www.acsw.ab.ca SUMMER 2016

the ADVOCATE VOLUME 42 | ISSUE 2 COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

Social Work Week Podcasts with RSWs Brianna, Molly & Stephanie 2 Summer 2016 FEATURES The Advocate Volume 42, Issue 2, Summer 2016 18 FEATURE ARTICLES Published by: The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) 18 THE TRIUMPH OF SUN WOMAN AND THE NOBLE DISCIPLE by Minister Faust 550 10707 100 AVE NW, AB T5J 3M1 22 CAN BE DONE by Verna Wittigo Ph: 780-421-1167/Toll-free (in AB): 1-800-661-3089 Fax: 780-421-1168/Toll-free fax: 1-866-874-8931 30 DAY IN THE LIFE: ELIZABETH SCHNITZLER by Tara Hogue Harris [email protected] — acsw.ab.ca Executive Director & Registrar: Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW 4 AROUND OUR PROVINCE [email protected] 4 AROUND OUR PROVINCE by Charity Lui Managers, Regulatory Practice/Complaints Directors: 9 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW Sheryl Pearson, MSW, RSW, LLB [email protected] 10 THE BIG PICTURE Professional Practice Support Team Lead: 10 A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT by Richard Gregory Vacant 11 A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & REGISTRAR by Lynn Labrecque King Membership Activities Coordinators: Heather Johnson, SW Dip, RSW Charity Lui, BSW, RSW 13 IN THE NEWS Finance & Administration Officer: WELCOME TO OUR NEW RSW MEMBERS Gladys Smecko, CPA, CGA Registration Coordinator: Brenda Gross 14 ETHICS IN ACTION Executive Assistant / Administrative Team Lead: Noreen Majek REPORTING COMPETENCE ONLINE: ONE YEAR LATER by Bruce Llewellyn Promotions Coordinator: Vacant 15 THE VOICES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE Administrative Support Professionals: THE BATTLEGROUND? by Teresa Winfield Theresa Duban Neetu Dodd Tracy Houben Jennifer Vasquez Tamara Gross Raveena Parsons 16 RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA’S COMMUNITIES Registration/Online Service Support Analyst: Laurie Nelson 16 INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION by Danielle Fink ACSW Council: 17 NORQUEST SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM IN DEMAND by David Flomo President: Richard Gregory, MSc, RSW Vice President: Linda Golding, MSW, RSW Secretary: Rick Guthrie, MSW, RSW 23 CONFERENCE AND AWARDS Treasurer: Terry Wilson, BSW, RSW 23 SOCIAL WORKERS GATHER TO EMBRACE CHANGE: ACSW CONFERENCE 2016 Members at Large: 27 ACSW 2016 AWARD WINNERS Margaret Brown, MSW, RSW Richard Shelson, MSc, RSW Ajay Pandhi, MSW, RSW Shamanthi Cooray, RSW 28 ACSW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Carla Bertsch, MSW, RSW Jody-Lee Farrah, MSW, RSW Indigenous Social Work Committee Representative: 34 FOR YOUR INFORMATION Maxine Salopree, BSW, RSW, Interim Chair 8 THE ADVOCATE EDITORIAL POLICY Public Members: Lyle Berge Murray Hiebert Bukola Salami 34 FOR YOUR INFORMATION Editorial Board: Cindy Haugen, BSW, RSW & Samuel Mammen, RSW (Co-Chairs) Jill Hoselton, BSW, RSW Michelle Humeny, RSW Corrine Janzen, BSW, RSW Jo-Anne Beggs, BSW, RSW Tasha Novick, BSW, RSW Sherri Tanchak MSW, RSW Cover photos by Chris Chang-Yen Phillips (small bottom left) and Trevor Andrea Newberry-Koroluk, PhD, RSW Melanie Sawatzky, BSW, RSW

Chow-Fraser (small bottom right and main). Editorial services provided by Bird Communications.

The opinions and interpretations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Alberta ADVERTISING SPACE is available. To place an ad contact College of Social Workers (ACSW), its editorial board, or contractors. The aforementioned make no guarantee or Charity Lui at the ACSW office ([email protected]). The warranty, either expressed or implied, about the accuracy or links contained in the Advocate, and are not liable for Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertising. any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages that could arise. FALL 2016 ISSUE AD DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2016 All material ©2016 by the ACSW or by author. ACSW retains copyright when no author is listed. Reprint or copying (including digital or online reproduction in any form) of any Advocate material requires written consent Canadian subscriptions are $26/year of the ACSW. (outside Canada: $26 US/year). Please notify ACSW office immediately of any address changes. ISSN 0847 - 2890 PM NO. 40050109 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO 550 10707 100 AVE NW, EDMONTON AB T5J 3M1

The Advocate 3 AROUND OUR PROVINCE

Around our province by Charity Lui, BSW, RSW

ACSW Election Results ACSW Workshops & Events

Congratulations to newly elected ACSW Council members The College continues to support workshops and events Carla Bertsch, MSW, RSW, and Jody-Lee Farrah, MSW, RSW. throughout the province. Margaret Brown, MSW, RSW, was re-elected for a second term In January, Tamina Miller led a workshop on meditation on Council. Terry Wilson, BSW, RSW, was acclaimed treasurer in Vegreville, while in High Prairie, a workshop on healthy and Rick Guthrie MSW, RSW was acclaimed secretary. Thank relationships for adults who work with children was led by you to retiring members Linda Fehr, MSW, RSW and Alec Ericka Schmaltz, BSW, RSW. Also in January, the Edmonton Stratford, MSW, RSW who have stepped down from Council. Social Action/Social Justice Group hosted a movie night. Members of Council and other ACSW groups enjoyed the ACSW Staff Changes movie Inequality for All. Farewell to Ilona Cardinal, Promotions Coordinator, who In February, ACSW staff Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW, and was with ACSW for over eight years. Ilona has taken a Tamara Gross presented workshops related to continuing position with the Alberta College of Paramedics. We also competency in Lac La Biche and Cold Lake. Grande Prairie say goodbye to Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW, who was in the role area coordinators hosted a workshop about the impacts of of Manager, Professional Practice Supports. We wish him residential schools and the restorative practice of a circle well as Executive Director and Registrar of the Nova Scotia with Sharon Steinhauer, MSW, RSW. Also in February was Association of Social Workers. Parkland Institute’s 10th Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner featuring Alberta author and commentator Fred Stenson.

Local social workers at Grande Prairie workshop

Lynn Labrecque King, Ilona Cardinal and Charity Lui CHARITY LUI is the Membership Activities Coordinator for the northern part of our province. You can contact her at [email protected] regarding submissions for the Advocate.

4 Summer 2016 AROUND OUR PROVINCE

Social Work Week Events

National Social Work Month in Canada is observed in March. Alberta recognized Social Work Week between February 29 and March 5. Official proclamations and recognition from municipal governments occurred in Whitecourt, Slave Lake, Edmonton, , Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo, Peace River and Grande Prairie. At Parkland Gala: Alec Stratford, Marg Brown, Natasha Semenjuk, Lynn Labrecque King, Rod Adachi, Shamanthi Cooray, Ajay Pandhi This year the College used a social media campaign to engage our members and the public. Included in the The Calgary Area Coordinators hosted a workshop in campaign were podcasts featuring three registered social March on resiliency in children and youth with Dr. Carolyn workers: Brianna Olson, BSW, RSW, who works with iHuman; Anderson, PhD., RSW, and Dr. Meaghen Johnston, PhD., RSW. Stephanie Bozzer, MSW, RSW, a clinical social worker in March 9th, the Lethbridge Social Work Forum brought private practice; and Molly Wan, MSW, RSW, with Edmonton together local social workers to celebrate the profession Mennonite Centre, as featured on our cover. Eye-catching and offer local professional development. The theme of the posters, and a YouTube message from our President Richard forum was Trauma: The Community, The Individual, and the Gregory, MSc, RSW, were also part of the campaign. Please see Practitioner with keynote speaker Dr. Robbin Gibb. these initiatives on our site at acsw.ab.ca – Social Workers – In April, ACSW Manager of Regulatory Practice / Social Work Week. Complaints Director Sheryl Pearson, MSW, RSW, LLB, presented Throughout the province our members celebrated social a workshop on the Standards of Practice in Fort McMurray. work in many ways during the month of March, including: The area coordinators in Cold Lake organized a mini- conference with presenters Donna Fries, RSW, who explored • Minister of Human Services , Minister grief, and Melanie Diamond and Elena Rowan, MSW, RSW, of Seniors and Housing , MSW, RSW, who provided experiential learning around self-care. The Edmonton-Manning MLA Heather Sweet and Northern Alberta Gerontological Interest Group met with Edmonton-Castle Downs MLA joined the Interim Seniors’ Health Advocate Deborah Prowse, and ACSW staff and members for a celebratory lunch. Jody-Lee Farrah, MSW, RSW, a manager at the office of the Honourary social workers Bill Moore-Kilgannon and Alberta Health Advocates. Lack of affordable ethical advice Austin Mardon also joined the special event. Thank you for seniors, the shortage of seniors’ housing, and difficulties to all who attended! with home care were discussed. • Student presentations in Fort McMurray at Keyano College, in Lethbridge at the University of Calgary Lethbridge campus, in Edmonton at the University of Calgary Edmonton campus, at NorQuest College and MacEwan University.

• Lunch celebrations in Whitecourt and Edson.

• Promoting Social Work Week on local radio in High Prairie and Grande Prairie.

Northern Alberta Gerontological Interest Group with Seniors’ Health Advocate Deborah Prowse and Jody-Lee Farrah

The Advocate 5 AROUND OUR PROVINCE

• Family School Liaison Workers/Social Workers in Early Learning at Edmonton Catholic Schools decided to “Stuff a Purse”. The purses were filled with a variety of items needed for women and delivered to Bissell Centre.

• A yoga event celebration for local social workers in Edmonton.

• Pub night celebrations in Edmonton and Fort McMurray.

• A drumming self-care activity in Edmonton hosted by the Child and Youth Interest Group.

• A celebration with cake in Hinton and Jasper. Edmonton social work week celebration at ACSW office

• A wine and cheese event in Medicine Hat.

• Social workers in High Level, Cheryl Cunningham- Burns, MSW, RSW, and Emily Horeck, BSW, RSW, were featured in the Northwest Primary Care Network newsletter.

• At the Lac La Biche campus of Portage College, cake was shared over a lunch hour and an information display was set up throughout the week.

• Social workers in Taber celebrated by providing information sessions at a local high school. Also in Taber, social workers gathered for a wing night. Sean, Stanley, Maxine & Brianna at Edmonton social work week celebration

MLA Goehring, Minister Sabir, Lynn Labrecque King, Minister Sigurdson, MLA Social workers with Edmonton Catholic Schools Sweet at Edmonton social work week celebration

6 Summer 2016 AROUND OUR PROVINCE

Social work week celebration at Keyano College in Fort McMurray Social work week celebration at University of Lethbridge

Monique Sundlie, Mieke de Groot and Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given Social work week celebration in Medicine Hat

Katie Byford Richardson and Tiffany Toussaint in Jasper Social work week at Portage College in Lac La Biche

The Advocate 7 AROUND OUR PROVINCE

Advocate Board News out via mass email. When we have Canadian members participate, it strengthens Canadian representation on the Thank you to Leslie MacKinnon, MSW, RSW, and Eugene Ip, formation of exams used across North America. MSW, RSW, who have recently stepped down from the Advocate Editorial Board. Leslie volunteered with the board for over Fort McMurray and Area Fires twenty years and Eugene for over twelve years. We welcome Cindy Haugen, BSW, RSW, and Samuel Mammen, RSW, as new Many Albertans have been impacted by the raging wild co-chairs for the board. fires. Frontline social workers from all across Alberta have rolled up their sleeves and have been working day New Area Coordinator and night with relief efforts. The Alberta College of Social Workers would like to applaud all efforts aimed at alleviating The High Level area now has an ACSW Area Coordinator. suffering and providing critical supports. This disaster is Emily Horeck, BSW, RSW, has taken on the role and is eager larger than anything witnessed in Canadian history and to engage with members in the area. You can find contact the road ahead is going to be a hard one for many who information for all area coordinators on our website at have lost so much through this environmental disaster. ascw.ab.ca – Social Workers – Area Coordinators/ The ACSW is committed to reaching out to our members Regional Activities. affected by the fires and doing our part in recovery efforts. We are coordinating a list of social workers providing ACSW Member Selected to counselling; are offering special consideration for members renewing their registration; and out-of- province social Contribute to ASWB workers already licensed in another province and providing services related to the fire are eligible for temporary courtesy ACSW congratulates Cardinal Fomradas, MSW, RSW, who registration with ACSW. For more information, contact our has been selected to assist in writing exam questions for the office at 780-421-1167 or toll-free at 1-800-661-3089. Association of Social Work Boards. This is an opportunity that is open to all ACSW members when the call is sent

THE ADVOCATE EDITORIAL POLICY The Advocate is the official publication of the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and is published quarterly for members of ACSW and other interested parties. The Advocate Editorial Board encourages submissions from all social work practice areas and perspectives, including: social work research, theory, practice, and education; professional affairs; social issues; the work of the College; member activities; continuing education and job opportunities; reviews of books, journals, and other media of interest to social workers. Articles of up to 1000 words and letters of up to 500 words will be considered, but publication is not guaranteed. Writing from social workers who are ACSW members will be given preference. Copy may be edited to fit the space available or for legal or other reasons. Please contact the ACSW office for full submission guidelines. PUBLICATION SCHEDULE AND DEADLINES Spring issue: January 1 deadline for general submissions (articles, letters, etc.) January 15 for advertising Summer issue: April 1 for general submissions April 15 for advertising Fall issue: June 28 for general submissions July 15 for advertising Winter issue October 1 for general submissions October 15 for advertising

ALL SUBMISSIONS The Advocate, ACSW, 550 10707 100 Avenue NW, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1 ATTN: Charity Lui: [email protected] • PHONE: 780-421-1167 • TOLL-FREE: 1-800-661-3089 • FAX: 780-421-1168

8 Summer 2016 AROUND OUR PROVINCE

Letter to the Editor

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your personal experience with living in a long-term care (LTC) home (Speaking Out for Change, The Advocate, Winter 2015). As social workers, we can learn much from the stories of the people who live and have lived in long-term care homes, and this learning can support us in building practices for advocacy and support in LTC homes.

Upon reflecting on our knowledge of long-term care spaces, we approached the discussion with an understanding that it would be unfair of us to generalize people’s experiences. Our discussion emphasized that people are the experts on their own lives, and that no single person’s perspective(s) or experience(s) can represent everyone. We would like to acknowledge that many long-term care homes work hard to provide person-centred care and strive to support individual needs. Many long-term care homes have environments where a person’s wellbeing and best interest is at the forefront of the decision-making process, and that often the person and/or their support network is involved in decision- making. It is also important to note that the discussion(s) on to be open to listening to our clients and their advocates. wellbeing in many long-term care homes is not only focused Through listening, we can strengthen our person-centered on a person’s physical needs, but also the emotional, spiritual, approaches, and better support each person’s quality of life and social self. This being said, we were careful not to ignore and experience(s) in long-term care. that there are improvements to be made in long-term care spaces. Improvements for long-term care in Alberta should Long-term care homes are spaces that are inclusive, be reflective of the stories from persons who live or have supporting persons with differing cognitive capacities and lived in LTC homes, and work to benefit the wellbeing of the physical care needs. Long-term care homes should also persons moving into LTC. be spaces where persons are supported in participating in activities, socializing, being heard, advocating, and building Social workers working in long-term care homes can community. And as a community of social workers working be supportive in honouring a person’s quality of life by with older adults, we can advocate for choice, diversity, and being open to listening and learning about a person’s life access to health care services that honor individual values experiences, values, wants, preferences, and fears. A part (whether that be LTC, supportive living, home care, or of our role as social workers working in long-term care is palliative care at home). In doing so, we are working towards be mindful and respectful of the abundance of changes a a future where older adults have access to support that is person may experience when moving into an LTC home, and reflective of their values and benefits their wellbeing. of the reasons why a person is moving into a space where a higher level of care is provided. When long-term care is Thank you, the only option, or one of few options for a person, we also need to be mindful of the hardship(s) one may experience Lisa Mercredi, BSW, RSW and Vanessa Key, BSW, RSW, when moving into an LTC space. As each individual person members of ACSW Northern Alberta Gerontological is the expert on their own lives, we as social workers need Social Work Interest Group

The Advocate 9 THE BIG PICTURE

A MESSAGE As I sit down to write this submission for As social workers we are aware of the FROM THE the summer edition of the Advocate, the overrepresentation of Indigenous people conference is fresh on my mind. With that, in some of the client populations we serve. PRESIDENT I want to start by thanking the conference I am not certain that all social workers planning committee, the presenters, the understand the intergenerational trauma staff and the volunteers for all their work that has led to this. I think it is important in putting together another successful that social workers have an understanding conference. Our annual conference is one about the impact of residential schools and of the largest gatherings of social workers the Sixties Scoop, and that we know the role in North America. This is something to be that social workers played in removing First proud of, not to mention that we have great Nations children from their families. workshops and presentations, as well as the opportunity to connect with friends and I believe that social workers are in key network with other social workers. positions to implement a number of the strategies identified by the TRC to reduce For me, the conference is a time to connect the number of Aboriginal children in care with colleagues and friends who, for the and advocate for changes to the systems that most part, I only see once a year at the perpetuate children coming into care. conference. My favourite event at the conference is the awards ceremony. This Another area that we can take action on is is all about celebrating the best of the in social work education. We must ensure best. This year I was delighted that all the that all social workers, including those who award winners were people with whom have been educated outside our province, I have some personal or professional have an understanding of Indigenous issues, history. It makes my heart sing to see these intergenerational trauma, and are prepared deserving individuals being rewarded for to do assessments and interventions that the contributions that they make, not just to are culturally appropriate for Indigenous social work, but to society as a whole. I am populations. It is important that Indigenous reminded of how lucky I am to have crossed knowledge, Elder teachings and other paths with such amazing people. ways of knowing are built into social work programs. This will require training The keynote speaker at the conference in intercultural competency, conflict was Dr. Marie Wilson. I was very moved resolution, human rights, and anti-racism. by her presentation on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Her role Social workers are also in positions to as a commissioner of the TRC provided the work with First Nation communities to first person witness account that led to the develop practices that are relevant to the 94 items in the Call to Action developed communities we serve. The TRC identified

RICHARD GREGORY is the by the commission. Although many of the need to close the gaps in health president of ACSW Council. the items are directed to various levels outcomes between Aboriginal and non- He is also chair and instructor of government, I believe that there are Aboriginal communities by addressing of the Social Work Program at Medicine Hat College. many places that social workers can take issues of infant mortality, maternal health, You can contact Richard at initiatives towards reconciliation as well as suicide, mental health, addictions, violence, [email protected]. advocating for governments to take action. life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child

Continued on page 12

10 Summer 2016 THE BIG PICTURE

A MESSAGE As the children of our family were growing facing the profession and to guide up, the importance of volunteering was the direction of our College and FROM THE often talked about. No matter how busy professional association. EXECUTIVE life got with work, school, or driving to a Serve on a Legislative Committee. DIRECTOR & merry-go-round of piano, soccer or tae kwon do lessons, somehow, volunteering Legislative committees are authorized REGISTRAR was always in the calendar as well. Imagine through the council and legislation to recommend processes and standards for what a community would be like, I would the profession. ACSW has four legislative say, if every individual did just one thing committees including: Registration each year. That is a community we would Committee, Clinical Committee, want to live in! Competence Committee and Professional Summer days are a great time to kick back a Social Work Education Committee. These little and re-energize for busy times that, for committees generally hold 4 to 6 meetings many of us, pick up again in the fall. per year. Some committees meet in person and some meet via teleconference.

When the time Serve on a Standing Committee. Standing Committees of council include: comes once again for Nominations and Recruitment (also responsible for ACSW Awards); Indigenous professional reflection Social Work; Advocate Editorial Board; and planning, consider Communications; and Bursary. Become an Area Coordinator. Area whether this may be a Coordinators play an important role as time to contribute to contacts for local social workers in their region. Learn more by visiting the ACSW your profession. website at acsw.ab.ca – Social Workers – Area Coordinators/Regional Activities. At ACSW, there are a multitude of Join a Member Interest Group. Member opportunities to volunteer. As a self- interest groups are formed by and through regulated profession, much of our the membership and are supported through operations and the strength of our body staff liaisons and association resources. A overall depends largely on volunteers. complete listing of member interest groups Here are some opportunities you may want can be viewed on the ACSW website at to consider: acsw.ab.ca – Social Workers – Member Interest Groups. Run for Council! Each year there is an LYNN LABRECQUE KING is the executive director and registrar opportunity for members to come forward A good question you may ask is “How do I for ACSW. Contact her at and let their name stand for council. ACSW join a group or committee?” [email protected] to share your Council meets 6 to 8 times per year on a thoughts on this or any other topic. Friday, for a full day meeting. Serving on The first step is to indicate your interest! council offers the opportunity to engage You can do this during your annual with colleagues on issues and challenges member renewal by checking the box

The Advocate 11 THE BIG PICTURE

for a committee that interests you. This will place you on activity is not doable at certain times. Perhaps at this time, the listings that are reviewed when there is a vacancy on it is most important that your attention be directed to a a committee. It is also a good idea to contact the College cause in your own neighbourhood or within your immediate directly to indicate your interest in participating in a group circle. Only you can decide the right time and focus for or on a committee. For information about legislative and volunteering efforts. governance committees, you could also be in touch with me, the Executive Director & Registrar, at [email protected]. Some time ago, I had the opportunity to be a part of Membership Activities Coordinators can help you further a condominium board. This taught me a lot about the explore opportunities to participate in member interest importance of taking turns in managing the responsibilities groups. Contact Charity at [email protected] or Heather of a group-owned house. While one of the reasons for at [email protected]. belonging to a condo association is to be free of management details, there are many decisions and tasks that still need to Where can you find the time to volunteer? No doubt be made for the overall benefit of every resident. This model about it. We are all busy. Fitting in time is often a matter works best with participation and taking turns. ACSW is of choosing and scheduling – an area where most social designed as a shared house too. Consider joining the over workers have had to become masters! Having been a single 200 members who at any given time are taking a turn at the parent with responsibilities including home, raising children, tables where decisions are made, about us and for us! working in a demanding job and studying for a degree, I Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW know first-hand the time and energy it takes to participate in or contribute to a committee, or even a single activity. For some, a committee that meets four times per year is more feasible than a monthly commitment. For others, even one

A message from the President Continued from page 10

health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, that social workers submitted, I forwarded a letter to the and the availability of appropriate health services. Finance Minister and copied it to all the ministers whose portfolios were identified. In total, your comments covered In all areas, social workers need to collaborate with First 43 recommendations in eight different ministries. I did not Nations community leaders, Aboriginal healers and Elders. screen or prioritize the issues; rather, I presented the items We do not have to wait until governments decide to move as those that were important for our members. It will serve forward with the calls to action. These initiatives are us well to continue to engage with various government consistent with our Code of Ethics and are embedded in ministries and to build and maintain relationships. It is what social justice which is the bedrock of our profession. we do, and it is work that needs to be done.

In the Spring I put out a call to social workers for their Richard Gregory, MSc, RSW recommendations for the provincial budget. I want to thank everyone who responded. Using the information

12 Summer 2016 IN THE NEWS

Welcome new RSWs Total Membership as of April 21, 2016: 7,571

Kathrine Rose Acorn Amanda-Sue Claire Gravel Kaitlin O’Leary Rebeca Milena Alvarez Berni Patricia Hartford Oluwatoyin Itunnuoluwa Okikiolu Jane Alice Kathleen Anderton Danielle Leeann Haymour Sara Marie Osman Lyla Anne Arab Andrew Johnathan Hendricks Khadre Ali Osman Kaitlyn Christine Atkinson Lukasz Michael Herba Gregory Owie Viji Benny Jamie Lynn Patricia Hickey Katelyn Leanne Paquin Molly Benoit-Leach Jamie Hodgson Amy-Nicole Patenaude Kjetrina Beshikj Eileen Marie Hofmann Morgan Pommells Katrina Tiffany Billett Chynna Howard Kayla Jane Powell Brittany Blake Carol Huang Jade Powers Mallory Blondeau Karen Veronica Hudson Terri-lynn Pratt Cindy Lee Bockanesky Cari Ionson Melissa Preston Lauren Brittany Bourassa Kalila Lise-Marie James Robin Proud Kelsie Carlyle R. Brandt Joanna-Beth James Stephen Martin Quinn Catherine Eileen Braun Gail Janjua Sarah Elizabeth Quinn Natasha Victoria Brinston Carlee Jae Joe-McGuire Rinu Rajan Sara Marie Budinsky Charlene Denise Johnson Janelle Lauren Richardson Amy Michelle Byng Shyla Johnson Dheny Charito Rivas Carol Ann Caines Tanya Helga May Jorgensen Alina Roby Courtney Callahan Jodi Lauren Joseph Sarah Mae Ruttan Jeffrey James Cann Amisale Kassa Michelle Ryan Rasheal Andre Charles Elliott Kemmet Zeenat Sajan-Ladhani Kathleen Joanna Porter Cheetham Natalie Kershaw Natalia Andrea Salamanca Parra Maria Luisa Bea Clair Sung Hyun Kim Dyumna Sanil Maegann Helen Colwell-Jaworski Hope-Lynn Klotz Jessica Corinne Allen Shaw Brenda Jane Cote Sadeek Kottackal Jennifer Elizabeth Sheppard Larissa Dawn Crack Alysha Elizabeth Krassilowsky Vivian Joyce Sitting Eagle Sheila Joyce Crosby Cara Dawn Kulbacki Lynnette Leanne Slack Elizabeth R. Dantzler Breana Lynne L’Heureux Alicia Jayde Smith Jamie Marie Evelyn DeGagne Lana Lawrence Natalie St-Denis Winston Tyson Desjarlais Noelle Chuen-lok Lee Sierra Eve Stewart Katherine Angela Diks Emilia Nicola Leroux Lori Jean Swanson Gio Eden Dolcecore Joey Laureen Leslie Dawn Marie Thompson Shanika Donalds Arianne Anna Loki Larina Tremblay Camille Edwards Lina Ivonne Lopez Suzanne Triance-Wright Aubree Ann Falk Kaitlyn MacFarlane Kim Ann Tuchscherer Kathryn Ferre Jenna Marie MacGillivray Mary Elizabeth Tulip Mariah Valentim Ferreira Lima Christopher James Macintosh Michelle Christine Valiquette Kelli Figley Martha Anne MacIntyre Maria Geertruida Herolina Van Engelen Daniel Fonkwe Nkangu Katie Lynn MacKrory Sini Varghese Chantala Forgie Juanita Kathleen Marshall Michelle Allyson Volkart Sarah Meagan Fowler-Roberts Amanda McLellan Salimah Nizar Walji-Shivji Cory Francis Samanthea McMahon Jaryn Valerie Weir Alicia Friars Michelle Meyer Heather Vivian Frances Westwood Angel Maria Genereux Samuel Azinwi Mforteh Lisa Lynne Wilkey (Forgan) Dakota Dawn Goddu Joanne Kinya Mugambi Blair Vanessa Wold Greer Joanna Godfrey Dana Lee Muir Sarah L. Wood Lisa Goodine Amanda Muyser Rosa Yolanda Wright Nicole Marie Goodwin Jason C. Nelson Sylvana Andrea Yeomans Kelti Iris Maureen Gore Nthandoyenkosi Ntini Diana Jessica Grainger Erin O’Connor

The Advocate 13 ETHICS IN ACTION

Reporting Competence Online: One Year Later by Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW

The regulation of health professions, including social work, member response. More than a full year has passed since tends to be a dynamic process. For health professions in implementing online reporting. At this time, all registered general, many bodies have been doing online renewals social workers have had the opportunity to renew through for some time. The Alberta College of Social Workers is the online system. one of the last health professions to transition from paper documents to online renewals. As a result, the ACSW has Over the past year, the majority of feedback from members been able to learn from the experiences of other regulators in has been both encouraging and positive. Comments like North America. “user-friendly” “easy” and “simple” were repeated often. There was also appreciation expressed to staff who assisted Prior to being able to renew, a social worker must first meet members with understanding the new process. continuing competence requirements. These requirements are outlined in the Health Professions Act. The competence Together with the Competence Committee and staff, requirements unique to social workers have been developed the College has worked diligently to prepare updated by the Continuing Competence Committee and approved presentations and resource materials that incorporate online by the ACSW Council. Maintaining competence is one reporting of competence for members. If you missed the way to ensure the protection of the public. Each member presentation at this year’s annual conference, be on the alert is responsible for completing their annual competence for a presentation that may be coming near you. requirements, which helps us to meet the collective Although online renewal has numerous benefits, there is commitment of our Standards of Practice. Reporting always continuous improvement as programs evolve. This is completed competence in the online renewal process has just as true for further development in tools and materials for helped to achieve this goal. the competence program in our profession. In the event that The goal to develop online reporting had been identified the online renewal presents challenges for you, staff support much earlier. In 2011, the option first became available for remains readily available. Please feel free to contact Raveena members to post their Professional Development Credit Parsons (Professional Administrative Support), Tamara forms online. The transition to reporting competence Gross (Competence Program Coordinator) or myself at online commenced in September 2014 for the members 780-421-1167 or toll-free 1-800-661-3089. We will be pleased who were renewing in January. After each quarter, there to answer any questions or assist you with completing your was the opportunity to evaluate the program as well as competence requirements in your online renewal.

BRUCE LLEWELLYN is a manager of regulatory practice for the Alberta College of Social Workers.

14 Summer 2016 THE VOICES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE

The Battleground? by Teresa Winfield, MSW, RSW

I was reading an article the other day about someone who And once you find that passion, regardless of where it lies, works in adolescent mental health and they referred to the key to success in private practice could be directly linked their work as a “battleground.” That caught me off guard. to your ability to communicate to a potential audience. You I pictured stealthy ninjas with a thirst for social justice, a must articulate who you are and what you do to the rest knowledge of ethical practice and a skill in advocacy. Are of world. Allow your excitement about this topic to show we in a battle? Against what? And whose side are we on? I through so that others can’t help but want to know more suppose that I never considered the work that I do to involve or believe that you can help them. And then you wait for a weaponry but guess what? It does. It involves finely crafted response. Hope for a reply. Maybe pray. tools that practitioners have spent countless hours honing so that they can provide the best possible service to clients. We ponder, even toil, over the best tools to use and when.

I pictured stealthy ninjas with a thirst for social justice, a knowledge of ethical practice and a skill in advocacy.

My wondering brought me to a realization that social workers in private practice must make a decision around what they want their battleground to be. What is your battleground? Is it working with parents of children with autism? Or in geriatrics? With new immigrants? Do the inner workings of complex mental health issues pique your passions? And if any of these things is true, will you work in an office? Or make your car the place that you do most of your work? Will you work with individuals? Groups? Families? Macrosystems? There are limitless options for social workers. And finding that thing that you want to do can make getting up for work each day feel more like a passion than a job. TERESA WINFIELD is a social worker in private practice with seventeen years of experience. She specializes in working with youth who have demonstrated sexually concerning behaviours and the families who care for them.

The Advocate 15 RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA’S COMMUNITIES RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA’S COMMUNITIES

International Recognition for Violence Prevention by Danielle Fink Lana Wells is receiving international recognition as a leader in family Riley of Calgary University by Brandt, Photo violence prevention.

University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work Associate of family and domestic violence. In 2013, Shift designed Professor Lana Wells has been internationally recognized the Family Violence Prevention Framework with the as a leader in the field of domestic and family violence Government of Alberta. This policy document has guided prevention. In November 2015, she travelled to Geneva, millions of dollars of investments along with policy and Switzerland as a panelist and presenter for the United legislative changes throughout Alberta. As part of this Nations Human Rights Council. She has been invited back framework, Shift partnered again with the provincial for June 2016, where she will illustrate how governments government to design an action plan to engage men and can engage healthy men and boys as a violence boys in violence prevention and to advance gender equality. prevention strategy.

“Lana’s achievements will have a lasting impact for all,” says Jackie Sieppert, dean of the Faculty of Social Work. “She has Lana’s achievements been, and continues to be, a remarkable advocate for creating social change.” will have a lasting According to the Canadian Centre for Justice, domestic impact for all violence accounts for over 12 percent of the violent crimes in Canada every year, and that number reflects only incidents “Our research projects are about trying to advance a primary that are reported. It is a growing concern with increasingly prevention approach to stop the violence before it starts,” complex factors. Wells explains. “Family violence is pervasive, costly, complex, “Family violence is a critical social issue. There’s no easy and, we believe, preventable.” answer or solution,” says Wells. “We need everybody working Well’s expertise and accomplishments have also garnered towards a violence-free community and society.” many awards, including the 2016 John Hutton Memorial Wells is also the Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention award presented by the Alberta College of Social Workers, of Domestic Violence, and the founder of Shift: The Project the 2015 Alberta Human Services Inspire Award for to End Domestic Violence. With a team of researchers, Leadership in Family Violence Prevention, and recognition professionals, students and partners, Wells has created as a 2015 University of Calgary Peak Scholar. and implemented innovative strategies for the prevention

DANIELLE FINK is a fourth-year student at the University of Calgary and the Faculty of Social Work’s communications assistant.

16 Summer 2016 RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA’S COMMUNITIES RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA’S COMMUNITIES

NorQuest Social Work Program in Demand

by David Flomo Social work week celebration at NorQuest College in Edmonton: social work faculty members & local social workers

We at NorQuest believe in “moving our students a step work education. This spring, five of our social work students, forward” by celebrating their diversities and creating an a practicum instructor and a former social work student will inclusive environment. Among our total student population, be traveling to Peru for an international practicum project. 60% are born outside of Canada, and we speak almost 70 languages on our campuses. As a regional steward, We currently have 92 students in the social work program. we provide access to adult education in Edmonton and For the Fall 2016 academic year, we will be admitting 35 surrounding regions. Our services reach from Drayton students; however, we currently have 117 applicants, which Valley to Whitecourt to Wetaskiwin, encompassing 26 indicates the need for our provincial government to increase communities. In all, four regional campuses complement our the accreditation of more social work degree programs. Our two Edmonton campuses. social work brokering partnership with Bow Valley College is currently underway and they are working fervently to start Work is currently underway at our downtown campus to their first cohort of students in the fall. build the new four-storey Singhmar Centre for Learning, slated to be open in the fall of 2017. It will feature labs, We are and always will be proud of our students and faculty teaching, a childcare facility, a new library, food services, members for their leadership roles in our social work student activity spaces and an Aboriginal student centre. community. Robert Marvin, one of our faculty members, received the “Excellence in Social Work Practice” award In addition, we are located on traditional lands referred to as (see “ACSW 2016 Award Winners”, pg. 27). Treaty Six territory, which serves as a reminder that we cannot forget our past as we prepare our students and pave the way to We know and understand that we cannot do this work the future. Our Social Work Diploma program emphasizes the alone, therefore we wish to extend an invitation to you to value of human diversity and teaches practices within an anti- experience what NorQuest is about. We also welcome your oppressive framework that is supportive and empowering. As partnership in any way you can because with your support, we prepare our students to meet the need for social workers our graduates have opportunities in social work practice. in this province, country and beyond, we also encourage them I would love to talk to you about practicum placement to move on to obtain their degrees in social work. We are opportunities for our students if you or your staff are also working on methodologies to indigenize the Social Work interested in a supervisory experience associated with an program as part of our college-wide inclusion strategies. educational institution.

With the opening of the MacEwan University Social Work degree program this fall, it broadens the way for our college DAVID FLOMO is a social work instructor at and our social work students to endeavor for higher social NorQuest College and current chair of the Health and Community Studies faculty.

The Advocate 17 Darlene Marchuk, Edmonton, 2005 The Triumph of Sun Woman and the Noble Disciple by Minister Faust

It’s surprising there aren’t more television shows, novels, and movies about social workers. After all, their careers can expose them to the agonies of total strangers and often to dysfunctional situations. Many of them naturally internalize the trauma they witness and the reward, all too frequently, can include burnout and depression.

That’s what makes Darlene Marchuk, MSW, RSW, and Patti settlers. Marchuk saw her life begin its collapse following the Howell, SW Dip, RSW, all the more stunning. Each woman suicide of her Polish-Canadian father when she was four years radiates the kindness, serenity, and joy of an early prairie old. At age fifteen, she gave birth to her first child, followed by spring. Yet they themselves once dwelt in such desolation her second five years later, and her third five years after that. that they faced literal death. But now they descend into the She began drinking alcohol in her late teens to find temporary darkness bearing a torch so others may come forth to the day. escape from her mental and spiritual wounds.

Take Marchuk. Her Cree name, pîsim iskwew, means “Sun Broken romances and a failed marriage, relocation and Woman.” While she remembers herself as having been a isolation, and the death of her mother in a car accident led her cheerful and optimistic child, her family survived Canadian to the Hospital in a dying body. As she colonialism by systematically denying their Cree culture, writes in an autobiographical essay at Addictionunscripted. spirituality, and language; family members intentionally (but com, she was experiencing “kidney failure, cirrhosis of silently) excluded fellow Cree as potential spouses in favour of the liver, a bleeding gastrointestinal tract, severe jaundice,

18 Summer 2016 alcoholic hepatitis … My weight drops down to eighty which took her as far as Australia where she communed with pounds… my feet are double their size and oozing fluid …. I indigenous Australians to understand how they, too, had had one foot in the grave and the other was following.” survived and continue to fight colonialism. “After everything all my relations have experienced,” she says, “we are still here Having evaded death, and with the support of her boyfriend, and our hearts continue to beat in rhythm with the drum.” she found herself in the Henwood Residential Treatment Program as a precondition of receiving a liver transplant. But Currently, Marchuk works at Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment her worldview at the time, she says, was “black and white,” Centre as a forty-two day addictions counsellor, with making recovery all the more difficult, especially after the colleagues who embrace indigenous cultures and spiritual counsellor told her she was a chronic alcoholic. traditions so they can work more respectfully and effectively with their clients. To her, excluding spirituality from “How dare she!” is how Marchuk recalls the cursing reaction recovery is akin to refusing to reattach a severed limb; only she recorded in her journal, because to her, “chronic re-fusion can make the injured person whole. The Medicine alcoholic” meant that she “was no better than people I’d seen Wheel, as she describes it, addresses the “four quadrants of sleeping in the streets…. My old stereotype of the alcoholic life: emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual.” Spirituality was male, always dirty, smelled, [and]drank out of a brown doesn’t have to mean formal religion or even supernatural paper bag.” That painful image reminded her of an uncle belief, but offers a “god” that some twelve-steppers call “good who’ d drunk himself to death; he was “‘wet-brained’… the orderly direction.” Today, whenever she experiences setbacks person drinks so much it basically kills off their brain and or seeks guidance, she prays and smudges to help rebalance leaves them incapacitated.” herself spiritually, which allows her to give and receive “the many gifts of life: love, respect, understanding, patience, “I took the blinders off,” Marchuk says about confronting [and] empathy.” the description “chronic alcoholic”, and “started to hear differently, and that’s the transition from the head into the “Don’t ask why the addiction—ask why the pain?” is the heart.” It let her abandon her ego, she says, and embrace the incisive admonition of Canadian physician and addictions tenets of her twelve-step recovery. “Instead of overanalysing, specialist Gabor Maté, but it’s clear that addressing trauma I was feeling, connecting. Then, I noticed one day the world is never enough. Achieving a life of sustainable productivity, became brilliant with colour. It was vibrant and it was alive.” meaning, and joy requires asking Marchuk’s own heartsun question—and then building existence around fulfilling it: Inspired by a counsellor “What makes your heart dance?” with whom she worked during a six-month stay at Equally remarkable is Patti Howell, whose name is equally a women’s recovery house, powerful: Patricia, meaning noble woman, and Howell Marchuk decided to become from Hywel, a mythic Welsh saint who served King Arthur a social worker. Combining and was a disciple of Saint Teilo. Howell, who is currently that education with Native a case worker and facilitator with Distinctive Employment Studies and attendance at the Counseling Services of Alberta (DECSA), would be able to Blue Quills cultural camp, understand the harrowing defeats, betrayals, and violence she writes that the missing of the Arthurian legends, having herself survived trials-by- Darlene Marchuk medicine was “connecting fire… and ice. spiritually through cultural means,” which gave her “the same connection I had when I was in a healing circle…. Howell took her first drink of alcohol when she was only I literally felt my blood come to life….” In addition to four years old in a family where brutality was the norm. By applying her new vision to becoming an accomplished, semi- her adolescence she had the first two of her eventual five professional photographer, she achieved a master’s degree children; ultimately, addiction cost her custody of all of

The Advocate 19 them, and her partner’s own addictions killed him. She says because so many sponsors continue to falter or self-destruct, that by the time she hit—or actually was smashed into—the her optimism is absolutely unmistakeable. She says all people proverbial rock-bottom, she “felt completely empty. Like I need to rebuild themselves sustainably is to “suit up and was a shell walking around with human skin. Completely, show up… consistently.” Some people take more time, but devastatingly empty.” Four years of homelessness, they can make it with support. prostitution, and eventually crack cocaine addiction led her to an icy March street at 4 AM where strangers robbed and Although she still attempted to murder her by twice running her over with experiences physical their car, breaking her hip, pelvis and jaw, and crushing her pain from the attempt right heel and parts of her right calf and left kneecap. on her life, Howell says that following Awakening in the hospital a month later, she discovered her transformation, an astonishing blessing: her craving for cocaine was gone. nothing runs her While she still had two months left of a non-weight-bearing life, not even pain. order for physical recovery, she felt pushed into action by Yet like Marchuk, what saved her. After her attackers hit the first time, she Patti Howell she too argues for recalls having heard a voice commanding her: “Move, Patti!” the importance of spirituality—however defined—in self- Despite her massive, agonising injuries (“I just flipped over transformation. But is there a contradiction? After all, while my broken hip and pelvis, and with the crunching going religious stories about sacrificed saviour gods are far older straight up my tailbone and all the way up my spine, I’m than Christianity, they all have one thing in common: their dragging myself with my elbows—”) she moved just enough deity is a victim. Wouldn’t that ultimate victimhood reinforce to avoid being killed by the second impact. a wounded person’s learned helplessness?

“From that moment I became obedient. That is a miracle “Well, he was a victim until he overcame death, and then in and of itself. I was not in any way obedient up until that he was a victor. People seem to forget that part of the story,” point.” And that voice that called her? “I know it was God,” says Howell in reference to the saviour in her own Christian she says. “Once you hear, you can’t unhear.” faith. “I’ve come back, and my life is better now than it’s ever been…. Coming back stronger than ever is not really a Intensely motivated to create a new life, she found help at testament to me, it’s a testament to my higher power…. I was E4C (a non-profit human services charitable organization), told I would get up to eighty percent capacity maybe by the Pathways to Housing, and Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment doctors. [That] I might not walk again.” But she does. Centre, which motivated her to become an RSW. While lying in her hospital bed, she knew she had to choose “I wanted to help people, inspire people, empower people to her fate, and that she could default to bitterness, or climb a make different choices for themselves,” she says, “especially path of mystery she’ d never ascended before. But even for people who are what I call ‘my people’… people living in those who are rigidly anti-religious, she offers a spiritual prostitution or sexual exploitation.” At DECSA’s transition opportunity: “We have a lower self. A base self. We also have program, she helps steer willing seekers toward education a higher self. So if we follow the doctrine of our own higher and trades or career development; she says the eleven women self, and what we know is to be the right and good thing, in her group right now “inspire me every single day.” then that, to me, is following a higher power.”

While Howell claims that her twelve-step program taught her to avoid being “invested in other people’s outcomes”

MINISTER FAUST is an award-winning novelist and journalist. He was a public school teacher for a decade and has also worked in television and video games. His podcast MF Galaxy is on iTunes, Stitcher and mfgalaxy.org. Find his books at ministerfaust.com.

20 Summer 2016 Budget 2016 and Helping People with Addictions by Minister Faust

The Government of Alberta accepted the Valuing Mental services and supports, the limited money available is going to Health report and its 32 recommendations, each of which the wrong places. We should be funding team-based care and includes a suggested target date for implementation. The preventative programs. government then made six of its own priorities for reform, as posted at www.Health.Alberta.ca/initiatives/Mental- What is the timeline for implementation? Health-Review.html, but without noting in that summary Q the budgetary allocations for each goal or its timeline for Ehrkamp: Some of the new detoxification beds (for example, implementation. The Advocate asked for responses from the the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs (PCHAD) beds Honourable , Minister of Health, whose press in Calgary are now open). Work is underway to open the secretary Laura Ehrkamp spoke on her behalf, and interim six to eight new detoxification beds for adults in Lethbridge. Liberal leader David Swann, who chaired the Alberta Mental Converting 20 beds from social detoxification to medical Health Review Committee. detoxification at Safe Harbour in Red Deer is also one of the priority recommendations we are taking action on. What process did the government use to What is your opinion of the government’s timeline reduce the 27 recommendations in Appendix A Q for implementation of those priorities? to six priorities? Q Swann: I believe the Minister is doing what she can, but this Ehrkamp: The six recommendations were chosen as is an issue that is only going to get worse without timely highest priority based on immediate needs. The needs for implementation of the priorities I mentioned earlier. detoxification beds were determined by examining the patterns of usage across the province and where current When will the government act on the remaining pressure points existed: where either beds were not available recommendations from Appendix A? How did you or the beds that were available were in high demand. Q determine where the need was the strongest?

To what degree are you satisfied by the Ehrkamp: An Addiction and Mental Health Implementation Q government’s six priorities based on Appendix Team is being established to work with our community and A’s 27 recommendations? How sufficient is the health partners to coordinate implementation of the report. government’s budgetary allocation for each of those six priorities? Which of the remaining recommendations from Appendix A do you want set as the next set of Swann: The six recommendations chosen by government as Q priorities and why? priorities are not what I would have chosen. The priorities are listed clearly in the opening pages of the report. The Swann: As I mentioned, the government has its priorities government is constrained by the current fiscal realities of wrong already. They need to address the major findings in Alberta. That said, because they are not prioritizing upstream the report instead of trying to find easy political wins.

The Advocate 21 Can Be Done by Verna Wittigo, MSW, RSW

Verna Wittigo completed Lesser Slave Lake in Joussard, Alberta. Verna is the direct her Master of Social Work, descendant of Wittigo, neé Benjamin Willier, brother to Clinical specialization in Moostoos and Kinosayoo of Treaty 8. Wittigo was part of the 2014. Was something she Treaty 8 negotiations. Wittigo was patriarchal grandfather only dreamed. After many to Henry Willier, Verna’s father. Verna is very proud of her years of social work practice heritage and ancestry. in helping others to succeed, Verna took a step forward Verna is thankful for the helping hands of Creator, and completed her degree. grandmothers, grandfathers and animal helpers. Thanks Verna started working within for the support of family, friends, colleagues, co-workers, the social work framework in mentors, NDP government for recognition and some financial assistance from Sucker Creek band. As well, big Verna Wittigo 1986 - 29 years. Verna could have driven countless times thank you to University of Calgary, staff and faculty for around the world to provide services through her work and providing the program and opportunity. Verna is proud to volunteerism. On a personal note, Verna is a proud mother have paid, took vacation days and worked for the majority of of two daughters who she raised at times with support from her education. Free education is a myth. Work is healthy with parents. Verna bought her own home for her family. Verna love and a vision. Hai hai. is a Cree woman who was raised on the south shore of

Verna Wittigo resides in High Prairie, Alberta, where she is a Mental Health Promotion Facilitator and works in Outreach Services for adults in recovery from severe and chronic mental illness, both with . She also serves as an Elder with Region 8 Child and Family Services, supporting foster families by providing children with teachings about and access to traditional culture and ceremonies.

Wittigo is also an Elder on the ACSW Indigenous Social Work Committee and has been a member since its conception. A highlight of her work with the committee was the 2006 ‘Think Tank’ for Aboriginal people in Red Deer, which saw a significant part of the community gather, and which featured Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper as a guest speaker.

Wittigo has years of experience in the fields of addiction, mental health, crisis Intervention and more, and has earned a number of honours including the Canadian Association of Social Work’s Distinguished Service award. She is a lifelong learner of the Cree language; has served as a Cree interpreter in court; and enjoys teaching conversational Cree to children. The Advocate is honoured to share her story.

22 Summer 2016 ACSW conference keynote address

Social Workers Gather to Embrace Change ASCW Conference 2016

by Tara Hogue Harris

We all know the benefits of keeping your nose to the grindstone and your head down. Now imagine the relief of bringing your head up and taking a wider view. That’s the beauty of the ACSW’s annual conference. It’s an opportunity to meet and reconnect with colleagues from across the profession, take in new viewpoints and find yourself reenergized by the spirit and strength of social workers across the province.

Dr. Marie Wilson - keynote speaker Conference attendees at the keynote address

The Advocate 23 This year’s conference, “Social Workers Embracing a Diverse for a federal Social Care Act by advocating the government and Changing World”, took place at the Shaw Conference of Alberta and its MLAs. In addition, a motion was adopted Centre in Edmonton from March 31st to April 2nd, 2016. that the ACSW take action to address the Calls to Action of 725 people attended, taking in everything from the kick-off the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. Wellness Fair to over 50 workshops that allowed attendees to earn up to 12 Category ‘A’ credits. With 56 workshops to choose from, social workers could choose to zero in on topics like physician-assisted dying and Friday’s highlight was keynote speaker Dr. Marie Wilson, adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or broaden one of three commissioners on the Truth & Reconciliation their focus to learn about the value of meditation or Commission. Dr. Wilson had a full house as she shared her overcoming team dysfunction. Some of the ACSW’s Interest experiences as a witness to the multigenerational effects of Groups took the opportunity to share their vision and work, Indian Residential Schools. She offered multiple perspectives and a group of deserving social workers were honoured and stories of hope, while also bringing many to tears with during the annual awards luncheon. videos featuring the personal accounts of Residential School survivors. She encouraged all social workers to incorporate Hours of work went into the success of this conference, and asking clients if anyone in their family attended Residential sincere thanks go out to the many conference volunteers, School into their practice. including co-chairs Leeann Francis, SW Dip, RSW, and Ann Henry, BSW, RSW. The support of ACSW staff was also Friday evening’s ACSW annual general meeting allowed instrumental in making the conference happen. Watch for the College to report on the events of the past year, and news of the 2017 conference in Calgary, another opportunity resulted in two important resolutions. A vote was held and to lift your head, broaden your focus and reenergize your a resolution supported that the ACSW actively engage with practice for another year. the work of the CASW and the effort to create agreement

Barbara McPherson proposing resolution at the AGM Conference committee co-chairs Ann Henry & Elder Gilman Cardinal and Verna Wittigo Leeann Francis

Social work students at U of C booth Food truck at conference Poster presentation

24 Summer 2016 Volunteers and ACSW staff

Donna Marie Perry with Ilona Cardinal Alec Stratford and Charity Lui Heather Johnson

Volunteers at the conference ACSW staff Laurie Nelson, Tracy Houben and ACSW staff Neetu Dodd Noreen Majek

Wellness Fair

Members participating in peacemaking circles Donna Marie Perry enjoying reiki MLAs Nicole Goehring and Heather Sweet

Charity Lui with hoop dancers MC College students offered mini-manicures Relaxing with yoga

The Advocate 25 Soca fit at wellness fair Stretching with yoga MLAs Heather Sweet and Nicole Goehring hoop dancing

Workshops

ACSW members enjoy conference workshops.

26 Summer 2016 ACSW 2016 Award Winners

The Alberta College of Social Workers congratulates this year’s award winners!

Excellence in Social Work Practice Award

This award recognizes registered social workers who have exhibited exemplary skills and commitment to the Code of Ethics and mission of the ACSW while engaged in providing direct service to clients.

Debra Carnat, MSW, RSW Debra holds a Master of Social Work degree with specialization in Clinical Practice from the University of Calgary. She is a clinical therapist with Alberta Health Services and has demonstrated a strong commitment to clients and the profession in the role of therapist, advocate,

Bob Marvin, Lana Wells and Debra Carnat leader and educator over many years.

Robert Marvin, MSW, RSW John Hutton Memorial Award Robert “Bob” Marvin is a sessional instructor at the

Lana Wells, MSW, RSW University of Calgary and an instructor at NorQuest College in Edmonton. His MSW was earned at U of C with a Lana holds an MSW with an International and Community specialization in Management and Administration. Robert’s Development specialization from the University of Calgary. career includes numerous contributions made in his work She is a member of the Canadian Association for Social with the City of Edmonton that have benefitted communities, Work Education and has held a number of academic organizations and many students over many years. appointments from 1998 to present. Lana has founded and led significant projects for addressing family violence. Currently she is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of 3 Long-time Members of Private Social Work at University of Calgary and leads the MSW Practice Roster Recognized Leadership in Human Services Specialization at U of C. Judy Baron, MSW, RSW, Audrey Ferber, MSW, RSW and The Nominations and Recruitment Committee was Stephanie Wellings, MSW, RSW were recognized for their impressed with the depth of Lana’s contributions over time long service and many contributions to ACSW and the and agreed with her nominator that Lana’s continuous Private Practice Committee. The College acknowledged their leadership in advocating for social policies and social change, long-time involvement and leadership on the committee, as along with a strong commitment to advancing social work well as their mentorship, direction, support and inspiration practice, is worthy of recognition. To learn more about Lana’s for social workers in, or considering, private practice. The work, please see the article on page 16. College also thanks them for their many hours of work in developing documents for private practitioners and their ongoing advisement to ACSW council.

The Advocate 27 ACSW Student Scholarship Winners

The ACSW conference scholarship fund is sponsored by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex to provide support for social work students to attend the annual ACSW conference. This year, an additional scholarship was provided anonymously.

Amy-Lee Matchem, SW. Dip. Natasha Gillis, BSW student, student, Keyano College, Fort McMurray University of Calgary in Calgary

This scholarship was generously provided by an anonymous I cannot express how grateful I am to have received the TD RSW who wished to pay a conference registration fee for a Insurance Meloche Monnex scholarship that allowed me the student member. opportunity to attend the conference. As a student, it was a chance to get out of the classroom and see the magnitude of I really enjoyed my experience at the Alberta College of the opportunities that exist once I graduate. The conference Social Worker’s Annual Conference 2016. I had the privilege gave me the opportunity to learn things that extend beyond of attending the keynote by Dr. Marie Wilson from the Truth the social work curriculum and taught me about multiple and Reconciliation Commission. She spoke to the trauma resources that are available for my future practice. experienced by First Nations peoples in Residential Schools. She asked individuals in the audience to stand if they were My favourite part of the conference was a workshop I in residential schools or if they had family who attended attended called Working with Sexual and Gender Minority residential schools. When these survivors stood up I know Children, Youth and Families. The presenters shared their the whole audience had chills. Her words were so impactful personal stories, professional experiences and multitude of and I am blessed to have heard her speak. I was also able knowledge. Aside from the massive amount of information to attend numerous workshops regarding children and that I learned, Marni Panas, BHAdmin, Arlene Eaton- families as my practicum placement as well as interest lies in Erickson, MSW, RSW, and Tamara Gartner, SW Dip, understanding children. The speakers were knowledgeable as RSW, MA, Registered Psychologist, were open, honest and well as passionate about their ideas and their profession. extremely engaging. They allowed those in the workshop to ask hard questions and challenged our way of thinking. I So many individuals I met who attended the conference hope this workshop returns to the conference in the years to are as passionate about social work as I am. Everyone that come and highly recommend it to all future and practicing attended the conference had unique ideas and experiences social workers. that will benefit my overall learning as I am about to enter the profession of social work. I am so thankful for the ACSW The relationships I built with other social workers during staff, volunteers and presenters for their dedication and the conference will be lasting friendships. I would highly commitment to ACSW members. I will happily recommend recommend that all students attend this conference, as the my fellow classmates to attend next year’s ACSW Conference knowledge you learn is exceptional. The conference has as a lot of valuable learning was done. added to the excitement I have for starting practicum in the fall and I look forward to using all the skills that were taught during the conference. I will remember this experience for years to come and I look forward to attending the conference next year.

28 Summer 2016 on misfortune; she emphasized the sheer resilience and strength that survivors and inter-generational survivors have shown throughout all they have endured. Overall, it was a powerful and touching dialogue and I am thankful for the opportunity to have been there to witness it.

My favorite workshop during the conference was put on by the creative staff at iHuman Edmonton, an agency directed towards at-risk youth which utilizes the arts as a tool for engaging clientele. The workshop was about the genre of hip-hop as an instrument for social work practice. As a self-proclaimed “hip-hop head”, this workshop was an easy choice for me. However I did not anticipate learning about how hip-hop is actually a grassroots movement directly Amy-Lee Matchem, Karina Gillies, Natasha Gillis and Jessica Gallant rooted in social justice. We learned about the history of hip-hop, and that it was created in the Bronx, New York, to Karina Gillies, SW Dip. student, provide a means to rise above gang violence and poverty Keyano College, Fort McMurray for the African-American population. Then we watched a documentary on the Block Parties that take place once a I would like to start off by expressing my gratitude to both week during the summer in Edmonton, where anyone in the Alberta College of Social Workers and TD Insurance the community is welcome to gather and express themselves Meloche Monnex for their generous donation which in an artistic manner. This workshop was dynamic and provided me the chance to attend the annual conference. It is validating to the fact that social work can sometimes be through these kinds of initiatives that everyone is able have unconventional and still effective—and you can expect to see equal access to opportunity, which is one of the core values me at a Block Party this summer! of social work. On the second and final day of the conference, I attended My attendance at the conference greatly enriched my a workshop where people who have previously suffered understanding of the social work profession as a whole. The addictions, mental illness and trauma got to share their conference began with Dr. Marie Wilson, commissioner for story. It’s easy to be an outsider to these issues and act like an the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada, as expert on other people’s lives. However, to live through it first the keynote speaker. Dr. Wilson shared her experiences of hand, rise above it, and then to have the courage to speak hearing the stories of residential school survivors firsthand. about it publicly is extremely empowering. The message that There were many times during Dr. Wilson’s speech that I I’m taking from today is that no matter your past, there is felt myself touched by her words and becoming emotional. always hope to start over and begin a new life. I can only imagine the pain and trauma involved in losing See you next year! one’s identity and culture, and it saddens me to a great degree to see how such a history still impacts the Aboriginal population today. Dr. Wilson was careful not to focus solely

The Advocate 29 Day in the Life ELIZABETH SCHNITZLER

By Tara Hogue Harris

“Not all problems can be solved one on one.”

Elizabeth Schnitzler, MSW, RSW, came to this realization early in her professional life, and it has served to guide her well through the years that have followed. Nearing her 21st year as a social planner, and 28th year with the City of Calgary, Elizabeth has found satisfaction in working at the systems level to make a real difference.

30 Summer 2016 The role of a social planner in Elizabeth’s case means “If my work for seniors looks to advance positive social ties working as a part of Calgary’s Family and Community to ensure social inclusion, and my partners are working Support Services (FCSS), the fifty-year-old ‘only-in-Alberta’ towards social participation and community supports, we program focused on preventative social services. FCSS look for ways to do it together,” Elizabeth explains. partners with community agencies and other funders to fund and provide programs that increase social inclusion and strengthen neighbourhoods. We can’t do it in isolation. “The job is never the same”, says Elizabeth about her years with the City. “FCSS funding priorities shift, the population Those internal partners include Social Planners, Researchers, changes, issues evolve”. For nine years, she focused on Issue Strategists, Community Workers, and Neighbourhood children and youth as a vulnerable population, and before Partnership Coordinators in her own department. Another that, spent seven years working to promote the social day might see Elizabeth liaising with Seniors’ Services integration of immigrants and ethno-cultural groups. Coordinators from Calgary Neighbourhoods, the City’s Today, her energies have shifted to seniors, and the City’s business unit that’s tasked with addressing the social needs of commitment of being an age-friendly city. the individuals and communities of Calgary. Some days, her meetings might be with community funders like United Way of Calgary or the Calgary Foundation, or sitting down with counterparts in the provincial Seniors’ Ministry.

“We know people are vulnerable. We have to work together. We can’t do it in isolation”, emphasizes Elizabeth.

Another part of Elizabeth’s job description is working with the partners who deliver the services that FCSS funds to ensure accountability for the allocations. She liaises with agency executive directors, program managers, and service delivery staff to ensure FCSS funded organizations have “Each change of focus gives me an opportunity to really strong boards, good governance, current strategic plans, and get to know the population and the issues in Calgary”, says effective programs using best practices with solid outcomes. Elizabeth. What are the concerns? What policies and systems She might work with contractors or consultants to develop are in place? What are the opportunities for innovation and research pieces to inform best practices, and then share those growth? It’s clear that digging into these questions is a source results with stakeholders. of energy and fulfilment for her. The seeds of her own interest in the field grew from her need As you can imagine, caring for seniors in a city like to make a difference in people’s lives. As a teen and young Calgary can mean working with a multitude of partners, adult, she volunteered with different groups, looking for some within the City of Calgary and others, without. She her niche. She chose sociology as a major at the University meets weekly with her partners in FCSS to look at how of Lethbridge, followed by a Bachelor of Social Work at their work intersects. the University of Calgary, and completed her MSW while

The Advocate 31 in the workforce. Elizabeth’s first jobs in the profession to grapple with the big issues can be fulfilling. She believes in were with the Canadian Mental Health Association in empowering citizens to tap into their own resources and do Lethbridge, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, and for themselves; to make change locally at both personal and then in child welfare investigations and youth probation. systems levels. She was also a community development worker in several “It brings me satisfaction knowing that there are concrete Calgary neighbourhoods for a number of years. From these services available now that weren’t there before, and my experiences, she knew she wanted to make a difference at the fingerprints are on them”, says Elizabeth, reflecting on the macro level. work she’s done. She’s quick to say that credit is always These days, she’s knee-deep in meetings for FCSS’s new shared with those doing the work on the ground, and points call for funding proposals. Almost $40 million is being to Calgary’s universal after school program as an example. allocated by FCSS Calgary in 2016 and Elizabeth shares that Families can now find free or low-cost after-school activities responsibility. This call for funding has her doing everything near their homes during the critical hours from 3 to 6 pm from orienting agencies interested in applying, to reviewing when children are at risk. This is only one example of the applications, and ensuring alignment with what already tangible impact that Elizabeth knows she has made through exists in the service community. her work.

Putting all these pieces together is what keeps Elizabeth Elizabeth shares that the young social workers she mentors going. She loves the systems-level thinking that the work are often surprised as they learn about her career as a social requires, along with the strategizing and problem-solving planner. They never imagined that their profession included that comes with it. Working with like-minded stakeholders such a role. Elizabeth knows that systems-level courses

32 Summer 2016 We have to be nimble enough to align with the agendas of the political environment, but keep our sights on the client. We must ensure vulnerable folks are supported, included, and empowered.

can cause students to glaze over at times. “But they’re very Elizabeth and her husband of nearly 29 years have two sons, critical courses!” she asserts, “If we don’t impact policies and a teenager and a young adult. Her advice to other social systems and work at the community level, social workers workers balancing career and family is to build self-care into can sometimes spin their wheels at the front line”. Elizabeth your practice and stay grounded spiritually. has also shared her passion for macro-level social work by “There are days in this work when I go home feeling like teaching community development and social policy courses I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. for seven years at what is now Mount Royal University. Know your boundaries and your limitations”, she offers. Elizabeth finds pleasure in fitting the many pieces of For her, this might mean indulging her love of travel and her work life together, challenging as it can be. “It’s a other cultures. (Her first language is Polish). Wherever she real puzzle!” she acknowledges warmly. She talks about goes, she finds herself looking at the world through a socio- the need to align her organization’s strategies with the political lens, aware of the systems that affect people and political realities of the day and still be impactful. As a their conditions, always thinking about how to make the City of Calgary employee, she needs to be responsive to world a better place. City Council and the citizens who elected them, as well as other levels of government. She returns to the need to be collaborative: “We have to be nimble enough to align with the agendas of the political environment, but keep our sights on the client. We must ensure vulnerable folks are supported, included, and empowered.”

TARA HOGUE HARRIS is an editor and writer with Bird Communications, and can be heard on-hold and in radio commercials across North America. She’s an avid reader, and is pleased to be working with the Advocate team.

The Advocate 33 For your information

The 21st International Congress for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect The Advocate’s For Your Information Protecting our Children, Protecting our Future section gives preference to Alberta- August 28 – 31, 2016 based educational opportunities and Telus Convention Centre, Calgary non-profit events for social workers. Send your submissions to to Charity Lui Professionals from all corners of the world come together to consider how best to at [email protected]. protect children from being maltreated and maximize their well-being. Register at ispcan2016.com/register ACSW’s 2016 Grey Matters Conference Partners in Advocacy September 20 – 21, 2016 Grande Prairie Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness The Grey Matters Conference is a two-day event that offers provincial service providers and Mental Health an opportunity to network, gain knowledge and increase awareness of issues, supports aamimh.ca and services for seniors. Edmonton Social Planning Council For details and to register visit www.greymatters2016.com edmontonsocialplanning.ca Friends of Medicare friendsofmedicare.org Grounding Trauma Generational Trauma – Family – Communication Public Interest Alberta Featuring Dr. Gabor Maté and his son Daniel Maté pialberta.org October 4 & 5, 2016 Parkland Institute Ramada Inn and Conference Centre, Edmonton ualberta.ca/parkland Find details at http://cast-canada.ca/GT2016Edmonton.html

DEADLINES ACSW 2017 Conference SUBMISSION DEADLINE March 29-April 1, 2017 for the FALL 2016 issue of the Advocate is Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Grounds JUNE 28, 2016 All editorial inquiries to Charity Lui [email protected]

AD DEADLINE for the FALL 2016 issue of the Advocate is JULY 15, 2016 All ad inquiries to Charity Lui [email protected]

34 Summer 2016 YOU WOULDN’T TRUST JUST ANYONE TO STAND UP FOR YOUR WORKPLACE RIGHTS.

The world is full of people we rely on, especially when it come to your job. That’s why we stand up Another day, another crisis averted. for all our members, including Social Workers, The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees is proud to represent to have fair wages and respectable working approximately 85,000 Albertans who provide quality public services conditions. Together, we’re 24,000 highly skilled to the people of our province. health-care experts ensuring we all get exactly Among these hard-working Albertans are more than 2,500 social services workers, including Child and Youth Care Counsellors, what we need. Human Service Workers, Psychology Assistants, Psychologists and Social Workers who work every day to make sure their clients are safe and on track to successful lives. AUPE is committed to a society in which all Albertans can expect fair public services provided by committed, well-trained public employees. www.aupe.org

Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. Your working people.

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