Ensure Healthy Development for Youth

The Grand Challenge selected for this study and innovation design is “Ensure Healthy Development for Children.” This issue is fundamental to the mission and values of social work, especially given that children and youth represent one of society’s most vulnerable populations. They are entitled to safety, supervision, care, and a supportive environment that promotes healthy development and overall well-being into adulthood (Waid & Uhrich, 2020).

The primary goal of this challenge is to utilize knowledge and practice skills in assessment, evaluation, program development, implementation, and project management to promote equitable and inclusive service delivery for youth. As a social work practitioner, it is essential to conduct thorough assessments and evaluations of children and family needs to develop comprehensive plans that mitigate harm and reduce exposure to traumatic people or environments. These stressors often impede healthy growth and development.

Children who are unable to fully activate their instincts for self-preservation may adapt to harmful environments through resistance, rebellion, or dissociation (Sprague Martinez et al., 2018). Understanding this dynamic underscores the importance of early intervention and the need for practitioners who can skillfully support children in vulnerable situations.

A key takeaway from the Technical vs. Adaptive Challenge video is that I naturally gravitate toward the technical approach, which relies on expert-driven solutions. However, this Grand Innovation will challenge me to apply both technical and adaptive leadership strategies in the training and development of social work professionals who specialize in the emotional, educational, physical, and behavioral needs of children.

This innovation will center on the use of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), with a particular emphasis on trauma-informed care and insights derived from the study of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The goal is to build and sustain trauma-informed systems of care that address socio-emotional disconnection and inequities that impact children's access to education and wellness.

Social factors, particularly poverty, continue to influence a child's ability to access supportive services. Just as in the late 19th century, children today still face barriers due to race, gender, socioeconomic status, and systemic exclusion. Social work has a responsibility to dismantle these exclusionary practices and advance inclusive, justice-centered service delivery models.

As a committed social worker, I am motivated to seek out strategies that eliminate inequity and promote equity. Through education, training, and advocacy, I aim to contribute to the development of a more just and inclusive system that supports the full, healthy development of all children and youth.

References

Grand Challenges for Social Work. (n.d.). The challenges. https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/#the-challenges

Martinez, L. S., Richards-Schuster, K., Teixeira, S., & Augsberger, A. (2018). The power of prevention and youth voice: A strategy for social work to ensure youths’ healthy development. Social Work, 63(2), 135–143. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swx059

Waid, J., & Uhrich, M. (2020). A scoping review of the theory and practice of positive youth development. The British Journal of Social Work, 50(1), 5–24.