Join us as we chat with Naomi Campbell, Director of the Legal Empowerment Program at the Right Question Institute. Naomi helps break down the "Question Formulation Technique and how it can be applied in child welfare, both with families and colleagues. For more on RQI, see their website here: RIGHT QUESTION INSTITUTE

Join us as we speak with Chris Dorval, Executive Director at Ocean State Recovery Center. Chris is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer and clinical consultant in the areas of addiction, trauma, and men’s health, as well as, having worked as a clinician and clinical supervisor in various levels of care in addiction treatment continuum. We discuss how substance use disorder impacts families involved in the child welfare system. 

Join us as we speak with Amanda Winn, Director of Training and Technical Assistance at the HOPE National Resource Center https://positiveexperience.org/

Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) is a framework that combines a public health approach to preventing child abuse with a broader understanding of how children grow to become strong, healthy, and resilient adults. 

Join us as we chat with Dr. Frederic Reamer about how artificial intelligence is impacting child welfare. AI is an often-controversial topic and its foray into child welfare is no different. Learn more about the risks and benefits, as well as what it might mean for you as this growing technology impacts work with children, youth, and families. 

Explore the 12 Core Concepts of Childhood Trauma with Guest Dan Harvey. A note on school changes: In Rhode Island, children and resource caregivers receive transportation support (via Statewide busing in partnership with RIDE) to reduce barriers to getting to home schools. 

Join us as we chat with Rhode Island Training School Executive Director Larome Myrick and Senior Community Development Specialist John Scott. They share powerful personal stories, challenge misconceptions, and highlight innovative community partnerships that support youth rehabilitation at the Rhode Island Training School. From urban gardens to historical cemetery projects, this conversation sheds light on how purpose-driven programs are transforming lives and building bridges between systems.

Join us as we sit down with Melissa Aguiar-Rivard, Chief of Strategic Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), to unpack the agency’s five-year strategic plan. Melissa shares insights from DCYF's Listening & Learning Tour, revealing how staff, families, partners, and youth shaped the plan’s core pillars: Prevention, Accountability, Collaboration, and Engagement (PACE).

Here is the Stategic Plan in its entirety!

Join us as we chat with Ariana DeAngelis, Training Manager at The Autism Project, to explore the complexities of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its implications for child welfare professionals. Ariana shares her deep expertise and lived experiences working with autistic individuals across the lifespan, offering practical strategies for supporting children and families impacted by ASD. From debunking common myths to navigating meltdowns, trauma, and elopement, this conversation provides essential tools and compassionate insights for anyone working in child welfare. Whether you're a caseworker, foster parent, or simply seeking to better understand neurodiversity, this episode is a must-listen.

Join us as we speak with Tricia Driscoll and Stephanie Manzi. Tricia is the Executive Director of the Center for Mediation and Collaboration of Rhode Island and Stephanie is a professor of criminal justice at Roger Williams University teaching courses in policing and criminology. They provide insight into generational diversity impacting the workforce and how to better understand these differences for better relationships, communication, and an overall work environment, with a particular focus on the child welfare workforce and environment. 

Join us as we speak with Christopher Margadonna, Senior Director of Training and Program Development at MENTOR RI about the concepts of both Growth Mindset and Mentoring Mindset. Christopher will help us define what both of these terms mean, why they are important, and what we can actually do to apply these to not just our professional lives but also in our own personal lives as well.

Join us as we speak with Jennifer Gaviria, Adjunct Faculty at Rhode Island College and School Social Worker in the Woonsocket Public School District. She is also the co-founder of the Latino Mental Health Network of Rhode Island.

Listeners will learn about current research and culturally responsive practices to effectively support Latinx children and families impacted by trauma. From recognizing cultural nuances to implementing trauma-informed approaches tailored to the Latinx context, participants will emerge with a deeper understanding of how to navigate and address trauma within this community.

We welcome back retired full-time Assistant Professor at the Rhode Island College School of Social Work Dan Harvey for an interview examining the effects of secondary traumatic and processes for monitoring and repairing the social workers’ overworked nervous system.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how secondary traumatic stress impacts one’s own neurobiology
2. Evaluate one’s own response(s) to secondary traumatic stress.
3. Evaluate their personal needs for appropriate self-care
4. Provide practical strategies for dealing with anxiety and uncertainty including mindfulness skills and how to apply them in regular self-care practices.
5. Incorporate into their intervention plan, the social workers’ natural, culture supports which may assist with recovery from secondary traumatic stress reactions.

Join us as we welcome back Ocean State Recovery Executive Director Chris Dorval and MADD Rhode Island Program Director Jennifer O’Neil to explore the evolving landscape of substance use and impaired driving in Rhode Island. The conversation covers rising trends in alcohol and cannabis use, the impact of fentanyl and xylazine, and the challenges of prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. With a focus on child welfare, the guests emphasize the importance of honest dialogue, myth-busting, and supporting recovery to protect families and communities.

Join us as we chat with Desiree Soto, Program Director for Rhode Island Lottery's Problem Gambling Services Program. We explore intersections between gambling disorder and child welfare, from defining gambling addiction to discussing its neurological and emotional impacts. Learn about some of the latest trends in online betting, the role of mental health, and how child welfare professionals can better screen for and address gambling-related challenges. 

The following is a meditation provided by Dr. Mimi Mumm, Professor at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. Dr. Mumm is also a certified Yoga Instructor. She has been gracious enough to record several sessions, so please visit our show page for more episodes!

Alternate Nostril Breathing/Nadi Shodhana. (5 minutes). This breathing technique involves breathing through one nostril at a time. It is believe to clear the mind and bring calmness.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

We welcome back Jennifer Gaviria, RIC SSW Adjunct Faculty, School Social Worker and Co-Founder of the Latino Mental Health Network to discuss the importance of integrating one's cultural identity into the workplace. Listen as we explore how cultural values influence professional behavior, the challenges of navigating workplace norms, and the impact of imposter syndrome—especially for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. The conversation offers insights for supervisors and organizations on fostering welcoming environments in child welfare and beyond.

The following is a meditation provided by Dr. Mimi Mumm, Professor at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. Dr. Mumm is also a certified Yoga Instructor. She has been gracious enough to record several sessions, so please visit our show page for more episodes!

This gratitude meditation is a mindfulness practice that focuses on recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of your life. This practice can help shift attention away from stress or negativity and foster a sense of peace and contentment.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

Yoga Nidra/Yogic Sleep.

Yoga Nidra is a guided relaxation practice that has been shown to help promote restful sleep. You can use this audio recording at bedtime to support falling asleep, or during the day to experience a sense of restoration and deep relaxation. If you choose to use it mid-day, I recommend setting a timer or alarm, just in case you drift off to sleep.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

Loving Kindness Meditation: Loving-kindness meditation is used to cultivate  empathy, compassion, and understanding—toward oneself and others. It can increase a sense of connection to others and emotional well-being.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

Thank you to Dr. Mumm for providing these for our podcast! 

The following is a meditation provided by Dr. Mimi Mumm, Professor at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. Dr. Mumm is also a certified Yoga Instructor. She has been gracious enough to record several sessions, so stay tuned for more!

Please practice this meditation in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery!

Description: Grounding Meditation/5-4-3-2-1. (5 minutes). This is a mindfulness exercise that helps bring your attention to the present moment, especially when feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. It uses your five senses to gently ground you.