August Program Agenda

Professor Pasztor is experienced as a public agency caseworker, supervisor, and administrator; as a curriculum developer and trainer working internationally; as a social work educator and field instructor; and as a foster and adoptive parent for children with special needs.  She teaches courses in administration, child welfare, social welfare policy advocacy, and thesis for both campus and distance education programs. Professor Pasztor previously worked for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) as its national program director for adoption, family foster care, kinship care, and international projects, and as a liaison between the organization and 200 child welfare agencies in the 15 Western states.  She is a principal developer and designer of foster and adoptive parent training programs that are used across the United States and internationally.  Her publications focus on foster and adoptive parent and kinship caregiver development and support, and related training for child welfare social workers.  Her volunteer work includes international and local service.  She is a resource for CSULB’s media affairs department on child welfare issues.  Professor Pasztor was named the 2004 “social worker of the year” for the Los Angeles region of National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter.  She received the 2006 “Outstanding Community Service” award from the CSULB College of Health and Human Services. In 2008, she received an award from CWLA for outstanding curricula design.

Overview
The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics has six major principles:  being competent, having dignity, using integrity, believing in the importance of human relationships, providing service, and advocating for social justice.  In social services and prevention especially, we tend to be more skilled in the first five principles; advocacy is sometimes more elusive whether on a case or cause basis.  There is a "perfect storm" when economic downturns and other societal changes create the need for preventions and interventions, but strategies don't keep pace.  If "the best ship in a storm is leadership," who is charting the course to inspire public will and political interest to keep children safe and families strong?  The CSULB Department of Social Work offers an MSW  advanced policy seminar, and this presentation shares highlights.  Bring examples of an agency policy you want to change, a child/family needing an advocacy intervention, or a cause you believe it.  You'll leave this fast-paced discussion with suggestions for interventions, and some advocacy riddles you can share with colleagues.

Click here for handout.

Opinions expressed are those of the speaker and not necessarily those of the Council and its membership.
For information about End Abuse Long Beach, please visit www.EndAbuseLB.org or contact the Program Chair:
Paul Sharpe (562) 434-1345 or email Paul@EndAbuseLB.org