Illinois School of Social Work Tech Series
October 11, 2024
Data Transparency for Stronger Communities: How Champaign-Urbana's Public Health District is Using Tech for Good
March 21, 2025
12:00-1:00pm CST
1.0 CE for LCSW/LSW and LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
Join us for an interactive session showcasing how human service organizations can harness cutting-edge platforms—like Tableau and Metopio’s Atlas—to fuel grant proposals, build and share custom maps, and collaborate more effectively with community partners. Discover how data experts from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) leverage these tools to identify community resources, provide real-time insights, drive informed decision-making, and strengthen partnerships across the board. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore practical, tech-forward solutions that will amplify your impact as a social worker!
Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate how creating custom maps can help social workers pinpoint community resources and strengthen partnerships across agencies
- Examine how Metopio’s Atlas and Tableau platforms were leveraged during the COVID-19 pandemic to effectively communicate and engage with community members
- Discuss considerations for implementing any new technologies in non-for profits, including functions, costs and staff training
Registration Options:
If you do NOT need CEUs for LCSW/LSW or LCPC/LPC, register via the link below:
If you DO need CEUs for LCSW/LSW or LCPC/LPC, register via the link below:
Robert Davies is the Director of Planning and Research at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, where he oversees the Communicable Disease Program, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, Accreditation, and Strategic Planning initiatives. Robert joined the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District in 2017 after spending four years as an Environmental Health Sanitarian and Emergency Preparedness Planner at another local health department in Illinois, where he became a licensed Environmental Health Practitioner. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Zaheeda Darvesh is a skilled data analyst with expertise in data management, analysis, and visualization. She currently serves as an Affirmative Action Data Analyst at the Office for Access and Equity, where she focuses on dashboards, reports, and ensuring data integrity. Additionally, as a consultant for the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, she specializes in public health surveillance, leveraging diverse data sources to generate insights that inform decision-making. Her strength lies in translating complex data into interactive dashboards, providing stakeholders with clear and actionable insights. She holds a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Graduate Certificate in IT Project Management from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Technological Innovations in Food Pantries and Gaps in Implementation Resources
April 25, 2025
12:00-1:00pm CST
1.0 CEU for LCSW/LSW And LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
Join local social workers and researchers Maria Wathen and Rachel Young as they present an overview of the types of technological innovations initiated by food pantries during the pandemic. From data management systems, radio frequencies, geocoding, YouTube spots, to online ordering, you will hear about the creative ways that food pantries implemented change to serve their neighbors. This session will present innovative uses of tech, as well as the challenges in implementation based on 39 interviews of directors/coordinators of food pantries in Illinois.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the Role of Technology in Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers
- Evaluate the Effectiveness and Ethical Implications of Technological Interventions
- Explore Collaborative Partnerships for Implementing Technology in Aging Care
Registration Options:
If you do NOT need CEUs for LCSW/LSW or LCPC/LPC, register via the link below:
If you DO need CEUs for LCSW/LSW or LCPC/LPC, register via the link below:
Maria Wathen is currently an Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work. She has a range of experience in education, clinical social work practice, nonprofits, and business in both the United States and internationally. She lived in Russia from 1997-2007 and 2013-2014 and has taught seminars in multiple countries of Eastern Europe and Eurasia. After receiving her MSW and Joint PhD in Social Work & Sociology degrees from the University of Michigan, the purpose of her research has been to generate and disseminate knowledge that advances social justice in the access and provision of social services to vulnerable groups. She does this by illuminating the intersection of social policy, public, nonprofit, and volunteer provision of social services, and the influence of other overarching structural and cultural, and in this case, viral forces.
Rachel A. Young is currently pursuing her PhD at Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work. She earned her MSW from the University of Minnesota. Rachel has 12 years of experience across various sectors, including youth development, workforce development, housing and homelessness for young adults, college and career access, and technical education (EdTech) across governmental, non-profit, and for-profit settings. Rachel is a Research Assistant at Loyola’s School of Social Work and a Graduate Research Fellow at the Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL). In these roles, her research has focused on housing and homelessness, women’s initiatives, food access, and predictors of political participation among social workers.
Past Tech Series Events
Amazon Echos & Animatronic Pets: Tools to Decrease Social Isolation in Older Adults and Support for Caregivers
November 22, 2024
12:00-1:00pm CST
1.0 CEU for LCSW/LSW And LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
Join local expert Laura Gallagher Watkin as she shares CRIS Health Aging’s innovative use of technology to combat social isolation, enhance digital literacy, and improve physical safety for older adults and support their caregiver’s lives as well. Laura will introduce specific tools used in CRIS interventions, including Amazon Echos, animatronic pets, and motion detection sensors. This session will cover key topics such as the effectiveness of these tools, decision-making in their implementation, funding sources, research collaborations, ethical considerations, and client experiences. Earn CEUs while exploring how these technologies are shaping the future of social work with aging populations.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the Role of Technology in Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers
- Evaluate the Effectiveness and Ethical Implications of Technological Interventions
- Explore Collaborative Partnerships for Implementing Technology in Aging Care
After obtaining her law degree, Laura Gallagher Watkin focused her career on administrative advocacy for low-income families and persons with disabilities, assisting with Medicaid and Social Security applications and appeals. She moved Springfield and the Division of Rehabilitation Services to create the first Benefits Planning program in Illinois to assist persons with disabilities who received social security benefits, plan to return to work, and understand the provisions that could assist them with maintaining State and Federal benefits. She conducted training for sixteen states on how they could create programs similar to this as part of her role at a Chicago-based nonprofit called Health & Disability Advocates. When Illinois began welcoming home the largest deployment of military service members since World War II as part of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan she switched her focus to Veterans. She created a Veteran program that focused on the needs of the National Guard and Reservists who did not have the connection to traditional social and health services which was present for military families who live on a base. She created programs to assist with the mental health needs for these families including creating a training for civilian mental health providers around Military Sexual Trauma, a peer-based ‘Warrior to Warrior’ program which trained Veterans and attached them to Guard units as a resource, and assistance for military children. After moving to Champaign, she accepted a position at CRIS Healthy Aging to create innovative programs for family caregivers of older adults including people with dementia and programs to reduce social isolation.
Byte by Byte: Building a Stronger Community Through Tech Support
December 6, 2024
12:00-1:00pm CST
1.0 CEs for LCSW/LSW And LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
As technology reshapes our world at an unprecedented pace, digital literacy isn’t just advantageous—it’s essential. Join us for a unique panel discussion featuring local providers whose missions range from providing personalized technical assistance to leading community-wide digital equity initiatives.
Discover the services they’re offering, explore the challenges they face amid rapid technological change, and discuss the strategies to break down barriers. This isn’t just another event; it’s an interactive experience that invites you to engage directly with the panel and one another.
Whether you’re a human service provider eager to better serve your clients, a student or a community member passionate about digital inclusion, this is your chance to be part of a timely conversation. Together, we’ll explore how to collectively elevate digital literacy for everyone, ensuring that our community is equipped with the skills for the digital age.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and champion a more digitally inclusive community.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the variety of technology support services offered by local organizations to support your clients
- Explore real-life examples and the tangible impacts of these services on individuals, families and the community
- Identify how these services improve digital literacy and inclusion in the community
Jared Dunn has worked at the intersection of community and technology for over two decades, first as a nonprofit technology consultant helping community organizations navigate data, IT, and emerging social media issues. Later he worked on community broadband adoption and digital literacy projects as a graduate assistant in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois, and on community engagement and technology support for the CU Community Fab Lab. In his current position he is building a community coalition for digital equity in Champaign County, and working to provide access to broadband internet, affordable computing devices, and digital literacy education throughout Champaign County.
As the Technology Librarian at the Champaign Public Library, Susan Winkler creates and teaches workshops on topics ranging from phone and tablet basics to online tools like Google Docs. She coordinates technology workshops taught at the library by other experts. She develops and oversees training for library staff and members of the public in the use of equipment in the library’s Studio maker area. She has held many roles in various libraries during her eighteen years in the profession and has a life-long passion to explore technology and provide instruction in its uses to others.
Joel Spencer is a native of Champaign, Illinois. Joel graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2008, and a master’s in library and information science in 2010. While in library school Joel focused on community engagement and teen services, and is now a Patron Services Librarian at The Urbana Free Library. Much of Joel’s work at the library centers around outreach and engagement, particularly through project-based technology instruction.
From Spreadsheet Chaos to Data Magic: Power BI Revolution for Social Services!
January 24, 2025
12:00-1:30pm CST
1.5 CEs for LCSW/LSW And LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
Ready to break free from endless spreadsheets and clunky reports? Join this high-energy 90-minute virtual session where we’ll unlock the superpowers of Microsoft Power BI! Led by a tech-savvy process automation wizard who’s transformed countless spreadsheet nightmares into dazzling dashboards, this session will revolutionize how you think about data. Whether you’re a Power BI newbie or just curious about what all the buzz is about, you’ll discover how to turn your data into stunning visual stories that actually make sense (and might even make you excited about reporting)!
Skip the boring technical jargon – we’re diving into real-world examples that’ll show you exactly how to make Power BI work in your social service setting. By the end of this session, you’ll be ready to join the data visualization revolution and become your organization’s newest data hero!
Learning Objectives
After this power-packed session, you’ll be able to:
- Kiss Excel-only reporting goodbye! Understand how Power BI can transform your mountain of data into clear, automated visual stories that actually make sense
- Navigate the Power BI landscape like a pro – from picking the right license to connecting with your existing systems (without breaking the bank or your sanity)
- Recognize strategies for implementing Power BI as part of a broader organizational automation and efficiency initiative
Automation Specialist at the American Academy of Pediatrics, Carly is on a mission to prove that data doesn’t have to be dull. She’s the perfect blend of tech enthusiast and social service expert, known for transforming overwhelming spreadsheets into powerful, automated visual stories. With a decade of experience making technology work for real people in real organizations, Carly brings a refreshing, practical approach to Power BI implementation. Her presentations combine technical know-how with engaging real-world examples, ensuring you’ll leave with both inspiration and actionable steps to level up your data game!
Going Paperless: Exploring Case Management Tools in a Digital World
February 21, 2025
12:00-1:00pm
1.0 CE for LCSW/LSW or LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
In the digital era and the ever-changing technology skills of the clients being served, social service agencies are evaluating how best to keep up with digital tools. Join us for a discussion about web-based case management systems and how they can be effectively implemented at your agency! This session will cover key topics such as the security of client information, accessibility of the platforms, and some of the obstacles you may experience in the transition from paper to digital records. Earn CEUs while discovering the digital tools for case management!
Learning Objectives
- Identify questions to determine if switching to digital platforms is right for your agency
- Evaluate the accessibility of technology for both clients and staff
- Recognize the obstacles and benefits in moving towards digital case management tools
Sarah McCoy has a graduate degree in human services from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a masters of social work from University of Illinois, completing her LCSW in April 2023. Sarah works as the Administrator for the Assistive and Information Technology Support Unit with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and has served as an advocate for older adults and adults with disabilities for more than 15 years in the Springfield area. Sarah’s work ensures that direct service DRS staff have the resources and tools available to best serve customers through the Home Services Program and Vocational Rehabilitation, including hardware, software, and web-based case management. Her work emphasizes the importance of accessibility to web-based platforms, software, and tools for both staff and customers.