kelananickal Stephen Heather Leigh Anne Campbell Anne Leigh Heather Caputo Julie Allie Penny Boyer Penny Burke Marie Leanne Calvert Cathleen Leanne Jennie Lora-Lynn Blue Lora-Lynn Jennie Blums Elizabeth Tamarya Body Chelsea Jennifer Lee Bender Jennifer Bhattacharya Anindita Bird Pelly Mallory Christina Kathleen Anne Belanger Anne Kathleen Bell Davies Michael Bello Usamot Omoniyi Rachel Lyn Albiez Rachel Allan Anne Lindsay Marjorie Marie Aiken Marie Marjorie Volume 39 Volume Meet your area

coordinators Joan Marie Galat

By Joan Marie Galat, Advocate Editor article Volunteers are at the heart of ACSW’s work. While ACSW has fewer than 20 staff members, they are supported e by hundreds of members who volunteer their time to work on Council, committees and interest groups.

ACSW’s nearly 40 area coordinators are registered social workers who volunteer to serve as leaders in their geographical area. They are responsible for hosting continuing competence workshops, and organizing social events. Area coordinators also featur participate in local events such as job fairs. They were instrumental in assisting ACSW during the 2013 membership consultation process.

Altaf Ali, MSW, RSW Caseworker with Government of Alberta, Human Services Area coordinator in Edson region for 3 years Why did you become an area coordinator? I wanted to be a part of an institution that governs our practice as social workers and felt it was my duty to contribute towards the advancement of my profession. As there were no area coordinators in the Edson region at the time, I thought it was important for the ACSW to establish a presence here to coordinate and promote activities, so members can be engaged.

What are your favorite parts about the role? Why are area coordinators important? Favorite parts are being the catalyst of innovative ideas and Area coordinators can play an integral role in fashioning the the opportunity to bring the community together under the image of ACSW and the profession of social work. They social work umbrella. It places me in a position to represent provide a bridge between the College and its members by the ACSW in a manner consistent with our code of ethics arranging local activities, which allow the ACSW to connect and be at the forefront of change and current trends within with local communities and its members in a personal our profession. One of the most rewarding aspects is being manner, thereby enhancing the importance of social work. able to organize professional and social activities for our How has serving as an area coordinator impacted your career? members and the community of Edson. Being a part of the ACSW and the support they provide What kind of events have you hosted? encouraged me to be a better social worker. The experiences This year we held the fourth Social Work Week Ethnic I gained helped me to take on leadership roles within the Luncheon. It brings the community together to Government of Alberta. Subsequently, I hosted three commu- commemorate Social Work Week and enjoy a variety of food nity forums around shaping Alberta’s future and recently gradu- from around the world. ated from the Government of Alberta Leadership Program.

In the past, I assisted in organizing an event that saw Lori What do you do in your spare time? Sigurdson present on the Social Policy Framework. I also I serve as chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Edson, chair of collaborated with Family School Liaisons in Edson during the AUPE Area Council, and as a board member of Family and Child Abuse Awareness Month to create understanding and Community Support Services. In my extra spare time, I take awareness of child abuse. my family to Jasper to enjoy the beautiful Canadian Rockies. •

14 The Advocate • Fall 2014 infeature the news article •

Continued on page 16

• How has serving career? How impacted your as an coordinator area of employment area outside my social workers met many I have and am enriched their experiences by and enthusiasm. time? spare do in your What do you summer and fall outdoor family, time with my I enjoy and home life. reading, activities, step up to the plate and be a leader at events, which has step up to the plate and be a leader at events, role. Worker Family School Liaison carried into my over time? spare do in your What do you and spend time with friends. do yoga, out, I work Why are area coordinators important? coordinators area are Why and development organize opportunities for professional We our profession. to promote ways create has serving career? impactedHow your as an coordinator area had to I have improved. leadership skills have my I believe 15

Angela Lindsay, BSW, RSW BSW, Angela Lindsay, Division Catholic School with Edmonton Liaison Worker) School (Family Worker School Social 2.5 years for region in Edmonton coordinator Area an coordinator? area become did you Why a great opportunity for me to get and it provides being a social worker I’m passionate about profession. the social worker with promoting involved parts favorite aboutWhat your are the role? to be part fun of a group of It’s development. opportunities creating professional for I enjoy successful activities. achieve to together and work their profession people who love What are your favorite parts favorite What about your are the role? No one else thinks like association. feel supported their professional Helping rural by social workers in rural communities. social workers David Brady, BSW, RSW BSW, David Brady, Services Child and Family Alberta Supervisor with Central Casework 7 years House region in Rocky Mountain for coordinator Area an coordinator? become area did you Why I to benefit its members. not doing more was Workers Alberta of Social College upset the I was called Lori and she suggested I step up to help rather than criticize to complain Sigurdson from as a ACSW the to be accepted by I agreed that made sense so began the process the sidelines. coordinator. Rocky Mountain House area Issue 3 •

becoming a direct link between the front line and the ACSW. line and the the front link between becoming a direct Why are area coordinators important? coordinators area are Why in the local area, ACSW bring coordinators Area life to the Category A full and half-day training, the annual holiday holiday the annual training, A full and half-day Category events. Week Worker and Social celebration events, We’re focused on systemic views on how a person’s environment impacts their lives and see the deficits, but search for the socialbut search and see the deficits, impacts their lives environment a person’s on how focused on systemic views We’re important. what’s that’s Sometimes, get each other. We support in times of need. to provide safety network hosted? you have What kind of events Work Week celebrations. Pub nights have offered a great way a great way offered Pub nights have celebrations. Week Work capacities. in different with social workers to network Our group has hosted Category A professional development development A professional has hosted CategoryOur group Social and pub nights, social, holiday the annual workshops, I believe in celebrating our profession. Our area coordinator coordinator Our area profession. in celebrating our I believe part in all or most events all take as a team and we group works offered. What kind of events have you hosted? you have What kind of events Volume 39 Volume feature article writing and editing services though MoonDot Media ( Joan Marie Galatisthe contributing editorof the Scooby, isalsoatreat! quiet evening withagoodbook, aglassofwine, andmy cat, new restaurants andpubs, atthelake. andlazyafternoons A events,sporting andtheatre, aswell aslive music, trying I enjoy takinginlocalactivities suchasconcerts, festivals, doyouWhat doinyour spare time? increased success. and whenI’ve neededto advocate forclients, I’ve enjoyed social work practicehave risen, I’ve hadtremendous support social workers toourcommunity. When challengesrelated to andhavesupports towelcome hadtheopportunity new I’ve beenable toexpandmy network ofcontactsand area coordinator asan yourHow impacted career? hasserving isanecessity.and accessible opportunities Our community canfeelisolated. Providing local, relevant, socialworkersMcMurray tofeelconnectedonalargerscale. forward tothe bring issuesandconcerns ACSW allows Fort andchallenges.opportunities Having localrepresentatives that Each community isdiverse andpresents itsown setof Area coordinators provide avoice tolocalsocialworkers. Why are area coordinators important? event warm, offers festive cheer! topics related tohealthandwellness. Ourannual holiday We have organizedCategory on A trainingopportunities ofevents kind What have you hosted? Continued from page15 yourMeet area coordinators

n connected hasbeenvery rewarding forme. and provided whenI’ve peersupport neededit. toget others Being connectedandsupporting Being anarea coordinator hasallowed forclients andsupport metoofferincreased opportunities therole? are yourWhat about favorite parts and networking. I wanted tofeelmore connectedtofellow socialworkers andhelporganizelocaltraining, events, Why didyou becomearea coordinator? an Area coordinator inFort McMurray region for 4years Support andWellness CounsellorwithSomeOtherSolutions Janene Hickman,BSW, RSW Advocate www.joangalat.com . She offers freelance ).

16 Hat, Peace River, and throughout rural Alberta. Area coordinators are particularly needed inMedicine or toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-661-3089 Phone: 780-421-1167 [email protected] Heather Johnson [email protected] or Charity Lui please contact: If you are interested inbecoming anarea coordinator, Area coordinators are currently Whitecourt Slave Lake Red Deer Lethbridge Jasper High Prairie Grande Prairie Edson Cold Lake Bonnyville Calgary , BSW, RSW , SW Dip, RSW located in: (Northern Alberta)

St. Paul Rocky Mountain House Mayerthorpe Lac La Biche Hinton High Level Fort McMurray Edmonton (Southern Alberta) The Advocate , • Fall 2014 feature article

Jean Lafrance Jean . Ruth Scalp Lock and Jim . Ruth Scalp Lock and Alberta College of Social Workers: Workers: Social of College Alberta twitter.com/ACSWSocialWork

Alberta College of Social Workers videos: Workers Social of Alberta College the Alberta College of Social Workers: Workers: Social of Alberta College the The Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice: Justice: Social for Workers Calgary Social The Follow

Like facebook.com/AlbertaCollegeofSocialWorkers Watch Watch Like facebook.com/CalgarySocialWorkersForSocialJustice 17 youtube.com/channel/UCnVUlUIoP5T3VJ9tXeIQbkA/videos ACSW is on Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube! Twitter, is on Facebook, ACSW , co-author and social , ■

, MSW, RSW , MSW,

Issue 3 •

Reviewed by Jean Lafrance, PhD, RSW Jean Lafrance, by Reviewed My Name is Shield Woman: is Shield Name My Leadership and Vision, Healing, Road to A Hard Book review: Book universal appeal to those who are not, but who but not, appeal to those who are universal wish to understand. This is a book that appeals to Indigenous Americas and holds the people throughout as interludes to inject his thoughts and steals the limelight from and never observations, the main character. worker from Calgary, keeps himself in the keeps Calgary, from worker what he describes and provides background, The intensity of the book is relieved by Ruth’s Ruth’s by The intensity of the book is relieved sense of humor and self-deprecation. wonderful Jim Pritchard devotion, humility and willingness to risk for Indigenous is not only a model devotion, in our suffering a difference world. for each of us who hope to make but people, Ruth definitely lives up to her name as Awo Taanaakii—Shield Woman. The Woman. Taanaakii—Shield Awo up to her name as Ruth definitely lives and fearless loving patience and persistence, combination of humor and pathos, those who still suffer from life’s vicissitudes. As a leader, a politician, friend and and friend a politician, a leader, As life’s vicissitudes. still suffer from who those story inspires. her a healer, people revives my hope for so many Indigenous people who have gone through through have gone who people Indigenous so many for hope my people revives patience and to serve with persistence back with a dedication come and hell, who has overcome all that life has thrown at her, and come back as a heroine a heroine back as come and at her, all that life has thrown has overcome who her life in serving her phase of recent most The people. to her protector and I have been learning about the lives of Indigenous people for many years, and and years, many people for Indigenous lives of about the I have been learning oppression, trauma, of is one Woman Shield story of The gem. is a this one a woman story of This is the redemption. of and streets life on the addiction, Pritchard (2014). Available from Amazon.ca from (2014). Available Pritchard My Name Is Shield Woman: A Hard Road to Healing, Vision, and Leadership Road to Hard A My Name Is Shield Woman: Jean Lafrance is an associate professor at the Faculty at the professor is an associate Lafrance Jean Calgary. of University Work, Social of Volume 39 Volume article feature feature

Alberta Premier Dave Hancock, left, and Faculty of Social Work Dean Jackie Sieppert were among the government and university leaders taking part in the announcement about the details of an investment in new measures to strengthen child protection in Alberta. Photo by Riley Brandt, University of Calgary TRAINING Child Intervention Workers

By Joan Marie Galat, Advocate editor

As you read this, approximately 8,000 of Alberta’s most vulnerable citizens—children and youth—are in care under the province’s child intervention system. It’s a system that has faced closer scrutiny since the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal published the “Fatal Care” series that revealed under-reported deaths and questioned the flaws that have tragically seen 145 children die in foster care since 1999.

In January, Human Services Minister Manmeet Bhullar announced a five-point plan that includes tackling the root causes of many of the issues that impact children, such as poverty, addictions, sexual abuse, mental health concerns and family violence.

The plan, which includes improving education, training opportunities, and support for child intervention workers, will see casework practice strengthened this fall as the Alberta government provides the University of Calgary with $1.3 million to expand opportunities within the Faculty of Social Work. The funds, which will enable more new social workers to be trained and other social workers to obtain higher degrees, will be applied toward a new child intervention focus. Through online

18 The Advocate • Fall 2014 feature article Lori Continued on page 20 “However, due to the high turnover rate due to the high turnover “However, , MSW, RSW. RSW. , MSW, training are complementary, they are not the same. “The not the same. are they complementary, training are a agencies should also have education but faculty provides is a The best preparation specific job training program. very That training. specific in-house degree and very social work training needs to be congruent and ethics of with the values profession.” the social work been that supervisors may have less education than those they less education than those they been that supervisors have may is the employer a vicious cycle because It’s supervising. are which makes degrees, people with non-relevant to hire forced less inclined to enter this area.” even social workers harder lean may “An untrained worker Herbert suggests social work while someone with on the policy manual The to meeting needs. creativity education will apply more the agency staff is totally dependent on nonprofessional building lack the they definition, so by get, training they have.” that trained social workers blocks to choose candidates a larger pool of social work “Having within child will certainly their employment increase from Affairs, Professional Manager, ACSW says welfare, Sigurdson and challenges of this field of practice the many caused by recruitment is the systemic difficulties within the Ministry, to retain an organization that is able Developing not enough. service for vulnerable is crucial to improved social workers Alberta families.” Herbert specific points out that while education and job Social workers make up only 40 percent of the current up only 40 percent make Social workers of and students see the number in child welfare employees as another with degrees outside social work people employed graduates and anxious to get idealistic “New are drawback. “But they Herbert, says skills,” and use their new out there setting professional as a very welfare child perceive don’t people with so many are that there aware very because they’re A historical has problem no or lesser training in this field. 19

” Margot Margot , PhD, RSW, Jackie Sieppert is a retired professor from the University of the University from professor is a retired Issue 3 • , MSW, RSW, , MSW,

Child protection practice hand any we role the most challenging is perhaps

domestic violence. — Jackie Sieppert — Jackie domestic violence. of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional maltreatment, and parental addiction and parental neglect, maltreatment, emotional abuse, sexual of physical abuse, problems, in addition to systemic issues such as poverty, homelessness, and exposure to to exposure and homelessness, poverty, issues such as systemic to in addition problems, professional in our society. That work is inherently complex, and the cases touch on layers and the cases on layers complex, is inherently touch work That our society. in professional with organizational and systemic issues, are what prevent a what prevent are with organizational and systemic issues, doing the job well.” from social worker people both with and without social work degrees, Herbert degrees, people both with and without social work along work environment, deficits in the “On the whole, feels, New graduates concernedNew are that when a child protection not be supported their by may they case becomes public, that incompetency exists in While acknowledging employer.” Another obstacle is that “Students looking at their employment “Students looking at their employment Another obstacle is that a mistake. make afraid of what will happen if they options are clinical practice in the child protection system, Herbert notes, Herbert notes, system, clinical practice in the child protection clinical more think of a practice setting that requires “I can’t skills than child welfare.” allow social workers to use relationship-based practice.” And practice.” to use relationship-based social workers allow no opportunity to do there’s perceive while graduates may problems in Alberta has been that, for a number of reasons, of reasons, for a number Alberta has been that, in problems “Child in child welfare. to work felt drawn students haven’t often too large to Caseloads are work. is hard protection Herbert for who taught child welfare Work, Faculty of Social Calgary, one of the basic She says the faculty. with 15 of her 25 years Creating the opportunity the Creating for BSW students to participate is heartening. focused program in a child protection specific programming intended to supportspecific programming our child Alberta.” in work intervention of Calgary. “This funding creates capacity for us to think “This funding creates of Calgary. additional curricula about developing tailored and more will use this opportunity to develop We programming. allows the faculty than simply graduate to do more increased allows says numbers of social workers,” University Work, of Social Faculty and Dean, Professor of social work students. of social work BSW and MSW seats new funding to create “Provincial another 75 students will be accepted into the program. In will be accepted into the program. another 75 students for 25 additional masters space will be available 2015, January learning, 25 new students and social work practitioners will social work students and 25 new learning, 2017/18, and by of social work, to obtain a bachelor be able

Volume 39 Volume “ feature article Continued from page19 Training child intervention workers “supporting theireducationtoprovide“supporting theknowledge and this area anatural career choiceforpotentialstudents by prepared childprotection workforce willinvolve making theprovince feelsthatensuring ishome tothebest- Sieppert confident intheir own skills. Otherwise, theclientsloseout.” staff, thatfeelgoodaboutthework they’re doingandfeel tovulnerable peopleisawellservice trained, well-educated more effective withclients,” says Herbert, “The key togood satisfaction. are goingtobemuch“Staff whofeelsupported the practicesothatsocialworkers more job experience better ensure meaningfuleducationforstudentsandimprove toprovideThe opportunity inputwillallow to participants delivery model.” recommendations regarding theprogram’s and structure says Sieppert. “The taskforce willalsobeoffering aconcentrationonchildintervention,” thatoffers degree work educationmandate. “The result willbeanaccredited thatthenationalaccreditation standards forsocial curricula It willalsolookathow tobestmaptheseneedsagainstthe needs ofsocialwork studentsfocusingonchildprotection. force theexactlearning withtheuniversity todetermine The governmentAlberta hascommittedtoestablishing atask withcompetentandethicalsocialwork practice.”congruent employing systemcreate conditionsforpracticethatare more commitment togoodethicalpractice. Facultycanhelpthe move. “It hastobenefitbothsidesandthere needstobea feelsthata meaningful collaborationisavery positiveHerbert on forCaseworkers toFlourish Cornerstone willimprove.”service Thenew report, called throughif staffare supervision, supported appropriate client to theiremployment retention,” says Sigurdson. “Ultimately, socialworkers andthereforesupport withintheministry lead improvements.supervision ofthisresearch isto “The purpose research thatidentifiesandmakes recommendations for ofHumanServices,Ministry hasjustcompletedfurther front-line staffreceive. The ACSW, from withsupport the Kinjerski Environments thatHelpSocial Workers Thrive ACSW published After researching turnover andretention challenges, the acsw.ab.ca , PhD,RSW, . Flourishing inChildProtection:Flourishing Creating which looks at the quality of supervision which looksatthequalityofsupervision

, isavailable fordownload (2012)by Supervision: The Val Val 20 has “committed toworking withgovernment many torecruit skills tobeeffective professionals.” Henotesthatthefaculty writing and editing services though MoonDot Media ( Joan Marie Galatisthe contributing editorof the have alottobeproud ofassocial workers!” point inournation’s where socialwork history willshine. We confident betterdays are ahead. at a “Ithink we are arriving and childprotection isencouraging. services is Sieppert The collective commitmenttoimprove socialwork education exposure todomesticviolence.” addition tosystemicissuessuchaspoverty, homelessness, and emotional maltreatment, andparental addictionproblems, in touch onlayers ofphysical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, Sieppert. “That work isinherently complex, andthecases role we handany professional inoursociety,” observes “Child protection practiceisperhapsthemostchallenging training inthesameareas,” says Sieppert. forongoingprofessionalincreased opportunities development create increased opportunities. “We canthenmatchthatwith a specificconcentrationonchildintervention practiceand child protection practice. This will enable studentstodevelop to thatdirectly focusontopicsofimportance opportunities todevelopHuman Services andlearning additionalcourses The FacultyofSocial Work hasoffered towork with Alberta professional development toward opportunities thesegoals. will beworking withtheprovincial government tocreate As well ascreating opportunities, degree theuniversity them tobecomecapable childprotection professionals.” new socialworkers tochildprotection andtohelpeducate and youthincare. participation, train mentors, and match them withchildren agencies inEdmonton, Calgary, and RedDeertoencourage sense of community. Funding isinplacefor community cultural experiences and help young peoplefeela greater cultural communities, wants participants toshare their particularly seeksmentors from Aboriginal and ethno- and youthof similarbackgrounds. The program, which #8000mentors In July, AlbertaHuman Services launched the people incare Other initiatives tosupportyoung campaign toconnect mentors withchildren The Advocate Advocate www.joangalat.com . She offers freelance n • Fall 2014 ). featurefeature article article

Joan Marie Galat Marie Joan

21 A Day in the Life in the A Day Continued on page 22 Editor Advocate , David MacMainDavid is a 45-year-old social worker hired hired social worker is a 45-year-old

, BSW, RSW, RSW, , BSW, Issue 3

• and Safe Communities Initiative and Safe Communities By Joan Marie Galat Marie By Joan

A typical day for David means arriving for David A typical day at the office an hour to ground in the morning— out what I “I like figure early. [Community Services] can leave them feeling beaten and Services][Community can leave a hit to their self-esteem at the take don’t They defeated. library.” attached to it. It’s seen as a place where 'normal’ people go. people go. 'normal’ as a place where seen It’s attached to it. to access our services feel free without that sense of People Street Boyle while visiting a place like themselves,’ ‘lowering in positive ways. ways. in positive stigmas “The library is not a place that has negative services, as well as a degree from the University of Victoria, of the University Victoria, as a degree from as well services, he finds the library setting impacts the integritywork of the by the Edmonton Public Library (EPL), six months into the Library the Edmonton Public (EPL), by 2011. in established which was program, outreach three-year Bringing in mental health and community a background social workers available within the library setting. within the library available setting. social workers David MacMain to the needs of those at risk, the Stanley A. Milner Library operates the Safe Communities Initiative, which makes makes which Initiative, risk, the Safe A. Milner Library the Stanley Communities the needs of those at to operates programming, and computer access. Because libraries offer such hospitable environments, marginalized marginalized Because environments, such hospitable offer libraries access. and computer programming, In response havens. as safe these public spaces frequent often members of society facing difficult circumstances can access a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, as well as take advantage of multimedia collections, of multimedia collections, advantage as take as well atmosphere, a comfortable, welcoming can access Library patrons know literature is just one of the many offerings at public libraries—places where visitors visitors where public libraries—places at offerings is just one of the many literature know Library patrons Volume 39 Volume feature article Continued from page21 A day in the life a very deliberateway.” always bettertobuild anetwork andwe ofservices dothatin wedirect peopletoservices have screened. personally It’s social workers andprofessionals inthecommunity sowe can level,” say MacMain. “Most ofwhatwe doiswork withother practice thatbroad ofascopeconfidentlyandat deep very issues.concerns, toseniorpatientswithgeriatric “We can’t a widerangeofissues, from youth withchildandfamily Along withhiscolleagues, clientswith MacMainencounters at thelibrary.” as word gotoutthatpeoplecouldreadily and easily accessus afterI’dinteractions quadrupled beenthere aboutsixmonths, than heexpected. “It canbeoverwhelming. The number of therole,Upon entering MacMainfoundthe demandgreater movement.” is quitevalidating andcanbeabigpieceoftheirforward everything. There’s impact. alsoapsychological Having ID associated costs. forhousing,“ID isahugebarrier income— includes advocating forfundingtohelppeoplepay the don’t have any identificationdocuments, aprocess that ofMacMain’sA bigpart timeinvolves helpingpeoplewho thewinter.increasing during other days may includefrom 10to30clients, withnumbers shifts involve spendingthewholeday withoneperson, while taking someonetoanappointment, court, orreferral. Some eachmorning, foracouplehours in visitors exceptwhen have todoandwhatIwould like todo.” Hewelcomes drop- 231, ortoll-free in Albertaat1-800-661-3089. [email protected] contact CharityLui with yoursuggestions byemailing suggestions onsocial workers to feature. Please The unique circumstances orinaninteresting setting? Do youknow a social worker providing services under interest Looking for socialworkers of Advocate editorial board wouldlike tohear your

or calling (780)421-1167,ext 22 complexity of very marginalized peoplecomingfromcomplexity ofvery marginalized awide “We want towork withproviders the whounderstand been unable tofindlevels tothem. appropriate ofservice haveMacMain findsthatclientswhocometothelibrary and February, Jared ( you’re tomanageallthesecrises. trying Especiallyin January when you have peoplestandingthere waiting forhelpand between usand thepeoplewe work with. Itcanbetaxing and goodmentalhealthbecause there’s very few barriers the unusual settingcantake atoll. “It’s hard tokeep abalance are availablethe library towhoever walks in. MacMainfinds prevent stafffrom becomingoverburdened, socialworkers at While mostsocialworkappointmentsto settingsarrange That’s achallengeforus.” wesupport inany built way. forourselves isnotformalized atotheragencies.going withpeers “The framework of and Theyreflecting on copeby debriefing how things are whocanhelpthemintheirpractice.guidance ofasupervisor MacMain andhissocialwork colleaguesare withoutthe Overseen ratherthanaregistered socialworker, by alibrarian other jobs.” I canmake changes, whichissomethingthatharder in need isandmake changestomeetthatneed. IfI’mfrustrated, make thejobwhathewants ittobe. “I canseewhere the The role theabilityto appealstoMacMainbecauseitoffers that’s whatkeeps theprogram healthy.” they’re downtown. We work inavery intentionalway and have onechallenge, they have multiple onesandthat’s why providerthe service doesn’t getthat. Ourclientsdon’t just ofexperiences.variety Clients can’t accesswhatthey needif Jared Tkachuk David athome , BSW, RSW The Advocate ) andIgohome • Fall 2014 feature article . Day Trips From Day Trips n magazine and Gale Cengage Branching Out: How Trees are part of Our World are part of Branching Out: How Trees Library JournalLibrary , and a new title: a new , and Joan Marie Galat is a frequent library user, the author of of author the user, library Galat is a frequent Marie Joan Edmonton Stanley A. Milner Library is more difficult to measure, it’s it’s Milner Library difficult to measure, is more A. Stanley look library, visit a public Next time you clearly valuable. and think about the opportunities for social the books, beyond setting. in this welcoming work award. One contributing factor service the community is EPL award. program. the outreach demonstrated through will lead other librariesMacMain hopes the recognition to is the initiative At this time, programs. social work introduce American in a Norththe only full-time operating program staff operate without a guiding library and the social work and let it evolve program this had to create “We’ve framework. MacMain. says itself,” as need expresses to assist marginalizedThe EPL program populations is clearly Year to their 2014 LibraryAccording of the an impact. having than engage in more workers social saw last year application, provided They 6,000 interactions with at-risk Edmontonians. help finding “a range of services including addiction support, counselling and employment housing referrals, medical care, 2013 Social the library’s In addition, suicide prevention.” even value provided “the program indicated, Return On Investment of funds to and/or reallocation $3.56 million in savings of over August 2013.” 2012 and January between downtown Edmonton’s to at-risk visiting the While the emotional value individuals street is we’re trustworthy. If we have to do something, like like to do something, have If we trustworthy. is we’re street going ‘I’m I tell them, of a safety issue, call the police because with to live able be I won’t do this; if I don’t to get in trouble ill.” mentally are those who even get that, People myself.’ LibraryThe Edmonton Public is rightfully of its proud named 2014 Library It was Initiative. Safe Communities by Year of the Learning—the the first library time a Canadian received has 23 ”

Issue 3 •

We are so careful with people’s information. Word on the street is we’re trustworthy. trustworthy. we’re is on the street Word information. so careful are with people’s We

going to get in trouble if I don’t do this; I won’t be able to live with myself.’ People get People myself.’ with live be able to do this; I won’t if I don’t trouble get in going to If we have to do something, like call the police because of a safety issue, I tell them, ‘I’m ‘I’m call them, like I tell because the police issue, do something, of a safety to have If we “We are so careful with people’s information. Word on the Word information. people’s with so careful are “We who slipped through the cracks.” who slipped through to being successful in his work. trust is the key MacMain says think he would have got that anywhere else. A lot of people else. got that anywhere have think he would radar come to the up on other people’s get picked who don’t one of those people He was a safe place. library because it’s shoes. His physical wounds have healed and he’s getting some healed and he’s have wounds His physical shoes. I don’t for the most part. now fairly happy He’s medication. time; there were a lot of challenges. Now he’s in the group he’s Now a lot of challenges. were there time; He still uses the library every home and thriving fairly well. cleaner and wearing He’s him for decline. and I watch day to ask about his history and he finally started talking. I got to ask about his history and he finally started talking. had his own He hadn’t home. up with a group him hooked him into this house took Moving nine. since he was room to David’s “hello,” they went for coffee. “We didn’t say a say didn’t “We for coffee. went they “hello,” to David’s able I was month of coffees, a “Over MacMain. recalls lot,” The man, who had experienced with bad relationships The man, called a social anyone from shied away programs, other many responding After finally of authority. figure or any worker of the time, and lived out of dumpsters, but continued to continued but out of dumpsters, and lived of the time, accepted there.” come to the library still because he was accessing the library since he was six. “He flew under the under the “He flew six. accessing the library since he was His ‘just existing.’ of radar because he could manage at a level slept outside 70 percent He had infections, miserable. life was man, who had schizophrenia and endured his pronounced his pronounced and endured who had schizophrenia man, had been and debilitating symptoms without medication, MacMain has experienced meaningful interactions numerous man client—a 50-year-old a reluctant He recalls in his role. The getting a hello back. before year he greeted for an entire premises. Those clients can still access the social workers by by Those clients can still access the social workers premises. who arrangegoing to security an outside meeting. personnel, We’ve been fairly good at avoiding any kind of stampede kind of stampede any been fairly good at avoiding We’ve inappropriate space, because it is a public Still, situation.” the people becoming banned from leads to some behavior absolutely fried.” Despite the busyness, MacMain notes, MacMain notes, busyness, Despite the absolutely fried.” and patient. respectful more are people “because it is a library, that, even those who are mentally ill. who are those even that,

Volume 39 Volume “ By Alec Stratford,MSW, RSW

Alec Stratford article Towards

feature RECONCILIATION

I would like to start this article by acknowledging the Blackfoot Confederacy to the South,

and the Cree Nation to the North in accordance to Treaties 6, 7, 8.

In my role as a social worker in Edmonton’s inner city, I have the great challenge and privilege of working with the police to address safety and crime issues through a community development framework. I spend a lot of my time working with Indigenous community members and groups. Indigenous people, overly and unjustly represented in the criminal justice system, are too often victims of crime and abuse. Much of this has to do with the legacy of residential schools in Canada.

In March, I had the painful privilege of attending the Truth foundation for St. Paul’s Residential School, and he and the and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) and heard Anglican church paved the way for the cultural assimilation many stories from residential school survivors about abuses and genocide of thousands of Indigenous people in Alberta. by the church-run residential schools and the process of cultural assimilation, which continues to be played out by the I had never made this connection before the TRC, and it was Governments of Canada and Alberta. As social workers, we a significant and painful personal discovery. When I thought often hear these stories on a daily basis. However, the context about how the story of Rev. Samuel Trivett was told to me of so much grief and the spirit of reconciliation led me to as a child, I began to realize that my family history is linked start to think about my own history and family legacy, as well to the story of Canada and told in a very similar way. This as the legacy of the social work profession. version of Canadian history is not a shared understanding of the past but one where the process of colonization is My great-great-grandfather was the Reverend Samuel Trivett, written out. In this version, Rev. Samuel Trivett was revered. an Anglican missionary who worked on the Blood Reserve As a child, I heard about his courage for standing up to the in Alberta at the turn of century. He built and laid the abusive and oppressive Ministry of Indian Affairs, which he felt unfairly and cruelly worked against Indigenous

24 The Advocate • Fall 2014 feature article ”

Continued on page 26 , first written amended in 1867 and , Indian Act worst of these assimilation policies can be heard in the stories policies can be heard of these assimilation worst school survivors. of residential this needs to be recognized. We must acknowledge and acknowledge must We this needs to be recognized. on. to move in order past understandshared our Canada’s Indigenous communities promised times after that, several our look back at when we In 2014, and rights. sovereignty been of these rights few it is clear that very have history, to assimilate Indigenous Canada has worked Instead, honored. The and ignoring denying by these treaties. communities 25 Issue 3 •

Although I am not my great-great-grandfather and I am not responsible for his actions, his for not responsible and I am great-great-grandfather I am not my Although

his story is mine. He is a part of my history and my identity. Just like young Indigenous Indigenous young like Just his story is a part He history identity. is mine. of my and my privilege and our Indigenous community members’ history is connectedoppression. Indigenous communityprivilege and our to members’ people, I too am impacted by our history. The difference is that my historymy is connected is that to difference The am impacted our history. I too by people, Reverend Samuel Trivett was Alec Stratford’s great-great-grandfather (third from the left, back row.) the from (third great-great-grandfather was Alec Stratford’s Trivett Samuel Reverend have the same sense of shared history. First and foremost, First and foremost, history. the same sense of shared have history in a colonialist past is entrenched and Canada’s and beliefs—all of which were denied by the church-run denied by and beliefs—all of which were it became As I listened to these stories, schools. residential not do settlers both and Indigenous, as nations, clear that we different version of this narrative. I listened to many stories I listened to many narrative. of this version different violence, about sexual abuse, school survivors residential from language culture, and the longing had for their own many consequences would turn out to be. turn out to be. consequences would told a very and Reconciliation Commission Truth The communities, as well as his dedication to his faithas his dedication to and well as communities, about what the hear I didn’t work. passion for community

Volume 39 Volume “ I would like to start this article by acknowledging the Blackfoot Confederacy to the South, Confederacy the Blackfoot acknowledging to start this article by like I would 6, 7, 8. to Treaties Nation to the North in accordance and the Cree feature article our shared history andourprofessionalour shared history role intheprocess of The choicesin front of usare whetherwe seektounderstand society thatourprofession pursues. If we dothis, we canachieve thesafer, more equal andjust understanding, betterpartnerships, andbetterfriendships. in reconciliation andactuponit, we canbuild agreater institutionalized racism. However, ifwe canfindour role controlled by colonialnotionsrooted inoppression and the process ofreconciliation, thenwe willcontinue tobe in ourwork andsystems. Ifwe cannotfindour role in having theabuses ofthepastcontinue tobeentrenched that we candoit. Ialsoknow thatifwe don’t doit, we risk looking atoursystemsfrom adifferent perspective. Iknow of ourshared history. self-reflection Itwilltake and critical process ofreconciliation anddevelop astronger understanding istofindour The challengeeachofusfaces role inthe social workers needtobeatthecore ofthischange. move towards reconciliation, we must endthis. Ibelieve that the heightofresidential school system. Ifwe are totruly there are more now Indigenouschildren incare thanat right another tragedyoflostchildren, asseeninstatisticsthatshow deliberate actofgenocide. Indigenouspeopletoday face people believe thattheforced removal ofchildren was a adequately provide fortheneedsoftheirchildren. Many that “native” peoplewere andunable to culturallyinferior andsocialworkersauthorities actedundertheassumption consent. Many peopleclaimthat, inthesecases, government homes andcommunities withoutparents’ knowledge or which Indigenouschildren were literallyscooped from their of thisprocess. The Sixties Scoopinvolved many casesin as well. Socialworkers, like thechurch, were attheheart linked tocolonization Our professionalisintricately history towards reconciliation. andmoving oursharedchallenge ofunderstanding history the legacyofresidential schools. Regardless, we the allface your ownExploring may history alsoreveal connectionsto community members’ isconnectedtooppression. history andourIndigenous that my isconnectedtoprivilege history people, Itooamimpactedby ourhistory. The difference is of my andmy history identity. Just like young Indigenous not responsible forhisactions, ismine. hisstory Heisapart andIam Although Iamnotmy great-great-grandfather Continued from page25 Towards reconciliation

“ 26 learning andlistening.learning Ibelieve we canchallengeourselves for Indigenouspeople. Ibelieve thisprocess with canstart As aprofession, Ibelieve we needtocommitsocialjustice ofourhistory.understanding todevelop whilestriving and explore ashared thestories for alltohear( at the Truth andReconciliationCommission are available as somethingthatbelongstosomeoneelse. shared The stories reconciliation, orwhetherwe seetheprocess ofreconciliation Council. Alec Stratford isasocial worker withthe Cityof Edmonton and isonthe ACSW Wittigo Peigan to reach Committee, email ontheIndigenousSocial For more information Work @Alec_NET at can the ACSW tome take inthismatter?Pleasewrite to theprocess ofreconciliation? What other directions willing todedicateyour professional competencycredits in ourprofessional lives? andpersonal Would you be as socialworkers and promoteAlbertans reconciliation from you, asthe ACSW isyour organization. How dowe 2017. forward thismotion, Before bringing Iwant tohear of Category by A traininginIndigenousbasedlearning social workers intheprovince completeatleastthree hours Work Councilthatsetsthegoalofhaving allregistered amotiontothe CollegeofSocial I ambringing Alberta on creating Indigenouscompetencies forsocialworkers. for Indigenoussocialworkers andwillsoonbeworking Social Work Committee(ICSW)todevelop Standards The ACSW isworking closelywith theIndigenous social workers we must dothisandwe are obligated tothis. achieved by inkey participating trainings. Ibelieve thatas and ways ofknowing theworld. Ibelieve thatthiscanbe and ourcolleaguestoengageinIndigenousknowledge the residential schoolsystem. children in care rightnowchildren thanat incare theheightof [email protected] Statistics show there are more Indigenous , MSW, RSW, , MSW, RSW Dr. BettyBastien . www.trc.ca Kanakii Mekaisto . n [email protected] ). Iaskyou tovisitthewebsite , PhD,RSW, orsendmeatweet at , BSW, RSW, Harriet North Harriet North The Advocate ” and Verna • Fall 2014

for your information Continued on page 28 .

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