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 CONCERN Launches Inaugural Education Series Event
On Tuesday, November 15, 2011, CONCERN hosted the inaugural installment of the CONCERN Education Series at Alvernia University. This day-long conference entitled “Building a Strengths-based Culture: A Framework for Agency Practice” featured nationally known trainer Terri Pease, Ph.D. This training presented a structured and evidenced informed approach to developing a strengths-based organization.
This mission driven event was designed to provide professional development for those in the child welfare field, in order for us to continue to provide the best care possible for children and youth in need. In all, nearly 50 individuals participated in the training, including social workers, clinicians, permanency specialists, and supervisors from both private and public child welfare agencies.
Dr. Pease, who has for over 20 years worked in various facets of the child development, trauma and domestic violence fields, summarized her training by stating “The concept of strengths-based practice has become a shorthand term to describe a positive and encouraging way of offering social work and child welfare services. On the surface the term does reflect our values of avoiding undue criticism and focusing on the deficits that families and individuals face. However, without a more careful analysis of strengths-based practice, we risk an unthinking avoidance of the difficult realities of our work and the important straight-talk that must play a part in supporting change in families and communities at risk.”
Using a mixture of lecture and discussion, small group work sessions and guided discussions, Dr. Pease offered concrete strategies for re-directing agency goals, human resource practice and social work services from a strengths-based perspective. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) were also available to those with licenses to maintain.
When attendees were asked to discuss what was useful about the training, one attendee stated “This approach enables clients to see their strengths on their own and find solutions.”
When asked what aspect of the training could be implemented in their workplace, another participant responded by saying “Always focus on the positive. Empower families to realize that they can bring about change in their lives.”
CONCERN wishes to thank the following sponsors for their very generous support to this event:
Leader – Carpenter Technology Corporation
Innovator – East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc., Nancy Weikert and Jack Tibbetts
Creator – Fulton Bank, JAGCO, Inc., Scott and Stefanie Nester, Stevens & Lee, Wal-Mart
Educator – Children’s Clinic of Wyomissing, LANtek, ParenteBeard LLC, Rosemary McGuinness
CONCERN also wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Alvernia University, the Bernardine Franciscan Conference Center, and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Convent for their hospitality and generosity.
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