SEPTEMBER 2023

Dear Colleague,

How was your Labor Day weekend? Relaxing, I hope, because September is filled with lots to recognize and celebrate!

First off, I'd like to wish everyone a happy Child Welfare Workforce Development Month and Kinship Care Month! We've included all sorts of resources focused on workload management, the well-being of the workforce, culturally responsive practices, understanding kinship care and the child welfare system, and preparing children and youth for other family placements.

You will also find resources to recognize Suicide Prevention Month and Recovery Month along with registration information for two exciting events! Make sure to register and help us spread the word.

As always, reach out with any questions or collaboration ideas. Happy sharing!

All the best,
Alissa Schroder, Senior Communications Specialist 

We invite you to use any of the following social media posts and graphics in your outreach. Please tag us! 

Facebook: @ChildWelfare Twitter: @ChildWelfareGov 
LinkedIn: @Child-Welfare-Information-Gateway

Join the National Adoption Month Webinar!

• Register today for the National Adoption Month webinar on September 28th! Hear about successful strategies for connecting with youth to foster positive identity and permanency. #NationalAdoptionMonth
  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8WX6cKQbRxCPXMHcZ_0h3g

The National Adoption Month website launches this September... stay tuned!

Podcast

Episode 74: Threading Equity Throughout Child Welfare

• Tune in to this #podcast throwback for a conversation with the [Tag: CB| FB @TheChildrenBureau]’s Associate Commissioner Aysha E. Schomburg, J.D. Hear her discuss her priorities, goals, and vision for a more equitable #childwelfare system. #WorkDevMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/more-tools-resources/podcast/episode-74/
  
  

Publications

Preparing Children and Youth for Adoption or Other Family Permanency

• This #KinshipCareMonth equip yourself with the tools to help children process their past experiences and emotions as they transition from #fostercare to #kinshipcare, #adoption, or guardianship. Add this publication to your collection today!
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/bulletins-preparingchildren/
  

El cuidado por parientes y el sistema de bienestar de menores (Kinship Care and the Child Welfare System)

• Whether you’re participating in informal kinship care, voluntary kinship care, or formal kinship care, it's important to know what to expect and how to work effectively with the #childwelfare system. This factsheet can help. Also available in Spanish! #KinshipCareMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-kinshi/
  
  
• [Translation] Ya sea que estés participando en un arreglo de cuidado por parientes de manera informal, voluntaria o formal, es importante saber qué esperar y cómo trabajar de manera efectiva con el sistema de bienestar de menores. Esta hoja informativa te puede ayudar. #MesdelCuidadoporParientes
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/cuidadoresfam/
  

Caseload and Workload Management

• It’s Child Welfare Workforce Development Month! Take concrete steps to alleviate heavy workloads for the #CwWorkforce. This publication can help. #WorkDevMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/case-work-management/

Working With Immigrant and Refugee Families: A Guide for Child Welfare Agencies

• What challenges do #childwelfare agencies face when working with immigrant and refugee families? How are they working to overcome these challenges? Use this publication to learn more. Also available in Spanish! #WorkDevMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/immigration-agencies/

Child Maltreatment and Brain Development: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals (New!)

• By establishing a broader understanding of brain development and the effects of maltreatment, the #CwWorkforce can better connect children, #youth, and #families with services and supports that can properly assess and address their unique needs.
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/issue-briefs/brain-development/

Resource Collections

Kinship Care for Diverse Populations

• Kin caregivers need access to culturally appropriate #trainings and #services. Share this collection with #childwelfare professionals to learn about the importance of providing equitable supports to kin. #KinshipCareMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/diverse/
  

Resources for Relative and Kinship Caregivers

• Are you looking for resources for relative and #kinship caregivers? This collection from [Tag: CWIG| FB @ChildWelfare, TW @ChildWelfareGov, LN @Child-Welfare-Information-Gateway] includes information about legal rights, financial assistance, guidance on changing family dynamics, and the impact on caregivers. Check it out.
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/resourcesforcaregivers/
  
  
• Prioritizing self-care can help caregivers provide better care to their loved ones. Learn about positive physical and #mentalhealth habits, how to recharge, and more in this special collection for relative and #kinship caregivers. #KinshipCareMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/resourcesforcaregivers/impact/
  
  
• Share this collection of guides and handbooks with the relative and #kinship caregivers with whom you work. Get information about financial assistance, legal assistance, health care, child care, finding support groups, trauma-informed parenting, and more. #KinshipCareMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/outofhome/kinship/resourcesforcaregivers/guides/

Well-Being of the Workforce

• By building a strong and healthy #CwWorkforce, #childwelfare organizations can help to combat stressors, improve job satisfaction, retain workers, and reduce turnover. #WorkDevMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/management/workforce/workforcewellbeing/
  
  
• #Childwelfare professionals are susceptible to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Learn how peer support networks can assist the #CwWorkforce with healing and self-care. #WorkDevMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/management/workforce/workforcewellbeing/selfcare/

Cultural Responsive Agency Practice

• Discover insights from #childwelfare leaders across the country on strategies the #CwWorkforce can use to incorporate cultural responsiveness into their practice. #WorkDevMonth
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/cultural/agencypractice/

Engaging American Indian/Alaska Native Youth at Risk of Suicide

• September is #SuicidePrevention Month. #BeThe1To support the well-being of American Indian/Alaska Native youth who are at risk of suicide. Access this collection that provides resources to help address depression, support mental health needs, and restore hope.
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/diverse-populations/americanindian/wellbeing/depression/

Organizations Providing Information on Substance Use Treatment

• September is #RecoveryMonth. This collection provides an extensive list of organizations that provide prevention and treatment information for substance use disorders. Share it with the families that need it!
  https://www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/?CWIGFunctionsaction=rols:main.dspList&rolType=Custom&RS_ID=28

Features

Generations United: Kinship & Grandfamilies Support Network

• The Grandfamilies & #Kinship Support Network from [Tag: GU| FB @GenerationsUnited, TW @GensUnited] is committed to holistically addressing the needs of kinship/grandfamilies and helping to improve the key supports they need. Learn more about this nationwide network here: https://www.gksnetwork.org/. #WorkDevMonth #KinshipCareMonth
  

The Capacity Building Center for States: Child Welfare Virtual Expo

• There's still time to register! Join the [Tag: CBCS| FB @CenterforStates, TW @CenterforStates] for the Child Welfare Virtual Expo on September 21st to learn about strategies to support and strengthen the #CwWorkforce.
  https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/virtualexpo

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• We can all be ready to save a life. Be a lifeline—spread the word about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. #suicideprevention #988lifeline
  https://988lifeline.org/

Graphics

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Thank you for sharing!

Social Media Snapshot provides a monthly look at the new and timely resources planned for promotion on Information Gateway’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts.

Please share any of the resources that may be of interest to your audience on your social media accounts, in e-newsletters, on your website, or elsewhere.

If you need a different or additional member of your team to receive this email, please contact alissa.schroder@icf.com and we will update our list.