The practice of clinical and generalist supervision is altered and affected when it occurs in an agency setting. Supervisor/supervisee relationships change from collegial to more hierarchical, therapeutic discussions, and decisions are influenced by potential fiscal ramifications. In addition, various other supervisory duties erode the time set aside for supervision on clinical issues. Clinical and generalist supervisors are left feeling conflicted, knowing they need to both attend to administrative duties and also support clients and staff with clinical issues. This interactive workshop offers participants the opportunity to reflect on practicing clinical and generalist supervision while also attending to administrative tasks. The workshop begins with a didactic review of the research on organizational culture & identify, role conflict in agency-based clinical supervision, and approaches to addressing these challenges. It concludes with discussion and activities on how attendees will apply these concepts to their supervisory practice.

Sarah Ferguson, PhD, LISW, MSW & BSW Program Director and Associate Professor, School of Social Work, St. Catherine University and the University of St. Thomas

Level: All | For: Professionals | Meets Social Work Supervision Licensure Requirements

Advances in our understanding of the developing brain inform us that working with young children and their families is relationship-based work, no matter what our discipline. Disciplines involved in this work include early care and education, early intervention, mental and physical health, child welfare, early childhood/family education and home visiting.  However, in day-to-day practice there can be significant challenges to collaborating across disciplines and agencies. This workshop will offer practical strategies for knowing our own scope of practice, when and how to invite other professionals onto the ‘team’, and ways to optimize a working alliance with others in the best interest of young children and their parents.

Learning objectives:

• Participants will understand the unique role of their own discipline in promoting the mental health of children, prenatal to five, their parents and caregivers.
• Participants will understand the role of other disciplines in promoting infant and early childhood mental health and strategies for optimizing a working alliance in the best interest of young children and families.

Jane Ellison, LMFT, IMH-E®(IV),  Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and Michele Fallon, LICSW, IMH-E®(IV), Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist

Level: Introductory | For: Professionals | Includes Clinical Content | Early Childhood Focus