The Collaboratory for Kids and Community Health’s Post

My position is, and always will be, that everyone deserves the opportunity for employment and the chance to receive the supports they need to realise that potential. This weeks RFT of the new voluntary employment service for parents excites me. The consultation process, combined with recommendations from the Workforce Australia Inquiry leads to a program that is significant defined in structure with the opportunity for creative and innovative servicing solutions. I’m most excited that the requirements of: 🔘lived experience practitioners 🔘a qualified or highly demonstrated experienced workforce 🔘cultural sensitive service 🔘client - centred service are all fundamental non negotiables in the future delivery. It reads to be a program for voluntary parents, co-designed with voluntary parents and delivered but those that have walked through the journey of parenthood and employment. If delivered right, the pipeline effect on employment participation for parents has a promising future. The road is never linear but this program has the chance to reset many directions for many individuals. #Parents #Employment #VoluntaryService #LifeSkills #WorkSkills #Careers #Preparation #Outcomes #EmploymentForAll

If most college institutions are older how does one with a disability explore higher education. And if they do receive a higher education are there opportunities for them? Today, most companies are trying to LEARN how to be more diverse and inclusive so it poses the question does any of it matter❗️

It is so important to focus on this group of young people as an upstream approach.

📢 BSW Student Spotlight: Christin Montgomery - Passion & Dedication in Social Work 🌟 Meet one of our passionate OU Bachelor Social Work students, who has been deeply inspired by their own experiences to pursue a career in helping others, especially children and vulnerable populations. 💙 🔴 What motivated you to pursue a degree in social work? "I’m driven by my connection to assisting vulnerable children, particularly those dealing with mental health challenges. My advocacy for my deaf son, Augie, and my experience working with deaf children have shaped my commitment to making a difference." 🤝 🔴 What have you learned during your practicum? "Through my practicum in child welfare, I've learned the complexities of working with families in crisis. From child protective services to legal responsibilities, I've developed a strong sense of empathy, patience, and the importance of clear communication when helping families under stress." 🛡️ 🔴 What is your post-graduation goal related to social work? "My post-graduation goal is to become a therapist specializing in working with the deaf community, while also exploring forensic interviewing with children. I want to use my background in child welfare and mental health to support and advocate for vulnerable populations, particularly those facing communication barriers. I hope to create safe spaces for healing and growth, helping individuals navigate trauma and emotional challenges." 🌱💬 We’re proud to highlight the incredible dedication of our students, who are making a real impact in their communities! 👏 Interested in becoming an OU Social Worker? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gwfVenST – Click the APPLY tab and start your journey to becoming a Sooner Social Worker today! #SocialWorkStudent #PracticumExperience #PostGradGoals #ChildWelfare #DeafCommunity #TherapistInTraining #Advocacy #OUSocialWork #MakingADifference

Erikson’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares students for impactful careers in a field that allows them to evolve their practice in new ways over time. Read more in our latest blog: https://bit.ly/47xAolu #msw #socialwork #earlychildhood #earlychildhoodeducation #eriksoninstitute

🔵 Black and Latina early childhood educators are more likely to be employed in lower-paying roles. 🟠 Black early childhood educators are not rewarded with pay increases for obtaining a higher educational degree. 🔵 White educators make up 35% of the overall workforce but hold 54% of leadership positions. These are among the findings of a recent survey of 7,500 people working in the child-care sector by the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, UC Berkeley.

Over 1.1 million young people in the U.S. — 7% of all older teenagers — are neither working nor in school. These youth often come from communities with higher levels of poverty, and many have experienced homelessness or been involved with the child welfare or juvenile justice system. Advocates have taken to calling these young people opportunity youth in an effort to emphasize that, if they’re able to access the right opportunities, they have the ability to thrive. Efforts such as connecting young people with jobs and apprenticeships, working to ensure K–12 schools in low-income areas have adequate resources and providing youth with avenues to form relationships with supportive adults can help keep opportunity youth engaged with school and work. https://lnkd.in/grUYPtRS

Postsecondary goals are pivotal for students with disabilities. These goals align education with career aspirations, promote self-advocacy, and offer tailored support. When families, educators, and transition professionals focus on individual strengths and interests, students can achieve long-term success and fulfill their potential. Read this week’s tips on the CCLC website at https://lnkd.in/eknujEHg #CCLC #IEP #SpecialEducation #teachingresources #transitioniep #TuesdayTips #postsecondary #postsecondaryeducation

Thank you to Harvard Kennedy School for sharing my experience at the Implementing Public Policy program. During these first 9 months of my executive cursus I concentrated on the subject of rethinking public policies to allow parents to better combine parenthood and employment, in Belgium. A topic I started to explore thanks to Belgium's 40 under 40. #employment #parenthood #publicpolicy