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As my third semester in the USC DSW program comes to an end, my exploration of public discourse has had a significant impact on my learning journey. It has opened a door, empowered those around me, and created a quick impact (more like a small ripple!) In addition, it is very clear to me that upon graduation or sooner, I need to move forward with my capstone and making disrupting the norm of adultcentrism a reality. Introspection of my work thus far which was impacted by three "ah-ha" moments have lead to the stark realization  that it is time to teach the children being served by child welfare how to use their voice. It is time to help them unlock their superpower. Fight On! Grey
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Kansas and Missouri Child Welfare Trade Key Leaders By Grey Endres MSW LCSW LSCSW             It has become all too common to see stories or articles about the failing child welfare systems in Kansas and Missouri.   It seems that every few weeks or so there is a story that attacks either state or both, regarding their child welfare policies and procedures. Current policies and procedures in Kansas and Missouri are hurting the children they are mandated to protect. When a child enters into the child welfare system, they are not aware that that system is going to further harm them nor do they have a voice concerning their care. As it is the default position of child welfare that they are the experts of the children and families they serve rather than the children themselves.             This past year has not been kind to child welfare services in Kansas a...
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Influencing Public Discourse

BLOG POST 1: INFLUENCING PUBLIC DISCOURSE Are there other ways of influencing public discourse that we haven't covered in the content of the course so far? Within our Grand Challenge , public discourse is the heart of what we should and can be doing. I have chosen to focus on ensuring the healthy development of youth. During the winter break, I accidentally stumbled onto a youtuber named Casey Neistat. Until that point, I mostly used youtube to share Ted Talks with my students or when I needed to learn how to fix something or use something. The notion of subscribing to or following a youtuber was so foreign to me. However, my 17-year-old son totally sees youtube through a completely different lens. For him, it is a platform to tell your story, to share your vision, or to connect with the outside world. One can compare it to that old person shaking their head in disapproval as the young person turns up the volume of their favorite rapper. While there are youtube videos on...
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Greetings! My name is Grey Endres and I am a clinical social worker in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Presently I am a full-time lecturer at Missouri Western with the BSW program . In addition, I am a founding partner of Lifeworks Family Treatment group in Kansas City. In May of 2018, I began my DSW journey. I have chosen to focus on the Grand Challenge of ensuring the healthy development of youth given that child welfare fails to protect the children it is mandated to serve. WHY?? In September of 2014, I was hired by the Jackson County children's division to facilitate in-home couples’ therapy with a mom and dad who’s 15-year-old was in foster care along with her new infant son. On a Friday afternoon, just before beginning a session, their daughter and grandson were having a supervised visit, and I noticed that my client and her daughter were looking at homecoming dresses on the internet. I asked the young girl if she was excited to attend homecoming, and she resp...
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