EP 125: Forever Family for Children in Foster Care

In this episode of Social Work Talks, we discuss cannabis use and the impact it has on pregnancy and help social workers bring awareness to women who are pregnant and using cannabis. Joining us today is Dr. Roger Zoorob, the Richard M. Kleberg, senior Professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. And we have Dr. Mary Velasquez, Centennial Professor and Leadership for Community Professional and Corporate Excellence, and Director of the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks School of Social Work.

Grief and trauma are universal experiences and, as social workers, we know these issues will show up in our work, no matter our practice area. Grief is an inevitable part of life—but trauma can make the grieving process much more complex. That’s where the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing comes in. With decades of experience, they provide critical support to individuals and communities navigating the intersection of grief and trauma. Since 1975, the Wendt Center has been a lifeline for people in the Greater Washington area, helping them rebuild a sense of safety and hope after loss, illness, violence, or other trauma. Nationally recognized for their expertise, they offer specialized support to children, adults, families, and communities, helping them heal from life’s most challenging experiences. In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Sellevaag, LICSW, who leads the Wendt Center’s Training Institute, to discuss how mental health professionals and allied workers can increase their capacity and confidence to support those impacted by grief and trauma. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on a critical topic that touches us all.

In NASW’s latest episode of Social Work Talks, sponsored by Illinois Department of DCFS, we converse with the Maryland Office of Public Defenders about their Office of Reentry Services. With the help of social workers on staff, it focuses on helping incarcerated individuals re-enter society—and provides them with resources so they can get a fresh start in becoming productive members of their communities. This is thanks to the help of the Second Chance Act. Tune in, learn, and share.

For more than 30 years, Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has worked on behalf of abused, neglected and vulnerable children, providing leadership for local, state and national efforts working to improve the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Leading the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national, nonprofit public charity, since 2001 and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada since 2004, Ms. Soronen works to find forever families for the more than 140,000 waiting children in North America’s foster care systems.

Imagine this scene. You are sitting in your office when a call comes in. A man and his wife are on the line. The wife says she was given your name from someone who thought you could help. Their adult children have not spoken to them for 10 months. They have pleaded, cajoled, and apologized for all past transgressions hoping they can make amends and, yet no amount of remorse can stop the pain of being disconnected. The husband says, “We miss our children. We miss our grandchildren. What can we do?” This scenario is an example of an emotional cut-off. Family disengagement and emotional splinters are trending upward for a variety of reasons. Our special guest, Margaret Otto, LSCSW and co-founder and director of KC Center for Families and Organizational Systems, offers insight regarding understanding the dynamics associated with emotional cut-offs and how they precipitate transgenerational impact.

Wendy Cervantes is the Director of Immigration and Immigrant Families at the Center for Law and Social Policy. In this episode, she and Mel Wilson, NASW's Senior Policy Advisor focusing on social justice issues, discuss what mass deportation would look like under a potential Trump Administration and why such policies are harmful to children and families.

Dr. Judith R. Smith, LCSW is author of the new book, Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children Through Conflict and Change. We chat with her about her research and the impact of having a “difficult adult child” on aging mothers and explore how social workers can best support these parents in navigating both the emotional and practical challenges they face.

Vote ER and NASW on mobilizing for the extremely important 2024 presidential and down ballot elections. It goes without saying that the upcoming election is one of the most important elections in terms of preserving America's democracy since the Civil War. Hopefully, this podcast will be able to share some important information about what is at stake for social workers, and more importantly, what is at stake for the individuals and families that you serve.

In our latest podcast we chat with Relationship Expert, Author and Social Worker Terry Real!  An internationally recognized family therapist and best-selling author, Real is dedicated to helping couples build lasting, loving relationships. With a revolutionary approach known as Relational Life Therapy (RLT), Terry equips individuals and couples with the skills needed for deeper intimacy and authentic connections, transforming both their personal lives and their relationships with others.

Dr. Dale Masi is  a pioneering social worker renowned for her work in Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Dr. Masi, who recently edited the Fifth International EAP Compendium, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland, where she taught and directed the Employee Assistance Specialization for 22 years. With 16 books and over 70 articles to her name, Dr. Masi’s expertise spans EAPs, evaluation, and mental health issues. She holds a doctorate from the Catholic University of America and has received prestigious awards, including a post-doctoral research award from the American Association of University Women. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Masi has lectured in more than 45 countries and consults globally through her company, Masi Research Consultants, Inc., which serves a diverse range of clients from major corporations to government agencies. Click here for her insights on EAPs and the evolving landscape of workplace mental health.