The Advocate - Spring 2020 by ACSW

FEATURE

From Practicums to Practice: The Student’s Perspective

ETHICS IN ACTION

The Clinical Social Work Registry – Big News!

PRIVATE PRACTICE Advocating for Social Workers as Therapists

ADVOCATE SPRING 2020

THE

VOLUME 45 | ISSUE 1

www.acsw.ab.ca

ALBERTA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

PAGE 14

ENDING CHILD POVERTY: A MORAL IMPERATIVE FOR ALBERTA

PROBIOTICS, THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, & MENTAL HEALTH Instructor: Laura Pawlak, Ph.D., M.S., R.D. (emerita)

6 HOURS CREDIT (Social Workers) PROGRAM / LECTURE Conference registration is from 7:45 AM to 8:30 AM. The conference will begin at 8:30 AM. A lunch break (on your own) will take place from approximately 11:30 AM to 12:20 PM. The course will adjourn at 3:40 PM, at which time course completion certificates are distributed.

7:45 AM to 8:30 AM – Registration 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM – Morning Session • The Western Lifestyle: Toxic Environments and Immune Dysfunctions. • Beneficial, Benign, or Pathogenic? Types of Microbes Found in Our Body. • Anatomy and Biology of Human Microbiota: Are We Just 10% Human? • Diagnosis of Diseases and Syndromes Caused by Bacterial Imbalance. • Clinically Proven Probiotic Treatments: Obesity, Diabetes, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Periodontal Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colitis, and Vaginosis. • Pathological Appetite, Binge Eating, Sugar Metabolism, and Gut Microbes. • The 2017 Breast-Feeding Guidelines: The Role of Probiotics. Innate Immunity. 10:00 AM to 10:10 AM – Break 10:10 AM to 11:30 AM – Mid-Morning Session • What Are Prebiotics and How Important Are They? Common and Exotic Sources of Prebiotics. • Regulation of the Inflammatory Cascade. Deadly Antibiotic Resistance. • “Leaky Gut”: A New-Age Invention or a Serious Condition? • Immune Processes in the Uterus. Microbiome and Infertility: Is There Hope? • Lantibiotics and Hidden Food Additives. • Serotonin, Fluoxetine (Prozac®), Levodopa (Sinemet®) and Gut Probiotics: Depression, the Vagus Nerve, and Parkinson's Disease. • Gluten and the Body: Separating Fact from Fiction. Mental Health Manifestations of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.

11:30 AM to 12:20 PM – Lunch 12:20 PM to 2:00 PM – Afternoon Session • Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Medical Indications, Efficacy, and Availability. • Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9, and Now Omega-7 Fatty Acids. • Toxicity of Excessive Omega-6: Are GMO Corn and GMO Soybeans Dangerous? • Is Butter Back? Surprising Findings from Clinical Studies. • Does Fish Oil Cause Reproductive Cancers? The Mercury Connection. • Choosing a Safe Supplement: Interactions of Herbal Remedies with Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications. • Sugar Substitutes and Amino Acids: Weight Loss, Depression, ADHD, Diabetes, Bipolar Disorder, and Autoimmunity. 2:00 PM to 2:10 PM – Break 2:10 PM to 3:40 PM – Mid-Afternoon Session • Endocrine Disrupters in Food, Water, and Furniture: Medication Interactions. • Oral Health and Vaccination Against Caries. Periodontal Disease. • Can an Immune Modulator Medication Help Re-Grow Lost Teeth? A Breathrough. • Mediterranean, MIND, Neanderthal, or Low Glycemic: Popular Diet Plans. • Autistic Microbes? Developmental and Mental Health Consequences of Dysbiosis. • Dietary Detoxification: Can Detox Prevent Cancer and Dementia? • Secrets of People Who Live to Be 100: Exercise, Sleep, Diet, Supplements, and Toxin Eradication. Evaluation, Questions, and Answers

Biomed’s Website: www.biomedglobal.com

CALGARY, AB

Thu., April 23, 2020 8:30 AM to 3:40 PM Royal Hotel Trademark 2828 23rd Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 8T4

EDMONTON, AB

MEETING TIMES & LOCATIONS EDMONTON, AB

Fri., April 24, 2020 8:30 AM to 3:40 PM Radisson & Convention Center 4520 76th Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T6B 0A5

Wed., May 6, 2020 8:30 AM to 3:40 PM Edmonton Inn 11834 Kingsway Avenue Edmonton, AB T5G 0X5

CALGARY, AB

Thu., May 7, 2020 8:30 AM to 3:40 PM Royal Hotel Trademark 2828 23rd Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 8T4

CALGARY, AB

Fri., May 8, 2020 8:30 AM to 3:40 PM Royal Hotel Trademark 2828 23rd Street NE Calgary, AB T2E 8T4

INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Laura Pawlak [Ph.D., M.S., R.D. (emerita)] is a full-time biochemist-lecturer for INR. Dr. Pawlak undertook her graduate studies in biochemistry at the University of Illinois, where she received her masters and doctoral degrees. Author of 22 scientific publications and many academic books, she conducted her postdoctoral research in biochemistry at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Biomed reserves the right to change instructors without prior notice. Every instructor is either a compensated employee or independent contractor of Biomed.

FEE:

CHEQUES: $109.00 (CANADIAN) per person with pre-registration or $134.00 (CANADIAN) at the door if space remains. CREDIT CARDS: Most credit-card charges will be processed in Canadian dollars. Some charges will be in U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate. The tuition includes all applicable Canadian taxes. At the seminar, participants will receive a complete course syllabus. Tuition payment receipt will also be available at the seminar.

TO REGISTER:

Please complete and return the registration form below. Or online at: www.biomedglobal.com. Or register toll-free with Visa, MasterCard, American Express®, or Discover® by calling 1-888-724-6633. Or fax a copy of your completed registration form–including Visa, MasterCard, American Express®, or Discover®

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

The Institute for Natural Resources, Provider #1356, is approved as a provider for social work education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. The Institute for Natural Resources maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 02/28/2019 – 02/28/2022. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive 6 clinical continuing education hours.

 REGISTRATION FORM 

Please check course date:

(This registration form may be copied.)

Thu., April 23, 2020 (Calgary, AB) Fri., April 24, 2020 (Edmonton, AB) Wed., May 6, 2020 (Edmonton, AB)

Thu., May 7, 2020 (Calgary, AB) Fri., May 8, 2020 (Calgary, AB)

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Please print:

Name: Profession: Home Address: Professional License #: City: State: Zip: Lic. Exp. Date: Home Phone: ( ) Work Phone: ( ) Employer: E-Mail: (needed for confirmation & receipt) Please enclose full payment with registration form. Check method of payment. Cheque for $109.00 (CANADIAN) (Make payable to Biomed General) Charge the equivalent of $109.00 (CANADIAN) to my Visa MasterCard

American Express®

Discover®

Most credit-card charges will be processed in Canadian dollars. Some charges will be in U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate.

Card Number: Signature:

(enter all raised numbers)

Please return form to: Biomed General Box #622 Unit 235, 3545-32 Avenue NE Calgary, AB T1Y 6M6 TOLL-FREE: 1-877-246-6336 TEL: (925) 602-6140  FAX: (925) 687-0860

Exp. Date:

CVV:

(Card Security Code)

Please provide an e-mail address above to receive a confirmation and directions to the meeting site.

Please register early and arrive before the scheduled start time. Space is limited. For American Disability Act (ADA) accommodations or for addressing a grievance, please send the request by email to info@inrseminars.com or by fax to (925) 363-7798. For ADA matters (including sign-language interpreters), Biomed would appreciate advance notice so as to ensure our ability to provide the appropriate accommodation. Registrations are subject to cancellation after the scheduled start time. A transfer at no cost can be made from one seminar location to another if space is available. Registrants cancelling up to 72 hours before a seminar will receive a tuition refund less a $35.00 (CANADIAN) administrative fee or, if requested, a full-value voucher, good for one year, for a future seminar. Other cancellation requests will only be honored with a voucher. Cancellation or voucher requests must be made in writing. If a seminar cannot be held for reasons beyond the control of the sponsor (e.g., acts of God), the registrant will receive free admission to a rescheduled seminar or a full-value voucher, good for one year, for a future seminar. A $35.00 (CANADIAN) service charge applies to each returned cheque. A $15.00 fee will be charged for the issuance of a duplicate certificate. Fees are subject change without notice. The rate of exchange used will be the one prevailing at the time of the transaction.

For all inquiries, please contact customer service at 1-877-246-6336 or (925) 602-6140.

THE

ADVOCATE

THE ADVOCATE Volume 45, Issue 1, Spring 2020 Published by: The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) 550 10707 100 AVE NW, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1 Ph: 780-421-1167/Toll-free (in AB): 1-800-661-3089 Fax: 780-421-1168/Toll-free fax: 1-866-874-8931 acsw@acsw.ab.ca — acsw.ab.ca Registrar (Acting) Associate Registrar: Suzanne MacKinnon, MSW, RCSW associateregistrar@acsw.ab.ca Executive Director (Acting) Associate Director - Professional Practice & Advocacy: Jody-Lee Farrah, MSW, RSW assocdirector@acsw.ab.ca Managers, Regulatory Practice/Complaints Directors: Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW Sheryl Pearson, MSW, RSW, LLB acswregulatory@acsw.ab.ca

COVER STORY: SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKS 14 Ending Child Poverty: A Moral Imperative for Alberta

Membership Activities - Team Lead: Charity Lui, MSW, RSW Social Workers - Membership Activities: Heather Johnson, SW Dip, RSW Andre Tinio, BSW, RSW Finance & Administration Officer: Kim Hyggen, CPA, CGA Finance & Administration Support: Audrey Kent, CPA, CMA Registration Coordinator: Brenda Gross Executive Assistant / Office Manager: Noreen Majek

ETHICS IN ACTION 12 The Clinical Social Work Registry – Big News!

FEATURE STORY 18 From Practicums to Practice: The Student’s Perspective

Promotions & Events Associate: Crystal King Administrative Support Professionals: Tracy Houben Carlena Johnson Jennifer Vasquez Toni Harrison Tami Carlin Jessica Atamanenko Kathleen Lidbetter Emily Rypstra (Associate) Online Services Analyst: Laurie Nelson

FEATURES

18 From Practicums to Practice: The Student’s Perspective AROUND OUR PROVINCE 4 Around Our Province IN THE NEWS 8 Welcome to New RSWs & RCSWs 10 Supporting Education – 2019 Bursary Winners INDIGENOUS VOICES 9 Reflective Practice Through an Indigenous Lens ETHICS IN ACTION 12 The Clinical Social Work Registry – Big News!

SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKS 14 Ending Child Poverty: A Moral Imperative for Alberta THE VOICES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE 17 Advocating for Social Workers as Therapists DAY IN THE LIFE 22 Simone Morrison, BSW, RSW

IT Support Analyst: Scott MacPhee ACSW Council: President: Ajay Pandhi, MSW, RSW Vice President: Maxine Salopree, BSW, RSW Treasurer: Carla Bertsch, MSW, RSW Secretary: Dayirai Kapfunde, MSW, RSW Members at Large: Margaret Brown, MSW, RSW Wilda Listener, MSW, RSW Bobbi Michaud, MSW, RSW Baiju Vareed, MSW, RSW Darnel Forro, MSW, RSW Samuel Mammen, MSW, RSW Indigenous Social Work Committee Representative: Derek Chewka, MSW, RSW

RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA’S COMMUNITIES

Public Members: Bukola Oladunni Salami Trevor Liskowich Laura Delfs Charmaine Coutinho

25 New Tools for Your Toolkit

Editorial Board: Samuel Mammen, MSW, RSW & Cardinal Fomradas, MSW, RSW (Co-Chairs) Darnel Forro, MSW, RSW Tasha Novick, MSW, RSW Sherri Tanchak, MSW, RSW Andrea Newberry-Koroluk, PhD, RSW Islam Deyab, BSW, RSW Bukola Oladunni Salami, Public Member

FOR YOUR INFORMATION 26 The Advocate Editorial Policy 27 For Your Information

Editorial services provided by Bird Communications Advertising space is available. To place an ad, contact memberactivitiesadmin@acsw.ab.ca. The ACSW reserves the right to reject any submissions and advertising. Summer 2020 Issue Ad Deadline: April 15, 2020 Canadian subscriptions are $26/year (outside Canada: $26 US/year). Please immediately update your member profile with any address changes. ISSN 0847 - 2890 PM NO. 40050109 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO 550 10707 100 AVE NW, EDMONTON AB T5J 3M1 The opinions and interpretations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), its editorial board, or contractors. The aforementioned make no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied, about the accuracy or links contained in the Advocate, and are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages that could arise. All material ©2020 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 of the ACSW.

Printing on Titan Dull text. 10% post consumer waste. Titan participates in a certified forest program.

THE ADVOCATE

AROUND OUR PROVINCE BY CHARITY LUI, MSW, RSW

Edmonton workshop

ACSW Private Practice Committee

Calgary Area Coordinators

Professional Development Red Deer The ACSW Private Practice Committee held their annual meeting in Red Deer at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in the fall. Prior to their meeting, the group hosted a professional development workshop for members to network and learn more about private practice. Also in Red Deer, the Social Workers in Health group organized a day-long learning opportunity focused on elder abuse, mindfulness practice and music therapy. Thank you to presenters Sarah Ramsey, MSW, RSW, with the Seniors Protection Partnership in Edmonton, and Bonnie Kowaliuk, RSW, a mindfulness coach and leadership consultant. Calgary The Calgary Area Coordinators hosted a professional development day at Mount Royal University. The three workshops offered were: The Right Use of Power with Larissa Travis, MSW, RSW; Calls to Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women with Josie Nepinak, and 4

SPRING 2020

Vicarious Trauma with Barb Higgins. The event was open to 60 social workers and sold out weeks prior! Edmonton In the fall, Marlene Mulder and Bob Marvin, MSW, RSW, facilitated a workshop that focused on developing community-based research and the value of listening, honouring and working with community. We appreciate the Edmonton Area Coordinators for organizing the event and NorQuest College for hosting the workshop on their campus.

Social Work Week in Alberta United by Diversity. Strengthened by Inclusion. March 1 - 7, 2020 How did you celebrate our profession this year? Send your photos to memberactivitieslead@ acsw.ab.ca so that we can promote them on social media and in the Advocate.

Bow Valley It is always a pleasure to host professional development in smaller and remote communities. Thank you to the Bow Valley Area Coordinators for organizing a workshop on self-care motivation and being an agent of change. Helen Rose Diotte, a life coach with lived experience in the child welfare system, inspired the 14 social workers in attendance.

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!

Calgary Holiday Social

Lethbridge Holiday Social

Grinch trees in Red Deer

Edmonton Holiday Social

Fort McMurray social workers

Networking and Celebrating Together Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a privilege to have the opportunity to come together as a profession, to celebrate the season and foster relationships with our colleagues. We thank all our Area Coordinators for their work in hosting the following opportunities in their communities: The Calgary Holiday Social is an annual event and we welcome all members and their families to join us for a laid back, fun evening. This year included a slide show highlighting social workers from the area, greetings from the social work programs and activities for the children. In Edmonton, social workers and their families celebrated the season at our Holiday Social. The children were well entertained with activities and a visit from Santa Claus and his special elf. We enjoyed the soothing harp music played by Terry McDade, and spending time with our colleagues. Also in Edmonton, the Retired Social Workers group hosted a luncheon and a presentation by Michael Phair, a prominent social activist, including a

long-time advocate for the LGBTQ2S+ community. The group is increasingly aware of the need for future planning and are actively encouraging other interested members to take part. Contact Charity Lui at memberactivitieslead@acsw.ab.ca for more information. Fort McMurray Area Coordinators were busy over the winter, organizing multiple opportunities for social workers. These included a networking breakfast, a paint night and some bowling fun! The Area Coordinators in Lethbridge hosted an appetizer and game night. What a fun way to relax and celebrate the season together! In Jasper, social workers had the opportunity to gather together at a local restaurant to network and relax with colleagues. Social Workers in Red Deer and Sylvan Lake got creative during their holiday social. In addition to networking together and meeting new colleagues, they created Grinch trees!

THE ADVOCATE

AROUND OUR PROVINCE

Resource fair

ACSW staff, Council & Area Coordinators

Red Deer College SW Program 50th anniversary

Other Activities The annual Area Coordinator Retreat included 23 Area Coordinators from Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Camrose, Red Deer, Cold Lake and Fort McMurray. The event included a review of engagement activities and a presentation by ACSWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Associate Registrar, Suzanne MacKinnon, MSW, RCSW, with updates on the ACSW competency program. Red Deer College Social Work Diploma Program marked their 50th Anniversary on November 15th. Andre Tinio, BSW, RSW, Social Worker â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Membership Activities, attended and brought greetings on behalf of the ACSW.

SPRING 2020

November is Family Violence Prevention Month. The Alberta Social Workers United Against Family Violence Group organized a resource fair. The group seeks to increase knowledge and awareness amongst all community members, and collaborate to identify new ideas and initiatives for improving services within the family violence sectior. If you would like to attend a meeting, contact Andre Tinio at memberactivitiesnorth@acsw.ab.ca.

The Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, has announced a new scholarship: The Yvonne A. Stanford Graduate Scholarship for Economic Equality. This scholarship is awarded to a social work graduate student who is pursuing a degree aimed at social policy change and social justice.

CHARITY LUI is the Membership Activities Team Lead. You can contact her at MemberActivitiesLead@acsw.ab.ca regarding submissions for the Advocate.

Taking Action Fosters Advocacy!

Standing in Solidarity with Social Workers in Hong Kong The current and ongoing violence and instability in Hong Kong is being felt by members of our profession in that country. In a news statement put out by the International Federation of Social Workers in November 2019, it was noted that over 20 social workers had been arrested in the last six months. Social workers in Alberta want to create awareness and send support to our colleagues. The ACSW Edmonton Social Action Social Justice Committee and the University of Calgary hosted a film and panel discussion called Stand With Social Workers in Hong Kong at the University of Calgary’s Edmonton social work campus. Over 40 participants attended this event to learn about the protests in Hong Kong, discuss solidarity strategies, and how to localize support for Hong Kong social workers. The committee continues to find ways to support our social workers in Hong Kong. If you are interested in participating in these conversations, contact Andre Tinio at memberactivitiesnorth@acsw.ab.ca

The ACSW Child and Youth Member Interest Group wrote a letter to the editor when the provincial government announced it would be reducing support and financial assistance agreements (SFAA) for young adult ages 22 to 24 that have grown up in the child welfare system. To quote the letter, “The government stepped in as their parent when they were children, and now has unexpectedly and abruptly cut them off financially and taken away primary sources of support.” Group members understood how this would have negative affects on these young adults who have faced adversity. This timely response demonstrates how quickly social workers can mobilize and be champions for advocacy. The letter was published on November 15th in the Edmonton Journal and can be found online.

THE ADVOCATE

IN THE NEWS

Welcome to New RSWs & RCSWs 8,235

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 Sharmarke Abdulkarim

Angela Dawn Dougall

Lynette D. Krebs

Ramazan Ali Nassery

Laxman Prasad Shrestha

Ruth Abebe

Shawn Scott Dunnett

Heather Lee Kromm

Leah-anne Michelle Singh

Abin Abraham

Nora Sugano Duska

Lori-Anne Kybanga

Mirabelle Neba Nchangnwi

Franklin Hugo Adamson

Brittany Catherine Ekstedt

Amy Janelle Labossiere

Clayton David Neufeldt

Dakoda Rae Stacey

Hawo Ahmed Shi

Eno Ufot Ekuere

Keathann Marcia LaFlamme

Natalie Ugonna Nnabuo

Murray Peter Steele

Fatimah Ojetola

Katie Natasha Stevens

Samantha Dawn Lambert

James Gerald Olafson

Caitlin Janet Stokvis

Emily Lavoie

Chisom Augusta Onyeka

Willem Andreas Tabak

Lauren Ann LeBlanc

Eze Gaius Opara

Shayla Thistle

Brienne Mary Leclaire

Emily Ophus

Zenith Thomas

Ashleigh Spaan

Veronica Inetari Aliu

Malak Elcheikh Ali

Tamara Teresa Allaby

Alysia Elliott

Kareen Akwi Khurde Atumo

Terence Epule

Lorraine Ann Auger

Bracknell Esambe

Amanda Mary Badry

Mirella Giorgina EstupeBautista

Colleen Leduc

Annalise Catherine Opthof

Yi-Hsun Lee

Hannah Joan Ovenden

Teresa Lenora Celinia Frossard Thorpe

Penelope Celine Maria Fernandez

Joseph Andrew Lent

Shaelyn Janet Owen

Larissa Justine Toutant

Michelle Candace Littlechild

Richelle Geron Pado

Caitlin Danae Jaycock MacDonald

Roselle Mactal Pangilinan

Brandy Catherine Barter Susan Basudde Simrpreet Sindy Kaur Bath Sherry Liegh Bellerose Paige Bentzen Reema Malhotra Bhola Aimee Elizabeth Bontje Damian Robert John Bottrell

Kerry Erickson

Abraham Afese Fomboh Leah Renee Forward Kaitlyn Lorraine Frank Carli Nadine Fredrickson Nolan Gagnon Raina Faith Gardner

Kendra Marilyn MacDougall Jenna Christie Macneil

Jennifer Roan Po

Nikita Sarah Villiger

Deepani Marasinghe Arachchillage

Suman Pokhrel

Tanille Dawn Wilhelm

Shelma Mathew

Sneha Mariam Prakash

Dylan Forrest Williams

Rachel Olivia Reichert

Kathryn Anne Williams

Angela Patricia Reina Duran

Pateresa Marie Winter

Karen Rita Boyko

Cheryl Lynn Gorski

Heather Marie Boynton

Sara Guthrie

Kevin Thomas Bruch

Shelby Alyssa Haga

Hannah Brunsdon

Jerome Hagenimana

Rachelle Mary-Alice McGregor

Paul Russell Campbell

Aneeza Hajiabdi

June Margaret McKinnon

Carla Carolina CancinoAlvarado

Kristy Harcourt

Necesia Secelle McNab

Cody Harper

Mary McNeill

Patsy Casselman

Beatrice Harris

Dwayne Merceus

Suman Kumar Chaulagain

Kimberly Braun Hauser

Imane Messouab

Andrea Christensen

Hayley Doneven Meyer

Kayla Joan Cronk

Amy Laurene Hollingsworth

Jessica Cronshaw

Adele LJ Horbulyk

Danielle Crossman

Heather Nicole-Lee Hughson

Hikari Mill

Carmen McCarty

Patricia Diana Mielcarek Amber Michelle Miller Katherine Elizabeth Mitchell

Curtis Roy Rempel Dahlia Riley

Catherine Marie Yates Rosemary Kathryn Youngblut

Marisa Kathleen Rodrigues

Isidore Yuntenwi

Angela Roesel

Crystal Zeng

Dionne Tatum Rollof

Diana Maria Zerbe

Gloria Ross Nasimbanu Amirali Saiyed Freda Jean Sakebow Alyssa Marie Sawa Kianne Schlamp Doria Elise Schuh

Sondous Husien Patience Irete

Taryn Jennifer Montgomery

Ani Dingamtar

Badri Nath Karki

Ashton Janet Moore

Eyob Mesfin Seyoum

Rayleigh Ailena Dion

Ranbir Kaur

Christine Mueni Muia

Poonam Ramesh Sharma

Emily Dompierre

Shannon Mona Kiyan

Katrina Jean Mustafayeva

Idil Shirdon

SPRING 2020

Cindy Marie Wunsch

Caren Robinson

Bethlhem Solomon Desaleign

Varghese Vadakkepurathan Thomas Karalyn Sandra Van Helden-Tapp

Kyra Jean Golden

Jared Hurdman

Lorraine Pawlick

Yvette Vachon

Kirsten Michelle Pelton

Gabrielle Elizabeth Bow

Marianne Mawulorm Yaa Cudjoe-Seshie

Shelley Teresa Page

Zeljka Udovicic

Marshel Sebastian

251 TOTAL REGISTERED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS AS OF JANUARY 16, 2020 Maki Sakata Gita Ward

INDIGENOUS VOICES

Reflective Practice Through an Indigenous Lens BY DEREK CHEWKA, MSW, RSW

IN PAST ARTICLES I have discussed looking at social work through an Indigenous lens. In doing so, we can begin to see that there are many ways of knowing. Your truth may not be the same as my truth. Looking at things through an Indigenous lens can provide you with a heightened sense of empathy, to begin to understand the complexities of the client who is sitting across from you. Are you ready to hear their stories? Practicing with an Indigenous lens takes a commitment on behalf of the social worker. This is where universities and colleges need to provide more experiential learning options for students – outside of the classroom, in land-based learning facilitated by Elders or Cultural Knowledge Keepers. (Land-based learning is an approach to learning that recognizes the connection of Indigenous peoples to the land, and is grounded in Indigenous knowledge.) For the first time ever, we will be offering a sweat lodge teaching at the annual ACSW social work conference. Participants will be able to experience one of the Indigenous ceremonies that has been practiced for hundreds of years, while obtaining continuing competency credits! This offering shows the commitment of the Alberta

College of Social Workers to be open to many ways of knowing. Moving towards new ways of knowing and doing is a slow process – a process of unlearning things and being open to learning new ones. The sweat lodge ceremony occurring at the conference in March 2020

INDIGENOUS LENS

will hopefully serve as an example of how organizations can begin to embrace Indigenous knowledge and to work with Indigenous people in new ways. One of the keys to success in planning such an event is that Indigenous people are relationally based. If in the process of bringing new knowledge to the forefront brings about feelings of anxiety or defensiveness, remember that the teachings or the new ways of doing

things are based on love – one of the teachings found in every Indigenous (and non-Indigenous) cultures. Included below is a reflective tool that is grounded in Indigenous knowledge to help you prepare to experience ceremony or to be better prepared to hear the story of that Indigenous client sitting across from you. It starts with DOING: in this case, your social work practice. But now, take some time to become aware of the clients you serve, and REFLECT: ask yourself, have you created space for someone to be able to share their story with you? This is a good time to make sure you have in your office a set of the Indigenous teaching cards created for social workers by the Indigenous Social Work Committee. LISTEN involves finding someone like an Elder or Cultural Knowledge Keeper and spending time listening and not speaking. It is harder than you think! Western ways of knowing have so many tools that involve social workers asking questions…but sometimes we need to just be silent. Once you have listened, it’s time to go do what you do, armed with KNOWLEDGE. Then do it all over again! If you need help finding Elders or Cultural Knowledge Keepers, or need a set of those teaching cards, please contact Heather Johnson, ACSW Staff Liaison for the Indigenous Social Work Committee, at memberactivitiessouth@acsw.ab.ca.

DEREK CHEWKA is Chair of the Indigenous Social Work Committee and Director of Child and Family Services with Yellowhead Tribal Council. He recently commenced his PhD studies with Walden University. THE ADVOCATE

IN THE NEWS

Supporting Education – 2019 Bursary Winners THE LIFE OF A SOCIAL WORK STUDENT can be busy. It’s not easy to balance academics, involvement in school or community activities, and a personal life. These students are giving it their best effort, and have qualified for the ACSW’s 2019 bursary award. They will receive a $1000 bursary to support their continued education. Congratulations to all!

Roberta Bradley, ACSW student member BSW student, MacEwan University Roberta Bradley is a lifelong Edmonton resident who is currently attending the fourth year of the Bachelor of Social Work program at MacEwan University. Previously, Roberta was a computer programmer for 28 years before deciding to pursue a new career that would embrace her love of helping others. After graduation, she hopes to work in the areas of grief and loss, seniors’ services, or gerontology. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at Pilgrims Hospice, time spent with friends, cooking, camping, gardening and the company of her three dogs and two cats.

Jocelyn Carter, SW Dip, RSW BSW student, University of Calgary I would like to start by acknowledging that I live and work on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot peoples, which is also home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis families. I honour the gifts from Na’a and the wisdom that brings us all together. My name is Jocelyn Carter and I am from South Devon in England where my people are often referred to as Janners; we are the people that live by the sea. As a social worker, I witness the injustices of systems re-enacting colonization, but I also meet many systems warriors who are disrupting oppressive practices on the front line. I am a proud graduate of Mount Royal University where I sit on a social work advisory committee and am completing my BSW at the University of Calgary. I continue to study narrative practices at the Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy, and am honoured to be mentored by Blackfoot Elder, Anita Eaglebear.

SPRING 2020

Jeffrey Chalifoux, BSW, RSW MSW student, University of Calgary Jeff Chalifoux is an Indigenous Two Spirit father whose Cree name is Kimwewehtew (Silent Walker). He is a member of the Métis Nation and an advocate for sexual and gender diverse minority communities. Currently in graduate studies towards clinical social work with the University of Calgary, Jeff is also a co-founder and former co-chair of the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society and continues working towards fostering the inclusion of Two Spirits in our society. He also sits on ACSW’s Sexual and Gender Diversity Committee and currently works with the Edmonton Men’s Health Collective as a program coordinator for the Health Empowerment Leadership Program (HELP), as well as the Peer N Peer Harm Reduction Program (PNP) supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the reduction of harms associated with sexualized substance use. Jeff openly shares his lived experiences through his social work practice, which strongly correlate with his sexual and gender identities. Queen Ngozi Ezinwa, BSW, RSW

MSW student, University of Calgary Permit me to introduce myself as Queen Ngozi Ezinwa, simply known as Ngozi amongst family, friends and colleagues. I am a proud parent of two beautiful children. I am humbled and honoured to be a recipient of the ACSW bursary award. I am currently a Master of Social Work student at the University of Calgary, with a focus on trauma-informed practice as a clinical specialization. My academic interests include trauma across the lifespan, attachment theory as an explanatory and intervention model, and integration of neurobiology into social work practice. I strongly believe that an interdisciplinary lens is pivotal across human service professions. I equally have an interest in working with racialized minorities and consider myself an advocate for African human rights. I am open to collaboration on research ideas and interests.

Jessica Sauerwein, ACSW student member BSW student, University of Calgary Jessica Sauerwein is a fourth-year Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of Calgary, graduating in June of 2020. Jessica desires to pursue a social work career as an eating disorder researcher, focusing primarily on treatment accessibility, education/awareness, and prevention. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, reading, and camping. Jessica also hopes to return to the University of Calgary in 2021 to complete a thesis-based MSW degree, and aspires to one day pursue a PhD! Thank you to my family, friends, professors, supervisors, and all those within the U of C Faculty of Social Work who have inspired, supported and challenged me throughout this journey.

THE ADVOCATE

ETHICS IN ACTION

The Clinical Social Work Registry – Big News! BY SHERYL PEARSON, RSW, MSW, LLB

THE CLINICAL COMMITTEE is gearing up to launch a new application stream – the PostSupervision Applicant Stream. What is THAT, you might ask? We are delighted to tell you! The Clinical Committee is one of four statutory committees charged with regulating the profession of social work. Specifically, the Clinical Committee has oversight of

Only registered social workers who have been admitted to the Clinical Registry are authorized to use the protected titles of RCSW, registered clinical social worker, or clinical social worker. the Clinical Social Work Registry (“Clinical Registry”), including management of the process by which someone is approved to be on the Clinical Registry. While inclusion on the Clinical Registry is not required to practice clinical social work, only registered social workers who have been admitted to the Clinical Registry are authorized to use the 12

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protected titles of RCSW, registered clinical social worker, or clinical social worker. Pre-Supervision Application Stream The Social Workers Profession Regulation (AB Regulation 82/2003) stipulates the minimum requirements for a member to be admitted to the Clinical Registry and authorized to use the title “Clinical Social Worker.” Alberta’s model for admitting RSWs to the Clinical Registry has, until now, involved an application to the Clinical Committee to begin the process of supervised hours. Once approved, the Clinical Committee has direct oversight of 1,600 clinical practice hours by an approved supervisor for a minimum of two years. Upon the completion of those hours, including 100 hours of clinical supervision, an applicant may be approved to write the Clinical Social Work Exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). If the exam is passed, voilà! Admission to the Clinical Social Work Registry. NEW – Post-Supervision Application Stream Effective March 2020, there will be a parallel stream for admission to the Clinical Social Work Registry. Intended for members who have already amassed significant experience in the area of clinical social work, this application stream allows experienced members to apply to the registry and be approved to write the ASWB Exam upon establishing they’ve already met the following qualifications: a) An RSW in good standing with the ACSW; b) Hold a minimum of a master’s

degree in social work (MSW); c) Demonstrate completion of coursework in the following three areas:

i. Human behaviour development from a biopsychosocial perspective;

ii. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning;

iii. Psychotherapy and clinical practice including evidencebased approaches.

Coursework must be at a postsecondary level or equivalent with an evaluative component (approximately 45 hours). Proof of completion and a course outline for each course is required before it will be deemed to be completed. d) Demonstrate having completed a minimum of five years post-MSW clinical social work practice, including at least 3000 post-MSW direct clinical practice hours (practice experience and hours prior to completing an MSW will not be counted);

DEFINITIONS

ADVANCED CLINICAL PRACTITIONER An advanced clinical practitioner is a regulated mental health professional with at least five years of clinical mental health experience post-education (a master/doctoral degree). They are an independent clinical decisionmaker and experienced with diverse populations. They may have developed mastery of one or more areas of clinical mental health expertise and are sought out for supervision and consultation based upon their professional role.

recognition and profile of registered clinical social workers. The Clinical Committee welcomes applications from our experienced members who meet these qualifications. Please see acsw.ab.ca for further descriptions and directions including policy, procedures, forms and deadlines to

e) Demonstrate having received 100 hours of post-MSW clinical supervision by an advanced clinical practitioner; and

apply to the Clinical Registry.

f) Submit two letters of reference from regulated health professionals who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s safe and competent clinical social work practice within the last three years, at least one of which must be from a clinical social worker.

Toni Harrison at clinical@acsw.ab.ca

There you have it. We are excited about this change and the opportunity to expand the

If you have questions about your eligibility to apply to the Clinical Social Work Registry, please contact or 780-421-1167.

SHERYL PEARSON is Manager of Regulatory Practice (North) for the Alberta College of Social Work. THE ADVOCATE

COVER STORY: SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKS

ENDING CHILD POVERTY: A MORAL IMPERATIVE FOR ALBERTA BY JODY-LEE FARRAH, MSW, RSW

ince 2008, the Alberta College of Social Workers, in partnership with the Edmonton Social Planning Council and Public Interest Alberta, have been releasing child poverty reports, which serve to inform the public on the effects of poverty, current efforts undertaken by governments to address it, and offer recommendations for how they can improve in efforts to reduce child poverty in Alberta.

development of children, and its wide-ranging detrimental effects including issues affecting mental health, educational attainment, employment and housing throughout their lives into adulthood. The report demonstrates that investment into Alberta’s families, including child benefits, nutrition programs, affordable housing, and subsidized, quality child care, are the key to ending cycles of poverty, supporting children and families to thrive and live their lives with dignity.

In January, the child poverty report entitled “Invest in Families: Ending Child Poverty is Good for All” was released, reporting on the current state of child and family poverty in Alberta. The report focuses on the impacts of poverty on the

To highlight the current condition of child poverty in Alberta, excerpts from the report, “Invest in Families: Ending Child Poverty is Good for All” (January 2020) are re-printed with permission. To view the full report, please visit acsw.ab.ca.

Invest in Families: Ending Child Poverty is Good for All In Alberta, one in six children live below the poverty line. Every night, hundreds of thousands of Alberta children suffer the all-encompassing effects of poverty. Poverty is the single most important determinant of health for both children and adults. In Canada, approximately one in five children live below the poverty line. This leads to debilitating effects for their personal physical and mental health, which can cause lasting damage. Research shows that children and youth who grow up impoverished face significant challenges. They are more vulnerable to issues affecting mental health, educational attainment, health and cognitive development, 14

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housing, relationships, employment and food insecurity. When compared to the non-poor, the long-term poor show large deficits in cognitive and socioemotional development and score significantly lower on tests of cognitive achievement than do children who are not poor. It is immoral to allow child poverty to exist – children and youth are suffering from long-term health issues and seeing their potential diminished. Poverty is often linked to adverse childhood experiences, and economic security for families is imperative in mitigating the cycle of poverty. In general, children who grow up in low income situations are more likely to remain low income into adulthood. Family circumstances may also affect one’s life path. For instance, Alberta

children living with a lone parent are five times more likely to live in low income households, while immigrant or Indigenous children are also at a higher risk of living in poverty. Currently, children’s health is being explored through the lens of trauma. Adverse childhood experiences are traumatic events in childhood such as household instability, economic insecurity, and experiencing or witnessing violence. Adverse childhood experiences have been linked to precarious health behaviours, chronic health issues, poorer outcomes, and early death. Children who experience cumulative adverse childhood experiences are more likely to have physical, emotional, and social issues. Children whose parents are living in poverty

are more likely to experience lower socioeconomic status, as well as other negative outcomes as adults. To prevent adverse childhood experiences among children, and subsequently poverty, public policy initiatives should focus on investments for families. Financial supports for families strengthen income security, household stability and lower parental stress, in turn preventing the likelihood of children experiencing adverse childhood experiences. This update on child poverty in Alberta will explore the most recent data and programs that help to reduce poverty and its effects. In addition, it shines a spotlight on hardships faced by Indigenous children and youth. They are especially at-risk and as a society, we remain morally obligated to advocate for and support their health and well-being. Indigenous Children Alberta is home to one of the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing Indigenous populations in Canada, yet Indigenous children still too often face unfair and unnecessary barriers to health and support services resulting in higher rates of poverty. In Canada, Indigenous people make up only 4.9% of the entire population, with a staggering average of 47% of First Nations children living in poverty. This is made even starker when compared to the poverty rate for non-racialized, non-recent immigrant and non-Indigenous children, which sits at 12%. In Alberta, poverty rates for Indigenous children, both on and off reserve, have been in decline since 2010. It is imperative that we continue making progress on addressing the issues that these

vulnerable children face. As a result of decades of discrimination and intergenerational harm, Indigenous children are more likely to be affected by trauma and mental health issues; low high school completion rates; poor health; unemployment; discrimination and racism; child welfare interventions; and homelessness. In Alberta, 6.5% of people identify as Indigenous and Indigenous children account for 11% of the entire child population. These children experience poverty at vastly different ratesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;58% of children living on reserve are considered to be living in poverty, compared to 26% of those who live off reserve. Recently compiled data demonstrates that rates of child poverty in Alberta are in decline, but that there is still a large discrepancy between the poverty rates of Indigenous children and non-Indigenous children across the province. Affordable Child Care A proven method for lowering child poverty and increasing health outcomes is high quality, universally accessible, and affordable childcare. Childcare for a family may be the

second largest household expense after housing and can be as high as 67% of their monthly income, making it extremely difficult for a family to afford nutritious food, housing, education, and other expenses. It is therefore critical, recognizing that lower income families pay a larger proportion of their income to childcare, that subsidies or low-cost child care are available. Collaboration between federal and provincial governments is therefore necessary to provide a solid foundation for improving availability and affordability of childcare. As the government begins its review of the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) program next year, we implore them to ensure that the process is a public one that takes into account and hears the voices of Albertans who have been so positively impacted by the ELCC. It is imperative that we educate the Alberta public about the importance of investing in our children from THE ADVOCATE

SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKS

an early age in order to ensure their future success. Implementing a universally accessible, affordable, and high quality childcare program is one of the best ways to combat child poverty, improve children’s health, lessen the financial burden for families, and help us to build a fairer and more inclusive society. Family Violence Family violence within the home correlates with child poverty and homelessness. In 2017, 59,236 children and youth in Canada were victims of police-reported family violence incidents. Fifty-six percent of children were females. From 2016 to 2017, there was a six percent increase in police-reported family violence and non-family violence against children and youth nationally. The number of children and youth who experience family violence in the home is expected to be much greater due to under-reporting to police. Adult women comprise 79% of police-reported victims of intimate partner violence in Canada. In addition, 33% of adults in Canada had experienced or witnessed some form of family violence during childhood. Some of the women and children fleeing family violence will access family violence shelters to be safe from the abuse. Some incidents of family violence will never be reported to police. Police involvement with women accessing emergency shelter services may depend on the victim’s choice to involve the police, the nature and severity of the abuse, and legislation guiding the work of police, as well as the training and resources of police. Indigenous women are less likely to receive information or transportation 16

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from the police to leave their home. Consequently, Indigenous children and youth are underrepresented in police-reported statistics. Family violence has significant effects on children such as increased impulsivity, behavioural issues, decreased emotional regulation, increased risk of crime, and increased risk of family violence throughout life. In addition, children who have experienced or witnessed family violence are more likely to experience mental health issues as adults.

to explain what this strategy will look like and what it will cover. Although the government is emphasizing this funding and strategy, necessary mental health projects are being delayed. The proposed child and adolescent mental health centre at the Royal Alexandra Hospital has seen its funding deferred as a result of this budget. In 2015, a report on mental health in Alberta from the NDP government suggested improving “mental health and educational outcomes for children and youth by enhancing school-based addiction and mental programs across

Poverty is the single most important determinant of health for both children and adults. In Canada, approximately one in five children live below the poverty line. Mental Health and Children The number of hospitalizations of children related to mental health issues have been steadily increasing over the past few years and there is a serious need for treatment centres as a result. Data from the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton and the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary have reported that in 20172018, there were 645 emergency room visits related to self-harm, an increase from the 2013-2014 number of 294. Even though the government is allocating $100 million to a mental health and addictions strategy, there have been no plans brought forward

the province”. In conjunction with funding the children’s mental health centre, adopting policies such as the one recommended in 2015 will be beneficial in alleviating the children’s mental health crisis in Alberta. Conclusion Alberta remains void of a poverty reduction strategy. To address the far-reaching impacts of poverty on Albertan children and families, it is imperative that the Government of Alberta make poverty reduction a priority and dedicate resources to develop and implement a robust, collaborative, provincial strategy that aims to eliminate poverty in Alberta. The full report, including sources, can be found at acsw.ab.ca.

JODY-LEE FARRAH is the is the Executive Director (Acting) and Associate Director. Professional Practice & Advocacy, at the Alberta College of Social Workers.

THE VOICES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE

Advocating for Social Workers as Therapists BY TERESA WINFIELD, MSW, RCSW

WHO DOES YOUR insurance company support to address your counselling needs?

employee assistance programs

As social workers, our role with clients is often one of advocacy – teaching others how to obtain needed resources or communicate desired outcomes. There are some clients who, with a little support, can go out and use their newly found skills to get what they need or want on their own, while others need us to step in and show them the way. Regardless of the level of intervention necessary, we easily take on the role of advocate when those we serve demonstrate that this is called for. However, when we as professionals need help, who is most qualified to lead the way?

years of experience may be seen as

Well…we are. Audrey Ferber, MSW, RSW, and former Chair of the Private Practice Committee, once said that for the last 40 years, the ACSW Private Practice Committee has been advocating for the voice of private practice social workers throughout Alberta. Our voices are beginning to be heard and this self-advocacy has improved the position of social workers who work for themselves in the community.

less, or they may not be covered at all.

However, more work is needed, particularly when it comes to some

Even more troubling is the message

(EAP) and insurance companies. For example, a social worker with 20 less qualified than other counselling professionals who have only five years of experience – all of this

When we as professionals need help, who is most qualified to lead the way? because social workers are not listed as approved professional service providers. As such, the rate of pay for that social worker may be much As a result, employees are left with limited choices and face the difficult decision of choosing a less qualified or unspecialized therapist over a

workers are excluded from the list of eligible service providers: that social workers are limited in their scope of practice. We know this to be untrue. By limiting the scope of practice for social workers, the public remains ignorant of our skills and restricted in their choices in services. This decreased ability to choose affects all of us in Alberta and reduces options for everyone at a time when the need for mental health services is increasing and the available (publicly funded) services are on the decline. Did you know that some employers who hire social workers have insurance programs that don’t offer the services of social workers through their employee assistance programs? This sends a confusing message to clients about who can help them with their problems. As a social worker, you can help to advocate for your profession by just asking your insurance company if they support social workers through their benefit program. And if they don’t, make sure your employer knows that, and that you want social work services added to the list of potential therapeutic providers. Having all of the information, and sharing it with colleagues and employers, will empower you to make the best choice for yourself – and inspire greater public confidence in the social work profession at the same time.

skilled social worker who has the specific skillset to treat their identified problem. There are also those clients who never come to a social worker at all and are forced to choose from a limited field of professionals who can address their symptoms. the public is sent when social

TERESA WINFIELD is a social worker in private practice with 21 years of experience. She specializes in working with youth who have demonstrated sexually concerning behaviours and the families who care for them.

THE ADVOCATE

FEATURE STORY

From Practicums to Practice: The Student’s Perspective

PART 2 This article is the second of two about social work practicums. In the winter edition, we explored practicum supervisors’ experiences.

BY KRISTIN BAKER

EXPLORATION AND TRANSFORMATION: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUMS As a practicum student, Kristina Kopp, BSW, RSW, combined her social work education with real life situations. Along the way, she also discovered who she wanted to be as a social worker. “Practicum is important because you’re integrating theory and research into practice and applying your skills,” she says. “And the reflective process was extremely transformative and altering in so many ways.” Practicums provide social work

Julie Mann-Johnson, MSW, RSW, also helps students find a suitable match for their practicum. As Associate Director of Field Education for the University of Calgary’s (U of C) Faculty of Social Work (Central and Northern Alberta Region), she’s responsible for pairing students with agencies and supervisors. Before a placement is made, students are encouraged to meet with prospective agencies and supervisors to establish compatibility. They also have input into where they are placed for their practicum and what their learning goals and objectives will be while they are there.

students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practice setting. Through them, students learn critical skills, form professional relationships, and in many cases, establish their identity as a social worker. “Social work is an applied profession and practicums are essential to allow students to see, in real life, how the theory and coursework they’ve taken can apply in various settings,” says Tracy Orr, MSW, RSW, Practicum Placement

The nice thing about practicum is that you’re walking that line between being an emerging professional and a student, so there’s an opportunity to make mistakes.

Supervisor at Portage College. Orr matches the college’s social work diploma students with practicum supervisors in agencies ranging from elementary schools to homeless shelters. To ensure the practicum is beneficial to all parties, she endeavours to find a good ‘fit’ between student and supervisor. 18

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“Sometimes students create a proposal around a unique practicum or talk to us about a partnership. We’ll support that if we can,” Mann-Johnson says. “There are limitless possibilities and we can be creative. If we have a student who really loves dogs, we might be able to find a place that uses therapy dogs.” This collaboration can make a practicum both educational and transformative for the student.

Before Kopp finished her BSW, she thought she knew where she wanted to do her practicum, and what her eventual area of practice would be. Then she took a course about Indigenous ceremony. Taught in conjunction with Indigenous elders, the class provided foundational teachings about working with Cree and Métis people. “After taking the class, I really wanted to

do a practicum to learn more about ceremony,” she says. Kopp worked with U of C field education staff and the course instructor to create a practicum at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills, an educational institution rooted in Indigenous culture and teachings. She completed both her BSW and MSW practicums there. In addition to forming relationships with members of the Blue Quills community, she learned to practice better with Indigenous communities and families, participated in ceremony, and took Cree classes. She now thinks critically about how she can contribute to the growth of the profession when it comes to relationships with Indigenous communities. Kopp, who is Métis, says the practicum was an opportunity to integrate her own identity into her social work practice. “I never imagined that this part of my identity that I didn’t know and wasn’t so connected to would actually be what my social work practice is now,” she says.

with Shanti Foundation, an organization that works with women and children who are sex trafficking survivors and/ or living with HIV/AIDS. The practicum was established through a U of C faculty member with a research connection to Shanti Foundation. Christensen spent the majority of her time writing grant proposals and creating organizational policies. She interviewed trafficking survivors and wrote their stories in English (the foundation intends to create a book). She networked with other child protection organizations in Kathmandu, as well as with social work faculties in two universities.

Practicums are beautiful opportunities to ask questions, get your hands dirty and get real life experience in all areas of social work.

She also thinks that practicums are the perfect way to learn. “The nice thing about practicum is that you’re walking that line between being an emerging professional and a student, so there’s an opportunity to make mistakes,” she says. “Those mistakes will create growth or an opportunity to learn who you are.” Andrea Christensen, BSW, recently completed her MSW field education in Kathmandu, Nepal. She was placed

“The learning outcomes were huge,” she says. “We debriefed a lot around our own personal values and ethics and how that played out in an international context.”

The experience also allowed her to integrate her education with real-life learning on many levels. “I learned tangible skills such as policy writing and how to incorporate theories such as anti-oppressive practice and feminist theories into the policies,” she says. “But arguably more importantly, I learned more about who I am as a social worker. What my values and ethics are, and how I incorporate them into an international social work context. It encouraged me to ALWAYS be reflective and to ALWAYS be critical in my thinking.”

Christensen found that doing her practicum in a different THE ADVOCATE

country came with challenges such as language barriers, cultural differences and, at times, minimal supervision. But she turned them all into learning opportunities, and hopes others embarking on their practicums will do the same.

Kristina Kopp

“Be the leader of your own learning opportunity. Do not wait for someone, whether that be your supervisor or your professor, to tell you how to learn or what to learn on your practicum journey,” she says. “You only get out as much as you put in. Practicums are beautiful opportunities to ask questions, get your hands dirty and get real life experience in all areas of social work. Take advantage of this opportunity!”

Andrea Christensen

Closer to home, MacEwan University social work diploma student Brittney Wills recently completed two back-toback practicum placements with Gateway Association, a non-profit that provides services to people who live with a disability. A MacEwan University faculty member found the placement and thought it would be a good fit with Wills’ interests, value system and previous experience working with youth and families. When Wills started at Gateway, she wasn’t entirely sure what projects she would be working on. “I started my practicum with an open mind,” she says. Ultimately, her responsibilities centred on helping disabled youth plan their transition into adulthood. She also created a series of video blogs (vlogs) aimed at finding and communicating accessible resources for people with disabilities. Wills had a ‘big picture’ supervisor who helped her with her learning contract and evaluation, but also had two more informal ‘day-to-day’ supervisors who helped her learn.

Brittney Wills

“Gateway really embraced me as part of their team. I felt like I was a staff member even though I was a placement student,” she says. “If I needed help with something, or had a question, anybody in the office was available to learn from.” During her practicum, Wills found that she used many of the skills and theories she learned in class, such as interviewing, role playing and listening. “It’s really easy for us to study a theory and rattle it off in an essay, but having to actually do it with real people, it makes more sense!” she says. “It definitely helps you to have a real-time, human application.”

Ashwini Dake

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She viewed every experience at Gateway as a learning

opportunity and encourages other practicum students to do the same. “Be humble,” she says. “You might be given some tasks that feel beneath you, but that’s part of being human and part of learning and working your way up.” Ashwini Dake, BSW, RSW, also feels the practicums she has completed on the way towards obtaining her MSW have been instrumental in applying learned theories to real situations. “You learn about things in coursework, but unless you see it firsthand or in a real setting, it can be hard to relate,” she says. Dake is pursuing her MSW in Organizational Leadership through the U of C while employed as an emergency department social worker at the University of Alberta Hospital. “As a hospital social worker, I was really interested in learning about how macro level policy affects micro level practice,” she says. Dake sought out and co-created her practicum within Alberta Health Services’ senior leadership team, known as Allied Health Professional Practice and Education. Her practicum work supports the practice and education of approximately 1800 social workers employed by AHS. She says the experience has been beneficial in many ways. “I have honed some really exceptional skills in this practicum such as project management, strategic thinking and planning, research, collaboration, shared leadership, ethical decision making, and self-discipline,” she says. It has also helped her to become more confident in her practice. “I think I’m fairly independent now as compared to when I first started. My supervisor has given me the ability to explore, be curious, and see what interests me,” she says. “That’s really important, because one of our values as social workers is to allow other people to explore, ask questions, and empower them to be independent.” Dake, who has also supervised practicums in the past, says that an open mind is key to making the most of a practicum.

BECOME A SUPERVISOR

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM ABOUT BECOMING A PRACTICUM SUPERVISOR! • Earn up to 20 continuing competency credits. • Stay connected to your profession. • Enjoy the opportunity to think about your practice and stay current with new ideas. • Give back to the social work profession.

INNOVATIVE PR ACTICUM EXPER IENCES

TRANSFORMING THE FIELD EDUCATION LANDSCAPE Dr. Julie Drolet, PhD, RSW, is leading this groundbreaking project that aims to better prepare the next generation of social workers through new and innovative practice in delivering practicum experiences to social work students. This project is the first of its kind in social work and ACSW is excited to follow its progress over the next five years! informally. This helped them to apply their social work theory to practice and provided opportunities for selfreflection. It’s these practicum experiences that will carry them forward as they begin (or continue) their careers in social work. Many even come full circle and begin their career with the same agency where they did their practicum. “We find our social work students are hired out of this program and into places where they’ve done their practicum,” says Orr. “They become the next mentors.”

“Take advantage of the fact that you’re there to learn and people are there to offer you learning,” she says. “You get out as much as you put in. Each experience is valuable and instrumental in paving your path.” The students all note that throughout their practicums, they were supported through regular conversations with other practicum students and faculty, either formally or

KRISTIN BAKER is a communications consultant based in Edmonton. She’s active in her community and often can be found reading or running.

THE ADVOCATE

DAY IN THE LIFE

THERE’S NO TYPICAL DAY or typical client for Simone Morrison, program manager and case worker for Red Deer’s Bredin Centre for Learning and their Program to Assist the Homeless (PATH). But Morrison says one thing is consistent: “Every time we help someone, they are beyond grateful.” “Most people we see are in tears, because they don’t see a light, they don’t know what they’re going to do,” Morrison says. “Especially with saving their homes, because the thought of becoming homeless is so stressful.” PATH is a federally funded program that provides onetime financial assistance to people at imminent risk of losing their housing, or who are homeless for the first time. The goal is finding new or saving existing housing, and helping people move forward so they don’t need continuing support. Morrison sees a mix of single people and families. Some are working. Many are unemployed or receiving provincially funded financial benefits. Many need additional support for mental health or addiction. Morrison notes a recent increase in clients experiencing domestic violence, whom she refers to the Women’s Outreach Centre for supplemental services.

BY KELLI BUCKREUS

SIMONE MORRISON

BSW, RSW

Bredin Centre for Learning, Red Deer

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Morrison works together with one co-worker in PATH. Some days they receive up to 10 inquiries, mostly by phone; they then screen to determine whether those requests meet their criteria for PATH support. Morrison digs deep to understand the person’s story, which helps her ensure they access the right services, whether through PATH or referral elsewhere, such as Safe Harbour for people who are chronically homeless. “We’re sometimes a last resort for people, as prevention supports are not common,” Morrison says. “When you find that out, you understand what’s needed.” And this is where Morrison’s experience and connections make all the difference. “Because Red Deer is small, there’s a tight-knit professional community. It’s a very collaborative environment. I’ve been working in housing for 10 years so I’m very familiar with the processes, who can help and where people need to go,” says Morrison, who may refer someone to Alberta Supports if they have no income, Alberta Mental Health and Addictions if they need counselling, or the Primary Care Network’s Street Clinic if they can’t find a family doctor.

Morrison with her daughter Bella

Morison and her partner, also pictured below

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and Income Support are systems Morrison knows very well. She has helped people obtain required medical notes when they don’t know how to ask or when the doctor doesn’t understand what’s needed. After screening for PATH eligibility, the next step for Morrison is figuring out how to move forward. Client intake usually lasts 90 minutes, followed by time spent confirming existing, or seeking new housing. This means calls and emails to landlords, shelters or the client’s family or friends. A home visit follows, to assess whether the housing is appropriate, legal and fit for habitation. Room

rentals, for instance, which Morrison says are common for clients, must not be sublets.

first location opened in Edmonton in

Once placed, Morrison sometimes may not hear from a client outside the required three- or six-month followup, which usually means the client is doing well.

Deer, expanding services to include

“We can save housing within a matter of days,” Morrison says. “I love this program because it’s so successful. We serve about 100 people a year, which doesn’t sound like a lot but in a small town, it really is. Prevention is a big deal.”

population of around 100,000 and

PATH is one of many programs the Bredin Centre offers in Red Deer to help people move forward. Skills development for employment has been Bredin’s core mission since its

1976. Bredin has since opened centres in Spruce Grove, Calgary and Red immigration settlement, youth-atrisk, and homelessness prevention. Located midway between Edmonton and Calgary, Red Deer has a lacks many of the services and resources of its urban neighbours. PATH reaches beyond Red Deer, but many remote communities are missed because they’re too far for the home visits. Morrison describes this as a critical gap. “You see a lot of injustice in this work. The systems are not fantastic. Like any city, there’s not enough affordable housing,” Morrison says. THE ADVOCATE

She recalls one client, a single father with two small children, new to Red Deer. He was denied support from Alberta Supports, through which the family could have accessed temporary housing. Instead, they were living in a garage before connecting with PATH. “This is where you start seeing the gaps in the systems. In my head I’m thinking, ‘I would sure like to fight for some changes there’.” In addition to her work with PATH, Morrison is an Area Coordinator for the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and is on the Central Alberta Social Action Social Justice Committee. Both help Morrison to stay connected within her profession. “I’ve been an area coordinator in Red Deer for a year, planning professional development workshops and connecting with other social workers, trying to get a feel for what they want,” Morrison describes.

I want to advocate for change, because we see the faults in the system that leave people in need. “But the committee is where my work overlaps with where I want to advocate for change, because we see the faults in the system that leave people in need. And we work together for solutions.” Morrison began her career in corrections, working in group 24

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homes and youth centres. She later worked as an educational assistant in a school. “It’s different from social work, but still along the same lines. So, I’ve really worked in this field most of my life, the last 25-30 years.”

worker. I want to support you, and all that other stuff is set aside.” Spending time outdoors with her 16-year-old dog, Muffy, helps Morrison to relax and recharge, and she goes to the gym when she can. Morrison also enjoys music, a passion

Morrison completed her social work diploma in 2011, then served as a systems navigator with the Canadian Mental Health Association and a housing worker with Safe Harbour before pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work degree, which she completed in 2019. “The last course I took was on violence against women, one of the best courses I’ve ever taken.” Morrison has already applied this learning to her work. “I just helped a woman leave domestic violence after 30 years, and she’s just so grateful.” Knowing she makes an impact keeps Morrison motivated, but it’s hard not to take work home with her, through burnout or vicarious trauma. “My daughter, she’s 21 and figuring life out. She’s seen how rewarding social work is for me, but how draining it can be as well.” Like her mother, Morrison’s daughter wants to dedicate her life to helping people, with aspirations of becoming a paramedic.

she shares with her partner, who also works in a helping profession. “My partner is a physiotherapist. He is very musical and is an actor, too,” Morrison says. “His acting has brought me into the world of performing arts, which has been a welcome change! One thing I would like to do is relearn the piano.”

“She’s always been a part of what I’m doing, whether it’s serving at a soup kitchen or working with special needs students. It’s made her highly compassionate,” Morrison says. “I’m proud that my daughter looks at people as individuals and doesn’t judge them. And you learn to do that in this profession. I don’t care if you’re selling drugs or if you’re a sex

KELLI BUCKREUS has worked in health research and education at the University of Alberta since 2004. She is completing a doctorate degree studying artificial intelligence innovations for education, and is also interested in health technologies and digital ethics.

RESEARCH & LEARNING IN ALBERTA'S COMMUNITIES

NEW TOOLS FOR YOUR TOOLKIT BY DON MCSWINEY

UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK UNVEILS 2020 GRADUATE CERTIFICATE OFFERINGS It’s hard to do a job properly without the right training and skills; however, it’s a place that many social workers find themselves. “Sometimes social workers grow in their roles, and sometimes they’re asked to take on work in an area where they have limited experience,” explains Ellen Perrault, PhD, RSW, Vice Dean with the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work. “Our graduate certificates help build the skills and knowledge people need to advance their careers.” In 2018, the faculty introduced graduate certificates in clinical social work for professional social workers. The certificates are recognized graduate credentials (i.e., you need to have a BSW to apply) that provide social workers with for-credit education in most requested subject areas. The certificates offer practical skill development, built on a solid theoretical framework. Graduate Certificates are primarily offered online to accommodate busy professionals and include a few weekend residencies at one of our campuses - Edmonton, Calgary or Lethbridge. Apply for this year’s Graduate Certificates until April 15, 2020. The eight-month certificates begin in the fall. This Year’s Graduate Certificate Topics Topics for the coming year include Trauma-Informed Practice (residencies at our Lethbridge campus); Clinical Practice with Adult Mental Health & Addictions, and Clinical Gerontology Practice (at our Calgary campus); and Community-Informed Practice for Health and Well-Being (at our Edmonton Campus.) “Social workers who complete this certificate will develop

the skills to inform their practice in and with a number of communities,” says Rick Enns, PhD, RSW, one of the leaders of the Community-Informed Practice certificate with Edmonton residencies. “For example, practice with Indigenous communities, the settlement sector, the LGBTQ2S+ and disability community. This certificate will also inform social workers involved in community and policy development.” “I think the focus of this certificate is especially timely given the increasingly multicultural nature of Edmonton and the province,” says Enns. “Social workers will learn the theoretical and practice skills necessary to work with – and alongside – this increasingly diverse population regardless of where they practice. This certificate also reflects the faculty’s and the profession’s commitment to operationalize the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and to addressing longstanding and persistent forms of colonization and oppression.” A Ladder to the MSW Program While many take the certificates to support their practice or advance their career, some take certificates as a flexible pathway toward a master’s of social work degree. It allows them to “dip their toe” into graduate education, and better manage the cost of a degree. Having said that, there is no guarantee that a student who completes two graduate certificates will be admitted to the MSW program, since it is a separate, competitive application process. If you’re interested in this pathway, you’ll need to complete a certificate in clinical social work, as well as the Advanced Social Work Practice certificate (offered with Calgary residencies this year) before applying to the MSW program. DONALD MCSWINEY is the manager of Communications and Marketing in the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work. THE ADVOCATE

All CTRI Workshops are approved by

ASWB

CATEGORY A COMPETENCY CREDIT

PUBLIC WORKSHOPS COMING TO ALBERTA WINTER-SUMMER 2020 NATIONAL EVENTS

TRAUMA—Strategies for Resolving the Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Edmonton: March 30-31; Calgary: March 31-April 1

10-DAY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM SUMMER 2020

SELF-INJURY BEHAVIOUR IN YOUTH—Issues and Strategies

CRISIS AND TRAUMA RESPONSE

Calgary: April 16-17; Edmonton: April 16-17

Calgary, AB: July 20-31

WALKING THROUGH GRIEF—Helping Others Deal with Loss Edmonton: April 27-28; Calgary: April 28-29

CRISIS RESPONSE PLANNING Edmonton: May 14

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY—Tools for Thinking Differently Edmonton: May 25; Calgary: May 28

NARRATIVE THERAPY—Tools for Exploring Stories

This program provides participants with an opportunity to develop a set of competencies to effectively respond to critical incidents. Please visit our website for details.

Edmonton: May 26; Calgary: May 29

MINDFULNESS RETREAT

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE—Building a Culture of Strength

For Counsellors, Therapists, & Caregivers

Calgary: June 9; Edmonton: June 10

Canmore, AB: July 8-10

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER—Understanding and Supporting Calgary: June 23; Edmonton: June 25

CLINICAL SUPERVISION—Skills for Developing Counsellors Calgary: July 14

GENDER & SEXUAL DIVERSITY IN YOUTH Edmonton: July 14-15

877.353.3205

Many of our workshops are now live-streamed or available on-demand! Visit our website for details.

This “working retreat” will assist participants in developing their own mindful practice and provide the opportunity to experience the effect of a deeper embodied presence and attunement with others. Please visit our website for details.

www.ctrinstitute.com

info@ctrinstitute.com

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; social justice initiatives; the work of the College; member activities; continuing education; 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 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: Summer issue: Fall issue: Winter issue:

January 1 deadline for general submissions (articles, letters, etc.) April 1 for general submissions July 1 for general submissions September 1 for general submissions

January 15 for advertising April 15 for advertising July 15 for advertising September 15 for advertising

ALL SUBMISSIONS The Advocate, ACSW, 550 10707 100 Avenue NW, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1 ATTN: Charity Lui: MemberActivitiesLead@acsw.ab.ca • PHONE: 780-421-1167 TOLL-FREE: 1-800-661-3089 • FAX: 780-421-1168 26

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The Advocate’s For Your Information section gives preference to Alberta-based educational opportunities and non-profit events for social workers. Send your submissions to Carlena Johnson at memberactivitiesadmin@acsw.ab.ca. Public Interest Alberta’s 14th Annual Conference

Allies 4 Youth Connections

Fighting Back & Moving Forward

Edmonton

PARTNER S

Bringing together service providers to focus on the growing population of young people with increasingly complex needs.

ACSW’S PUBLIC POLICY PARTNERS

www.a4yc.ca/registration

Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health aamimh.ca

April 2 – 3, 2020 Edmonton Join progressive activists and advocates in the work of defending public services in complex times. www.pialberta.org/conference2020 8th Annual National Indigenous Physical Activity & Wellness Conference May 2 – 3, 2020 Cowichan Valley, BC Share best practices and join leaders who see the value in promoting physical activity & wellness in Indigenous communities. Hosted on the traditional territory of the Cowichan tribes, Duncan, B.C. www.eventbrite.ca/e/national-indigenousphysical-activity-wellness-conference-8thannual-registration-69329693981 Field Education Summit July 14, 2020 Calgary Come to our pre-SWSD conference summit where we will have plenary sessions, round tables, and workshops all related to field education, and our partnership project! www.tfelproject.com

May 25 – 26, 2020

Life My Way – Living Well with Dementia June 8, 2020 Camrose

Edmonton Social Planning Council edmontonsocialplanning.ca

Gain insight on dementia and hear about the importance of meaningful engagement and the Butterfly Approach culture change. Look for registration details in ACSW emails.

Friends of Medicare friendsofmedicare.org

2020 World Social Work Conference

Parkland Institute ualberta.ca/parkland

The Global Social Work Agenda: The Next Ten Years

Public Interest Alberta pialberta.org

July 15 – 18, 2020 Calgary Join the conversation and shape the future of the social work profession and its impact in creating national and global social solutions. www.swsd2020.com/register National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2020 Support celebrations of Indigenous culture in your community! #NIPDCanada

ADVOCATE DEADLINES

SUBMISSION DEADLINE For the Summer 2020 issue of the Advocate is April 1, 2020 All editorial inquiries to Charity Lui MemberActivitiesLead@acsw.ab.ca

AD DEADLINE For the Summer 2020 issue of the Advocate is April 15, 2020 Visit the ACSW Events Calendar to find more training, events and workshops, at acsw.ab.ca, Social Workers tab, Calendar of Events.

All ad inquiries to memberactivitiesadmin@acsw.ab.ca

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INCLUSION Social workers make a real difference in the lives of people, families and communities across the country. Every year in March, Canada celebrates the important contributions of these social justice professionals.

Get involved in National Social Work Month casw-acts.ca/en/March2020 #NationalSocialWorkMonth

SOCIAL WORK WEEK MARCH 1-7, 2020

The Advocate - Spring 2020

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The Clinical Social Work Registry – Big News!