Latest News & Events for {firstname} {lastname} on March 11, 2025. |
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Dear {firstname},
March is Here—Celebrating Social Work Month and the Power of Connections!
As we step into March, we are proud to celebrate Social Work Month, a time to recognize the dedication, resilience, and impact of social workers across Alberta and beyond. This year's theme, Connections, reminds us of the vital relationships that strengthen our profession—the bonds between colleagues, the trust built with clients, and the collaborations that drive meaningful change.
At the Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA), we honor the work you do every day to uplift individuals, families, and communities. Throughout this month, we’ll be sharing resources, stories, and opportunities to engage in advocacy, professional growth, and celebration.
Together, we create lasting connections that empower change. Stay tuned for ways to get involved as we celebrate Social Work Month 2025! |
"Connections – Building Bridges and Fostering Relationships!"
March is here, bringing with it Social Work Month—a time to recognize, advocate, and celebrate the incredible impact of Social workers across Alberta. This year’s theme, Connections, highlights the relationships that strengthen our profession—the bonds between colleagues, the trust built with clients, and the collaborations that drive meaningful change.
Now is the perfect time to renew your SWAA membership for 2025 and stay connected with your professional network. By renewing, you’ll continue to access exclusive resources, advocacy updates, and professional development opportunities that support your work and growth.
As we embrace Social Work Month 2025, we remain committed to strengthening relationships, fostering collaboration, and making a meaningful impact through Social work.
We sincerely appreciate your continued engagement and participation. Stay tuned for exciting updates, events, and opportunities to be involved throughout the month!
Stay connected! Follow us on social media for the latest news, events, and advocacy efforts shaping our profession.
Thank you for being a valued member of the Social Workers Association of Alberta. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, connection, and lasting impact for social workers across the province.
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Invitation for Board Applications. Call for director applications for our Board!
Do you work in rural Alberta? Are you a member of a Queer, Indigenous or other diverse community? Are you trained with a BSW or have a diploma? SWAA is looking to diversify our board to reflect the diverse cultural, religious, sexualities, genders, geographical areas, educational levels and areas of practice of our membership. Regardless of your identities, if you are passionate about your work and our profession, you are encouraged to apply
SWAA is committed to promoting the profession, advocating together for what matters, and supporting social work in Alberta. Diversity, anti-oppression and member involvement are key foci for SWAA. Do you have a passion to be involved in shaping and leading the future direction of the Social Workers Association of Alberta? We invite you to consider applying for the Board of Directors!
Who is eligible? A voting member of SWAA who is in good standing. For more information, or to apply please follow this link or visit the new page on our website. |
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Connect with us and your fellow social workers! Get involved this Social Work Week by submitting your photos, videos, or nominations for top-notch social workers to be featured on our social media and website. Let’s celebrate, share, and showcase the incredible impact of social workers everywhere! Get involved by submitting your: - Monday Memes
- Top-Notch Social Worker Tuesday Nominations
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Who’s Who Wednesday Videos
- Tranquil Thursday Photos
- Friday Feeds - Tell us what qualities make a great Social Worker?
- Comment on your fellows Posts
Share our posts using the hashtags #SWConnections, #FosteringNetworks, #StrongerTogether, #BuildingBridges, #ConnectionsThatMatter, #SupportingCommunities, #TogetherForChange, #CelebrateSocialWorkers
Submissions: To submit your content for Social Work Week, Scan the QR code on the flyer, OR Click Here Or Visit The Hub myswaa.ca. Help us showcase the amazing people who make a difference every day!
We also encourage you to engage with us on social media throughout the week. Let’s come together to celebrate, connect, and honor social workers during Social Work Week 2025! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
For questions, email us at hello@myswaa.ca |
Canada Student Loan Forgiveness List of Occupations - Canada Gazette, Part 1
As announced in Budget 2024, the Government of Canada has committed to expanding the list of occupations eligible for Canada Student Loan Forgiveness to early childhood educators, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, midwives, teachers, social workers, personal support workers, physiotherapists, and psychologists who choose to work in a designated underserved rural or remote community. The proposed regulatory amendments have now been published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Feedback can be provided using the online commenting feature until March 17, 2025.
The proposed regulations can be found at the following link: Regulations Amending the Canada Student Loans Regulations and the Canada Student Financial Assistance Regulations. |
Explore special articles that highlight significant days and important initiatives, reflecting our commitment to advocacy and representation. Please read more below: |
International Women’s Day: March 8
Every year on March 8th, people from around the globe unite in solidarity for International Women’s Day (IWD). Created in 1911, this annual day of advocacy and action is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all women, to increase awareness of the barriers and discrimination women continue to face, and to promote gender equity for all people who identify as women. The campaign theme for this year is Accelerate Action for gender equity, which emphasizes “the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality” (IWD, 2025).
Visit Advocacy & Representation Read the Article Here
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Share Your Voice: Contribute to Our Advocacy and Representation Work.
We welcome social workers to contribute their written work or articles for publication on our website as part of our advocacy and representation efforts. If you have insights, experiences, or perspectives to share, we encourage you to submit your work and help amplify important voices in the field. Visit The Hub |
The Grieving Helper -A discussion of grief and loss in frontline work.
A Webinar brought to you by: SWAA
Presenter: Krista Osborne - Registered Clinical Social Worker, and an Assistant Professor with the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work
Frontline workers experience loss on a regular basis in their careers. This loss is often tragic, deeply felt and leaves profound grief. Yet, professionally we are expected to keep moving and continue helping. Overtime, this can impact workers mental health, physical health and develop into compassion fatigue. This workshop will be a brief overview of grief and loss from a trauma-informed lens. The goal is to help you reframe your experiences of loss at work. This will help you understand your professional losses, the impacts and how to support yourself and others while you grieve.
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Presenters: Madelaine Robillard, BSW, MSW, RSW
As AI becomes increasingly relevant in clinical practice, many therapists and social workers are eager to learn how to integrate it ethically, safely, and in compliance with regulatory standards. This training is designed to provide practical, compliance-first strategies for mental health professionals. Date: Thursday, March 28, 2025 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (MT) Location: Virtual (Zoom) Format: 90-minute live interactive workshop + Q&A
Learn more and Register
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End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program
Rhodes Wellness College
Due to popular demand, Rhodes will offer an additional online End-of-Life Doula training session on April 7th, 2025. Would you like to enhance your skill set and train to become an End-of-Life Doula? The Online End-of-Life Doula Certificate program at Rhodes Wellness College equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a certified End-of-Life Doula, guiding and supporting individuals through the end-of-life journey.
Why Become an End-of-Life Doula? As the demand for end-of-life support continues to rise, trained professionals like you play a vital role in providing compassionate care and assistance to those facing grief, loss, and death. By becoming an End-of-Life Doula, you can make a meaningful difference in your community, offering essential emotional, spiritual, and logistical support to individuals and families during their time of need.
The online training will commence on April 7th, 2025, and will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. To request more information on how to become an End-of-Life Doula, please click here.
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The Power of Showing Up
Arnica Foundation
In-person workshop by Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, clinician, consultant, and internationally recognized co-author with Dan Siegel of The Whole-Brain Child, No-Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain and The Power of Showing Up. -
Apply the framework of interpersonal neurobiology to child development, clinical practice, and parenting in a clinical setting.
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Understand implicit memory, and how to work with, and even effectively use our own emotional and physiological responses/reactions when working with families and their trauma.
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Utilize Whole-Brain strategies to lay the groundwork for promoting integration and mental health in parents and their children.
- Utilize intervention and questions for reflection to support the development of parental earned secure attachment and the building of a coherent narrative.
Dates: April 8 and April 9, 2025 8:30 AM to 4PM daily. Hotel Arts, Calgary, AB
Early Bird: $495 per person (February 28, 2025) Regular: $550 per person
Learn more and registration
https://arnicafoundation.ca/events/ members.myswaa.ca/event/details/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Colleen E. Clark, MSW, RCSW | Clinical Social Worker | Clinical ART Specialist | RCRR Lead Certified Trainer Canada
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a drug-free, non-hypnosis therapy that transcends modern therapeutic methods by treating adults and children with depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, sexual abuse, obsessive compulsive disorder, addictions and many other mental and physical conditions resulting in remarkable benefits starting in as little as one session. *This training may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. Click here for details.* 2025 Dates: |
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Save the Date: Allies For Youth Connections Conference
Theme: Empowering Hope through Authentic Connections
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Michael Ungar, Ph.D | Dr. Melanie Doucet, Ph.D | Ashley Rhodes-Courter | Leigh Sheldon (Pihphichow) |
The Allies 4 Youth Connections Conference will bring together service providers, researchers, experts, and the youth to focus on the growing population of young people (12+) with increasingly complex needs. This conference will specifically focus on youth homelessness, indigenous youth & social justice, ethnocultural youth & trauma, and the voice of youth. We keep in mind that all youth, deserve the opportunity to live their lives in a meaningful way, to feel safe, and experience a sense of inclusion and belonging.
This work with our youth incorporates the most recent research, literature and trends in areas such as trauma, attachment and brain development in children and youth; harm reduction; resilience; strength-based practice; collaborative, multi-disciplinary practice; trauma-informed intervention.
- Dates: May 12-13, 2025
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Fantasyland Hotel, West Edmonton Mall.
- For More Details: A4YC.ca | SWAA-Events
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Canadian Association For Play Therapy
CAPT Foundation Play Therapy Training.
The CAPT Foundation Play Therapy Training offers individual days of unique training in the theory and practice of play therapy. Students can complete the 180 hours of continuing education credits at a pace that they choose. The program instructors are professional skilled play therapists who bring expertise on a wide variety of topics.
The Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT) decided to continue to offer Foundation Play Therapy Training Days on-line in May, June and August of 2025. This provides training at a time and place more accessible for everyone.
Live On-line Instructor Lead. Full Days of Individual Training 2025:
May 5-16, (Monday to Friday) - Theory and Approaches:
June 9-20, (Monday to Friday) - Techniques
August 4-15, (Monday to Friday) - Special Populations
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Disruptive Behaviour Problems, Puppetry, Play Therapy with Adults,
- Group Therapy, Coping with Loss, Case Application, Art Therapy,
- Vicarious Trauma Self Care
Dates: Multiple dates/sessions from May 5- August 15, 2025
For More Details: Learn More: CAPT | SWAA-Events
Registration: Click Here to Register ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Advanced EMDR Training: Recent Traumatic Episode Protocols (In-Person).
Presenter: Dr. Judy Moench.
Enhance your trauma intervention skills with Dr. Judy Moench’s advanced EMDR training, covering: - Recent-Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP)
- Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP)
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Self-Care Traumatic Episode Protocol (STEP)
This interactive workshop includes lecture, discussion, video, and hands-on practice.
Credits: 13 EMDRIA CEC
Tuition: $499 + GST (Early Bird until April 30); $549 + GST after April 30
Prerequisite: Completion of Basic EMDR Training
Learn structured protocols for early trauma intervention, helping individuals and groups stabilize after distressing events. Develop techniques to enhance self-care and prevent burnout. Training includes real-world applications for clinical and crisis settings.
Ideal for mental health professionals looking to expand their EMDR skills.
Dates: June 24-25, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Providence Renewal Centre 3005 119 Street NW Edmonton, AB, T6J
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March is National Social Work Month and CASW is excited to celebrate with you! This year's theme is:
This National Social Work Month, we celebrate the theme Social Work is Everywhere. This theme highlights the vast and diverse impact of the social work profession, reaching into every corner of our communities to create meaningful change and support individuals, families, and groups. Celebrate with CASW! Check out the #NSWM2025 Website.
__________________________________________________________________ Upcoming National Social Work Month Webinars Ethical and Responsible Use of AI for Social Work Practice
This webinar will engage participants in critical discussions about the ethical implications of using AI in social work, emphasizing the importance of social work ethics such as privacy, confidentiality, awareness of bias, and maintaining human-centered approaches while using generative AI. Dates: March 11th, 2025, at 12PM ET
Register here
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Enhancing Client Care with AI in Social Work: Innovations and Ethical Considerations
This webinar provides an in-depth exploration of the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in social work interventions, emphasizing its impact on client care and outcomes. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of both the potential benefits and risks of AI technologies, as well as their implications for mental health and social work practice. Dates: March 17th, 2025, at 12PM ET
Register here ----------------------------------------------------------
Bigidendan “Release if from your Mind”:
Using Indigenous Adapted CBT Mindfulness Meditations and Imagery Techniques
In this webinar, participants will learn how to provide culturally responsive care to First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples through Indigenous adapted CBT interventions including Indigenous Adapted Mindfulness Practice and Indigenous Adapted Imagery Techniques. Dates: March 18th, 2025, at 12PM ET
Register here
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A Fireside Chat with Social Workers at the Senate
Join CASW for an intimate conversation with two esteemed social work Senators, to gain firsthand insights into their experiences in the Senate and their work in shaping social policy that impacts communities across Canada. Dates: March 19th, 2025, from 12PM ET Register here ----------------------------------------------------------------
Burnout, Vicarious Trauma and Self- and Community Care In this session, activist, social worker, and author Farzana Doctor will present practical ideas on how to reduce burnout and vicarious trauma and make self- and community care easier for us to practice so that our work can be more joyful and sustainable. Dates: March 25th, at 12PM EST
Register here.
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Social Polarizations and Mental Health: Understanding for Better Intervention (presented only in French)
This webinar will discuss the main issues of social polarization today, and the assessment and intervention process to be used with radicalized clients. Key webinar objectives: Better understand, assess and intervene in relation to social polarization and mental health issues. Dates: March 25 at 6:30PM, ET Register here. --------------------------------------------------------------
Abuse of Older Adults The abuse of older adults is a serious issue in Canada affecting up to 8.2% of older Canadians. Hosted by MCSW, this webinar will provide an overview on how to recognize and respond to elder abuse, offer prevention strategies, and case study examples. Dates: March 28th, 2025, 1PM ET Register Here ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Visit The Hub: Surveys, Forms, & Resources to Submit your request for research respondents, or complete surveys/questionnaires from available studies
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Study on School Social Workers and Autistic Students: CLICK HERE to Learn more & Access the Questionnaire Researcher: Alisha Stubbs, MSW, PhD Candidate - Faculty of Social Work, WL University For more information or questions, please email Alisha at Email Alisha See: The Hub: Participate in Research - SWAA's website --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research Study on Indigenous Social Workers Using Medicinal Plants: Walden University. Researcher: Iris Plain Eagle, Doctor of Social Work Student, MSW, RSW, (Alberta Canada) For more Information or questions, please Email Iris
See: The Hub: Participate in Research - SWAA's website
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National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being: Royal College of Canada
The Royal College has received a $3.5 million grant from Health Canada to collaborate with partners to develop a National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being to improve retention across health care professions.
CASW Board member, Glenda Webber (NLCSW), will be representing CASW on the Steering Committee of this National Collaborative chaired by Melanie Lewis, MD, FRCPC, Chief Wellness Officer at the University of Alberta.
The National Collaborative has established six priority areas that drive systemic change across Canada's health care workforce: - Create and sustain positive work and learning environments and culture
- Invest in measurement, assessment, and research
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Support mental health and reduce stigma
- Engage effective resources to minimize administrative burden
- Institutionalize and invest in well-being as a long-term value
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Recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive health workforce, focused on meeting current and future needs
The Royal College is seeking health workforce leaders from a variety of professions with diverse backgrounds, good interpersonal skills and subject matter expertise to join the Working Groups.
Interested applicants to the Working Groups may submit their candidacy visit Social Work Careers — Social Workers Association of Alberta.
Notify SWAA via hello@myswaa.ca once you have submitted your application! |
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Current Job Postings: The following employers are currently recruiting social workers and you can find details at myswaa.ca/socialworkcareers: - Trauma & Relationship Therapist: Williamson & Associates | Individual, Couple & Family Therapy – Olds, Alberta
- Registered Social Worker: Living Well Counselling Services Inc. - Calgary, Alberta
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Copyright © 2024 The Social Workers Association of Alberta PO Box 464, Edmonton Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2K1 CANADA |
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