In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On January 17, 2022, Jones sat down with Citizens for Community member and activist, Bonnie Dawn Clark. Before she moved to Ypsilanti in the mid-1990s, Clark was living in the South, always close to where she had been born and raised in North Carolina. With a passion for social justice and activism, she took part in movements advocating for equality for women and LGBTQ people, and even participated in environmental protests. It was only natural for her to become involved with Citizens for Community once the group heard about the incident with EMU group, Tri-Pride. As the city council took on the complaint and pushed it to the Human Relations Commissions hearings, she realized she could use her religious upbringing and knowledge of the Bible to dispel some of the opposing arguments. After the campaign ended, she returned to North Carolina where she has since started a non-profit organization for homeless LGBTQ youth. During this interview, she shares her experiences with being LGBTQ and a woman in the military, and reflects on the importance of an ordinance like 1279.

This interview includes discussion of sensitive subjects that may be triggering for listeners, such as sexual assault, abuse, and harassment.

Bonnie Dawn Clark, Oral History Interview, 2022

In this episode, Drs. Melissa Radey and Lenore McWey discuss their research project Power of Parents in Child Protection, including the impetus for the study, the challenges encountered, and the joys of collaborating with parents on policy-driven research. Devin Coleman, fatherhood support advocate, also shares his perspective as a member of the study’s advisory committee.

S7E1 - Power of Parents

In this podcast, Dr. Gordon Hill meets with Dr. Natalia Farmer, Lecturer in Social Work, and Amaka Ofili, a recent graduate of the MSc in Social Work program. Amaka is now working as a Social Worker in Glasgow, within the Children and Families team.

Amaka, who moved to Scotland from Nigeria to pursue her studies, shares with Gordon and Natalia her motivation to become a Social Worker and what led her to choose Glasgow Caledonian University. In the podcast, Amaka discusses her experiences of moving to a new country and her dissertation, which explored the experiences of African students. Together, Amaka, Natalia, and Gordon also highlight the support available at Glasgow Caledonian University for students, emphasizing the value of learning from the experiences of past students.

Natalia provides insight into the Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, including international opportunities within the Department of Social Work, her own research, and the various roles that Social Work graduates can pursue.

If you are interested in Social Work programs at Glasgow Caledonian University, this is the podcast for you!

(The corporate podcast intro used in this podcast is by Lundstroem and is licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License.)

Global Voices: A Social Work Journey from the School of Health and Life Sciences

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On June 6th, 2022, Jones sat down with EMU alum and former Tri-Pride member, Donna Benke. Benke found her way to Eastern in the 1990s, looking to obtain degrees in social work. Noticing the absence of a student org dedicated to LGBTQ students in the Masters in Social Work program, she joined her fellow students in founding Tri-Pride. Later, after the group was denied service by the print shop in 1997 and the incident made its way to the city council, Benke became one of the first students to speak up at the Human Relations Commission Hearings. She continued to be an active presence in Tri-Pride throughout the ordinance campaigns and up until her graduation from EMU in 1998. In this interview, she recounts how her academic and personal backgrounds impacted the way she navigated the campaigns, how the Tri-Pride students supported each other, and the lessons she took with her afterwards.

Donna Benke, Oral History Interview, 2022

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On March 8, 2022, Jones interviewed EMU alum, former Tri-Pride co-chair, and outspoken supporter of the ordinance, Donna Regan-Southwick. Before she made her way to Eastern, Southwick was a mother and activist working with Noel Keane in the early days of surrogacy. She enrolled at EMU as a non-traditional student, earning both her bachelors and masters degrees here. During her time in the MSW program, Southwick joined her classmates in the formation of Tri-Pride, where she acted as co-chair. After the group was denied service, she became an outspoken proponent of the ordinance and helped further bridge the gap between student and community campaign  perspectives. Southwick had to balance activism and academics, all while raising a son, who witnessed the fight alongside her. In this interview, she sheds light on finding that balance, understanding grief, and finding the strength to stand up for what's right.

This interview includes discussion of sensitive subjects that may be triggering for listeners, such as abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism, and depression.

Donna Regan-Southwick, Oral History Interview, 2022

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On January 25, 2022, Jones talked to EMU alum and former student secretary of Tri-Pride, Eric Monat. Monat, one of the group's founders, worked on promoting and programming events like Visibility Week, and eventually spoke at the Queer Student Leadership Summit. During the ordinance campaigns, he attended human relations commission hearings, and like his fellow students, kept Tri-Pride visible throughout. Monat recalls the camaraderie and support among the students and how they kept each other safe and sane in the midst of hatred. Throughout this interview, he talks through the trauma of the hearings, some of the ins-and-outs of Tri-Pride, and how he saw the campus evolve after all was said and done.

Eric Monat, Oral History Interview, 2022

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On February 27, 2022, Jones met with EMU alum and former chair-person of Tri-Pride, Kathy Palmer. Palmer found herself at EMU after learning more about the Master's in Social Work program and comparing it to others she was considering. She took up a graduate assistantship from Kathleen Russell, and was eventually picked to serve as a Tri-Pride co-chair. Palmer was only directly involved with the ordinance effort for a short time, as the Tri-Pride complaint was filed in February, and she graduated in April. Despite this, she kept close ties to the community and stayed updated throughout it all, and her "outsider" perspective gave her a new awareness of the campaigns' impact. In this interview, Palmer describes that new awareness and appreciation and shares more of the values and beliefs behind Tri-Pride and its members.

Kathy Palmer, Oral History Interview, 2022

In 2021, Eastern Michigan University Archives lecturer Matt Jones began documenting the story of Ypsilanti’s Human Rights Ordinance #1279 in an effort to explore the ways in which local queer activism has evolved multi-generationally in Ypsilanti. What began as a refusal of service by a local print shop to a small EMU student group quickly turned into a years-long battle over who was deserving of basic human rights. To the LGBTQ activists and community members documented here, they had always been present in the community: working, paying taxes, painting their houses, mowing their lawns, attending council meetings, and even serving on council. This ordinance battle was about more than just LGBT rights—it was about protecting the human rights of all Ypsilantians. On January 13, 2022, Jones talked to EMU alum and former member of Tri-Pride, Kris Pride. Pride came to EMU to earn her MSW, and was a graduate assistant in the LGBT Resource Center before she became a founding member of Tri-Pride. She was immersed in campus life and culture, and gained a sense of safety and comfort amongst her peers here. When Tri-Pride was denied service, Pride recalls that it felt like a reality check; that not everyone experienced the same she did. Although most of her time was spent on school, she remembers the differences in approach between the social work students and community members when it came to resolving the issue. Throughout this interview, Pride describes the campus atmosphere during the ordinance efforts, and how queer culture differed on and off campus.

Kris Pride, Oral History Interview, 2022

Don't panic, collaborate! You’ll hear about this advice and more in episode one of this three-part series focused on considerations for child welfare and county workers who encounter families who are navigating the asylum process, are currently undocumented, or have mixed documentation status within the family. In this episode, you'll learn about local changes occurring in Minnesota by exploring a collaboration that occurred in 2023 in Hennepin County. You'll hear from school and county staff who faced the challenges of change by collaborating across sectors, learning from neighboring districts, and keeping their focus on relationships.

Episode 1: Working With Undocumented & Asylum-Seeking Families: Collaboration in Minnesota

Asylum is complex and can take a long time. Episode two of this three-part series does a deeper dive into the process of asylum in the United States. Hear about the different types of asylum, the requirements, and the challenges of legally acquiring status, as well as the avenues of support that are available for families. You'll hear from immigration attorney Sarah Brenes (Binger Center for New Americans, University of Minnesota Law School) about how the complexities of the asylum process can impact asylum-seeking families, the history of and recent changes to these processes, and what this means for child welfare professionals who work with these families.

Episode 2: Working With Undocumented & Asylum-Seeking Families: Understanding Asylum

Seeking asylum is an act of resilience and protection. This final episode of the three-part series focuses on the implications for direct practice social work with families who are seeking or navigating asylum. Amy Smith, Clinical Faculty and Director of Social Work Services at the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services at the University of St. Thomas and Liz Franklin, Director of Behavioral Health at Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), discuss how to join with families as a social worker, considerations for establishing and sustaining trust, contextualizing care, navigating benefits eligibility, and sustaining yourself as a social work practitioner.

Episode 3: Working With Undocumented & Asylum-Seeking Families: Considerations for Practice

What’s Good, Goodwill? podcast hosts Heather and Michelle sat down with Clark Brekke, Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest President and CEO to discuss our past, present, and future of Goodwill as we celebrate our 85th anniversary on Thursday, December 5th. 

S3E12 Changing Lives For 85 Years

In this two-part podcast, Donald Forrester, Professor of Child and Family Social Work at Cardiff University and Richard Devine, Consultant Social Worker, join Susan Ridpath, Research and Development Officer at Research in Practice to share their insights into working with parents in child and family social work. 

Part one's focus is the context of social work with parents and the power practitioners hold. Richard and Donald unpack some of the dilemmas and tensions of practice and reflect on the emotional landscape for practitioners and family members. View the accompanying reflective questions: https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/children/content-pages/podcasts/working-with-parents-in-children-s-social-care/

Working with parents - The context of social work and working with parents

In this two-part podcast, Donald Forrester, Professor of Child and Family Social Work at Cardiff University and Richard Devine, Consultant Social Worker, join Susan Ridpath, Research and Development Officer at Research in Practice to share their insights into working with parents in child and family social work.

Part two starts by further exploring the reasons why a parent may be reluctant to have social services in their lives. What is meant – and importantly not meant - by the term ‘resistance’ and how is understanding resistance useful for practice? View the accompanying reflective questions: https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/children/content-pages/podcasts/working-with-parents-in-children-s-social-care/

Working with parents - The practice of working with parents

This podcast discussion on health and wellbeing and going beyond the soundbytes of such words to explore how the implementation of exercise can make a real difference to social workers and those they work with.

Moving Social Work

Welcome to BerryDunn’s podcast series for social workers and child welfare practitioners.

In the second part of our discussion on Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), we dive even deeper into how to effectively implement and sustain CQI practices within organizations. We’ll explore advanced strategies, share real-life examples, and highlight key tools for ensuring lasting, positive change in the lives of children, youth, and families. This episode builds on the foundations laid in Part 1 and offers insights for those looking to take their CQI efforts to the next level. Tune in for expert advice on overcoming obstacles, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful outcomes in social work practice.

Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Part 2

Dez Holmes talks to Meera Spillett about the key elements of anti-racist systems leadership. They reflect on an excellent briefing authored by Meera that has been published by Research in Practice. Meera is a former Director of Children’s Services and social worker, with over 40 years’ experience in social care, education and public sector partnerships. Part two looks how we can do the work necessary to combat racism without placing the burden on those who experience racism. . View the accompanying reflective questions: https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/all/content-pages/podcasts/anti-racist-systems-leadership/

Anti-racist systems leadership - Part two

Where did my dinosaur go? is a charming children's book about two meerkats, Mia and Kit, who do not like their new home. They don’t like their new routine, their new bedroom, or new foods for dinner – and most of all, they definitely do not like their new carer, Becky the capybara. But when the meerkats (along with their very special cuddly dinosaur toys) stay with Becky, they discover that a new home can be OK, and sometimes it’s alright to trust new people. 

Jo Francis, CoramBAAF's Publishing Manager, sat down with three members of the author team that worked on Where did my dinosaur go? to talk about where the idea for the book came from, their research findings and how that impacted the story that they told.

Amelia Goswell graduated with a degree in geography from Durham University and currently works as a transport planner in London. 

Meryl Westlake is a researcher at University College London (UCL) studying mental health and risk-taking among children living in residential care. She hopes that the book can share understanding from research in a way that helps children and their foster carers have important conversations about trust. 

Dr Eva A Sprecher is a researcher at UCL, who works with care experienced young people and foster carers to understand how we can support young people who have lived in care with their mental health, especially through thinking about relationships. 

Watch the interview on the CoramBAAF website: https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/corambaaf-conversations/where-did-my-dinosaur-go-author-interview

Episode 19: Where did my dinosaur go? | Author interview

Changing inland northwest lives since 1939. More then a store, it's local lives changed for good.

Glasgow Caledonian University's podcasts showcase the very best of GCU's research and explains how it benefits people and communities locally, nationally and around the world.

At Research in Practice, we bring together academic research, practice expertise and the experiences of people accessing services. We then apply this knowledge to develop a range of resources and learning opportunities, as well as delivering tailored services, expertise and training.

We work closely with professionals across the children, families and adult sectors to ensure our work is truly sector-led and responds to the most pressing issues.

A Podcast by the Florida Institute for Child Welfare at Florida State University

The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is committed to connecting child welfare professionals to relevant and accessible training resources. We are excited to bring you the latest in research, policy, and practice via podcasts. This channel will cover a wide range of topics and will feature interviews with researchers, policy makers, frontline child welfare workers, community members, and many others. If you would like a transcript of any of our podcasts, please visit our website podcast page: https://cascw.umn.edu/podcasts/.

We are the UK’s leading membership organisation for professionals working across adoption, fostering and kinship care. We provide information, best practice guidance, advice, training and resources to support our members and influence policy to improve outcomes for children and young people.

BerryDunn is an integrated assurance, tax, and consulting firm that uses deep experience and a commitment to knowledge sharing to help our clients gain control of the challenges and opportunities that drive value. 

We have offices in Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Arizona and provide access to professional accounting and IT consulting services nationwide.

New tracks tagged #social work