Latest News & Events for {firstname} {lastname} on March 25, 2025. |
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Moving Forward together;
As Social Work Month comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the power of connections. This year’s theme, Connections, has reminded us that our strength as a profession lies in building connections, and moving as one.
At the Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA), we are proud to stand alongside you. From peer support to advocacy, from community impact to professional growth. March has been a meaningful reminder to continue building relationships that empower change. As we close out March, we are committed to keeping the momentum going—building bridges, deepening relationships, and continuing to create space for meaningful connection within our community.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we move forward—stronger, more connected, and ready to create impact.
Let’s continue to move forward—together.
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One Voice, Many Connections – Building a Collective!
As Social Work Month comes to a close, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped bring this month to life. Whether you submitted content, shared your voice, or engaged with us on social media or by email—liking, commenting, tagging, or resharing—your participation made a meaningful impact.
This year’s theme, Connections, reminded us that we are stronger when we move together. In a profession built on trust, empathy, and collaboration, the power of a collective voice cannot be overstated. By building connections, we not only uplift each other—we create the foundation for a more supportive, impactful, and united profession.
At the Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA), we are committed to nurturing these connections and strengthening our collective voice. As we carry the spirit of Social Work Month into the rest of the year, we invite you to join us in that mission.
If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to register with SWAA or renew your membership for 2025. By doing so, you’re not just staying connected—you’re helping to build a strong, unified community that advocates for Social workers and the people we serve. Stay connected with your professional network, and continue to access exclusive resources, advocacy updates, and professional development opportunities that support your work and growth.
Together, let’s continue to foster connection, amplify our shared voice, and build a collective that drives real change across Alberta. 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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Social Work Week at a Glance
Social work Week at the Legislature SWAA Executive Director Angela Fawcett and President Arlene Eaton-Erickson attended the legislature March 17th in celebration of Social Work week 2025. Watch and listen as Lori Sigurdson (RSW and MLA Edmonton-Riverview) shares her appreciation of the over 10,000 social workers in Alberta. Watch the Video Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Social Work Month - A Chat with Our Board Members: As we celebrated Social Work Month, we took some time to connect with members of the SWAA Board to reflect on this year’s theme: Connection. In this special feature, our board members share their thoughts on the importance of connection in social work, their roles within SWAA, the changes they hope to see in the profession, and heartfelt messages for social workers in the field.
Their insights highlight the strength of our community, the value of shared experiences, and the collective vision we carry for the future of social work in Alberta. A chat with Julia Nicholls - Board Member A chat with Victoria Ige Onah - Board Member A chat with our Cardinal Fomradas - Board Member ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Socials: Meme Monday: We kicked off the week with laughter and relatability! Our community shared and engaged with a variety of social work memes that captured the everyday moments, challenges, and joys of the profession. This post saw some of the highest engagement of the week—clearly, we all needed a good laugh! Top Notch Tuesday: Recognized social workers across different sectors—from healthcare, Domestic Violence, BIPOC, Children & Youth, and education to community development—each making a vital impact in their unique way. Who's Who Wednesday: This midweek spotlight gave us a chance to shine a light on several SWAA board members and supporters, who shared what connection means to them and offered heartfelt messages to social workers in the field. Curious who was featured? Head over to our socials to see! Tranquil Thursday: We took a deep breath and focused on self-care. Members shared how they unwind, recharge, and protect their well-being. From nature walks to cozy quiet moments, Tranquil Thursday reminded us that caring for ourselves is just as important as caring for others. Feeds Friday: We wrapped up the week by asking: What makes a great social worker? Our feeds were filled with thoughtful responses celebrating compassion, resilience, empathy, and dedication. It was a beautiful way to close out a week rooted in connection and appreciation. Thank you to everyone who liked, commented, shared, tagged, submitted content, or simply followed along. You made this Social Work Week vibrant and meaningful.
Missed a post? Catch all the highlights on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let’s keep building connections—together.
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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 Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
March 21st is an annual day to reflect, learn, and take action towards the elimination of racial discrimination. Established in 1966 by the United Nations, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was created in response to tragic events that occurred at a peaceful protest against apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa in 1960 (SDG. 2015). Visit Advocacy & Representation Read the Article Here |
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 |
Call for Abstracts - Deadline Extended: The 7th International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference (IIVSW)
7th International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference (IIVSW) will take place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from August 12-15, 2025, at the MacEwan Conference and Event Centre. This year, One Child Every Child, an initiative of UCalgary, will be the event host.
About the Conference
The IIVSW Conference brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous social work practitioners, educators, scholars, and community leaders from around the world. This year’s theme, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being, Doing, and Connecting, will guide powerful discussions on decolonizing social work practices and advancing Indigenous self-determination. Call for Abstracts – Deadline Extended
To allow for greater participation, we have extended the Call for Abstracts deadline. We invite you to submit your presentation proposals and share your insights, research, and lived experiences with a global audience.
New Deadline: April 15, 2025
Read More: Call for Abstracts - Deadline Extended: The 7th International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference (IIVSW) — Social Workers Association of Alberta
Submit Your Abstract: www.iivsw.com
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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/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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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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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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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Momentum Empowerment Coach Training: A Trauma-Informed Approach Facilitator: Selena Murillo (CEC, PCC) Event Description: Momentum’s Certified Empowerment Coach Training is a Level 1 ICF accredited training program that uses a Trauma-Informed Approach to coaching.
This tuition-based, 70-hour program is delivered over 4 months and designed to help you learn the skills required to support your clients/staff in making profound changes in their personal and professional lives, achieving their goals, and actualizing their potential. This training takes a trauma-informed approach to coaching, equipping you with the understanding and knowledge to use the appropriate tools to move your clients forward in the coaching process.
This program begins May 9th and runs until August 15th. Delivered via weekly scheduled sessions, Friday mornings online. Check out our info package to learn more!
Date(s): May 09, 2025 to August 15, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM (MST)
Learn More/Website Registration Link |
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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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 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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Factors Influencing Mental Health Professionals’ Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning Processes for Psychotherapy.
Researcher: Vanessa Tombolini, Doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at Adler University (Vancouver Campus).
For more information or questions, please email Vanessa at Email Vanessa
See: The Hub: Participate in Research - SWAA's website
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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?
- Support mental health and reduce stigma??
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Engage effective resources to minimize administrative burden??
- Institutionalize and invest in well-being as a long-term value???
- 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
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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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