Diversity Initiative for Field PlacementsNational IV-E RoundtableJune 3, 2015Bloomington, MinnesotaKathy Heltzer, MSSW,LICSW University of Minnesota Duluth

The “Issue”• We wanted our students to actually work with people from

“diverse” backgrounds” in their field placements• While there was language in our field learning contracts, in

practice we were consistently falling short in accomplishing this goal

• Especially in some more rural field placements agencies, students, and supervisors said there was “no diversity”

• At the evaluation meetings this was a consistent deficit

How to define “diversity”

• Initially included “women”, “people in poverty”, “low income”•We did not really see this as much of a

challenge to find in field•We redefined “diversity” to focus more on

racial and ethnic diversity as well as sexual orientation and gender identity•We required a specific plan

The “10%” solution

•We now require our students to document at least 10% of their total field hours in working with “diverse” populations/communities• This may include co-workers,

supervisors, other professionals• Initial unintended consequences….

Limit the usual academic preferences• Limit reading books, articles, going to

presentations and workshops, watching videos• Emphasis on actual face-to-face

contact•Documentation of hours•Assistance from faculty as needed

End Result

•More contact with diverse groups that students have not previously had much experience with• A recognition of issues of diversity

specifically related to child welfare practice• Emphasis on disparities and role of social

workers and systems in this problem