Supporting the Workforce Through Change: Insights from Dr. Joan Blakey on the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act

In our ongoing series about the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA), we have explored various angles of this crucial legislation which will go into effect in Minnesota over the next few years. We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Joan Blakey, Director of the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, to gain deeper insights into the Act and its impact on child welfare practice for the final feature of this blog series.

Introducing Dr. Joan Blakey

Dr. Joan Blakey brings a wealth of expertise to her role as the Director of the School of Social Work. Dr. Blakey has dedicated her career to pertinent issues in child welfare such as racial disproportionality, complex trauma among parents involved in the child welfare system, and post-permanency instability. Her background includes working at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Hennepin County, and other policy advocacy spaces. She also chairs the African American Child Wellbeing Council, where she collaborates with various stakeholders to address the systemic challenges faced by African American children and families.

The University of Minnesota’s School of Social Work is in the process of redesigning the curriculum to ensure it is aligned with the Council on Social Work Education’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, which added Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in practice as a new competency. Antiracist and anti-oppressive practices align with the objectives of MAAFPCWDA by preparing future social workers to understand and address the systemic racism embedded in child welfare systems. Dr. Blakey emphasizes the importance of equipping students with the tools to advocate for change and engage critically with the social issues they will encounter in their careers.

Listening Sessions

Dr. Blakey hosted multiple listening sessions in partnership with the Training Academy to gather feedback on the Act. These sessions provided valuable insights into the perceptions and concerns of child welfare professionals, students, and community members. A key takeaway from these sessions was understanding that many of the Act’s requirements, such as Active Efforts, reflect best practices in social work. Active Efforts involve partnering with families and walking alongside them, rather than simply providing referrals or a list of tasks that families must complete. Active Efforts involves establishing a deeper connection and support system for families, aligning with the Act’s goal of keeping families together whenever possible.

Supporting Child Welfare Workers through Implementation

Ongoing training, supervision, and support are crucial to effectively implement the Act. Dr. Blakey advocates for a parallel process where supervisors support social workers in the same way that workers are required to support families. This supportive environment helps prevent burnout and ensures that workers can engage in reflective practice. Reducing caseloads and providing resources for ongoing professional development for caseworkers, supervisors, guardian ad litems, judges, and lawyers are critical to sustaining this approach.

Implementing the Act presents both challenges and opportunities. One significant challenge is managing high caseloads and ensuring that social workers have the resources and support needed to provide active efforts. Dr. Blakey highlights the necessity of training more social workers and the importance of comprehensive training for all stakeholders involved in child welfare; including supervisors, judges, and lawyers. This holistic approach is essential for transforming the system and realizing the Act’s vision.

On the other hand, Dr. Blakey feels that the Act offers an opportunity to fundamentally change child welfare practice. By focusing on keeping families together and addressing the trauma and challenges families face, we can improve outcomes for children and families. Dr. Blakey stresses the importance of investing in families upfront, which can save time and resources in the long run and prevent harm that can come from unnecessary removals. She shares that, “It is an opportunity to do the work differently, to learn about the families, to dispel our own myths about black people, Black families, what is good, and what is good enough.” By investing in families and working collaboratively, we can create a more equitable and supportive child welfare system.

As we continue to explore the impact of MAAFPCWDA, staff at the Training Academy and their partners are inspired by Dr. Blakey’s commitment to reimagining social work education and practice. Her insights remind us of the gravity of our work and the potential for positive change when we approach it with intention and compassion.

To learn more about additional components of the Act, check out some our previous articles: