MANAGING REMOTE TEAMS IN CHILD WELFARE

Child welfare agencies are constantly adapting to meet the needs of children and families and the ever-changing environment, especially during challenging times. Many are transitioning to a remote workforce because of the availability of modern technology and mobile tools or out of necessity because of a natural disaster or public health crisis.

With the right technology to put a plan into action, managing a remote workforce doesn’t have to interrupt your agency’s mission to serve the most vulnerable.

Copyright © 2020, Northwoods Consulting Partners, Inc., All Rights Reserved | 2020-04 | teamnorthwoods.com

KEEPING REMOTE CHILD WELFARE TEAMS ENGAGED.

With the right technology, child welfare agencies can effectively put their plans into action to manage remote teams while maintaining commitment to their mission to keep children and families safe.

STAY CONNECTED

STAY INFORMED

SUPPORTCASEWORKERS

PROMOTEWELL-BEING

Providing the right technology is the key part of the overall plan for managing and supporting a remote workforce. Using software designed to evolve with the needs of child welfare caseworkers removes obstacles that stand in their way of truly connecting with children and families, especially when they need to be remote.

Empowering caseworkers on the front line is a critical mission for our team. We believe a solution like Traverse® can help agencies support the critical work of remote teams because caseworkers can access case content from anywhere, anytime regardless of location.

Copyright © 2020, Northwoods Consulting Partners, Inc., All Rights Reserved | 2020-04 | teamnorthwoods.com

Visit teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse to learn more about Traverse, Northwoods’ solution for child welfare that can help agencies support the critical work of remote teams.

WHEN MANAGING REMOTE TEAMS, HERE ARE SOME BEST PRACTICES:

• Continue to prioritize coaching. Ask people how they are doing and what you can do to help. Ask how they have handled their day and what are they looking forward to next.

• Schedule “check-in” times. Create virtual ways to “bump into each other” like you normally would in the office to keep people from feeling isolated or to address stress.

• Communicate expectations. Agree on what type of work can and will be done and when, as well as how often you’ll communicate on established tasks.

• Keep workers engaged. To maintain human connection, use video conferencing for remote meetings or check ins. Ensure workers have necessary equipment to support great video conferencing.

• Be flexible. Focus on cultivating an environment where caseworkers can be their most creative and successful.

MOBILIZE CONTENT. ENABLE SOCIAL WORK FROM ANYWHERE.

KEY FEATURES OF TRAVERSE:

• A web application that allows workers to access all case content from anywhere

• A mobile application that is optimized when workers are in the field engaging with families

• A mobile application that automatically syncs newly collected case content

• Instant access to current or new case content from anywhere

• Content can be contributed from anywhere regardless of connectivity

• Caseworkers and supervisors can share documents, photos, and videos, and hand off work

• Access to forms when working remotely regardless of connectivity

• Surface people connected to a case to leverage natural positive supports for children

• In Focus mode to protect confidential information in each case