(Posted 2023 October)
By Mary Wall
Recently, Mary Wall, one of our social services specialists with Protection and Preservation Services had a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent the Department of Family Services before the US House Committee on Ways & Means. Mary Wall shared with us about her experience and how it came to be.
It started when the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), put out a call for front-line child welfare professionals in jurisdictions across the country to participate in a discussion about the challenges in the field of child welfare. CWLA is an organization whose mission is to “advance policies, best practices and collaborative strategies that result in better outcomes for children, youth and families that are vulnerable.”
Oriane Eriksen, the director of the Children, Youth and Families Division within The Department of Family Services, saw the invitation, and she was eager for someone in our agency to voice our local needs before elected officials at a national level. As a front-line worker, I answered her email requesting volunteers with a very enthusiastic “Yes!”
Little did I know what I was getting myself into! I had just a few days to prepare a statement on the issues we are facing. It was a little daunting, but thankfully I had my director’s support.
For context, the US House Committee on Ways & Means is a Congressional subcommittee that addresses raising revenue for all federally funded programs such as child welfare, Medicare, TANF, and SNAP. I was one of only five child welfare professionals selected to speak from across the country.
More than 50 people participated in the virtual meeting, including the CWLA organizers, members of the US House Committee on Ways & Means with their numerous staffers, and four other front line worker panelists. Two panelists were from Texas, one was from Pennsylvania, and one was from Florida. Three of the other four professionals worked in foster care/case management.
CWLA began the meeting with a brief explanation followed by an introduction of each panelist. We each spoke in turn sharing unique experiences in our aspect of the field. However, there were many common themes such as staffing shortages, burnout, and the secondary trauma workers experience doing complex, emotional work. Each of us found a way in our own words to explain how additional funding for child welfare programs could alleviate some of the challenges we face working in child welfare.
When it was my turn, I spoke about my front-line work as a Child Protective Services ongoing worker in the Sexual Abuse Unit as well as cross training and working CPS cases. I explained how the need to meet certain state and federal mandates can hinder our ability to deeply connect with our clients and assess the root of concerns. I also spoke about how, as social workers, we are often the first responders to situations which can have lasting implications.
I am so glad I had this wonderful opportunity to be heard and potentially make an impact for future budgetary decisions. I’m grateful that I was able to speak up for changes to federal child welfare policy that would benefit the families we serve and my fellow workers.
This posting is part of the Department of Family Services' Community Corner where you’ll find timely information about upcoming events, parenting and wellness tips, programs and services, and more! Share these helpful posts with your friends and family. Don't miss out on future postings! Sign up today!