Welcome to the Field

Did you know Vermont has a Human Rights Commission?  Are you curious about what rights and protections you and/or your clients have under Vermont state law? Join Cassie as she speaks with Big Hartman, the Executive Director & General Counsel of VT's Human Rights Commission (HRC) about what the VT HRC does, and how their work promoting full civil and human rights in Vermont is being impacted in this current moment. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Show notes & Transcripts available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

PART 2- On January 20th, the current administration launched targeted actions against transgender Americans—moves that didn't emerge in isolation, but deepened a long, painful struggle for dignity and recognition. Disguised as policy, these decisions struck at the right to exist safely, access care, and live authentically. They echoed decades of systemic neglect, reminding us that for trans people, political shifts aren't abstract—they're personal, urgent, and too often, life-threatening. This begs the question- who gets to define whose life has worth? Whose identities are real? Who deserves basic human rights and bodily autonomy? An attack on healthcare, bodily autonomy, dignity, and respect against our transgender community is an attack against us all. This week, we speak with three professionals who help us to define what gender affirming care means, why it's important for trans youth, and how being affirming and respectful is a movement toward a stronger community for us all.   Show notes & Transcript @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/ Follow us on IG  @thesocialworklens

PART 1- On January 20th, the current administration launched targeted actions against transgender Americans—moves that didn't emerge in isolation, but deepened a long, painful struggle for dignity and recognition. Disguised as policy, these decisions struck at the right to exist safely, access care, and live authentically. They echoed decades of systemic neglect, reminding us that for trans people, political shifts aren't abstract—they're personal, urgent, and too often, life-threatening. This begs the question- who gets to define whose life has worth? Whose identities are real? Who deserves basic human rights and bodily autonomy? An attack on healthcare, bodily autonomy, dignity, and respect against our transgender community is an attack against us all. This week, we speak with three professionals who help us to define what gender affirming care means, why it's important for trans youth, and how being affirming and respectful is a movement toward a stronger community for us all.   Show notes & Transcript @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/ Follow us on IG  @thesocialworklens

We recently brought you an episode on the political and legal landscape of Immigration. In this episode, we take it down to the personal level and bring you the voices of two Vermont high school students who talk about their daily experiences in the midst of this national conversation. Join us as we talk with students Gabby & Stacey, their teacher Caitlin Macleod-Bluver, and their Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria. Shownotes & Transcripts available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/ Please note – Gabby & Stacey were very active in the movement to have their high school designated as a sanctuary school. If you are interested in more information about this work please see the links below, or watch Wilmer, Caitlin, Gabby & Stacy in action at the school board meeting here https://www.mediafactory.org/winooski-schools?modal=45,episode,235066  

Are you wondering what is actually going on with Immigration in the United States right now? Are you curious about what these executive orders mean and how the system is ‘supposed' to work? We are too! Join us as we speak with Jill Martin Diaz from the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project about immigration, and what social workers and helping professionals need to know. Shownotes & Transcripts @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  

In this moment, as many of us experience a shift in what we are allowed to talk about at work related to DEI and identity, we are sharing this series of episodes exploring how Vermont is talking about antiracism and abolitionism in child welfare. Please join us in this series: How the Story is Told: An Abolitionist Child Welfare Conference. This is Part 3: The child welfare that can be realized through our imaginations and life's work featuring Dr. Brenda Solomon. Show notes & transcripts available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  Follow us on IG: @thesocialworklens  https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/

In this moment, as many of us experience a shift in what we are allowed to talk about at work related to DEI and identity, we are sharing this series of episodes exploring how Vermont is talking about antiracism and abolitionism in child welfare. Please join us in this series: How the Story is Told: An Abolitionist Child Welfare Conference. This is Part 2: Voices from the Conference. Show notes & transcripts available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  Follow us on IG: @thesocialworklens  https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/

In this moment, as many of us experience a shift in what we are allowed to talk about at work related to DEI and identity, we are sharing this series of episodes exploring how Vermont is talking about antiracism and abolitionism in child welfare. Please join us in this series: How the Story is Told: An Abolitionist Child Welfare Conference. This is Part 1: What is a Title IV-E Roundtable Anyway? Show notes & transcripts  available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  Follow us on IG: @thesocialworklens  https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/  

Are you confused about what is happening in this political moment? So are we! Thankfully, VT Attorney General Charity Clark dropped by the studio to help us sort through the news, recent executive orders, and the work of the VT Attorney General's Office. Show notes available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

This week we are sharing one of our favorite podcasts with you! Please enjoy this episode of Mining for Gold's podcast: Audio Nuggets.  Links, transcripts, and shownotes available at https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/ Welcome to the cypher, right here on Audio Nuggets! On Audio Nuggets we strive to bend the arc of non-linear modes through conversations that tug and pull from the best of who we are. We give ourselves rooted permission to tell a collective story of the principled struggle for liberation. We are filled with joy and honored to be joined by Myah Overstreet for Episode 35: To Be Invisible—A True Narrative. Myah Overstreet is a filmmaker and journalist. Her area of focus is on the intersection of culture and racial injustices among marginalized communities. She is dedicated to amplifying bold, untold stories. Just two weeks ago, Myah's documentary “To Be Invisible” was published on The New Yorker site. The film follows the journey of Alexis and Kelley as they demand the return of their children from the family police in North Carolina. Shining light and love on Black women was always what Myah wanted to focus her work on. In this episode, we unpack Myah's journey to using film and journalism to tell the true narrative of reproductive justice rights of Black women, and the policing of bodies--the story that is not talked about. Myah shares the evolution of the film and how she joined with mothers and activists in the movement to abolish family policing to tell the story. Myah brings life and love to the film to magnify what's been hidden. Every story that is told in this true narrative is getting us closer to a new world!

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, also known as the DSM 5- TR, looms large in mental health services. As the principal guide for psychiatric diagnoses, the DSM seeks to provide a common language and standard criteria for mental health treatment. It is also an evolving text, that has been the subject of ongoing critique and revision since it's original publication. Join recent Bachelor of Social Work graduate Olivia Baker and faculty member Danielle Jatlow, as they discuss some strengths and limitations that Olivia explored in her independent study on the DSM.   Shownotes & Transcripts available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Sibling aggression is the most common form of family violence, yet it remains hidden and confused with sibling rivalry. Numerous studies have linked sibling aggression and abuse to worse mental and physical health and problematic interpersonal relationships with parents, peers, and romantic partners. Join Cassie as she speaks with Corinna Jenkins Tucker, PhD, CFLE & Tanya Rouleau Whitworth, PhD about their work in this important area. Transcripts & shownotes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  

Is mandated reporting critical to achieving child and family safety in our communities, or is it an outdated strategy that facilitates family surveillance? Who is this policy serving and why?  What is driving the shift in thinking about mandated reporting?  Join Jill Richard, MEd. & Dr. James Metz as they set the stage to learn from our history and create new possibilities.  

Neurodivergent youth and young adults, including those with autism, and gender-expansive youth face more adversity and are at a greater risk of trauma, such as abuse and neglect, as well as experiences like rejection, isolation, and bullying than their peers without those differences. Those living at the intersection of both neurodivergence, and gender expansiveness are at even higher risk. Join Cassie & Kelly Smith as they explore the relationship between gender diversity and trauma in Part 3 of this series.   Show notes & resources available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Neurodivergent youth and young adults, including those with autism, and gender-expansive youth face more adversity and are at a greater risk of trauma, such as abuse and neglect, as well as experiences like rejection, isolation, and bullying than their peers without those differences. Those living at the intersection of both neurodivergence, and gender expansiveness are at even higher risk. Join Cassie & Kelly Smith as they explore the relationship between neurodivergence and trauma in Part 2 of this series. Show notes & resources available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Neurodivergent youth and young adults, including those with autism, and gender-expansive youth face more adversity and are at a greater risk of trauma, such as abuse and neglect, as well as experiences like rejection, isolation, and bullying than their peers without those differences. Those living at the intersection of both neurodivergence, and gender expansiveness are at even higher risk. Join Cassie & Kelly Smith as they explore this triple intersection. Show notes & resources available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Join Cassie, Chris, & Ellen as they close this series by discussing how to support youth beyond crisis response and foster lives worth living. Listen to Part 1 & Part 2 for information on universal screening and how to respond when youth screen positive.  Transcripts and show notes available at https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/ 

Youth suicide is a public health crisis, and we all have a role in prevention! Join Cassie, Ellen, & Chris as they discuss how to respond to youth in crisis, and what to do after you've administered a screening tool. Transcripts & show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Part 1- You Have To Ask: The Importance of Screening for Suicide Prevention. Youth suicide is a public health crisis, and we all have a role in prevention! Join Cassie, Ellen, & Chris as they bust some myths about youth suicide, dig into the importance of screening, and walk through an accessible approach to screening that almost anyone can use.   Show notes & Transcripts available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  

Join Mercedes and Hailey in this third and final episode as they share their experiences in the VT DCF child welfare system with host, Kate Cunningham.  Using the list of hopes and aspirations for any youth in state's care that the St. Joseph's Orphanage survivors created in 2020, we discuss the importance of youth having access to their information, as well as, being a part of their own plan. Transcripts & show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Join Mercedes and Hailey in this second episode as they share their experiences in the VT DCF child welfare system with host, Kate Cunningham.  Using the list of hopes and aspirations for any youth in state's care that the St. Joseph's Orphanage survivors created in 2020, we discuss the importance of the relationship between a youth in care and their alternative caregivers, either kin, foster or residential workers.  The need for a sense of belonging and for being cared about as a person is clear in the stories that share. Transcripts & show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Join host Kate Cunningham as she speaks with Hailey and Mercedes, about their experiences as children in custody in the VT DCF child welfare system.  Using the list of hopes and aspirations for any youth in state's care that the St. Joseph's Orphanage survivors created in 2020, Hailey & Mercedes tell their stories over three episodes, and dig into the importance of the relationship between a youth in care and their DCF worker, the need to be seen and heard, and the need to feel that their lives matter to their workers. Transcripts & show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/  

Join us for our last episode in our 3-part miniseries with Corey Best on racial justice in child welfare. In this episode, Janine Beaudry brings Corey B. Best and Vermont Family Services Division, Deputy Commissioner Aryka Radke together to dream about, and discuss, the just child and family support system we want to build, along with a few specific thoughts about some of the ways we might get there. Transcript, show notes, and links to episode 1 and 2 available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/lens-podcast/

Join Janine Beaudry as she continues her conversation with Corey B. Best, in Part 2, of our 3-part mini-series on racial justice in child welfare. In part 2, Corey & Janine focus on how the legacy of chattel slavery underpins the current child welfare system, and the current push to abolish racist practices to build a just child and family support system. Transcript & Show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/lens-podcast/

The Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VT-CWTP) is proud to announce that we are changing the name of our podcast to THE SOCIAL WORK LENS.  

Most of us are having uncomfortable conversations about racism these days. Join Janine Beaudry as she talks with Corey B. Best about the origins and impacts of white supremacy in our country, and how authentic connection and belonging can help us all see the malady for what it is and move toward healing.        Transcript, Bios, and Show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/lens-podcast/

We all have Uncomfortable Conversations sometimes... join host Cassie Gillespie as she talks with Jan Fook, PhD about her work on using a Reflective Approach, and how this approach can transform tough conversations.  Transcript, Bios, and Show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/  

Hello Listeners, We will be talking a short break for the month of November. Stay uncomfortable and we'll see you in December! - The Welcome to the Field Podcast Team

“She said that the only thing that made this thing (a child being removed from their home) even a teenier bit more bearable, was that she saw tears in the social worker's eyes” – Dr. Nicki Weld describing compassionate courage. Join host Kate Cunningham as she talks with Dr. Nicki Weld about the concept of courage, and the importance of caregivers and child welfare workers being authoritative and compassionate in their relationships with children and families. Show notes and Transcripts available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/    

Join Cassie as she talks with Dr. Laura Biggart about The Team as Secure Base Model.  The Team as a Secure Base model is an adapted version of Gillian Schofield and Mary Beek's Secure Base model (we have an episode on this- check it out!) used in foster care, adoption, residential care and schools; and draws from social workers' experiences and their articulation of what helps create trust as a foundation for effective teamworking. Show notes and transcripts available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/

Safety and Security are at the heart of any meaningful relationship, especially the relationship between caregiver and child. In this episode, Cassie talks with Professor Gillian Schofield PhD about the Secure Base model, which provides a framework for building positive relationships and promoting security and resilience, not only in foster care, adoption, and residential care, but also in schools, workplace teams and a range of diverse settings. The Secure Base model, used widely in the United Kingdom and abroad, draws from attachment theory and proposes five dimensions of caregiving, each of which is associated with a corresponding developmental benefit for the child.   Show notes and transcripts available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/

Talking with kids about their sexual development can certainly be uncomfortable. When you are a caregiver or a Family Services worker, having those conversations with a child you barely know might feel doubly uncomfortable. Add to that a limited knowledge of normative sexual development; maybe sprinkle in some myths, values, and a healthy sense of shame instilled upon you in your own upbringing, and you've got yourself one heck of an uncomfortable conversation.    In today's episode Tammy Leombruno will continue talking about using a continuum of behavior to help us identify when sexual behavior is normative, of concern or potentially problematic; how to respond in the moment; when to reach out for help and she'll suggest some resources to support you in your own learning. Show notes and transcripts available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/

Talking with kids about their sexual development can certainly be uncomfortable. When you are a caregiver or a Family Services worker, having those conversations with a child you barely know might feel doubly uncomfortable. Add to that a limited knowledge of normative sexual development; maybe sprinkle in some myths, values, and a healthy sense of shame instilled upon you in your own upbringing, and you've got yourself one heck of an uncomfortable conversation. In this episode Tammy Leombruno will talk about using a continuum of behavior to help us identify when sexual behavior is normative, of concern or potentially problematic; how to respond in the moment; when to reach out for help and she'll suggest some resources to support you in your own learning. Show notes and transcripts available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/  

Join host Pete Cudney and guest Nam Holtz as they explore some of the complexity of adoption and transracial adoption. Adoption is complicated, transracial adoption even more so. In this conversation Nam highlights the importance of examining some of our taken for granted assumptions, and the need to have open and sometimes uncomfortable conversations to best support children and families involved in adoptions. Show notes and transcripts available at https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/  

Last season we brought you an introduction to Safety Culture and Safety Science with Mike Cull.  Well guess who's back? On today's episode Cassie & Pete welcome Mike Cull and his colleague Elizabeth Riley to talk about Why Feeling Connected to your Colleagues Matters.  Mike and Elizabeth will help us explore the connection between psychological safety and workplace connectedness, they'll talk to us about professional intimacy, and help us strategize how to use these concepts in the workplace. Link to show notes and transcripts at our website: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/

What is an uncomfortable conversation and why should we have them?   Join Cassie Gillespie & Kate Cunningham as they dig into uncomfortable conversations, what happens in your body when we try to have them, and some tips to have them more effectively. Transcripts and show notes available at https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/    

Youth in DCF custody can feel stigmatized by the many stereotypes and common misconceptions about their experiences.  Jaylyn and Ashley were two youth in custody who are now young adults; they discuss how the assumptions made by the professionals and caregivers in their lives have impacted them, and they offer thoughts for improving relationships with youth in care.

Part 3 - Focuses on Families & Caregivers. Make sure to listen to the end for a special bonus conversation with Tabitha that digs deeper into how to talk to families about race. Join Tabitha Moore as she explores critical themes in Race & Racism in Child Welfare with Dr. Ken Hardy. In this series Tabitha and Ken explore critical themes in race/racism as they relate to the Child Welfare Workforce, Caregivers, and children and youth of color in the child welfare system. Please note- although each episode in this mini-series does have a distinct focus, our hope is that you listen to all three, in the order of their release, as some of the concepts Tabitha and Ken discuss will build on ideas from the previous episode. 

Join Tabitha Moore as she explores critical themes in Race & Racism in Child Welfare with Dr. Ken Hardy. In this series Tabitha and Ken explore critical themes in race/racism as they relate to the Child Welfare Workforce, Caregivers, and children and youth of color in the child welfare system. Please note- although each episode in this mini-series does have a distinct focus, our hope is that you listen to all three, in the order of their release, as some of the concepts Tabitha and Ken discuss will build on ideas from the previous episode. Part 2  Focuses on the experiences, strengths and needs, of children of color in the child welfare system.  

Join Tabitha Moore as she explores critical themes in Race & Racism in Child Welfare with Dr. Ken Hardy. Over the next three weeks, Tabitha and Ken will explore race/racism as it relates to the Child Welfare Workforce, Caregivers, and children and youth of color in the child welfare system. Please note- although each episode in this mini-series does have a distinct focus, our hope is that you listen to all three, in the order of their release, as some of the concepts Tabitha and Ken discuss will build on ideas from the previous episode.

Kin and Foster Caregivers are the heart of Vermont's Family Services Division. Join Janine Beaudry from VT-CWTP as she explores how strong, positive partnerships between kinship and foster caregivers can support safety and wellbeing for children and within families. You'll hear from 3 women who, in their very different roles, worked together to give a child, whom we'll call “L”, and his family the best support possible.

While there are many reasons why a family becomes involved with the child welfare system, one truth is always present, that a young person's move away from their parent(s) causes feelings of grief and loss for everyone in that family.  In this episode Sharon O'Neil will be talking with Jamie Blouin, Stephanie Reale, and Jonathon Clark about using literature to help heal grief and loss with young people who have a trauma history.  Transcript and show notes available at https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/  

Turnover in this field is high, but some people stay for their whole career and thrive. Join Leslie Stapleton from VT- CWTP as she talks with Tracey Brown and Shannon Morton, two “thrivers” who have managed to stick it out, to find out what keeps them doing this work, despite its many challenges.  

Domestic Violence impacts the lives of many families. Join Pete Cudney from VT-CWTP as he chats with Family Service Worker Jess Peloquin and Domestic Violence Specialist Samantha Zellinger about utilizing consultation effectively when working to support families impacted by domestic violence, how they have developed their partnership, and some of the most common themes they consult on together.

The Child Protection Team, from UVM Medical Center's Child Safe Program conducts MDT evaluations of children who are suspected of being maltreated. Join host Cassie Gillespie from VT- CWTP as she talks with the Child Protection Team about the top 10 child abuse myths they encounter in their work.

Just like aviation, healthcare, and the nuclear industry, Child Welfare is a safety critical industry. High stakes, high consequence decisions are made by child welfare workers and caregivers everyday. Although we may not think about child welfare workers and caregivers in the same way we think about pilots, surgeons, and nuclear technicians, we should! Join Pete Cudney and Cassie Gillespie from VT-CWTP as they interview Dr. Michael Cull from the University of Kentucky's Center for Innovation in Population Health about his work adapting safety culture, a strategy used in other safety critical industries, to child welfare systems in general, and the VT child welfare system in particular. Visit our website for show notes & resources: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/

Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is the founder and director of The Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others, and The Age of Overwhelm. Widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of trauma exposure, she has worked nationally, and internationally for more than three decades. Join Cassie Gillespie from VT-CWTP as she speaks with Laura about Trauma Stewardship and Trauma Exposure Response, specifically as it pertains to child welfare workers and caregivers. Visit our website for show notes & resources: https://vermontcwtp.org/field-podcast/    

Season 2 is coming... Listen for a sneak peek!

We are delighted to end our first season with our last caregiver spotlight episode! Join Sharon O’Neill and Janine Beaudry from the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership as they talk about Grief & Loss as it relates to kin, foster and adoptive families with Michelle Colburn, FSD Resource Coordinator.

We are delighted to share our first caregiver spotlight episode! This episode will focus on looking at Trauma and Self-Care through a caregiver lens.Join Janine Beaudry and Sharon O’Neill from the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership as they talk with Cathy Frost-Brooks, adoptive parent, trainer, and FSD Resource Coordinator about taking care of yourself and your children, who have been impacted by trauma, through the years.