To better understand the challenges facing caseworkers immersed in the struggle to protect children, this week we interviewed a Child and Family Care caseworker we have been acquainted with for many years. We wanted to offer a deeply personal insight into the world that these caseworkers inhabit. Our generous contributor this week has been a child and family care caseworker in Chicago for 21 years.

Exceptional case managers stand as unsung heroes, navigating the complexities of human experiences with compassion, resilience, and a commitment to positive change in the social services industry. Beyond administrative duties, these dedicated professionals embody unique qualities that elevate their impact and effectiveness in fostering positive outcomes for individuals and communities alike. This exploration delves into the quintessential qualities that define exceptional case managers, shedding light on the attributes that go beyond the professional realm, shaping them into empathetic guides and advocates in the journey through life's challenges.

Human services are a broad spectrum with case management and social work as its strong pillars. They are often spoken of in the same breath, but they serve distinct roles, each with its unique purposes and methods. If you're in the field or considering a career within it, understanding the differences between case management vs. social work is crucial. In this post, we'll delve into the fundamental differences between these two critical aspects of support for individuals and communities.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of success in the world of non-profit case management. In 2023, as the landscape of social services continues to evolve, effective collaboration among case managers has become more crucial than ever.

To achieve this, caseworkers need the right tools in their arsenal. In this blog, we will explore ten essential tools that case managers can utilize to enhance collaboration and improve the quality of care they provide.

So, take a look at the essential tools your social service agencies must have for improved collaboration among case managers.

In the ever-changing landscape of social work, caseworkers face an array of challenges in their mission to support vulnerable populations and create positive societal change. In 2023, the importance of leveraging technology cannot be overstated. Embracing technology for caseworkers has become a necessity rather than a luxury. This blog explores why caseworkers must harness the potential of technology, particularly case management software, to enhance their efficiency, effectiveness, and overall impact on the lives they touch.

How we care for the most vulnerable among us is one of the great challenges of our time. As Mahatma Ghandi once said, “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” And social workers are hard-pressed to find one group in more dire need of urgent attention than children at risk of neglect or abuse.

Children deprived of a safe, nurturing family environment are entitled to special protection, assistance and alternative care. And today’s caseworkers can most effectively address this with the right social services software.

Given the benefits, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, it's no surprise that corporate cloud investment has skyrocketed in recent years. Currently, more than 90% of businesses are using the cloud.
While the corporate sector thrives on the cloud, it's only natural for non-profits to follow suit. In recent years, many social services, including child welfare, senior citizen care, and juvenile justice, have moved to the cloud to take advantage of this technology.

In the US, there are more than 700,000 caseworkers, according to data from 2020. If you're a member of this sizable workforce, you are well aware of the difficulties faced by those who work in the nation's human services.
It's never been more challenging to serve the people with a big number of individuals in need of your help, a growing workload, and a slow rate of growth among new employees. As a result, many caseworkers today who work in the fields of child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health care, and senior care are finding that technology can help them improve their operations.  

According to estimates, the United States has over 680,000 social workers affiliated with various non-profit organizations. Social workers play an important role in the American social fabric, from juvenile justice to veteran services, senior services, and child welfare.

However, in their pursuit of doing good for humanity, social workers occasionally make mistakes that add to their workload and stress. So, if you're a new caseworker about to embark on your journey, this article is for you.

Continue reading to learn about the five rookie mistakes that caseworkers make that can add stress and make their jobs more difficult.

Turnover in child welfare case workers has reached troubling proportions. In any profession, an annual turnover rate around 10% is considered healthy. In child welfare social work, the most recent annual turnover rate was reported at exceeding 22% in some states. When we asked child welfare case workers that we communicate with on a regular basis what they think the problem is, the consensus was clear.