Resource Library - Communications

Workload:
Staff must have a manageable workload for their well-being and work/life balance. These resources explore the many factors that contribute to workload, including number of cases or supervisees, professional development, and other responsibilities and job support. Child welfare staff often report that both workload and caseload are too high, which can lead to burnout and exits from the agency.

Search Tips:
Use the search field below to search this category by keyword or click on the column titles to sort by title, content, category, type, or year. You may also select a sub-category or type of document in the list below to filter for only those documents.  Use the “Reset” button on the search bar to reset this list. Click on any of the folders to the left to visit another category or return to the full library.

TitleContentCategoriesTypeYear
Work with Purpose Child Welfare Professional Recruitment ToolkitThe Work with Purpose recruitment campaign – and the information and materials in this toolkit – is intended to support …, , , 2023
Partnership for Sustainable ChangeResearch indicates that change is not sustainable when we do not meaningfully engage those most impacted by a change (even …, , , , , , , 2021
Mobilizing Action for Resilient Communities (MARC) through Policy and Advocacy (Toolkit)This toolkit was created by the MARC Foundation to support and encourage cross-sector networks in trauma-informed policy and advocacy efforts. …, , , 2020
Public Narrative Planning SheetThis worksheet walks you through storytelling as an advocacy tool with exercises and guiding questions for developing one’s “story of …, 2011
Addressing Economic Hardship Key to Preventing Child Welfare System InvolvementThis brief summarizes historical policy context and provides an overview of policy, programmatic, analytic, and engagement strategies for leveraging economic …, , , , , , , , , , , 2021
Leadership FoundationsThis leadership module first explores different leadership styles, including strengths-based, adaptive, transformational, and daring leadership. These leadership styles have in …, , , , ,
Cultural Humility Strategies(60 minutes) Supervisors have a key role to play in promoting cultural responsiveness and leveraging diversity. This one hour module …, , ,
NCWWI Leadership AcademyThe NCWWI Leadership Academy provides supervisors and managers with opportunities to become skilled in leading change, fostering collaborations, implementing results-oriented …, , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2020
Championing the Role of Child Welfare ProfessionalsA brief summary of how some states are working with communities to create an organizational climate that champions social work …, , , , 2020
Annie E. Casey Family First Communication ToolkitA downloadable toolkit to help child welfare leaders, providers, advocates, and others talk about how the Family First Pre­ven­tion Ser­vices …, , , , , , , 2019
Rethinking Child Welfare RecruitmentThis brief discusses the current workforce crisis and provides recommendations on ways child welfare programs can enhance their recruitment efforts., , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2022
Safe and Sound: Creating and Nurturing a Culture of SafetyThis flyer provides an overview of the Connecticut Safe and Sound Culture, including definitions of the Five Rs of Safe …, , , , , , , 2021
America Needs All of Us: A Toolkit for talking about bias, race, and changeThis toolkit was created to be a communications resource for those working in the field of immigration and immigrant integration. …, , 2021
Are We There Yet? A Communications Evaluation GuideThis guide explores current practices in evaluating communications as well as the challenges faced by today’s professionals., , 2008
Finding and Reaching the Audience for Your Narrative ProjectThis worksheet supports finding and reaching an audience for your narrative project by exploring “who, what, and where” (i.e., who …, , 2019
Measuring Narrative Change: Understanding Progress and Navigating ComplexityThis brief explores the concepts that underlie narrative change work and what these mean for measurement; think more about measuring …, , 2021
Word Force Messaging WorksheetThis worksheet is a tool to help identify messages for an op-ed that support one’s long term narrative goals., ,
Narrative Change: A Working Definition (and Some Related Terms)This brief provides a list of definitions of terms related to narrative change., , 2019
Persuasive Storytelling: Discover the power of your personal storyThis guide provides tools to support individuals in telling their personal stories., ,
Storytelling as a Catalyst for Systems ChangeThis brief provides a high-level overview of how storytelling can move systems change., , 2018
The Irresistible Power of Storytelling as a Strategic Business ToolThis article from the Harvard Business Review explains why storytelling is a powerful tool that can inspire others to action., , 2014
Learning, Leading, Changing: Advancing Workplace EquityThis learning exchange, held on April 19, 2022, focused on how participants can advance workplace equity in child welfare. Panelists …, , , , , , , , , , , 2022
We Are Child Welfare Campaign: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to improve public perceptions of the organization and build deeper consensus with the public by …, , , , , 2022
Town Hall Meeting: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to improve understanding of the political situation as it relates to the program by bringing …, , , , 2022
What’s My Conflict Style: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to become aware of your conflict management style and how it potentially influences conflictual situations. …, , , , 2022
Regulate the Conflict Temperature: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to encourage creative tension with a group (e.g., team, organization) by implementing strategies to bring …, , , , 2022
Structured Sharing: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to build consensus in a group by influencing and negotiating through use of structured sharing …, , , , 2022
Seeking to Understand: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to gain a more thorough understanding of alternative viewpoints and the rationale behind them. It …, , , , 2022
Applying a Political Perspective: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to understand how political perspectives affect the organization’s functioning and reality. It is a part …, , , , 2022
Solutions in Rounds: Learning Circles: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to engage in a dialogue to identify and analyze relevant unit or organization issues and …, , , , 2022
Dissecting a Decision: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to improve decision-making by studying a previously made decision, the decision-making process, and the impact …, , , , 2022
Taking it Higher: Elevating Morale: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to applaud resilience within the unit, division, or organization through a strategic approach to improving …, , , , 2022
Why People Stay Interviews: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to understand why people stay with the organization, especially how they overcame obstacles to remain. …, , , , 2022
Way to Go!: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to validate employees’ efforts through a formal reward and recognition program. It is a part …, , , , 2022
Building Resiliency: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to increase awareness of how to build resiliency and provide resources and information to staff. …, , , , 2022
Team Scorecard: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to apply competencies to facilitate improved cooperation and goal orientation. It is a part of …, , , , 2022
Team Building/Team Unifying: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to apply competencies in fostering team cohesion and motivation. It is a part of the …, , , , 2022
My Flexibility Quotient: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to assess your ability to change and be open to new information and changing conditions. …, , , , 2022
Best Practice Approach Lunch & Learn: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to explore new ideas and innovations to address organization issues. It is a part of …, , , , 2022
Upside Down, Inside Out: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to develop new insights by analyzing and reviewing existing tasks, activities, and systems. It is …, , , , 2022
Listening to the Family Voice: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to develop new insights about organization programs to promote innovative practice. It is a part …, , , , 2022
Got Change?: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to understand an individual’s or team’s readiness for change, bring awareness to the process, promote …, , , , 2022
Through an Adaptive Lens: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to analyze an issue through an adaptive lens to more thoroughly understand an issue situation …, , , , , 2022
Purposeful Mission and Vision Integration: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to reinforce that all organization initiatives are connected to the organization’s vision and mission. It …, , , , 2022
Logic Modeling: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to think through how an initiative will achieve its ultimate goal through an incremental process. …, , , , 2022
My Vision Statement: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to understand your personal leadership vision so you can manifest it more intentionally through leadership …, , , , 2022
Dial in a New Communication Channel: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you to employ new communication channels to increase transparency and information sharing. It is a part …, , , , 2022
Self Care By Example: Leadership Tool Kit ActivityThis activity will help you model self-care to others. It is a part of the NCWWI Leadership Tool Kit., , , , 2022
Everyday Workplace Discrimination: NCWWI 1-page SummaryUtilizing the Psychological Stressor-Strain theory, this study assessed the associations between everyday workplace discrimination, racial/ethnic identities, and psychological well-being among …, , , , , , 2021
NCWWI Communications Guide: How to Advance Organizational Goals through Effective Messaging, Storytelling, and Public RelationsThe NCWWI Communications Guide (the Guide) helps child welfare programs’ initiate or improve their existing communications strategies to build public …, , , , 2020
Cultural Humility Practice PrinciplesThis 1-page summary lists 10 practice principles for cultural humility., 2019
Microaggressions in the Child Welfare Workplace: NCWWI 1-page SummaryThis resource summarizes the qualitative responses on the topic of microaggressions in the workplace from 30 social workers who identified …, , 2020
Open to All Voices (4 minute microlearning)Working effectively with a variety of stakeholders impacted by a change requires a diverse set of competencies which is why …, , , 2017
Think Politically (2.5 minute microlearning)This microlearning (2 1/2 minutes) explains ways to think politically, one of the seven behaviors of adaptive leadership. Completing this course will  help …, , , 2017
7 Behaviors of Adaptive Leadership (5 minute microlearning)This microlearning (5 minutes) explains the difference between technical and adaptive challenges, and describes the seven major behaviors identified by …, , , , 2017
Regulating Distress (3 minute microlearning)This microlearning focuses on one of the seven behaviors of adaptive leadership – regulating distress. Completing this course will develop …, , , 2016
Orchestrating Conflict (2 minute microlearning)Heifetz and his co-authors identified seven major behaviors that can help you address challenges successfully and manage change. This microlearning …, , , 2016
Get on the Balcony (3 minute microlearning)This three minute microlearning course provides strategies for “getting on the balcony” which is one of the seven behaviors of …, , , 2016
Leading Through Understanding the Role of Life StoriesUnderstanding the personal journey – or context – that leads people to a career in child welfare is an important …, , 2018
Strengths Based Teams (4 minute microlearning)The path to great leadership starts with a deep understanding of the strengths you bring to the table. Since no …, , , , 2017
Open to All Voices (4 minute microlearning)Working effectively with a variety of stakeholders impacted by a change requires a diverse set of competencies which is why …, , , , 2017
Child welfare matters: Leading Adaptively in Child WelfareThis issue focuses on integrating the concepts and tools of adaptive leadership into training and technical assistance (TTA) work, exercising …, , , 2013
Adaptive Leadership: Practical ApplicationThis 90-minute webinar explains the diagnostic framework for determining the adaptive challenge and how to mobilize the system to implement …, , , , 2013
Staff Retention in Child and Family Services Workbook 4: Communication SkillsThis workbook in the series provides specific information, tools and activities to adapt communication skills to the supervisory relationship., 2007
Solutions Storytelling: Messaging to Mobilize Support for Children’s IssuesThis report provides an overview of a research project to test the necessity and effectiveness of ‘solution stories’ (stories about …, 2010
Systems of Care Communication ToolkitThis toolkit incorporates successful communication strategies, communication products that supported the execution of these strategies, and lessons learned by various …, , 2019
How to Talk About GovernmentThis brief summary highlights the FrameWorks Institute’s research on public perceptions of government, key communication challenges, recommendations for reframing government, …, 2008
Positioning Public Child Welfare Guidance: CommunicationsThis guide addresses how to develop and implement a strategic communications plan that is aligned with the mission, vision and …, , 2010
Child Welfare: Do We All Speak the Same Language Video TrainingThis webinar, presented by Robin Jensen and Jonathon Growick (Children’s Legal Services), offers ways to optimize communication between all individuals …, 2013
Guide to Developing, Implementing, and Assessing an Innovation: Volume 1 Teaming and Communication LinkagesThis document includes activities to assist with organizational elements that begin prior to the exploration stage and continue throughout the …, 2016
A Guide to the Implementation Process: Stages, Steps & ActivitiesThis guide is based on a review of the literature of implementation science and the collective experiences of federally funded …, , 2014
Change & the Roles People Play (2 minute microlearning)At just over two minutes, this microlearning course provides an overview of the roles people play during different stages of …, , , , 2017
3 Tools To Guide Change Efforts (2 minute microlearning)This microlearning explains the 3 most popular tools used by those managing change efforts at their agency., , , 2017
Stages of Implementation (9 minute course)This short course (9 minutes) reviews the stages of implementation as described in the framework developed by the National Implementation Research Network …, , , 2017
Leading Change with Vision (2 minute microlearning)At just over two minutes, this microlearning course explains how to develop effective vision statements for change initiatives., , , , , 2019
Championing the Role of Child Welfare ProfessionalsThis document provides strategies for improving workforce satisfaction and retention by proactively championing the difference that child welfare professionals make …, 2015
Giving Work Back (3.5 minute microlearning)Heifetz and his co-authors identified seven major behaviors that can help you address challenges successfully and manage change. This microlearning …, , , , , 2016
7 Behaviors of Adaptive Leadership (5 minute microlearning)This microlearning (5 minutes) explains the difference between technical and adaptive challenges, and describes the seven major behaviors identified by …, , , , 2016
Adaptive LeadershipThis course explains the difference between adaptive challenges and technical work and provides opportunities to practice applying these concepts. It …, , , , , , 2016
Regulating Distress (3 minute microlearning)his microlearning focuses on one of the seven behaviors of adaptive leadership – regulating distress. Completing this course will develop …, , , , , , , 2016
Orchestrating Conflict (2 minute microlearning)Heifetz and his co-authors identified seven major behaviors that can help you address challenges successfully and manage change. This microlearning …, , , , , 2016
Get on the Balcony (3 minute microlearning)This three minute microlearning course provides strategies for “getting on the balcony” which is one of the seven behaviors of …, , , , , , , 2016
Your Guide to Holding Steady (3.5 minute microlearning)This microlearning (3 1/2 minutes) explains ways to hold steady, one of the seven behaviors of adaptive leadership, during times …, , , , , , 2016
Cultural Humility and Management in Child WelfareThis webinar discusses culture, multiculturalism, intersectionality and how cultural humility connects to cultural competence and contributes to cultural responsiveness. It …, , 2014
Championing the Role of Child Welfare ProfessionalsThis document provides strategies for improving workforce satisfaction and retention by proactively championing the difference that child welfare professionals make …, 2017
Diversity QuickBit Module 2: Cultural OpennessAn important dimension of cultural humility is to maintain an openness to the cultural differences. This short 3 minute module …, , 2017
Cultural HumilityThis 30-minute documentary explains what cultural humility is and why we need it, and describes a set of principles that …, 2012
Defusing Hate: A Strategic Communication Guide to Counteract Dangerous SpeechThis tool describes strategic communication to prevent dangerous speech from facilitating group-targeted violence, , 2015