SYDNEY
ANTIGONISH
NEW MINAS
We brought professional development directly to social DARTMOUTH
DIGBY
HALIFAX
LIVERPOOL YARMOUTH
Our projects have continued to see us lead the creation and launch of an anti-poverty coalition, the Nova Scotia Action Coalition for Community Well-Being; this group is pushing to change the narrative on poverty, and advocates for structural change to enhance our community well-being. The Social Policy Committee continued to work with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives to develop a social policy framework, which lays out what is required for a transformative social policy agenda in Nova Scotia. The framework report documents how income inequality results in political, economic and social instability. It demonstrates how best to tackle inequality and strengthen the social bond, which is essential to address the climate crisis and our future well-being.
workers in communities across the province in 2019
We will share the work of the Editorial Committee and their dedication to building a professional magazine sharing stories of how the profession impacts the lives of Nova Scotians. Connection has been a valuable addition to promote the profession, and to achieve our goal of Nova Scotians valuing social work knowledge, experience and training. You will also read about the incredible work of the Professional Development Committee who have been working to build the College into a centre for social work resources and professional development. In 2019 we offered over 18 professional development events across Nova Scotia including a conference; this coupled with the work of the CASW to deliver webinars meant that 2019 was the first year that members could achieve all of their professional development hours through the College. Finally, we will update you on the College’s financial plan towards our goal of being responsible, accountable and transparent. We continue to see financial pressures in the area of professional conduct; this is due to increased complaints. However, we continue to direct and earmark resources to continue to be able to build out resources for professional development and advocacy.
Our Social Justice Committee continues to work with the Dalhousie School of Social Work to launch our upcoming mental health advocacy paper which will aim to challenge the dominant medical model within our mental health systems and reposition social work to lead the delivery of family and client centred approaches.
I want to thank all of the staff and volunteers at the College for their incredible efforts to support the profession of social work in Nova Scotia. In particular, I want to thank Lynn Brogan for stepping in as Acting ED/R for 2019 so that I could take parental leave and form important attachments with my daughter.
You will read about the work of the Child Welfare Advisory Committee, a networked group of stakeholders who believe we can and must change the current political structures to enable social workers in child protection to lead systems change to protect vulnerable children and youth.
As we continue to work through this tumultuous year, remember to stay connected. Connect with people in both your personal and work lives, through phone calls, virtual meetings, and writing. Know that you are not alone. You have a professional community that is cheering you on, and that is here.
Spring 2020 | Connection 7
