CWLA is pleased to present a virtual training opportunity for social work and human service professionals that invites participants to explore the evolution from traditional competence frameworks toward approaches emphasizing continuous reflection and respect for self-defined identities. Participants will analyze how overlapping identity dimensions—such as age, ability, and socioeconomic position—shape lived experiences and influence outcomes within child welfare systems. Drawing on theoretical constructs, the discussion will examine how long-standing structures and prevailing norms—such as appearance-based decisions—affect both practitioners and the families they support. Through guided inquiry, attendees will develop strategies to engage with authenticity, interrogate assumptions, and advance fairness and consistency in professional practice.
TRAINER:
Deborah Wilson Gadsden, LSW, MSW, MHS, CWLA Director, EIB & Permanency Standards Project