CASCW hosts statewide training
On April 16 the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) held its ninth annual interactive television (ITV) state-wide conference, "Children of Incarcerated Parents," featuring Dean Creasie Finney Hairston. This conference began with a presentation from Creasie Finney Hairston, M.S.S.A., Ph.D. —the dean and a professor of social work at Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dean Hairston’s current research and many of her publications focus on the impact of incarceration and reentry on families and children, and the impact of child welfare policies on children. She edited, with Cynthia Seymour, Children with Parents in Prison: Child Welfare Policy, Program, and Practice Issues (2001).
Dean Hairston's lecture was followed by a lively discussion with practitioners who implement programs for children of incarcerated parents. Panelists included: Trina Starr, M.S.W., Program Coordinator Mentoring Children of Promise of the Lac Courte Oreille Tribe; Josh Gerrity, L.S.W., Parent and Family Program Coordinator MN Correctional Facility-Shakopee; Sarah Dass, B.S.W. Case Manager/Prison Program Coordinator Volunteers of America; and Kelsey Barbara Jones, SW Child Protection Services Specialist Otter Tail County Human Services.
Two hundred five child welfare workers, guardian ad litems, and supervisors in 28 counties throughout the state, as well as tribal social services and professionals from nonprofit agencies, participated. Online broadcasting made the conference available to those beyond Minnesota. Ninety-two people participated online, including people across the United States and Canada. The Web site remains live and as of today, there have been over 225 people visit the site. A video of the broadcast as well as related conference materials are available via the center’s Web site. The conference was designed to supplement existing Department of Human Services (DHS) training.