More than 120,000 children in the United States were waiting to be adopted through the foster care system in 2019, according to the United States Children’s Bureau (USCB). Nearly 60% of those children were 6 to 17 years old. But children in this age range accounted for only 44% of adoptions through child welfare agencies. This imbalance […]
In the results of the June 2020 AP-NORC Poll, nearly 70% of Americans said that the criminal justice system needs either “major changes” or a “complete overhaul.” Almost all back some level of change. Certain topics have managed to fly under the radar of the conversation, like the need for probation and parole reform. But […]
The personal nature of social work makes it quite rewarding. Practitioners meet clients at their point of need and offer direct support for their well-being. It’s common for bonds to form as social workers help clients empower themselves. However, they must take care to avoid pursuing dual relationships in social work that may pose risks […]
Service is undoubtedly a substantial theme in the Bible. And because the Bible lays out how service should be a priority for Christians, churches should strive to encourage followers to serve. In order to understand how to motivate church members to serve, it’s the church’s responsibility to ensure that appropriate enlistment, training and communication opportunities […]
Many people answer the call to social work because they want to make a difference. And once they begin providing support to clients, they get many opportunities to do so. Of course, many clients are highly vulnerable; to earn their trust, practitioners must exhibit integrity in social work practice. Practicing integrity in social work may […]
After Moses died, God called on Joshua to take over the Israelites’ journey into Canaan. The Lord reiterated His promise to Moses through Joshua, and He encouraged the new leader. “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with […]
Supporting diverse populations adds to the enrichment of a social work career. That said, empowering clients across communities requires more than knowledge of social work theory. Social workers must also develop cultural competence in social work practice. What is cultural competence in social work? The New Social Worker framed it as a commitment to building […]
The opportunity to mentor new believers arises after one of the most joyous moments in a person’s life. When someone comes to Christ, it’s cause for celebration — throughout heaven and earth — as the Word of God makes abundantly clear. In the first of three consecutive parables from Jesus on the topic, a shepherd […]
When professor and apologist William Lane Craig started exploring life’s big questions as a teenager, he went to a local church and met other high school students. Unfortunately, the youth group community within the church seemed more focused on popularity than serving Jesus. “This really bothered me,” Craig wrote at his website Reasonable Faith. “‘They claim […]
This post was written by guest contributor Sarah Weedman. With so many unknowns as I prepare to go back into the classroom, I am focusing on student engagement strategies for the new school year. I am always looking for ways to increase student engagement and intrinsic motivation in my classroom. One thing that usually shocks […]