NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Department of Social Work and Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society will host a dialogue session, “Courageous Conversations:  Race, Cultural Competence and Self-Care,” for social workers and Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). The event is free and open to the public and qualifies for three hours of ethics content for social workers.  It will take place from 1-4:30 p.m. Friday, April 8 in the Cane River Room of NSU’s Student. Union.

The program will be facilitated by the Alexandria VA Health Care System’s Minority Mental Health Committee. Panelists will be Angela D. Moran, AVAHCS Intimate Partner Violence Assistance program coordinator; Evelyn M. Webb, AVAHCS Caregiver Support program coordinator and Tamara Richardson, AVAHCS Post 9/11 M2VA Care Management program coordinator.

The topic of race is one that can be uncomfortable to discuss. It can be taboo to bring the subject of race to the table, whether it is professionally or personally. But, in working with diverse populations, it is essential that we learn to have the courage to talk about it. How do we address it appropriately? What is our role as social workers in supporting BIPOC persons?

Did you know that as social workers, we have now been charged with not only being culturally competent, but displaying it in our daily practice? Studies show that healthcare disparities continue to disproportionately affect communities of color. Therefore, it is particularly important that social workers continue to educate themselves in the area of cultural competence, as we continue to advocate for the most vulnerable populations.

The topic of self-care is a hot topic in the current climate. Everywhere we turn, people are being encouraged to practice self-care. NASW has now made it a part of social workers’ ethical responsibility to themselves and their clients to implement self-care practices. How do we use self-care to support BIPOC persons? How do we implement healthy self-care practices into our own practice and lives as social workers?

Individuals can attend the conference virtually on WebEx. Scan the below QR code to register and receive a link to view.