March 26, 2010

BCU Presentation at National Conference Addresses Siouxland Child Welfare

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Heather Craig-Oldsen, associate professor of social work and department chairperson at Briar Cliff University, recently presented a paper at the Social Work Baccalaureate Program Directors Annual Program Meeting in Atlanta, Ga.

In her paper, titled “Promoting Social Justice and Change in Indian Child Welfare Practice through Collaborative Development of Native American BSW Students,” Craig-Oldsen addresses Siouxland’s strengths in its work to improve child welfare services for Native American families and children. Her paper also describes BCU’s model for developing social workers to specialize in child welfare.

As a part of Craig-Oldsen’s presentation, BCU students Chiara Cournoyer, North Sioux City, S.D., and Gwen Vargas-Porter, Wathill, Neb., who are enrolled the Siouxland Indian Child Welfare Traineeship Program (SICWTP) at Briar Cliff, reinforced the key points of the paper from their perspectives.

“Representing the Omaha and Yankton Sioux Tribes and being parents themselves, Gwen and Chiara presented a valuable perspective of Native families in Siouxland,” said Craig-Oldsen.

SICWTP is made possible through a $550,000 National Child Welfare Workforce Development grant developed in partnership with area Tribes and child welfare agencies. The grant helps fund educational stipends for Native American social work students pursuing child welfare careers.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 28 states. Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit briarcliff.edu.

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