Blog

Visit our Human Services Blog regularly for information about current issues, research and happenings in the field of human services. All content is generated by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education staff, instructors or colleagues.

We also produce three digital publications—each with a specific focus on an area of human services practice:

2023 National Tribal TANF Institute Embraces the "Heartwork" in Practice

Nearly 200 participants from 40 tribes and 10 states came together in Sacramento to share their experiences, celebrate one another’s culture, highlight successes, and enrich the spirit of collaborative learning and growth.

From July 17-20, Human Services at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education welcomed tribal council members and elders to the table alongside human services professionals for the 2023 National Tribal TANF Institute in Sacramento. Now in its 18th year, the in-person event served as an overwhelmingly positive and empowering step toward improving

California Social Workers Return to Davis for Reinvigorating Statewide SOP Conference

For the first time in more than five years, the California SOP Conference welcomed social workers from throughout the state back to the UC Davis Campus for two days of learning, sharing and inspiration. 

Hosted by the Northern Academy at UC Davis Human Services on the Davis campus June 21-22, the 2023 California Safety Organized Practice (SOP) conference proved a reinvigorating return to its traditional form after the 2021 conference was hosted as a virtual event due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

2023 Sarah Duncan Champion for Children and Families Award Winner Announced

Presented each spring by the Northern Academy at UC Davis Human Services, the Sarah Duncan Champion for Children and Families Award honors one of Northern California’s outstanding social workers and seeks to highlight additional child welfare line social workers who reflect Duncan’s passion, skill and tireless commitment to working to improve outcomes for children and families. This is the second year the award has been presented. 

New 2023 Sarah Duncan Award Nominees Announced

In our continuing celebration of social workers beyond National Social Work Month, we are proud to announce new nominees for the 2nd annual Sarah Duncan Champion for Children and Families Award

For those who submitted a nomination, thank you so much for taking the time to recognize one of your valued colleagues. If you didn’t get a chance to nominate this year: Don’t worry! We are already taking submissions for next year’s award.

Michell Franklin Hired as Program Director at UC Davis Human Services

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education – Human Services is pleased to announce that Michell Franklin, M.A., has accepted the position of Custom Training and Services (CTS) program director. Franklin will hold direct management oversight of the CTS program, including open enrollment courses and training contracts with a variety of county, state and nonprofit human services organizations throughout California.

The Ripple Effect of Change

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

As we proudly present this second edition of our Horizons publication, we can’t help but reflect on how much has changed since the inaugural issue was released. In the summer of 2020, then-Human Services director Susan Brooks introduced the publication at a time when the human services community grappled with the combined crises of soaring unemployment, a global pandemic and the violent personification of systemic racism.

California Department of Social Services and UC Davis Partner to Launch Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement and Support

Youth in California’s foster care system will soon have a new statewide resource to help keep them connected to family – one of the goals of California’s foster care system.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) are launching the Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement and Support (Center) to support county child welfare agency efforts to keep youth linked with their family members.

UC Davis Human Services Celebrates Outstanding Instructors

Returning to celebrate in-person after four years, UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education happily hosted the biennial Outstanding Service Award reception for CPE instructors on Thursday, Sept. 8. CPE Dean Susan Catron presided over a reception that was well attended by instructors, staff, friends and family who were happy to celebrate the achievements of the past four years.

This Week and Every Week: Thank You!

Child welfare work often feels like a thankless job. We can get so caught up in the day-to-day deluge of work that we don’t always pause to recognize good work when it is happening. There’s just so much work, and so many challenges, that taking the time to reflect on how much good is actually done, every single day, can seem impossible.

Meet the Award Winners

Nine individuals were honored at the Partnerships for Well-Being Institute in June 2022. These award winners were selected for their outstanding dedication to their work and their impact in improving outcomes for children and families involved with California’s systems of care.