i3 - Imagine.Ideate.Innovate

Helping Caregivers Manage The Challenging Behaviors of Youth and Children Part 2 of 2

This episode of our i3 podcast features a conversation with Dr. Marty Beyer.  Dr. Beyer is a respected consultant in Children’s Services who has a wealth of experience assisting caregivers as they manage behavioral challenges in children and youth.  In this episode she discusses how caregivers can effectively assist those we serve when escalating behaviors occur.  Dr. Beyer will also discuss the need for Foster Parents and Case Managers to develop collaborative partnerships to help discover the underlying issues within children and youth that often manifest in very difficult behaviors.    Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Helping Caregivers Manage The Challenging Behaviors of Youth and Children Part 1 of 2

This episode of our i3 podcast features a conversation with Dr. Marty Beyer.  Dr. Beyer is a respected consultant in Children’s Services who has a wealth of experience assisting caregivers as they manage behavioral challenges in children and youth.  In this episode she discusses how caregivers can effectively assist those we serve when escalating behaviors occur.  Dr. Beyer will also discuss the need for Foster Parents and Case Managers to develop collaborative partnerships to help discover the underlying issues within children and youth that often manifest in very difficult behaviors.   
 
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 9: Navigating Transitions Part 2 of a 4-part series.

Navigating Transitions – Part 2
In this episode of i3 we’ll continue our conversation regarding Navigating Transitions in social services.  SCDSS Training Directors Sha’Rae Washington and Lew Rogers help us unpack the three phases of author William Bridges “Transition Model” which entails 1) Ending/Losing/Letting Go; 2) The Neutral Zone; and 3) New Beginnings.  Gaining a proper understanding of Bridges ‘Transition Model’ and how each phase potentially impacts our workforce is vital to effectively navigating the constant changes that we experience in our profession. 
 
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 8: Navigating Transitions Part 1 of a 4 part series

Part 1 of a 4 part series
One of the most consistent aspects in the profession of social services is that of ‘change’.  It is in our nature to resist change to maintain the status quo, especially in instances where professionals have found their comfort zone in the work that they routinely perform.  However, in our work, the only consistent variables that we experience are the ‘changes’ to policies, procedures, and processes that occur regularly which results in endless ‘transitions’ that disrupt routines.  In this episode of i3 we’ll discuss:  the difference between ‘change’ and ‘transitions’, the impact on an organization’s workforce when leaders do not understand how to manage ‘transitions’ well, and how poorly managed transitions can potentially impact outcomes. 
 
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 7: Great Ideas on Fostering

In today’s episode Elton and April Oakley join us to discuss effective measures that they’ve implemented in their family to successfully foster and adopt children who have been placed in the South Carolina Child Welfare system.  The Oakley’s have been fostering for approximately five years and have had tremendous success in integrating foster children into their family. They are on a mission to encourage others to consider fostering, adopting, or supporting children and youth in other ways.  Relying on their faith, their love for one another, and their hope in mankind, Mr. and Mrs. Oakley are on a mission to involve as many people in their community and the state of South Carolina at large to support efforts in providing safe, nurturing environments to lessen the trauma and stress that children and youth experience as they seek permanency and stability in their lives.  
 
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 6: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

In this episode of our i3 podcast we talk with Sue Meyer, the Manager of Employee Trauma Support and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Coordinator.  She discusses the prevalence of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in child protective services, the sources of STS and how it can wreak havoc on human services workers.  She goes on to talk about how the Employee Trauma Support Team is working with employees to lower the incidence of STS and lessen its’ negative impact on our professionals.  The Team’s work along with the inception of EAP two years ago, has proven to be lifelines for traumatized employees.  The EAP also provides exemplary services to all DSS employees, their families and household members.  Thus, improving their wellbeing while having a positive impact on our bottom line.
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 5: Self Care: Mindfulness

During this episode of i3 our guest, Dr. Anita Khetpal, discusses an important component of Self Care; namely ‘Mindfulness’.  Dr. Khetpal provides our audience with an understanding of what ‘Mindfulness’ entails and various strategies that we can incorporate into our lives each day to help us enjoy being present and not become overwhelmed thinking of past experiences or future expectations.  Dr. Khetpal gives insight regarding how ‘Mindfulness’ not only helps the human services professional, but also those that we serve by focusing solely on them without being distracted by internal or external circumstances or experiences.    
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 4: Culture Shift through Innovative Leadership Development

In this episode of i3 Lew Rogers shares strategies on professional development for leaders within the South Carolina Department of Social Services utilizing innovative approaches through the implementation of the agencies Coaching Model.  Lew discusses the methods in which he and his team brainstorm about ways to think of how to build leaders, develop those imaginative thoughts into ideas, and strategically implement them into innovative approaches to leadership development that will yield a workforce that is both encouraging, supportive, and effective in the way that we approach our work.
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 3: Technology Implementation for Performance Enhancement

This episode of the i3 podcast features Mr. Tim Mose, Director of Child Support Services.  Tim’s division has proven to be one of the most innovative areas within SCDSS over the past few years as they have implemented several new features to enhance their performance.  As a result, they have increased Child Support collections to a point where they are amassing over $300 million annually for children and families in South Carolina.  In this episode Tim shares a wealth of knowledge about the creation of those innovative ideas through the use of teamwork and technology. 
 
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197

Episode 2: Innovative Approaches for Continuous Quality Improvement and Quality Assurance_01

In this episode of our i3 podcast Dr. Suzanne Sutphin discusses the importance of ‘innovation’ as it pertains to her work in Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement.  Dr. Sutphin discusses how she’s used innovative approaches as the Director of QA and CQI at the South Carolina Department of Social Services in hopes of helping others use similar methods to improve their work in human services through examples that she provides.  She also discusses the following:  the use of data to drive informed decision-making, the importance of blocking out time on your calendar to allow space for developing ideas to enhance your work, and how peer to peer relationships help to generate thoughts on how to improve overall performance. 
 
Intro/Outro Source:  You're-My-Sunshine_AdobeStock_511566197