Equity & Anti-Oppressive Practices in Social Work and Child Welfare w/ Michelle Young

Social Work Me

On Episode 17 Matt interviews Michelle Young from London, Ontario. Michelle is the first and only Black/person of colour, Director of Service with the Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex (CASLM). Her passion has always been using her voice to challenge oppression and the status quo in all areas of her life, so having the lead role in guiding the CASLM through a multi-year organizational change of embedding equity into the fabric of the agency, with a strong focus on addressing anti-Black racism is a natural fit.
Michelle oversees the agency’s Indigenous Services Unit, which she feels privileged to do. She was elected by her provincial peers to co-chair the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies’ Anti-Oppression Roundtable. Michelle designs and delivers workshops and training sessions on equity, anti-racism and addressing anti-Black racism for the public and private sectors.
On this episode we discuss:
-Child welfare practices and advancements
-The role of child protection workers
-How our individual views guide our assessments and work with families
-Cultural implications for assessing safety: co-sleeping, bathing, supervision of children, boundaries, car safety
-Equity, anti- oppression, anti-racism
-Black and indigenous children in care
-George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, Candace Owens
-Virtue Signaling & Slacktivism
-The importance of understanding trauma and history
-What can we do? Tips to be an ally, combat racism and continue these conversations
-Tips for managing burnout and vicarious trauma