Volume 39, Issue 1,
Spring 2014
THE
www.acsw.ab.ca
ADVOCATE
A L B E R TA C O L L E G E O F S O C I A L W O R K E R S
Preventable
deaths of
children in
care
let there
be
change
Feature story: Preventable deaths of children in care page 24
Social workers commit to truth and reconciliation page 18 Meet your keynote speaker: Kim Zapf page 20
Answers to questions you asked about fees page 10 The Advocate
Volume 39, Issue 1, Spring 2014
FEATURE STORY
in this
issue
Preventable deaths of children in care..................... Joan Marie Galat������������������������������� 24
FEATURES
A feast of possibilities........................................... George Jason������������������������������������ 15
Social workers commit to truth and reconciliation..... Liza Lorenzetti,
Viviana Reinberg & Karen Wyllie���������� 18
Meet your keynote speaker: Kim Zapf....................... Joan Marie Galat������������������������������� 20
Published by:
The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
550 10707 100 AVE NW, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1
Ph: 780-421-1167/Toll-free (in Alta): 1-800-661-3089
Fax: 780-421-1168/Toll-free 1-866-874-8931
acsw@acsw.ab.ca — www.acsw.ab.ca
Exec. Director & Registrar:
Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW
acswexd@acsw.ab.ca
Managers, Regulatory Practice:
Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW
Sheryl Pearson, MSW, RSW, LLB
acswregulatory@acsw.ab.ca
Manager, Professional Affairs:
Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSW,
acswpac@acsw.ab.ca
Competence Program Coordinator/Hearings Director:
Kelly Brisebois, BSW, RSW
NEWS
From our desk to yours.......................................... Charity Lui�����������������������������������������3
Membership Activities Coordinators:
Heather Johnson, SW Dip, RSW
Charity Lui, BSW, RSW
Finance & Administration Officer:
Gladys Smecko
REGULAR FEATURES
Registration Coordinator: Brenda Gross
Reviews: Unruly Angels and Between the Silences....... Peter Smyth���������������������������������������8
Executive Assistant / Administrative Team Lead:
Noreen Majek
Answers to questions you asked about fees.............. Lynn Labrecque King������������������������� 10
Promotions Coordinator: Ilona Cardinal, BA, BFA
Ethics in Action: New Standards of Practice
approved October 2013...................................... Bruce Llewellyn & Sheryl Pearson�������� 12
Diploma Dialogue: MacEwan University.................... Kathaleen Quinn������������������������������� 14
U of C Updates: Focusing “upstream” to end
family violence.................................................. Natalie Dawes����������������������������������� 16
New RSWs............................................................ Membership as of January 27, 2014����� 17
For Your Information............................................. Announcements�������������������������������� 30
The opinions and interpretations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Alberta College of
Social Workers (ACSW), its editorial board, or contractors. The aforementioned make no guarantee or warranty, either
expressed or implied, about the accuracy or links contained in the Advocate, and are not liable for any direct, indirect,
incidental, or consequential damages that could arise.
All material with bylines is ©2014 by author. ACSW retains copyright when no author is listed.
THE ADVOCATE EDITORIAL POLICY: The Advocate serves as a “meeting place” for Alberta social workers
by publishing information about social work research, theory, practice, and education; professional
affairs; social issues; the work of the College; books, journals, and other media of interest to social
workers; continuing education and job opportunities; and member activities. Members and the public
are welcome to submit articles, stories, anecdotes, poems, thoughts and ideas. Letters to the editor
on topics that have been addressed in previous issues, announcements, cartoons, artwork, and pictures
are also welcome (reports, letters, announcements 400-600 words; articles 1000 words maximum). The
Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submitted material. Please call the ACSW office for a copy of
“Share your knowledge” before submitting. Publication does not imply endorsement by the College.
The Advocate is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Advertising deadlines:
JANUARY 15 for SPRING issue, APRIL 15 for SUMMER, JULY 15 for FALL, OCTOBER 15 for WINTER.
ALL SUBMISSIONS:
The Advocate, ACSW, #550, 10707 - 100 Avenue, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1
ATTN: Charity Lui • E-MAIL: Charity@acsw.ab.ca • PHONE: 780-421-1167 • FAX: 780-421-1168.
2
Administrative Support Professionals:
Monica Vasconez Nearint Neam Theresa Duban
Jennifer Vasquez Neetu Dodd Desiree Hurst
ACSW Council:
President: Richard Gregory, MSc, RSW
Vice President: Linda Golding, MSW, RSW
Secretary: Barbara McPherson, MA, RSW
Treasurer: Terry Wilson, BSW, RSW
Members at Large:
Cynthia Gallop, MSW, RSW Rick Guthrie, MSW, RSW
Anne-Marie McLaughlin, PhD, RSW Kanakii Mekaisto, BSW, RSW
Richard Shelson, MSc, RSW Alec Stratford, MSW, RSW
Timothy Wild, MSW, RSW
Indigenous Social Work Committee Representative:
Kanakii Mekaisto, BSW, RSW
Public Members:
Lyle Berge Marija Bicanic, LLM Austin Mardon, CM
The Advocate is published quarterly for members of
ACSW and other interested parties.
Editorial Board:
Leslie MacKinnon, BSW, RSW (Chair)
Jo-Anne Beggs, BSW, RSW Cindy Haugen, BSW, RSW
Jill Hoselton, BSW Student Eugene Ip, DPhil, RSW
Tasha Novick, BSW, RSW Peter Smyth, MSW, RSW
Contributing Editor: Joan Marie Galat
Production Editor: Jena Snyder
Design: Kyle Loranger Design
Advertising space is available; please call Ilona Cardinal
at the ACSW office or email IlonaC@acsw.ab.ca for
details or to place an ad. The Editorial Board reserves
the right to reject any advertising.
SUMMER 2014 ISSUE AD DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2014
Canadian subscriptions are $26/year
(outside Canada: $26 US/year) Please notify ACSW
office immediately of any address changes.
ISSN 0847 - 2890
PM NO. 40050109
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
550 10707 100 AVE NW, EDMONTON AB T5J 3M1
The Advocate • Spring 2014
From our desk to yours
by Charity Lui, BSW, RSW
Awards & Recognition
in the
Charity Lui
Congratulations Heather!
Heather Morrison
Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network
in November 2013. Social workers and other professionals
The Southside Primary Care Network is a group of 160 family heard speakers from Public Interest Alberta, Friends of
Medicare, Parkland Institute, Health Sciences Association of
physicians and 75 staff that includes social workers, nurses,
Alberta, and long-term care worker Sarah Mullin, BSW, RSW.
dieticians, respiratory therapists, exercise specialists, and
Presenters shared research, real life experiences, and strategies
administrative staff. Aon Hewitt and Queen’s School of
for action.
Business included Edmonton Southside Primary Care
Network in its Best 50 Small and Medium Employers in
Canada list.
Left to Right: Bill Moore-Kilgannon (PIA), Elisabeth Ballermann (Health Sciences
Association of Alberta), and Sandra Azocar (Friends of Medicare)
The Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network social workers. Front, L to R: Anu
Dhanju, Brittany Faux and Manju Antony. Back, L to R, Sharon Pelletier, Sue Perry,
Troy Wilson, Brendan Klug and Crystal Degenhardt. Missing: Chelsie Eleniak.
Events in Calgary
Social Workers for Social Justice – Calgary co-hosted a
discussion, film, and fundraising event in support of those
impacted by the typhoon in the Philippines. The event
included sharing stories on the devastation experienced
by those in attendance. The End of Immigration, a film that
highlights Canada’s oppressive Temporary Foreign Worker
Program, was viewed and discussed.
Calgary Long Term Care: Impact of Privatization
on the Care of Older Adults
The Gerontological Social Work Action Group (GSWAG) –
More than 75 people attended and $3,200 was raised!
Calgary held a workshop on the privatization of long term care
Continued on page 4
Volume 39 • Issue 1
3
news
City of Edmonton social worker Heather Morrison, BSW, RSW, received the
Government of Alberta Inspiration Awards 2013 – Government Sector for
her important work in family violence prevention. She provided leadership in
developing family violence intervention standards in Edmonton and created
domestic violence training for University of Alberta medical students.
From our desk to yours
Calgary Holiday Social – December 4, 2013
ACSW Council, staff, and members at the Calgary holiday
social enjoyed the opportunity to connect with colleagues and
make new acquaintances.
Continued from page 3
Holiday Celebrations throughout the Province
in the
news
Edmonton Holiday Social – Nov 28, 2013
ACSW Council, staff, and members celebrated the season at
the annual holiday social, with Edmonton Area Coordinators
organizing a toy and cash donation for Santa’s Anonymous.
Rosa Romero, SW Dip, RSW, and Armando Munguia provided
amazing musical entertainment.
L to R: Jacquie Keller, Calgary Area Coordinator; Mare Donly, Calgary Area
Coordinator; Heather Johnson, Membership Activities Coordinator (south); Peg
Lewis and Meadow Dann, Calgary Area Coordinators
Back, L to R: Ilona Cardinal, Promotions Coordinator; and Edmonton Area
Coordinators: Marian Saunderson, Lina Filomeno-Melchionna, Jennifer Manzulenko,
Carmen Deehan, and Lisa Reineke. Front, L to R: Angela Lindsay, Edmonton Area
Coordinator; Charity Lui, Membership Activities Coordinator (north).
June Yee and Judy Todd at the Calgary
Holiday Social
Rose-Marie LeBlanc, prize winner at Calgary
Holiday Social
Rosa Romero, local social
worker and Latino singer,
entertaining at the
Edmonton Holiday Social
Elizabeth Chong and Linda McFarlane next to their
ACSW Social Workers for Social Justice banner
ACSW members at the Old Timers Pioneer Cabin during the Edmonton Holiday Social
4
The Advocate • Spring 2014
in the
news
Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice Interest Group celebrated the season with a potluck on December 13, 2013.
Slave Lake Jingle Bell Fun Run
Social workers in Slave Lake participated
in a three-kilometre run to raise money
for the local food bank. The more than
twenty participants raised $250 and the
United Way donated $2500.
Fort McMurray Christmas Gathering –
December 12
At their Christmas gathering, ACSW
members in Fort McMurray collected
donations for World Vision. Money raised
helped stock a medical clinic, provide
agricultural packages to families, and
support relief for those impacted by
Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Social Workers in Slave Lake. L to R: Gail Ungstad, Mary Nyachieo, and Sylvia Pratt
Advocate Editorial Board Holiday Lunch
The Advocate editorial board meets quarterly to plan and
review ACSW’s magazine. They celebrated the season by
sharing a lunch together.
Clockwise from bottom left: Joan Marie Galat, Jena Snyder, Jill Hoselton, Ilona
Cardinal, Leslie MacKinnon, Charity Lui, Peter Smyth, Lynn Labrecque King, Eugene
Ip, Elaine Paras
Continued on page 6
Volume 39 • Issue 1
5
From our desk to yours
• In Memoriam •
Continued from page 5
in the
news
Sherry McKibben
Edmonton Retired Social Workers Interest Group Holiday
Luncheon
In November, the Edmonton Retired Social Workers Interest
group came together over lunch at the University of Alberta
Faculty Club. John Bachynsky, Professor Emeritus, University
of Alberta Faculty of Medicine, provided a very informative
presentation on pharmaceutical policies in Alberta.
On the day of Sherry McKibben’s memorial on February 8,
2014, the flags at Edmonton City Hall flew at half-mast — a
fitting tribute to a social worker who was held in high esteem
by Edmontonians. Sherry was granted her Master of Philosophy
in Social Administration in 1994 at the London School of
Economics and Political Science and her Master of Social Work
in 1973 from the School of Social Work at UBC.At the time
of her passing, Sherry was a social worker with Alberta Health
Services Home Care, Northeast Edmonton. She was chief of
staff for the NDP from 2006–2007, and executive director of
HIV Network of Edmonton Society from 1998–2006. She
was also executive director of Norwood Community Services
Centre from 1996–1998, and elected city councillor for the
City of Edmonton 1994–1995. Sherry
was a Health Coordinator from 1987–
1994 for Boyle McCauley Health
Centre. From 1978–1984 she worked
in various positions for the Ministry
of Human Resources,Vancouver.
Between 1966–1974, Sherry held
a variety of social work positions in
Sherry McKibben
Edmonton andVancouver.
Announcements
Carmen Deehan, BSW, RSW, has been appointed an Edmonton
Area Coordinator. Lesley Huygen, BSW, RSW, and Kristy Walters,
BSW, RSW, have been appointed co-chairs of the Northern
Alberta Gerontology Social Work Interest Group.
Social Work Week March 2-8, 2014:
Fairness and Justice for All
Let’s celebrate! Remember to send us event information, as
well as your pictures to charity@acsw.ab.ca. Twitter hashtag:
#ACSWSWW.
Indigenous Social Work Committee
Sherry was a volunteer at Pride Centre, and at the time of her
death was developing a proposal to work with the senior LGBT
community members. She also wrote a column on aging called
“Catch 66: the delights, dilemmas and difficulties of aging”
for the Boyle McCauley News. Sherry was an outstanding social
worker.We are grateful to her for her exemplary service to
our profession. She brought a critical lens to her practice and
worked diligently for people in our community who did not
have justice in their lives. Sherry had excellent counselling
skills, superb advocacy skills, and the ability to translate issues
and needs into social policy. In addition, she was able to make a
political impact. Our task is to continue Sherry’s legacy.
Following extensive discussions, the former
Aboriginal Social Work Committee changed its name
to the Indigenous Social Work Committee. The
new name reflects respect, pride, and integrity to
Indigenous people, and identifies the roots of its
existence.
The Government of Canada chose Aboriginal as an
umbrella term for First Nation, Metis, and Inuit
people of Turtle Island (North America). Although
Indigenous and Aboriginal are similar in meaning,
Indigenous is preferred and has been traditionally
accepted for certain protocols. Indigenous is
considered respectful, while the term Aboriginal is
considered invasive because of its association with
colonization.
In 1994, Sherry was awarded the ACSW John Hutton
Memorial Award for Social Action. Our condolences to her
family, friends and colleagues.
•
Dr. Marlene Rose Lidkea
If you are an Indigenous social worker and would
like to join this group, please contact Kanakii
Mekaisto at indigenousswcommittee@gmail.com
or call her at 403-324-1643.
ACSW also acknowledges Dr. Marlene Rose Lidkea’s
important work with child victims of sexual assault. Born May
24, 1955, Lidkea passed away suddenly December 23, 2013.
Our condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
6
The Advocate • Spring 2014
2014 Annual Conference Social Work:
Person in Environment – NOW!
ACSW will hold its annual general meeting at the Edmonton
Shaw Centre Friday, March 21, 2014, at 5:00 pm.
The AGM provides an opportunity to report on the events of
the past year, meet newly elected members of ACSW Council,
and understand the business of the college. Please join us!
2013 Bursary Award Winners
Jade Stangeland – University of Calgary, MSW Student
Jade Stangeland’s thesis research focuses on
permanency and Aboriginal youth. She
has been employed with Four Directions
Foster Parents Association for four years as a
mentor for Aboriginal youth in foster care,
in-home support worker, and home study
Jade Stangeland
writer. Stangeland is active in the community,
volunteering regularly as a youth mentor and raising awareness
about adoption and foster care in Calgary.
Candice Irwin – University of Calgary, BSW Student
In 2007, Candace Irwin began volunteering
with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
She worked as a victim services advocate
to assist victims of violent crimes. She then
attended Red Deer College and received
her diploma in social work.
Candice Irwin
After graduation, her passion for empowering women led to
a job with the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter.
She is now employed as a domestic violence case worker at
the Women’s Outreach Society, and hopes to be admitted
into the U of C master’s program in clinical social work in
the fall of 2014.
Erin Bronskill – University of Calgary, BSW Student
Before coming to the University of Calgary,
Erin Bronskill completed her social work
diploma at Grant MacEwan University. She
is now completing the final semester of a
bachelor of social work on an exchange
from the University of Calgary to the
Erin Bronskill
University of the West Indies, Barbados.
Bronskill has enjoyed being active in both faculties,
especially as a member of the U of C Social Work Students’
Association.
Naomi Hanna – University of Calgary, BSW Student
Beginning her social work journey later in
life, Naomi Hanna entered the Red Deer
College diploma program and became a
grandma in the same year. The University of
Calgary’s Site Based Learning Circle allowed
Naomi to obtain her bachelor’s degree
Naomi Hanna
without leaving Red Deer. This enabled her
to be near for the birth of her second and
Erin grew up in Jasper, where she first became interested in
third grandchildren—twins! Illness in 2013 drew out the
working in the area of human services and social work. She
process of obtaining her degree, which she is now optimistic
has served as a youth worker for the Boys and Girls Clubs of
about completing. She hopes to pursue a master of social work.
Calgary group homes and shelters for almost two years and
hopes to continue to work with youth upon graduation. ■
Volume 39 • Issue 1
7
news
Annual General Meeting
Faced with the challenge of finding employment in Canada,
she decided to pursue additional education that would
enhance her integration into Canadian society, as well as
prove fulfilling. Her choice to enter social work stemmed
from a passion for community development work that arose
when she saw how lives changed, one day at a time, through
little acts of compassion. Ngwa will graduate in April 2014.
in the
There’s still time to register for
the ACSW annual conference.
You can register online at
www.acsw.ab.ca as well as find
online workshop descriptions,
presenter biographies, and hotel
information. See the interview
with our keynote speaker Kim
Zapf, page 20. Twitter hashtag
#ACSWCONF.
Eveline Ngwa – University of Calgary, BSW Student
Born and raised in Cameroon, Eveline
Ngwa studied agriculture, rural sociology,
and international and rural development
in Europe. She worked with several
organizations in various capacities before
immigrating to Canada with her husband
Eveline Ngwa
and three children in November 2010.
regular
feature
Book review:
Unruly Angels
and Between the Silences
Reviewed by Peter Smyth, MSW, RSW
Peter Smyth
Unruly Angels by Diane Buchanan (2011), Frontenac House
Between the Silences by Diane Buchanan (2005), Frontenac House
You are likely to hear broken people telling heartbreaking stories about their shattered lives if you spend any time sitting
in Family and Youth Court or Drug Treatment Court. Tales abound of childhood abuse, lost relationships, and attempts
to escape the real world with denial, anger, and blame rising forth. There are regrets, guilt, shame, and tears that tell
observers not just how much addicts wish their lives could be different, but also how far the gap is between dreaming of
a new life and actually getting there.
Alberta poet Diane Buchanan brings a sense of humanity to
courtroom drama, an achievement made by spending endless
hours sitting in Family and Youth Court and Drug Court
in five Canadian cities. Buchanan captured such lives and
glimpsed how they played out in court, at a time when many
were at their lowest.
Buchanan becomes a believer of Drug Treatment Court
programs which aim to “reduce criminal recidivism in drugaddicted populations.” In both volumes, Buchanan is drawn
into the struggles and victories of the Drug Treatment Court
graduates and the parents able to get their children back into
Family Court. She agonizes with those who find the fight
too overwhelming and is bewildered by those who think
Sadly, Buchanan lost her battle with cancer on November 22, they can beat the system. While some poems are in-your-face
2013, at the age of 74. However, she left behind insightful and disturbing, one gets a sense Buchanan truly wanted these
thoughtful reflections of many of society’s lost souls in two
stories to be told, especially to those who see fit to judge or
of her four books of published poetry collections—Between
those unaware of the gritty existence in which many feel
the Silences and Unruly Angels. The short but powerful books
trapped. In one poem Buchanan writes that she wants “these
bring a sense of humanness and compassion to a court system human beings to have some dignity where there is none.”
whose dockets are often filled by those who already feel
marginalized and excluded from society. These books offer
For social workers who have witnessed the chaos of the
triumphs and displays of courage that may appear small on
courthouse, Buchanan’s poems give a profound perspective
the surface but become inspiring and worthy of celebration
and chance to step back and see how the complex lives of
through Buchanan’s words.
people on the margins of society interact with our legal
system, and how emotions and compassion can have their
The poems also reach into the thoughts and actions of those
place. ■
not putting their personal lives on display but still characters
in the real-life dramas including case managers, lawyers, family
members, judges, advocates, friends, and police officers. One
poem covers the transformation of a security guard, especially
Peter Smyth is the supervisor of the High Risk Youth
after seeing a judge leave the bench to give a recovering
Unit, Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services,
and is a member of the Advocate Editorial Board.
addict a hug. Another shows the agony of a father losing his
“sweet little girl” to heroin.
8
The Advocate • Spring 2014
Book review
find the fight too overwhelming and is
bewildered by those who think they can
It happens, they say, after previous
consultation, and with due
consideration.
beat the system.
”
It happens on paper in assessments,
reports and addendums.
It happens between lawyers, social
workers, judges.
Shoes
Fit us with boots to fit our own feet and make us
tolerant of the footgear of the rest.
Between the silences it happens; families
are split, children discarded,
— Emily Carr
boots, sandals, wedges, pumps
fathers and mothers appear and
disappear, the director becomes the
parent.
with pointed toes and sling back heels,
moccasins, running shoes, even slippers,
It happens with grown-up words like:
custody, guardianship, father unknown,
or absent,
this treatment case-manager carries
all kinds of footwear in her briefcase
mother served or signed release,
supervision order, child in care, status
extended.
Be prepared, her motto, always be ready
to walk with your clients no matter
how rocky
It happens while children play in the
courthouse hallways.
the path, how steep the climb—
just as long as you both can agree
A child’s future determined in the time
it takes to say:
on the destination.
So ordered.
Volume 39 • Issue 1
9
feature
It happens between the silences, amid
whispers, flipping papers, coughs and
bows.
regular
“
[Buchanan] agonizes with those who
Between the Silences
Executive director
& registrar
regular
feature
Lynn Labrecque King, MSW, RSW
Answers to questions you asked
about fees
Lynn Labrecque King
Over the course of the member consultation project, participants frequently raised questions relating to member fees.
Here are answers to the questions you asked.
Where do my membership fees go?
•
Membership and advocacy activities (42%)
•
Core activities (29%)
•
Regulatory activities (29%)
Membership activities include resources for groups formed by
and through the membership including committees for the
annual conference, children’s issues, social action and social
justice, gerontology, area coordinators, international social
work, private practice, social workers in health, the Advocate,
e-newsletter, and retired social workers. Advocacy activities
includes participation on government or external committees
and partnerships that promote social justice. Our partners
include the Parkland Institute, Public Interest Alberta, Canadian
Council on Social Development, Canada Without Poverty,
Friends of Medicare, Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and
Mental Health, Greater Edmonton Alliance, Edmonton Social
Planning Council, and Arusha.
Core activities include Council and office administration.
ACSW Council meets six to eight times per year to meet
responsibilities mandated through legislation. In addition,
Council members participate on committees to support the
work of the college at local, national and international levels.
Office administration includes logistics required for operations
including office equipment, staff, and resources to support a
professional registry.
Regulatory activities include those activities mandated for
professions covered under the Health Professions Act including
implementation of competence, clinical, discipline, and
registration committees. ACSW also facilitates the work of the
Professional Social Work Education Board and liaises with social
work educational institutions.
What happened to funds previously allocated
to the Canadian Association of Social Workers
(CASW)?
In 2010, ACSW paid $222,355 in dues to CASW. That year,
ACSW Council moved to withdraw its CASW membership.
On March 31, 2011, ACSW paid $55,381 to CASW to
complete their fiscal year and meet our member obligations.
Since withdrawing from CASW membership, ACSW
has added resources to provide direct support services to
members including hiring a competence coordinator and two
membership activity coordinators (north/south) positions.
ACSW applied funding to support membership activities
including area coordinators undertakings and membership
interest groups. Resources were also allocated to advocacy,
including social policy framework development.
Over the past three years while costs have continued to rise,
no member fee increases have been made. The last fee increase
was a $50 increase, July 1, 2010. Current challenges ACSW
membership and Council face include ensuring continued
direct support services and activities, meeting our legislated
responsibilities, and giving consideration to our role in national
membership. The audited financial statement of operations can
be found in our 2013 Annual Report, inserted in this issue. ■
Lynn Labrecque King is the executive director and registrar for ACSW. Contact
her at LynnLK@acsw.ab.ca to share your thoughts on this or any other topic.
10
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
Current challenges ACSW membership and Council face include ensuring
continued direct support services and activities, meeting our legislated
”
responsibilities, and giving consideration to our role in national membership.
feature
Other professions under the Alberta Health Professions Act
For more detailed information, please visit each jurisdiction’s public website.
Alberta Psychologist
$650
Registered Nurses:
Registered Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
Certified Graduate Nurse
$555.90
$603.15
$503.40
Licensed Practical Nurse
$400
Medical Lab Technologist
$610
Occupational Therapist
$550
Social work fees
•
Combined — indicates the professional association and regulatory body fees are included together.
Total
Alberta
Combined
$350
$350
British Columbia
Regulatory Body Fee
Professional Association Fee
$255
$288
$543
Saskatchewan
Combined
$350
$350
Manitoba
Combined (formerly separate)
$340
$340
Ontario
Regulatory Body Fee
Professional Association Fee
$345
$299
$644
Nova Scotia
Combined
$416
$416
New Brunswick
Combined
$355
$355
PEI
Regulatory Body Fee
Professional Association Fee
$145
$90
$235
Newfoundland
Combined
$400
$400
Volume 39 • Issue 1
11
regular
How do our fees compare with other jurisdictions?
regular
feature
Ethics in Action
By Bruce Llewellyn, MSW, RSW, and
Sheryl Pearson, MSW, RSW, LLB
Bruce Llewellyn
Sheryl Pearson
New Standards of Practice
approved October 2013
Time invokes change, affecting social norms, cultural values, and professional practices. We sometimes
call these types of changes paradigm shifts and when they occur our social and legal fabric must adjust.
The reverse is also true. Legislative or policy changes sometimes alter social norms, cultural values, and
professional practice.
Regardless of how it comes about, change is inevitable
and critical. For instance, if laws were not updated, there
would still be a legal requirement for stores to install rails
outside their businesses for tying horses! Without changing
laws, it would still be legal for employers and governments
to discriminate against people on the basis of sexual
orientation. Clearly change is necessary.
The social work profession is steeped in progressive values
and committed to social change that promotes social justice
and equality. As with the law, our professional standards
and ethics must keep pace with social norms, technological
developments, and legal requirements. To be sure, the
existence of social work as a regulated profession with
mandatory registration arose as a function of changes in
legislation, namely the Health Professions Act. Accordingly,
changes arose as a function of the increasing value placed
on public protection. Changes within social work practice
reflect empirical findings in social science research, changes
in technology, and case law.
Bruce Llewellyn and Sheryl Pearson share the
position of manager of regulatory practice.
Many of these changes give rise to questions from social
workers about what constitutes ethical and professional
practice. Have you ever had a question about who may
access client information? Perhaps you’ve wondered what
kinds of relationships are acceptable with current or past
clients. Do you know what to do when experiencing a
disagreement with a supervisor or when there is a conflict
of interest? Are you informed on the requirements around
maintaining electronic records on a database? Do you know
the requirements for informed consent and whether they
differ with the client’s capacity or age? The Standards of
Practice address all of these issues, and many more, in detail.
In October 2013, the ACSW Council approved the new
fifth edition Standards of Practice, now in effect for all
social workers in Alberta. These standards reflect some of the
changes in practice and legislation that have occurred since
approval of the previous edition in 2007. In the winter 2011
edition of the Advocate, Alison MacDonald, former ACSW
associate registrar, outlined the process involved in having
new standards approved. ACSW is required to consult with
the membership before significant changes will be approved
by the government.
12
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
The Standards of Practice reflect the baseline requirements for professional and
ethical social work practice and apply to all social workers regardless of the level of
”
1. Every five years the Competence Committee is
tasked with reviewing the Standards of Practice
to ensure they are current and complete. The
committee drafts required changes.
2. The committee forwards the final draft to ACSW
Council. If questions or suggestions are raised, the
draft may be returned to the committee for further
work. If Council is satisfied with the changes,
they are put to the membership for review and
comment.
3. The Competence Committee reviews all
comments/concerns expressed by the membership.
Further changes may be made and forwarded again
to Council.
4. Once approved by Council, the final document is
forwarded to Alberta Health. It is distributed to the
professions listed in the Health Professions Act, major
employers of social workers, and other stakeholders
who have an opportunity to comment and ask
questions which ACSW must again consider.
5. Once all consultations are complete and if satisfied,
the Minister of Health signs a document approving
the Standards of Practice.
Volume 39 • Issue 1
feature
Overall the process is as follows:
regular
education or field of practice.
The Standards of Practice reflect the baseline requirements
for professional and ethical social work practice and apply
to all social workers regardless of the level of education or
field of practice. While all social workers have a professional
and legal obligation to practice within the standards, they
actually exist for the benefit of both social workers and the
public.
On one hand, the standards are intended to provide some
certainty to the public around the professionalism they can
expect from social workers. At the same time they provide
guidance to social workers around professional practice,
thereby removing some of the uncertainty or mystique
around ethical dilemmas. Thus, by establishing a framework
for professional practice, the standards have the effect of
freeing up social workers to practice social work and make a
difference, rather than worrying about guessing about what
guidelines to follow.
Consider the standards your best friend! When a question
arises or you are uncertain what your practice should
look like, referring to the standards should always be your
starting point. If you still have questions after consulting
the standards, consider contacting the ACSW and discussing
your question with a social worker on staff. Members can
access the standards on the ACSW website. Follow the
Social Workers tab to: Practice Resources and look for the
Standards of Practice link. ■
13
Diploma Dialogue
Kathaleen Quinn, MSW, RSW
regular
feature
Chair, Social Work Program, MacEwan University
Kathaleen Quinn
MacEwan University Social Work Program
More than 260 full- and part-time students are engaged in the MacEwan University social work program. This school year,
students attended curriculum-enhancing workshops designed to help prepare for culturally appropriate practice.
First-years attended an Indigenous workshop organized by
Alan Knowles, PhD (Ed), MSW, RSW, and Sandra Alton, MSW, RSW.
Our elder, Gerry Wood, oversaw the cultural dimension of
the workshop. Blue Quill Cultural College Chair, Sharon
Steinhauer, MSW, RSW, spent a day with students and showed
the new film Gently Whispering the Circle Back. Second-year
students attended an intra-cultural workshop and led our
supervisor/student fall field placement workshop with a focus
on “difference” using a World Café format—a system where
participants aim to engage in meaningful conversations by
respecting different opinions, gain a deeper understanding of
other people and their experiences, and promote a sense of
community.
Research
Seasonal faculty staff party hosted by Danielle Larocque in December
Back, L to R: Kathaleen Quinn, Sandra Alton, Alec Stratford, Duane Massing, Joby
Our research is reaching international audiences, with faculty
Scaria, Peter Vogels, Wendy Jebb
continuing various research projects and attending and
Middle: Maria Smyth, Elizabeth McNulty, Alan Knowles, Bev Verger
presenting at conferences worldwide. Duane Massing, PhD (Ed), Front: Kari Girard, Lynne Baker, Danielle Larocque, Gisele Mak
Missing: Arlene Eaton-Erickson, Derek Chewka, Faye Hamilton, Julia Peirce, Krista
MSW, RSW, and Sandra Alton educated ACSW members on the
Osborne, Lori Sigurdson, Marianne Wright
concept of Third Space—an invitation to support or enhance
Institute of Technology, Athlone; Trinity College, Dublin; and
their philosophy and ethical model of practice. They will be
Queen’s University, Belfast, and partook in numerous cultural
sharing its importance in our work with various agencies.
activities. Sandra Alton will lead this year’s tour.
Peter Vogels, PhD (Ed), MSW, RSW, presented at the World
Environmental Educational Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco; The future
Elizabeth McNulty, PhD (SS), RSW, presented at the International Alan Knowles, Peter Vogels, and Kathaleen Quinn developed
a bachelor of social work proposal well received by internal
Meeting for Autism Research in San Sebastian, Spain; and
and external reviewers. The winter term will be significant as
Alan Knowles served as co-investigator on a joint project
evaluating online learning that involved students at MacEwan the Alberta government responds to the proposal.
and the University of Binghamton, England.
The MacEwan university faculty continues to grow,
welcoming four new sessional instructors this year. We are
International
For the past two years, Kathaleen Quinn, MSW, RSW, led a student excited to be returning to the city centre campus in the
summer of 2014. n
study tour to Ireland designed to recognize how particular
beliefs, perceptions, values, culture, and history influence
individual worldviews. Students attended classes at the Athlone
Kathaleen Quinn, MSW, RSW, is chair and assistant professor
in the MacEwan University Social Work Program.
14
The Advocate • Spring 2014
A feast of possibilities:
social work stories
By George Jason, MSW, RSW
George Jason
regular
shared. Originating in oral culture, they progressed to presentation in a physical
written medium. Today, stories are additionally shared in cyberspace.
Stories have the power to make readers, listeners, writers, and tellers feel
supported. Narratives presented in interesting, relevant, and meaningful
ways allow us to recognize ourselves mirrored in shared experience.
Knowing the impact stories can have, I can’t help but wonder what
would happen if Alberta social workers shared stories more frequently.
What if we made a deliberate effort to tap the benefits of written story?
Imagine how you might respond upon reading a reflective article where
the challenges revealed are almost identical to your own experience.
What might you learn and how might such compellingly presented
knowledge impact your work?
Although great competition from information outlets exists, it is still
too easy to remain anonymous and disconnected. In the twenty-first
century, fewer tribal fires exist where people can gather informally to
hear each other’s tales. It can take creative efforts to discover shared
experience.
Fortunately, all ACSW members have the opportunity to contribute to
our collective knowledge by submitting their stories to the Advocate.
This publication’s editorial board will organize them for publication,
dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. As social workers, I hope you will
take up the challenge to tell and share stories from your personal and
professional experience. You have the power to help humanize our work
and connect us with each other. There is a feast of possibilities. n
George Jason, MSW, RSW, is a retired social worker who worked in
Alberta Mental Health Services for 30 years. He is currently co-chair
of the ACSW Social Action and Justice Committee in Edmonton.
Volume 39 • Issue 1
15
Stock photo from stock.xchng
feature
For millennia, stories have been the way in which wisdom and support have been
U of C updates
regular
feature
By Natalie Dawes, BPR
Focusing ‘upstream’ to end family violence
U of Calgary research helps shape new government framework
The Alberta government’s new framework, Family Violence Hurts Everyone: A Framework to End Family Violence, was
launched in Calgary in November. The framework focuses on ways to prevent and strengthen existing protection services.
launch. University of Calgary vice-president (research), Ed
McCauley, and dean, Jackie Sieppert, outlined the university’s
commitment to research important issues in our communities
and find new ways to address complex social issues.
“Social work is about creating changes for a better society for
everyone,” said Sieppert. “We are proud of Lana’s outstanding
research and thrilled that it will be used to help some of the
most vulnerable people in our province.”
L to R: Jackie Sieppert, dean, Faculty of Social Work; Ed McCauley, vice-president
(research); Lana Wells, Brenda Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic
Violence; and Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson listen as Minister Jansen announces
the Family Violence Hurts Everyone policy framework. Photo by Jae Im.
The project was heavily influenced by Lana Wells, Brenda
Strafford Chair in the Prevention of Domestic Violence,
University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work. Wells and her
team provided research and recommendations based on best
and promising practices in the area of primary prevention.
Associate Minister of Family and Community Safety
Sandra Jansen, Rick Hanson, chief of the Calgary Police
Service, and several representatives from social service
agencies, government, and academia, joined Wells at the
The framework was developed based on research conducted
by Wells and team members from Shift: The Project to End
Domestic Violence. They found that to effectively address
complex issues, such as family violence, all members of the
community must be involved and the focus must be on
changing community attitudes and behaviors. One of the
action priority areas is to support children, youth, and young
adults in developing healthy relationship skills to prevent
violence in dating and intimate partner relationships.
“Our research built a case for the Government of Alberta
to be investing in primary prevention,” explained Wells. “It
grounded the priorities for the new framework which will
now influence the direction of the government’s focus in
terms of policy, legislation and investments over the next
decade.” n
Natalie Dawes is the Director of Communications and Marketing for the University
of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work. You can reach her at ndawes@ucalgary.ca or
visit the Faculty’s website at fsw.ucalgary.ca
16
The Advocate • Spring 2014
New RSWs
Membership as of
January 27, 2014: 7,039
Danhue Clyde Lawrence
Haleigh Anne Ramunno
Johanna Lyn Atienza
Jami-Leigh Isabel Green
Elizabeth Ann Ley
Andrea Marie Roche
Biya Babu
Alicia Marie Hardy
Mary Bagazi Lori
Divya Sarath
Joelle Andree Badman
Jennifer Ann Hartley
Carly Frances MacArthur
Kristyn Marjorie Schulz
Pamela Dawn Birch
Heidi Anne HeavyShield
Nicole LeeAnn MacEachern
Brianna Alyse Seel
Maja Ewa Borowski
Candice Renee Henderson
Jennifer Marshall
Kimberly Dawn Shupenia
Cindy Lynn Boucher
Emily Sarah Anne Horeck
Amber Anise Martin
Heather Victoria Spence
Gabrielle Anne Boulet Frattini
Michael Stephen Hunt
Carolyn Elizabeth McIntyre
Jallaina Stefan
Nadia M Bourque
Meghan Noelle Hunter
Mathew Milen
Kasia Heather Taekema
Joanne Brown
Seren Catherine Janke
Stephanie Elizabeth Montalvo-
Megan Lois Taylor
Kassie Lane Brown
Jessica Anne Johnson
Samantha Leah Buote
Sarah M. Johnson
Kristin Gay Morissette
Robert Philip Thompson
Hailey Marie Carr
Sharaline Joseph
Marianne Elizabeth Murphy
Kelli Shayne Vars
Serena Marie Cataldo
Dina Kadaoui
Marina Katherine Nanemahoo
Melissa Ernestina Velasquez
Taryn Janine Chisholm
Tarik Kadri
Alicia Crystal Nordal
Stephen Baird Walker
Megan Amber Chmarney
Meghan Ann Kennedy
Danielle Tamara Parent
Andrea Margret Weinmeyer
Abby Jean Clarkin
William Richard King
Janie Caroline Pichette
Alaina Jo Wheelan
Tenday Danha
Jessica Dawn Kirchner
Nicole Emily Errin Pike
Tammy Lynn Wright
Amanda Jo Davidson
Deanna Ramona Lafleur
Tanya Marie Power
Sheri Lynn De Vries
Cassie Marie Lahucik
Susan Nadia Ramsundarsingh
Paz
Seeba Thomas
Sara Elizabeth Doruch
Jean Evelyn Dube
Stephanie Kathleen Duce
Patricia Ellison-Traverse
Megan Alexis Engblom
Rafah Jalal Fares
Tracy Lynn Farrell
Patricia Eileen Ferris
Amanda Foka
Sonia Alicia Frias
Amanda Christine Fuller
Amy Elizabeth Fulton
Nicole Mae Gavelin
Michelle Anne Gibb
Jeanette Elizabeth Giffen
Bernie Ene Giwa
Volume 39 • Issue 1
ACSW is on Facebook, Twitter, & YouTube!
Like the Alberta College of Social Workers:
facebook.com/AlbertaCollegeofSocialWorkers
Like The Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice:
facebook.com/CalgarySocialWorkersForSocialJustice
Follow Alberta College of Social Workers:
twitter.com/ACSWSocialWork
Watch Alberta College of Social Workers videos:
youtube.com/channel/UCnVUlUIoP5T3VJ9tXeIQbkA/videos
17
feature
Helen Gwen Gleason-Graham
regular
Leah Heather Andrews
feature
article
By Liza Lorenzetti, MSW, RSW,
Viviana Reinberg, MSW, RSW, and
Karen Wyllie, MSW, RSW
Social workers
commit to
truth and
reconciliation
Social workers in Canada have a role to play in truth telling, reconciliation, and addressing the multiple
negative impacts of colonization. Part of the collective strategy of the ACSW group Calgary Social Workers
for Social Justice (SWSJ) has involved developing educational materials for social workers, writing and
signing a letter of commitment, and organizing a presence at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Calgary (TRC) Hearing held in November 2013.
The TRC was initiated in 2008 following the Canadian
government’s historic apology to Indigenous peoples
for the horrendous human rights violations created and
perpetuated by Canada’s Indian Residential Schools (IRS)
system. The IRS were instituted as part of the “Assimilate,
Protect, Civilize” policy of the Canadian government during
the mid 1880s (TRC, 2013). More than 150,000 children
attended these institutions until the last one was closed in
1996. Children were stripped of their culture, prevented from
using their language, and practicing their beliefs. Many were
subjected to horrific physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, and
spiritual abuse.
Liza Lorenzetti, Viviana Reinberg, and Karen Wyllie are members
of Calgary Social Workers for Social Justice.
Today, Indigenous people continue to feel the
intergenerational impacts of colonization, including residential
schools. Former students and their families try to recover
while still being victimized by Canadian social and political
systems.
Social Workers for Social Justice drafted a letter
acknowledging our understanding of the damages
caused by the IRS and other aspects of colonization of
Indigenous peoples within Canada. This letter included our
acknowledgment of the harmful roles social workers played
in this collective oppression, including the child welfare
system—highly overrepresented with Indigenous children.
We committed to restorative actions and the promotion of
changes in policies and practices that perpetuate injustice
18
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
In spite of the deep trauma and pain expressed, what
stood out was the courage and resiliency of survivors.
”
In spite of the deep trauma and pain expressed, what stood out was the courage
and resiliency of survivors. Many spoke about healing through the reconnection
to cultural knowledge and practices. One man spoke about his journey towards
reconciliation with non-Indigenous people despite the continued oppression he has
experienced as an adult.
Several members of Social Workers for Social Justice presented the letter of
commitment to the commission, which is now included as an acknowledgement and
promise of solidarity in the archives of Canada’s history. Dr. Marie Wilson, a TRC
commissioner, indicated that she would use our letter as an example for other groups.
Many of us are forever changed as a result of our participation in the Truth and
Reconciliation Process and the experience serves to inspire us to further social justice
action. “Social workers need to step up and live the social justice mandate of our
profession,” says SWSJ member, Liza Lorenzetti. “As an ally, one way of doing this is
to support Indigenous social work colleagues who are working tirelessly in the area
of intergenerational trauma and healing.”
“Social workers should not minimize the impact that our profession has had and
continues to have on Indigenous people in Canada,” says Megan Asselin. “It’s not
enough to admit that mistakes were made and harm was done. We also have an
obligation to commit ourselves to the healing process.”
Asselin, whose grandmother attended residential school, says, “It’s been an ongoing
challenge to reconcile my family history with my choice to become a social worker.
In hearing the experiences that were shared, I felt in some ways that I was finally
hearing the truth that my family had denied for many years.”
The TRC’s national and final event will take place in Edmonton March 27-30, 2014.
We encourage social workers to attend this historical event and adopt significant
roles in truth and reconciliation in Canada. It is our hope that by adding action
to commitment, our profession can contribute towards changing oppressive and
stereotypical attitudes to ones of inclusion, equity, and justice. n
Volume 39 • Issue 1
19
A social worker originally from
Chile, Viviana Reinberg noted,
“Being affected by oppressive
state violence, I know first hand
about the need to be collectively
heard in order to begin healing.”
Professor emerita Mary Valentich,
PhD, RSW, brought her two-yearold grand-daughter, Mariella
Gripton: “I wanted to teach her to
be involved in significant events.”
BSW student Desiree Barr noted,
“Attending the hearing meant
joining in solidarity as one people
and accepting responsibility for
our shared history. I attended
for my grandmother, who as an
Indigenous survivor, taught me
how to rage against oppression by
leaning into the love of healing
people, relationships and trust.”
BSW student Jamie Zarn
commented, “As social workers…it
is important to expose ourselves
to the impact of colonialism to
learn about our relationship with
this.”
Jennifer Leonard, MSW, who
volunteered as a support at the
hearing, says, “I was witness to
the collective soul wound created
by our treatment of Indigenous
people. I also felt a sense of
hopefulness in realizing that, for
many, the healing has begun.”
article
At the hearing, survivors told of many devastating experiences. They spoke of
themselves or loved ones being taken away from their families, some as young as
five years old. Children of former students revealed how they have been and still are
affected by their parent’s experiences. We heard about survivors’ long and painful
journeys toward identity recovery. A woman spoke on behalf of her mother, who, for
the first time, was able to verbalize her experiences and share them with her family.
Members of SWSJ who attended
the Calgary hearing discussed how
they were personally impacted.
feature
towards Indigenous peoples. After collecting 212 signatures from social workers across
Alberta, we presented the letter at the TRC Calgary Hearing.
Participant
feedback
feature
article
By Joan Marie Galat, Advocate editor
Meet your
keynote speaker
Kim Zapf
“Place” is a concept often developed in creative writing. Along with physical
location, it reveals social context because it encompasses culture, behavior, and
beliefs within a specific time period. Just as place contributes to larger meaning,
so does Person-in-Environment (P-I-E)—this year’s theme at the ACSW annual
conference. Keynote speaker Kim Zapf, PhD, RSW, brings a fascinating history to his
upcoming talk on how the physical environment has been neglected in mainstream
social work’s application of P-I-E.
When Zapf achieved his masters of
social work at the University of British
Columbia in the early seventies, the
profession strongly embraced the
new ecological systems theory and
terminology. “I came out of there
believing I had a powerful generalist
problem-solving practice model,
supposedly applicable anywhere
regardless of culture and context.”
Kim Zapf with his son, Kevin, and his wife, Dr. Penny Ford
20
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
My training had taught me about action and target groups but not about living in
a community where my clients were my neighbors and friends and our behaviors were
”
feature
heavily influenced by local climate and physical features.
article
Zapf accepted a job as probation officer in Watson Lake,
Yukon, a small town more than 400 kilometers east of
Having been raised in an air force family that moved every
three years, Zapf found himself unprepared for people’s deep
Whitehorse. Home to about 800 people, it was a three-day
drive south on unpaved roads to the nearest McDonald’s and
300 kilometres in either direction along the Alaska Highway
to the nearest stoplight.
connection to the land, its rhythms and patterns. “Because
I arrived with little sense of place, living in the Yukon was
a profound experience for me. I was working with people
who had an intense attachment to place and my training
hadn’t prepared me for that.”
“
Because I arrived with little
sense of place, living in the Yukon
was a profound experience for
me. I was working with people
who had an intense attachment
to place and my training hadn’t
prepared me for that.
“Signpost Forest” at Watson Lake. Stock photo from morguefile.com.
Zapf found people in Watson Lake had a strong connection
to the land. “Their history, future, spirituality, and sense
of identity were all connected to the local physical
environment. I started to realize my work called for a
different approach than the problem solving model I had
learned. My training had taught me about action and target
groups but not about living in a community where my
clients were my neighbors and friends and our behaviors
were heavily influenced by local climate and physical
features.”
Volume 39 • Issue 1
”
He found that surviving in a small community without
succumbing to burnout meant engaging with its rhythms.
“You buy into the local issues and history and identity,
becoming a part of the community.”
This was contrary to Zapf ’s professional education, which
called for “serving as an objective outside assessor and change
agent—the dominant model of a professional in the larger
society.”
Continued on page 22
21
Meet Kim Zapf
feature
article
Continued from page 21
Zapf, who noticed others who came north also experienced
disorientation, describes culture shock as a stress reaction that
occurs when you can’t predict cues in a new environment.
“You do things according to your worldview but they don’t
make sense in your current environment. This can be fun
when you travel but when you want to live and work as a
problem solver the constant inability to be able to read cues
can lead to depression, frustration, anger, and even physical
symptoms.”
Moving to Whitehorse as director of community corrections,
Zapf faced an ongoing dilemma. “Do we hire locals who
understand the culture and context but would be deadended by the public service system because of their lack
of credentials? Or, do we bring people in who have the
credentials but not the contextual understanding?”
After six years in the Yukon, Zapf decided to pursue a PhD
in social work so that he could teach and develop the kind
of northern practice models that would have been useful at
the start of his career.
“
It took time for the strange to become
programmed to the normal.
”
“Unfortunately, the only English language PhD program in
Canada in 1982 was in Toronto where nobody knew what I
was talking about,” says Zapf. “There would be nights where
I was in tears over what I had done.”
Although he had lived and worked in Toronto earlier,
returning to a large city after six years in the Yukon still
brought disorientation and culture shock. Traffic and the vast
stream of advertising were now remarkably intimidating. So
“
The Yukon was the first location
where I felt connected to the history and
reality of the place because I bought into
the meanings and felt something was
missing when I was away.
”
was the feeling of not having “my seat” available when he
returned to a restaurant or theatre. After living for years in
a place where clothing was merely functional, the excess of
urban style options stood out.
“It took time for the strange to become programmed to the
normal,” says Zapf. Worried about whether he would be able
to hold onto his northern perspective, Zapf returned to the
Yukon for his summers. “In the end, I managed to put it
together.”
When undertaking his dissertation work, Zapf found
a serious gap in the literature. While a few studies had
explored the realities of rural practice, no one had examined
the experiences of trained social workers moving to remote
regions to practice. Returning to the Yukon for his research,
he developed a culture shock scale and compared those
hired from the south with those hired in the north. He
found social workers arriving in the north experienced the
same culture shock as people going overseas, but arrived
unprepared to cope.
Through conferences, Zapf eventually connected with others
who had the same questions about social work in isolated
locations. He found that people from the Australian outback,
Alaska, Newfoundland, and Scandinavia were all saying
similar things from different contexts.
22
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
We began to see there’s a type of practice beyond urban or traditional rural. This
with the realities of the local context and identity.
Michael Kim Zapf has published more
than 50 refereed journal articles and
book chapters on issues of remote
practice and education.
“Place equals location plus meaning,” says Zapf. “The Yukon
was the first location where I felt connected to the history
and reality of the place because I bought into the meanings
and felt something was missing when I was away.”
His books include:
Social Work and the Environment:
Understanding People and Place
(2009) (author)
Now retired for four years, Zapf is a professor emeritus
of social work at the University of Calgary, where he
introduced courses on rural and northern practice. “In the
late 1990s, our faculty secured funding for an accessible BSW
curriculum for rural, remote, and Aboriginal communities
across the province. Working with a team to develop and
deliver that BSW Access program was the high point of my
academic career.”
Canadian Child Welfare Law: Children,
Families and the State (2004, 2nd
edition) (co-editor)
Like “place” in literature, which helps build the larger
meaning of a written work, understanding how the physical
environment impacts people’s lives and behaviors could
be central to the profession of social work in a sustainable
society. ■
Issues in Northern Social Work
Practice (1996) (co-editor)
Joan Marie Galat is
contributing editor
of the Advocate. She
provides writing
and editing services
through MoonDot Media
(www.joangalat.com).
Volume 39 • Issue 1
23
article
“We began to see there’s a type of practice beyond urban or
traditional rural. This remote practice does not just deliver
mainstream programs to isolated locations. It begins with the
realities of the local context and identity.”
”
feature
remote practice does not just deliver mainstream programs to isolated locations. It begins
article
Stock photo from morguefile.com
feature
Preventable deaths of children in care
let there be change
By Joan Marie Galat, Advocate editor
The preventable death of a child is tragic and heartbreaking. We repeat these phrases and talk
about how this must not happen again. But when avertible events occur and are not examined,
made public, and used to improve the system, how can there be hope for children in care?
Seven people typically silenced by privacy laws and safety issues were invited to speak out on
this problem by responding in confidence to four questions. Their replies explore issues that have
come to the forefront since the Edmonton Journal–Calgary Herald revealed the Alberta government
underreported how many children have died in care in the last 10 years.
24
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
The social work profession must reclaim child welfare. Decisions reflect that many
very senior government officials have a business outlook and are not trained social
”
(masters of social work).
article
Responders include frontline social workers and professors,
a foster parent/social worker, and former foster children.
Participants represent rural areas and Indigenous communities.
Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSW, Manager, Professional Affairs,
shares the perspective of the Alberta College of Social
Workers.
1. What needs to change in Alberta in order to ensure the
safety and well being of children in care?
“
Children in care should have such a high level of
care and support that they have the tools necessary
to reach their full potential and feel empowered
to be their best. Considering Alberta and Canada
will face a shortage of human resources in the years
ahead, it is economically and morally sound that we
help our own to succeed.
“
“
More emphasis on early intervention and
permanency planning are needed.
Higher qualification standards should be demanded
of adults applying to be youth caregivers. Although
placing children with family members sounds
ideal, it should not take precedence over a person’s
inability to properly care for a youth. In one of my
cases, impatience to resolve the issue led to serious
consequences.
“
Services should include more prevention activities.
We need to reduce caseloads, review caseload
standards, improve cultural awareness training,
and better explore all family options. Inequity
between kinship and foster care programs needs
to be reduced. Better recruitment and support for
foster and adopting parents needs to occur. We must
provide more consistency for children and families,
especially with regard to the primary worker, and
improve efforts to ensure family involvement.
“
In spite of the many reviews that have occurred
over the years, Alberta has often failed to implement
many of the recommendations made. The shift
toward the wellbeing of the family has at times
resulted in children not coming into care when their
safety might be at risk. While there is much to be
said for keeping families together, the safety of the
child must always come first.
“
Ever-changing legislation and tense political climate
create an unstable work environment focused
on avoiding risk. The culture is often adversarial
even among workers and management. Front line
workers need better support from supervisors and
management.
More system resources are needed. The social work
profession must reclaim child welfare. Decisions
reflect that many very senior government officials
have a business outlook and are not trained social
workers. We need fewer MBAs (masters of business
administration) and more MSWs (masters of social
work).
“
We must really hear parents and consider alternatives
that keep children safely in their homes, to the point
of, when necessary, providing them with alternate
in-home caregivers while parents address their issues.
Continued on page 26
Volume 39 • Issue 1
feature
workers. We need fewer MBAs (masters of business administration) and more MSWs
25
Children in care
feature
article
Continued from page 25
It is important to move from “jumping through the
hoops” to building relationships and joint problem
solving.
“
More information needs to be given to foster parents
so they are prepared to provide the best possible
support to the foster child. In our case we were not
completely informed about the challenges our foster
child faced or the difficulty of the biological family.
“
I asked to see my foster child’s file
before she was placed in our home but
was denied because of ‘confidentiality.’
We later discovered this young child had
the worst case of reactive attachment
disorder and conduct disorder her
I asked to see my foster child’s file before she was
placed in our home, but was denied because of
“confidentiality.” We later discovered this young child
had the worst case of reactive attachment disorder
and conduct disorder her psychiatrist had ever seen.
psychiatrist had ever seen.
”
We attended regular psychologist appointments as
2. What needs to occur in order to ensure children both
a family to support this little girl. When our foster
on and off reserve have access to the same services
daughter started home visits with the bio mom, her
and support in Alberta?
challenging behaviors became even more difficult,
so the psychologist (a specialist with reactive
Culturally, all support and services should be in
attachment and conduct disorder) taught us how
close proximity to where children and families
to safely restrain her to prevent physical abuse and
reside. Community supports should be provided
property damage. However, we were told by the
with incentives to establish a local community
worker we were not permitted to do this because
presence so that families wishing to access supports
we didn’t have approved training. We felt completely
do not face difficult situations in accessing services.
unprepared and unsupported. I am a social worker in
This should not merely be a recommendation
another sector. What about those foster families who
but a legislative act that establishes procedures
are laypersons and lack my training? How would
and policies that pertain to community accessible
they have managed her difficult behaviors without
services.
becoming extremely frustrated?
More work must be done with all levels of
I also think sometimes the biological family is given
government cooperating. However, it is important
too many rights. All of this girl’s siblings were placed
to note that it is a provincial responsibility to
in care, and yet, despite the mother’s track record,
provide child welfare services and they should
the department allowed visits with her family. This
not provide less supports and services to First
resulted in increased negative behaviors and the
Nations children. Everyone should read the
eventual breakdown of the placement.
report written by the Representative for Children
and Youth in BC, a document that intelligently
Child welfare workers need to make unannounced
addresses this issue. It is controversial but could
visits to the foster home and periodic checks should
be applicable to other provinces including ours.
be standard practice. We never had a visit from
(See: When Talk Trumped Service: A Decade of Lost
someone in the department that wasn’t prearranged
Opportunity For Aboriginal Children and Youth in BC.
and that we couldn’t prepare for. How do you get a
(tinyurl.com/mc3uat2)
true picture of what is going on in the home?
“
“
26
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
Child welfare workers need to make unannounced visits to the foster home
and periodic checks should be standard practice. We never had a visit from
prepare for. How do you get a true picture of what is going on in the home?
There needs to be continuity of care—someone
who is with a child long term. They require
coaching and mentoring on an ongoing basis.
the individual. Privacy laws should not form a
system where one has the ability to hide from
public scrutiny but rather hold those entrusted
with a sacred duty to be accountable. Rather
than be punitive, accountability should necessitate
enhancements to the system.
“
Greater priority must be placed on reaching out to
children on the reserve and analyzing placement
decision details to ensure less error. The current
system is disorganized, inefficient, and in need of
an overhaul. More or better-qualified workers are
necessary. However, directly involving more workers
in a child’s life is not recommended as that leads
to a furthering sense that one’s childhood is not
“normal.”
“
It could be much more transparent and deliver a
lot more information without including the names
of children or caseworkers involved. It’s important
that an independent body provide death reviews
of children in care or children who have received
services. The Child and Youth Advocate is a logical
choice if given significantly more resources,
providing it not take away from the important
functions they already perform for children.
“
We need to review funding models and equalize
funding on and off reserves. Jurisdictional issues need
to be resolved with federal and provincial authorities
in agreement on funding, support, and access to
services. We need to provide support for training
and improve access and availability of on-reserve
programs.
“
During my time in the system, I did not feel as
though I had many privacy rights. Foster parents
recorded my development, information was routinely
gathered about me, and I had to present myself in
a (usually) monthly visit to various governmentaffiliated workers. My concern was the serious lack
of communication between all these care workers.
Indigenous people require more resources but should
not have to replicate off-reserve models. It’s better to
help Indigenous people work within their traditions
and spiritual beliefs. Why impose an inflexible system
upon people when we can free them to create a
system that will work for them?
“
Cases should be reviewed individually to determine
if privacy issues outweigh the need for public
accountability, but we should aim for transparency.
The public should have access to outcomes of
reviews.
3. What is the best way to balance the privacy rights
of individuals with public accountability of the child
welfare system?
“
When a child dies in care, the onus should be on
government to prove that sharing information with
the public will have a detrimental impact on the
child or the family. That child is no longer a child of
“
When gross negligence on the part of the child
welfare system exists, public accountability and
transparency trumps—with permission from
Continued on page 28
Volume 39 • Issue 1
27
article
“
”
feature
someone in the department that wasn’t prearranged and that we couldn’t
Children in care
feature
article
Continued from page 27
the government; he/she is a child of the family. This
should ultimately be the family’s decision.
“
I feel confidentiality and privacy is what really
caused our foster placement to break down. We were
not well-informed or prepared.
“
It’s better to help Indigenous people
work within their traditions and spiritual
beliefs. Why impose an inflexible system
upon people when we can free them to
create a system that will work for them?
The role of the Child and Youth Advocate needs to
be more publicized so foster parents, children, and
families are aware of how their office can advocate
for the best interests of foster children. This should
be part of foster parent training.
“
”
They should be able to see warning signs, and be
familiar with cases like Richard Cardinal, who died
in foster care many years ago. It is not the front line
workers who are failing. They are hard working,
loving, and caring individuals. It is the system that is
failing. It pulls families apart and doesn’t help them
to get back together.
The Alberta government needs to be more
accountable to the public and child welfare workers
need to feel safe coming forward with their
concerns without fear of reprisal. How can children
be protected when everyone is worried about
protecting themselves?
4. What credentials should be mandatory for front-line
case workers? Why?
Refer to resilience studies. They show abused children
and youth can overcome obstacles when they have
one key relationship that supports them, such as a
teacher, friend, friend’s parents, uncle, or aunt.
“
Had better care been taken to examine the lack
of credentials of my caregivers, I believe the
results of my teenage upbringing would not have
been so negative. Case workers should possess
strong organizational skills and a drive to ensure
all requirements for caring for youth have been
completed by the parents. A genuine sense of caring
must be present to make sure mistakes are not made
in the rush of placing children with family members.
“
Front-line workers should at least have a bachelor
of social work (BSW). First contact with the family
is crucial to engagement and collaboration. The
ability to make a life-altering decision in a child’s
life should be held with high moral standards
and integrity; and this ability must be constantly
examined and enhanced. Front line social workers
need frequent professional training to be abreast with
the evolving profession and fast changing atmosphere
reflected in people, our local environment, and the
world stage.
Although I was moved into a family with the hope
of adoption, the results were devastating. My new
parents were ill-trained to take on the role of my
caregivers. I was not adopted after years in the same
home because the home study and other courses
were incomplete.
“
Back in the eighties, a BSW was mandatory for
all workers providing child welfare casework. As a
result of a serious scandal in the ministry, workers
at that time who did not have a BSW were sent to
school at full wages in order to improve the system.
This showed that government’s real commitment
to children in care. A BSW is the standard in many
other jurisdictions. Senior officials should have
MSWs and not MBAs. We need a child well-being
focus, not a financial focus.
“
At a minimum, a social worker credential should
be mandatory. This would ensure educational
consistency including person-in–environment
perspectives, as well as accountability and oversight
from a professional body.
28
The Advocate • Spring 2014
“
There’s an illusion that social work is easy and anyone can do it, but the issues
they address—poverty, addictions, family violence—take social work education
and training. If they don’t have proper training, how can they do it?
“
I think front line child welfare workers should have
a registered social work designation, preferably a
BSW, because the education base includes training
specific to the work—not just theory. It affords
workers the ethical basis for sound practice, giving
them the compass required to balance the demands
of the job and focus on the needs of the child.
ACSW response to the child in care crisis
The Alberta College of Social Workers recognizes front line
workers face deep issues with a lack of resources. They work
with high caseloads and experience difficulty getting families
the services they need because of budget constraints.
“There’s an illusion that social work is easy and anyone can
do it,” says Sigurdson, “but the issues they address—poverty,
addictions, family violence—take social work education and
training. If they don’t have proper training, how can they do it?”
People who are not social workers make up 60 percent
of staff in casework positions. “We feel that professional
standards—BSW, RSW—would go a long way to ensure the
best outcomes for children,” says Sigurdson.
Recourse of accredited workers offers an additional safeguard
for children in care. If ethical issues arise, an individual can
register a complaint and the social worker may be sanctioned.
Social workers are governed by a code of ethics, standards of
practice, continuing competence, and rigorous education.
“They have all these requirements to maintain their
professional status, yet the government hires people without
professional credentials,” says Sigurdson. “Every other profession
sees the importance of credentials—teachers, lawyers, doctors,
nurses. There would be no question about employing someone
without proper credentials in those professions.”
The Alberta government has commissioned reports to
review the system. Closing the Gap Between Vision and Reality:
Strengthening Accountability, Adaptability and Continuous
Improvement in Alberta’s Child Intervention System constitutes
the Final Report of the Alberta Child Intervention Review
Panel – June 30, 2010. Recommendation 10: Develop and
implement a human resource strategy that addresses capacity,
qualification, and competencies at all levels of the system,
addresses accreditation. One of its points states, “Work to
establish a Bachelor of Social Work degree as a minimum
educational requirement for child intervention investigators,
caseworkers, and supervisors working directly with children
and families.”
“The government needs to recognize that social work is a
complex field of practice,” says Sigurdson, who would like to
see the reinstatement of support for those who want to go
back to school. “It also needs to be said that tremendous work
is done in child welfare. Many workers do exemplary service
in the face of very difficult circumstances. Unfortunately we
never hear about that in mainstream media.” ■
We would like to hear about your experiences
with children in care. If you would like
to submit an article, please review the
submission guidelines on the ACSW website
(www.acsw.ab.ca/media/the_advocate). To discuss
your idea, please contact ACSW Membership
Activities Coordinator (North), Charity Lui, at
charity@acsw.ab.ca or 780‑421-1167 Extension
231 or 1‑800‑661‑3089. We also welcome letters to
the editor on all social work–related topics.
Joan Marie Galat
(www.joangalat.com) is the
author of Give Yourself a Pep
Talk, Day Trips From Edmonton,
and the Dot to Dot in Sky
astronomy series.
Volume 39 • Issue 1
29
article
Child welfare workers should have a BSW with
related experience, while casework supervisors
should have an MSW with a clinical focus.
feature
“
”
information
for your
For your information
PLEASE NOTE: For more listings, please see “Calendar of Events” at: www.acsw.ab.ca/calendar_of_events
SAVE the DATES
Join us in Red Deer AB
June 16 & 17, 2014
for the Central Alberta Social Work Conference
Social Work: Advocacy, Empowerment, and Transformation
Earn Category A Credits
Online and Flourish
Our courses are research-based and
interactive. Here is a sample:
Keynote Speaker: Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring
Society of Canada and Associate Professor, University of Alberta
For more information, contact:
Conference Co-chairs: Carmen Plante, carmen.plante@rdc.ab.ca &
Cindy Bohnet at: cindy.bohnet@rdc.ab.ca
Introduction to Mindfulness
Art of Facilitation
Knowing and Leading Self
The Mindful Leader
Power of Gratitude
The Art of Powerful Questions
On Demand Self-Paced Home Studies:
Online workshop
Knowing and Leading Self: The Leading Edge
April 24– June 7, 2014 online
The most effective leaders are those who truly know and understand themselves,
and are highly aware of their own inner strengths, values, assumptions, and beliefs.
Leaders who consciously foster self awareness and personal mastery tend to be far more
effective when navigating organizational challenges, uncertainty, transitions, and new
opportunities. This 6-week, 12-hour self leadership eCourse is designed to assist with
deepening personal awareness and inner knowing as a means of cultivating effective self
leadership skills, inner resourcefulness, and professional best practices. Learn more at:
elearningtoflourish.com/ecourses/knowing-and-leading-self-the-leading-edge
Flourishing
Positivity
How of Happiness
Creating Spirit at Work
Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
www.elearningtoflourish.com
780.459.2588
Val@kaizensolutions.org
Val Kinjerski, MSW, PhD, RSW
Kaizen Solutions
For more info, to register, or download our brochure: elearningtoflourish.com.
Contact Val Kinjerski at: 780-459-2588 or email: val@kaizensolutions.org.
AD DEADLINE
for the
SUMMER 2014 issue of
the Advocate
is
APRIL 15, 2014
All ad inquiries to Ilona
Cardinal
IlonaC@acsw.ab.ca
All editorial inquiries to
Charity Lui
Charity@acsw.ab.ca
The Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta and the Lethbridge College
Child and Youth Care Program are proud to be co-hosting the
2014 Annual Alberta Provincial Child and Youth Care Conference,
May 5 – 7, 2014, at Lethbridge College
•
Opening reception, CYCAA AGM and registration on the evening of May 5th
•
Keynote address and all day session by Dr. Kiaras Gharabaghi on May 6th
•
Conference party on May 6th at the campus
•
Conference sessions all day on May 7th
•
Single- and 4-bed condos accommodations are also available right on campus
Visit cycaa.com for more details, ongoing updates, or to register
For more info email us at cycaa@telus.net.
Continued on page 35
30
The Advocate • Spring 2014
for your
information
Volume 39 • Issue 1
31
information
for your
FAC ULTY OF SOCIAL WORK
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Effective Techniques for Dealing
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June 27, 2014
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The Advocate • Spring 2014
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04_MM9249-14_MMI.EN•acsw (7x9.5).indd 1
Volume 39 • Issue 1
Projet : Annonce MMI 2014
33
Province : Alberta
Publication : The Advocate
Épreuve # : 1
14-01-02 11:17 AM
information
for your
Building communities and
strengthening relationships.
That’s the Alberta Way.
Social workers work tirelessly, providing counselling and
support to Albertans in times of need. Their dedication
is something we can all aspire to. AUPE is proud of the
efforts of all government employees providing social
services to Albertans.
TheAlbertaWay.com
34
The Advocate • Spring 2014
ACSW’s
Partners in Advocacy
Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
aamimh.ca
Arusha
arusha.org
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cwp-csp.ca
Canadian Council on Social Development
ccsd.ca
Edmonton Social Planning Council
We also raise public awareness about
the important role of allied health
professionals including social workers.
edmontonsocialplanning.ca
Friends of Medicare
www.hsaa.ca
friendsofmedicare.org
Greater Edmonton Alliance
greateredmontonalliance.com
Public Interest Alberta
Summer 2014 Workshops
University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work
• Understanding and Intervening with Substance Abuse and Addictions
pialberta.org
Parkland Institute
ualberta.ca/parkland
May 5 - 30, 2014; ONLINE
Presented by Peter Choate, PhD, RSW (Clinical Registry)
• Clinical Social Work Foundations
CASW/CASWE National Joint Social Work Conference 2014
Borders without Boundaries: Navigating the New
Frontiers of Social Work
Monday, May 26 - Thursday, May 29, 2014
Brock University, St. Catherines ON
May 14 - June 26, 2014; ONLINE
Presented by Ellen Perrault, PhD, RSW and Suzanne Rosebrugh,
MSW RSW (Clinical)
• Therapeutic Interventions: An Integrative Approach
June 12 - 13, 2014; University of Calgary, Calgary
Presented by Paul Wachtel, PhD
For more information, visit:
Co-hosted with Professional Practice Council for Social Workers,
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AHS Calgary Zone
• Evidence-Based Treatment of Anxiety and Related Disorders
Save the Date:
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Abuse and Trauma
September 7-10, 2014, San Diego, CA
Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT)
June 19 - 20, 2014; University of Calgary, Calgary
Presented by Martin Antony, PhD
• Effective Techniques for Dealing with Highly Resistant Clients
June 27, 2014; University of Calgary, Calgary
Presented by Clifton Mitchell, PhD
For more information, visit IVATCenters.org or contact Lorna
For more information on any of these presentations, contact:
Irwin, Director of Registration, by email: L.Irwin@crpo.ca or fax:
Lobsang Galak at 403-220-3410.
416-874-4079 or toll-free by phone at 888-661-4801. n
Volume 39 • Issue 1
35
information
for your
The Health Sciences Association of
Alberta represents more than 22,000
professional, technical, and support
employees in Alberta’s health care
system. We bargain for fair wages
and decent working conditions for our
members.
in the
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PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050109
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO
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The Advocate • Spring 2014