Topic(s): 
Webinar event date: 
Aug 6, 2020 1:30 pm EDT
Webinar Presenters: 

Carolyn began her career as a social worker for children and families 25 years ago. She has worked as a frontline practitioner, supervisor, consultant, researcher and policy developer, in Australia, England and Canada. Carolyn most recently led research, policy and development work at one of Canada’s largest urban Indigenous child welfare agencies. She runs her own research and consulting practice. She is the author of Strengths-Based Child Protection: Firm, Fair and Friendly (2018). Passionate about social justice and reconciliation, Carolyn seeks to build individual and organizational capacity in sustainable, strengths-based ways. She has taught at the University of British Columbia School of Social Work and at multiple professional training sites, holding a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from Oxford University (U.K.) and a Masters in Social Work from London University (U.K.). Carolyn is a reviewer for the British Journal of Social Work, Child and Family Social Work, Social Work Education and International Journal for Teaching and Learning journals. She has trained as a Family Mediator and Suicide Intervention educator.

Description

The legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic will be a significantly elevated need for core child welfare services over the months and years to come. COVID-19 has created a high degree of anxiety, stress, grief, and loss. It has reduced access to support networks at a time when families need them most. Public health measures like physical distancing and quarantine may be necessary, but their unwanted consequences - unemployment, financial and food insecurity, mental illness, family violence, and separation from family and culture - undermine child safety and well-being.