Recommended Child Immunizations

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SHIELDS for Families awarded AGENCY OF THE YEAR by the USC School of Social Work

The USC School of Social Work stated, “Each year, the Field Faculty at USC select an agency that they agree has been outstanding in their collaboration with our school in the education of social work students. This year, the field faculty enthusiastically nominated and selected SHIELDS for Families for its distinguished service to the USC School of Social Work. Your work with the school of social work has made an outstanding contribution to the quality of our program and you have helped to shape the professional careers of students that have been fortunate enough to work with you.” 

On Monday May 6th, SHIELDS CEO Kathy Icenhower and Training Administrator Kimberly Medvin, both USC School of Social Work Alumnae, accepted the AGENCY OF THE YEAR AWARD at the USC School of Social Work’s annual Field Education Luncheon. SHIELDS was honored to receive this recognition for our dedication to providing effective hands-on experience that helps prepare students for the Social Work profession. CONGRATULATIONS Kimberly Medvin, the SHIELDS for Families Training Department, and all SHIELDS Field Instructors and Preceptors agency-wide!

FIELD INSTRUCTORS Claudia Chavarria Tameika Gonder Alison Greiner Cheryl Gully Irene Lanier Stephanie Moss Leah Niehaus Ingrid Rey Balbuena Jennifer Reynosa Lauren Rochelle Sara Rodas

SUPERVISORS Wesley Carlin Claudia Chavarria Phil Erlich Marcela Garcia Tamieka Gonder Alison Greiner Cheryl Gully Rita Haddad Anita Hall Irene Lanier Niija McMillon Kim Medvin Stephanie Moss Leah Niehaus Daniel Oakley Ingrid ReyBalbuena Jen Reynosa Lauren Rochelle Sara Rodas

PRECEPTORS Bianca Deanda Brandon Dearen Erin Fairchild Collette James Geoffrey Jones Murray Kaufmann Erika Llamas Corinna Lopez Vynette Moore Alison Quals Audrey Tousant

Other great news in the SHIELDS Training Department…

SHIELDS PILOTS A TRAINING INSTITUTE WITH THE USC SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Click HERE to read an article about our recent partnership with the USC School of Social Work to pilot a Training Institute for Master’s Level Social Work students

MACRO SOCIAL WORK SHOWCASE

SHIELDS for Families trains students at various educational levels in a variety of positions and placements across the agency, including Masters in Social Work (MSW) interns who were required to present macro social work projects in a showcase to SHIELDS Program Managers, Administrators, and Executives. Attendees walked through, asked questions, and spoke directly to students about the details of their projects, and then provided feedback for each student. Some of the projects included evidence-based career training for clients, health resource navigation – linkage - and program implementation, resource development, and needs assessments, and a few of the ideas were actually implemented throughout the agency.

Macro Social Work Practice is central to the development of services and the well-being of communities so SHIELDS applauds the interns for exercising their skills in this area.

For more information about SHIELDS Training Department click HERE

Invest in future social workers, make a donation to the SHIELDS Training Department today!

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NRCPFC spotlights SHIELDS Child Welfare Services

Providing prevention services for child abuse and neglect costs less financially and emotionally. Prevention has better long-term outcomes than removing children from the home. Watch/listen to this webcast that discusses the successful networks, programs and services that help strengthen families and keep them together, including SHIELDS for Families.

The free webcast, which was filmed at the Magnolia Place Family Center in Los Angeles, California, focused on community-based initiatives to prevent child abuse and neglect by meeting the needs of families. National Resource for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC) Director Dr. Gerald P. Mallon spoke with administrators, staff, and parents who are a part of the Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project (PIDP) in Los Angeles about their experiences with this approach. Presenters explored how neighborhood-based agencies/centers can partner with each other and with families to become an integrated, positive part of community life. Presenters discussed the following three strategies to support positive outcomes for children, youth, and families: decreasing social isolation by connecting families to each other; addressing issues of economic security; and increasing access to available resources.

Full Webcast can be found at http://bit.ly/17LQ80I

Learn About Tuberculosis Day and Populations at Risk

The City of Los Angeles, Community Action Board (CAB) needs your help!

The City of Los Angeles, Community Action Board (CAB) has sent our Community Needs Assessment Survey to our community, City partners, and to the people we help every day.  As the designated Community Action Agency for the City of Los Angeles, the Community Development Department prepares and submits a Community Action Plan to the State of California Department of Community Services and Development.  The plan must have community input on the recommended City priorities and strategies to reduce or eliminate poverty.  You are an important part of this network of partners. The CAB is asking for you to also take a moment and complete the survey.

An online survey is also available through Survey Monkey at the following link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013communityactionsurvey.

This link to the survey will be posted on the CDD website. The survey is available in English and Spanish. ”PDF” versions are also available by clicking here should you wish to print and distribute the survey to those who prefer to complete a hard copy.  Please feel free to share the survey with anyone you may know who should also be included. Everyone's opinions are welcomed and we want to hear from as many people as possible!  All paper surveys must be completed and delivered to the CDD by Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Thank you for your help in making this a successful survey!

SHIELDS Innovative All Woman Executive Team

In the late 1980's SHIELDS for Families was founded in South Central Los Angeles by 3 women, Dr. Xylina Bean, Kathryn Icenhower, and Norma Mtume. Xylina continued with SHIELDS through serving as President of the Board while Kathy and Norma led the agency together. Soon after, Charlene Smith and Sara Tienda joined them to help lead SHIELDS for over 20 years. This year, SHIELDS expanded their executive leadership team from the original 4 to include a total of 8 women exclusively!

CEO Kathy Icenhower reflects on this milestone…

“I feel honored to be a part of an agency where so many people have given their passion and commitment to making a difference and I am humbled to be a part of an executive team that has stayed together for over 20 years in order to help guide and direct our vision. SHIELDS has grown tremendously in 20 years, today we operate on a $27 million budget that serves 7,000 families annually with 350+ staff members throughout our 35 comprehensive and collaborative programs. Therefore, the recent growth in our executive leadership team is just a testament to and necessary by-product of our ever-expanding services, programs, staff, clients, and community”

Check out the leading ladies of SHIELDS for Families by clicking HERE and for more information about SHIELDS for Families visit our website at www.shieldsforfamilies.org

Photo Credits: AlbaVisuals