As a foster parent of approximately fifteen years, I view the child welfare system in Michigan as broken and ineffective. For years, I took children into my home only to see them returned to a home where the abuse/neglect was still prevalent; to see youth aging out of foster care without appropriate supports in place; or to see biological parents set up to fail. This happened as a result of numerous factors: a Judge not following the foster care workers recommendations; high staff turnover with a family having numerous caseworkers – each time reducing the possibility of a positive outcome; differences I observed in the services provided based on the family being assigned to a public vs. private sector foster care agency to manage their case;
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I obtained my Bachelor of Social Work Degree and interned for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) during my undergraduate program. As a result of this internship, I was able to shadow Child Protective Services (CPS) workers and foster care workers. This experience confirmed my desire to pursue child welfare as my career path. Upon graduation, I was hired into MDHHS as a CPS Investigator where I continued to work for six years. Through my employment, I continued to see children re-experience abuse/neglect while in foster care (maltreatment in care), after reunification, and even after adoption. These children often re-entered the foster care system or experienced a new placement – each time being exposed to more trauma than the entry before. This cycle was very unsettling for me; and as a frontline worker, I felt limited in my ability to successfully advocate for change within such a large system. As a result of wanting to impact large scale change, I continued to pursue …show more content…
I dedicate myself to worthy causes and believe that honesty and integrity are two key qualities I possess which are crucial for anyone in a leadership position to demonstrate. I have been described by others as a “relator” – I have the ability to instruct, train, and offer suggestions to others in a strengths based manner. Equally important, I enjoy teaching and educating others and love public speaking! It is through my love for teaching and mentoring that I have been able to help UAW leadership understand the importance of social work as a profession and the impact social workers can have at a macro level. This has led to a partnership between the UAW and University of Michigan (U of M) for which I serve as a field instructor for the U of M School of Social Work. I believe mentoring and teaching new and upcoming social workers is important and is one way for me to fulfill my commitment to the social work profession. In addition, I hold my core values and ethics in high regard and do not deviate from them. It is important for me to do everything correctly, ethically, and to the best of my abilities. I would also describe myself as highly dedicated, dependable, and driven. When something needs
I obtained my Bachelor of Social Work Degree and interned for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) during my undergraduate program. As a result of this internship, I was able to shadow Child Protective Services (CPS) workers and foster care workers. This experience confirmed my desire to pursue child welfare as my career path. Upon graduation, I was hired into MDHHS as a CPS Investigator where I continued to work for six years. Through my employment, I continued to see children re-experience abuse/neglect while in foster care (maltreatment in care), after reunification, and even after adoption. These children often re-entered the foster care system or experienced a new placement – each time being exposed to more trauma than the entry before. This cycle was very unsettling for me; and as a frontline worker, I felt limited in my ability to successfully advocate for change within such a large system. As a result of wanting to impact large scale change, I continued to pursue …show more content…
I dedicate myself to worthy causes and believe that honesty and integrity are two key qualities I possess which are crucial for anyone in a leadership position to demonstrate. I have been described by others as a “relator” – I have the ability to instruct, train, and offer suggestions to others in a strengths based manner. Equally important, I enjoy teaching and educating others and love public speaking! It is through my love for teaching and mentoring that I have been able to help UAW leadership understand the importance of social work as a profession and the impact social workers can have at a macro level. This has led to a partnership between the UAW and University of Michigan (U of M) for which I serve as a field instructor for the U of M School of Social Work. I believe mentoring and teaching new and upcoming social workers is important and is one way for me to fulfill my commitment to the social work profession. In addition, I hold my core values and ethics in high regard and do not deviate from them. It is important for me to do everything correctly, ethically, and to the best of my abilities. I would also describe myself as highly dedicated, dependable, and driven. When something needs