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Social workers often spend so much of their time advocating and standing up for children and families that they sometimes overlook the importance of taking care of themselves. While the rewards of being a social worker are plentiful, the job can take its toll—mentally and physically.

Here are 10 simple ways social workers can practice self-care, manage stress and burnout, and boost their well-being even on the most difficult days.

"Social workers stand up for millions of people each day. They stand up by comforting people who are experiencing devastating illnesses and mental health crises, ensuring they get the best care while on the road to recovery. They stand up and support our brave military personnel, veterans and their families. They work in communities and with national, state and local government to provide services and pass legislation to stand with and help the most vulnerable."

National Association of Social Workers (NASW) launched their 2017 Social Work Month campaign, Social Workers Stand Up!, “to educate the public about contributions of social workers and why the professional title of social worker is so important.” It further states, "We want to give social workers and their allies guidance and tools they can use to address unfair representations of social workers in the media."

What better way to debunk those myths and honor the amazing things social workers accomplish than by sharing the stories of the children and families they stand up for every day? In honor of Social Work Month, social workers from Carver County Health & Human Services and Sherburne County Health & Human Services (both in Minnesota) told us about the children and families that have stuck with them over the years.

Readers, rejoice!

It’s that time of year where we recap the can’t-miss blog posts of the last 365 days.

Whether you’re looking for customer success stories, technology adoption tips, or inspiration to keep on file for the days when you need to recharge, this list has got you covered.

So grab your reading glasses, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and catch up on the top 6 Northwoods blog posts of 2016. Happy reading!

'Tis the season to celebrate and say thank you to the social workers and case managers in your life.

Whether you're shopping for a friend, family member or colleague, we've curated 50 gift ideas designed with social workers in mind.

Check out our Pinterest board, A Holiday Gift Guide for Human Services, for more inspiration, or keep reading for a sampling of ideas to get you started. Happy holidays!

Editor’s note: This testimonial references a product that will be sunset in 2022. Learn more about our next-generation adult & aging technology or view more recent customer stories.

Imagine for a second how much more you could accomplish each day if you were able to put the hour or two that you usually spent doing paperwork toward actually doing your job.

Oh, the possibilities!

For Lenoir County Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Adult and Family Services social workers, the ability to repurpose hours previously spent on documentation means more time to focus on engaging clients, building trust, and delivering more holistic, quality service. Even better? Their documentation is still up to date and accurate too.

Last month, a few Northwoodians attended APHSA’s National Health & Human Services Summit. We attended sessions focused on predictive analytics, preventative care, improving outcomes, and integrating services, all of which had one theme in common: transforming the industry through the Human Services Value Curve.

What is the Human Services Value Curve, you ask? Keep reading to learn more.

Being a social worker can be challenging. After a difficult home visit, court hearing, or day in the field, inspiration can be especially hard to come by. So, why not carry a little bit of it with you?

We created these inspirational wallpapers for your iPad, tablet, or desktop to help you keep going, even when the going gets tough. Save your favorite (or all of them, if you'd like!) for the next time you need a motivational boost or to remind yourself of the amazing work you're doing.