We see you. Change is igniting.

Workforce Development Month is celebrated every September, and CWEL is using this time to think about how we can better support people working in child welfare. CWEL’s message is:

“We see you. Change is igniting.”

The work of child welfare is vital. And right now, we know there are challenges to doing this work sustainability. The workforce is grappling with high turnover and burnout, impacting professionals and the families we serve.

Child welfare is hard, important work that demands specialized skills, support, and recognition. This year’s theme emphasizes the need to appreciate and develop our workforce.

Get involved

Download the 2024 Outreach Toolkit to get involved in this campaign. Inside, you’ll find downloadable Zoom backgrounds, social media graphics, and more.

Follow along as new resources are published on CWEL’s blog all month long.

Don’t miss tips this month from people who work in child welfare and are ready to ignite change. Subscribe to CWEL’s mailing list.

Show appreciation to your colleagues on social media all month long and use the hashtag #IgnitingChangeWithCWEL and #SparkAppreciation.

Plus, in September, find CWEL’s exclusive photo filter on Instagram and Facebook to use on your posts! Use it to nudge friends and coworkers into joining the movement.

Hear from child welfare professionals

Tapestry of Hope

Jasmine Warren, LMSW-SIFI, a permanency supervisor and member of CWEL’s Collective Knowledge Coalition, delivers a powerful spoken word performance that honors and recognizes the child welfare workforce. Her piece highlights the invaluable contributions of those who draw on their lived experiences and expertise to enhance their work in child welfare.

Common pitfalls of appreciation

“As a staff attorney managing an extremely high caseload, I faced a disconnect between appreciation efforts and support needs. When I asked for help or a salary adjustment for myself or the team, the response was a pizza party or office lunch. This approach felt dismissive.” – Josephine Vanderhorst

Read Josephine's full article.

Uniting for change

“When I first started working in child welfare, I was a young professional with personal experience with this system. I was ready to make a difference, but I quickly became disillusioned. The system was mostly focused on dealing with multiple crises, and I often had little supervision or guidance in my work. I felt isolated, unheard, and unseen.” – Phoenix Santiago

Read Phoenix's full article.

Downloadable Zoom backgrounds

Add a virtual background to your meetings this month. By doing this, you’re spreading awareness and showing support for the workforce.

A Zoom background with a red-to-yellow gradient featuring a sun and flames. It includes text that says "We see you. Change is igniting." A "right" arrow points to the background's center. Additionally, two logos on the left of the graphic display "The Center for Workforce Equity & Leadership" and "Children's Bureau."
Download Background (1280 x 720 px)

This zoom background is white with red and yellow circle gradients in the corners. It features a flame and a "right" arrow pointing to the center of the background. It includes text that says, "We see you. Change is igniting." Additionally, two logos on the right side of the graphic display "The Center for Workforce Equity & Leadership" and "Children's Bureau."
Download Background (1280 x 720px)

This zoom background has a red-to-yellow gradient and features a sun, a flame, and the outline of the Center for Workforce Equity & Leadership's logo icon. A "right" arrow points to the background's center. It includes text that says, "We see you. Change is igniting." Additionally, there are two logos on the right side of the graphic that display "The Center for Workforce Equity & Leadership" and "Children's Bureau."
Download Background (1280 x 720px)

A zoom background with a red-to-yellow gradient featuring a sun and three flames. It includes text that says "We see you. Change is igniting." Additionally, two logos on the left side of the graphic display "The Center for Workforce Equity & Leadership" and "Children's Bureau."
Download Background (1280 x 720px)

Social media cover images

A LinkedIn banner with the text "Change is igniting. Child welfare workforce transforming" followed by the hashtag "Workforce Development Month" and the "Children's Bureau" logo in the upper right corner.
Download LinkedIn Cover (1128 x 191px)

A Twitter banner with the text "Change is igniting. Child welfare workforce transforming" followed by the hashtag "Workforce Development Month" and the "Children's Bureau" logo in the upper right corner.
Download Twitter Cover (1500 x 500 px)

A Facebook cover with the text "Change is igniting. Child welfare workforce transforming" "followed by the hashtag "Workforce Development Month" and the "Children's Bureau" logo in the upper right corner.
Download Facebook Cover (851 x 315 px)

Social media graphics

A square graphic featuring a red-to-yellow gradient with the text "Celebrate Workforce Development Month in Child Welfare." At the bottom, there's text that says "September 2024," followed by the text "Cwel.org," "We see you. Change is Igniting." The graphic also includes logos for "The Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership" and "Children's Bureau."
Download (1080 x 1080 px)

A square graphic featuring a red-to-yellow gradient with the text "Celebrate Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week." At the bottom, there's text that says "September 9-13, 2024," followed by the text "Cwel.org," "We see you. Change is Igniting." The graphic also includes logos for "The Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership" and "Children's Bureau."
Download (1080 x 1080 px)

A person is standing in front of a wall with a flame graphic and text that says, "Change is Igniting." Two logos say, "cwel.org" and "Children's Bureau."
Download (1080 x 1080 px)

A square graphic featuring a red-to-yellow gradient with the text "I'm igniting change in child welfare. You can too." At the bottom of the graphic is the "Children's Bureau" logo along with the hashtag "Workforce Development Month."
Download (1080 x 1080 px)

Thank you for joining the campaign to ignite change

Celebrating Workforce Development Month should be more than just a symbolic gesture—it’s a strategic move that can significantly impact the effectiveness of a child welfare organization. By recognizing hard work, investing in professional development, and fostering an inclusive, trusting environment, child welfare organizations can make sure their staff are motivated, engaged, and supported in their vital roles.