News

Social Workers Association (SWA) Board meeting on 12/05/17

Board meeting will be hold in the premises of Welfare Department of Riga at Baznicas street 19/23.
Agenda of meeting is:

1. to represent membership of the Board in discussion with the Ministry of Education about cycle of education (17/05/17);
2. to present SWA and prepare presentation about activities which related to the social work conference in Lithuania under the project ‘ Identification and management of risk factors within work environment of specialists dealing with risk members of community’ ;
3. to represent SWA at the festival ‘ Lampa’ in Cesis on 30/06/17 ;
4. the meeting of the Ministry of Welfare about priority directions in science on 09/05/17 (representative Sandra Darkevica)

 

The SWA Board meeting occurred on the 30th June, 2014

The SWA Board meeting was held in Jelgava. The agenda of the meeting was as follows:

1.  Annual conference with the Baltic Psychology and Management Institute (BPMI) representative, A.Mite.
2. Exchange of views on the concept of the subsistence of the minimum. Member of SWA Linda Ozola, will represent SWA in the Social Work Specialists Co-operation Council at the Ministry of Welfare.
3. Different issues.

The SWA Board decided:
1. To hold a two days conference on the 13th November 2014 along with BPMI. The SWA Board formulated a possible theme of the conference “The actuality of Social Work practice: social services”. The aim of this conference is to update the role of social services within social work practice, to provide reports regarding news in the field of social services and to review the development of social services in the past 10 years.
2. The next SWA Board meeting will be held on July 2014 in Jurmala. The purpose of this meeting is to identify speakers and to formulate titles and subtitles of workshops.
3. The Welfare Ministry Council will be held on 2nd July 2014. The SWA views on the concept of a minimum level of income will be declared by Linda Ozola. The view on the concept is following:
3.1. The reasons must be given on estimation of minimum income
3.2. The implementation of the concept must be provided with co-financing from the state and municipalities
3.3. In parallel with social assistance issues the micro practice in Social Work has to be developed – case work, social work with groups, social services etc.
4. The Welfare Ministry established the Social Service Development Council. The SWA Board decided to apply in writing for the membership status and as a delegate to nominate: member of SWA Ieva Lāss.

 

Visiting session to Jurmala on 30th May 2014

SWA organized a visiting session to the Day Care Centre for Children with functional disorders/disabilities at Jurmala. The agenda of the session was to get to know the social service system of Jurmala. Therefore Laima Grobina, Head of the Welfare Administration department, and the Social and Health Committee Chairwoman of Jurmala’s Municipality, Dace Rinke, were invited to this session.

The attendants were informed about the present situation in Jurmala’s social service system which is outstanding with a wide range of different services considering the population’s social needs. Of particular interest was the Juvenile Offenders Department and the Night Shelter in Kauguri. The Juvenile Offenders Department is specialised in providing preventive programs including socially pedagogical treatment and therapy, (most popular term in Latvian language – adjustment or correction).
The Head of the Day Care Centre, Aija Tuna, informed visitors about the centre’s activities. She was awarded the title “The Person of the Year 2013” for altruistic and selfless contribution in working with families with disabled children. Aija Tuna is the person who encourages parents and children to participate in social activities and ensures children are looked after within a healthy and safe environment.
The professional discussion occurred after the presentation in which representatives from different municipalities exchanged their experiences of providing similar services.
SWA board and the members of the society emphasized the necessity to organize similar visits to municipalities where SWA members are working. The agenda of these visits would be the same – to explore and get to know the social situation in different municipalities.

 

The SWA meeting

The SWA meeting took place on the 15th March 2014 at the Social Service Day centre for Adult Persons. In total twenty four SWA members participated in this meeting. During the meeting several decisions have been made:

1. To approve Martins Moors, Valters Dolacis and Villija Pakalne as Board Members.
2. To accept the amendment of statutes: membership monthly fee EUR 1.50 and entrance fee EUR 15.00
3. To organize the annual summer camp, desideratum time 15th- 17th August.
4. To organize a visiting session in May at Jurmala’s Day Centre for children with functional disorders.
5. Social Work actualities have been discussed.

 

The Social Workers Association meeting

Venue of meeting: Day Centre Abelzieds, Riga, Dzirciema street 24
Time: 16pm – 19pm

The agenda of meeting:

1. The information about the seminar’s progress in the project which was sustained by the USA embassy (SWA Chairman M.Moors).
2. The greetings for SWA members who were nominated for the Ministry of Welfare competition “The best Social Worker” – Solvita Ozola, Sandra Darkevica and Villija Pakalne.
3. The SWA board will represent the Society at various meetings – the Ministry of Welfare, Saema, Cabinet of Ministers, etc.
4. Future planning.

The Board of SWA

 

Annual Outdoor Event!

The Social Workers summer camp event will take place at Kalnini guest house, near to Cesis, from August 2nd until August 4th.
The main topic of discussion will be focused at our personal and professional skills and resources including:

• emotional intelligence
• consulting skills
• distinction between interviewing and consulting, (sharing of experience/role-play)
• formation of co-institutional collaboration