Social Work Education and Child Welfare Practice When Working with Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

Presenter(s)

Linda-Jeanne M. Mack, LICSW (she/her/hers)

PhD Candidate and Graduate Research Assistant
The School of Social Work, The University of Maryland, Baltimore
Kerri Evans, PhD, LCSW (she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
UMBC

Conducted by four experienced social workers, our study highlights the distinct experiences and needs of unaccompanied immigrant children, which are often overlooked in broader Child Welfare Services (CWS). We highlight implications for social work education and practice, and address relevant ongoing federal policy changes at the time of the conference.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:

Upon completion participants will be able to understand the intersection of immigration and child welfare. Participants will critically evaluate how systemic bias, specifically the prioritization of immigration status over minor status, affects the child welfare services available to and outcomes of unaccompanied children.
Upon completion participants will be able to display enhanced social work knowledge of unaccompanied children. Participants will understand the unique needs of unaccompanied children
Upon completion participants will be able to create a more inclusive social work curriculum. Participants will explore solutions for better integration of unaccompanied children into social work classes.