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BY MICHELE COLYN –
The Northwest Division’s 2000 Social Services Conference was held recently at Camp Arnold, at the foot of Mt. Rainier. Major Carol Seiler organized the event, attended by more than 60 Salvation Army staff.
Training sessions offered a broad range of social service subjects, aimed to expand the skills of caseworkers and increase their connection with all Army social workers, who are often isolated by distance. Seiler said that conferences like this are valuable to increase a sense of identity and morale through discussion and peer interaction.
Training sessions offered advice on computer systems, use of volunteers, logic models, and welfare reform. “One Person Can Make a Difference” explored strategies for overcoming the challenges of a one-person corps setting.
Group sessions included presentations and discussions on asset building, identifying service gaps and looking toward the future.
Bob Guiliano, a caseworker from the Eastside Corps, felt the workshop gave him practical tips on how to schedule and serve clients. He was especially affected by the discussion on bringing prayer into every area of the workday.
By the end of the conference, attendees had a better sense of connection to area social service workers, due in part to the creation of a new Internet social services news database which links Northwest caseworkers.
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