Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who is the Most Biased of Them All: Values of a Social Worker

Often times, professionals that have committed to working in social service fields feel they have a dedication and competence in being unbiased and non judgmental. When we find ourselves tired of attending trainings and workshops that focus on bias and culture, it is usually a sign that we need additional support. Professionals that work with individuals with different cultural and social identities are responsible for being knowledgeable about ways that their personal identities can impact their professional roles. Even with professionals have shared identities of the population that they work with,engaging in ongoing professional development supports professionals in delivering services that are intentional and strategic to reduce the impact of systematic oppression. This course will encourage participants to review and acknowledge their personal and professional values and beliefs and identify ways their bias' impact their daily professional decision making. Ethical considerations will be introduced.

It is critical for a professional that delivers services in the realm of child welfare to have an understanding of one's personal values and beliefs and their relationship to cultural identity and practice. In relation to power and oppression, child welfare and social work professionals are often in positions of power and authority of vulnerable and marginalized populations. As professionals that are required to utilize professional and clinical judgment to make decisions that can be impacted by implicit and explicit bias, ongoing and regular training is needed. Consistent education and reflection is necessary to achieve a just society that ensures the safety and best practices are applied to service delivery to children and families that are often vulnerable.

Registration for this course is closed. Visit the CE Course Catalog for more offerings.