--- title: Blog | Team Northwoods | Policy and Trends description: Policy and Trends | Expert content, inspiring stories, and resources for human services from our technology, practice, and policy experts. --- - [Blog](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog) - [Careers](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/careers) - [Community](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/community) - [Company](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/company) - [Customer Portal](https://portal.teamnorthwoods.com) [![logo-northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image/logo-northwoods.png?width=229&height=49&name=logo-northwoods.png "logo-northwoods")](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/) - [Products](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products) - [Traverse®](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse) - [Adult & Aging](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Adult-Aging) - [Child Support](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Child-Support) - [Child Welfare](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Child-Welfare) - [Economic Assistance](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Products/Traverse/Economic-Assistance) - [Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services) - [Case Aide Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/services/case-aide-services) - [Project Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Project-Services) - [Integration Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Integration-Services) - [Consulting Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Consulting-Services) - [Support Services](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Services/Support-Services) - [Customer Stories](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Customer-Stories) - Insights - [Buying Modern Technology](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/human-services-technology-funding-resources) - [Change Management in Human Services](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/change-management-in-human-services) - [Resources for Child Welfare](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/state-resources-child-welfare) - [Social Work Burnout](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/social-work-burnout) - [Resources](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/resources) - [Blog](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog) - [Blog Subscribe](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/blog-subscription-center) - [Customer Stories](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Customer-Stories) - [eBooks](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/eBooks) - [Infographics](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Infographics) - [Videos](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Videos) - [Webinars](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Resources/Webinars) - [Get In Touch](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Get-In-Touch-Contact) # Blog Our blog isn’t about us. It’s about you. We discuss business challenges and real issues human service agencies and caseworkers face everyday. You’ll find traditional human services software articles about things like document management for human services and social work technology. But you’ll also find inspirational stories to boost caseworkers’ spirits and tools to help agencies find and gain support for technology in human services. go [![New Ideas and Innovations Aiming to Fill the Gap in Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2024/06-27-2024%20Child%20Welfare%20Innovations%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/new-ideas-and-innovations-aiming-to-fill-the-gap-in-child-welfare) Posted Thursday, June 27, 2024 by [Brittany Traylor](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/brittany-traylor) ## [New Ideas and Innovations Aiming to Fill the Gap in Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/new-ideas-and-innovations-aiming-to-fill-the-gap-in-child-welfare) *“Even when child protective services is engaged, proactive help is rarely forthcoming. Despite the good intentions of system administrators and caseworkers, the cumulative result is too many families — and millions of children — dangling on the fringes of security and stability. This story is not destiny. The key is to modify the child welfare paradigm from one of reaction to one of prevention. We can do this by changing the basic question animating the entire modern child welfare system from ‘Is this child safe?’ to ‘What do families need to thrive?’” * [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/new-ideas-and-innovations-aiming-to-fill-the-gap-in-child-welfare) [![Readers' Choice Recap: Top Blog Posts of 2023](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2023/Top%20Blogs%20Recap%20Features.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2023) Posted Monday, December 18, 2023 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Readers' Choice Recap: Top Blog Posts of 2023](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2023) Another year is coming to a close and that means it's time to recap our top blogs of 2023. Whether you're new here (welcome!) or a regular reader (welcome back!), we hope you'll find something new and insightful in this year's list. [Subscribe to the blog via email](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/blog-subscription-center) so you never miss out on future content or [get in touch with our team](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Get-In-Touch-Contact) if certain trends, topics, or challenges are on your mind as we head into the new year. As always, thanks for reading along with us! [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2023) [![Tech Talk 101: Child Welfare Technology Terms to Know](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2023/11-14-2023%20Child%20Welfare%20Glossary%20Feature.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/child-welfare-technology-and-business-terms-to-know) Posted Tuesday, November 14, 2023 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Tech Talk 101: Child Welfare Technology Terms to Know](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/child-welfare-technology-and-business-terms-to-know) Child welfare technology is constantly evolving: trends ebb and flow, policies and mandates change, and new tools become available seemingly every day. Beyond changing how work gets done, it’s also changing the way you talk about it—both about your challenges and how technology can be used to help solve them. We’ve compiled a list of terms you’ve likely heard or read about related to technology, along with their definitions, how they relate to each other, and what they mean for child welfare. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/child-welfare-technology-and-business-terms-to-know) [![Readers' Choice Recap: Top Blog Posts of 2022](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2022%20Top%20Blogs%20Recap%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2022) Posted Tuesday, December 6, 2022 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Readers' Choice Recap: Top Blog Posts of 2022](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2022) Another year is coming to a close and that means it's time to recap our top blogs of 2022. Whether you're new here (welcome!) or a regular reader (welcome back!), we hope you'll find something new and insightful in this year's list. [Subscribe to the blog via email](https://info.teamnorthwoods.com/blog-subscription-center) so you never miss out on future content or [get in touch with our team](https://www.teamnorthwoods.com/Get-In-Touch-Contact) if certain trends, topics, or challenges are on your mind as we head into the new year. As always, thanks for reading along with us! [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/readers-choice-recap-top-blog-posts-of-2022) [![Finding the Way Forward: What's Next for Human Services?](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2021/09-17-2021%20Finding%20the%20Way%20Forward%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/finding-the-way-forward-for-human-services) Posted Friday, September 17, 2021 by [Rich Bowlen](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/rich-bowlen) ## [Finding the Way Forward: What's Next for Human Services?](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/finding-the-way-forward-for-human-services) How do you plan for the “new normal” when normalcy no longer exists? Yes, it’s a bold question and a tough concept to consider. But it’s reality. As I have continued to meet with numerous directors of local and state agencies throughout the country, there is still a lot of uncertainty and confusion. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/finding-the-way-forward-for-human-services) [![Prioritizing Technology in Human Services and Preparing for What May Be Next \[Lessons from COVID-19\]](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/07-01-2020-COVID-19-Technology.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/prioritizing-technology-in-human-services-and-preparing-for-whats-next-lessons-from-covid-19) Posted Monday, July 6, 2020 by [Rupam Chokshi](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/rupam-chokshi) ## [Prioritizing Technology in Human Services and Preparing for What May Be Next \[Lessons from COVID-19\]](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/prioritizing-technology-in-human-services-and-preparing-for-whats-next-lessons-from-covid-19) The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for human services in many ways. Initially, it forced agency leaders to rethink how and where mission-critical work could be done, as well as which tools and technology were truly essential to support this new way of operating. Now, the focus has shifted toward determining the best way to allocate shrinking budgets and limited resources to sustain these changes and navigate the new landscape for the long term. [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/prioritizing-technology-in-human-services-and-preparing-for-whats-next-lessons-from-covid-19) [![Navigate the New Normal: Q&A with Child Welfare Evangelist Rich Bowlen](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2020/Rich%20Bowlen%20Q%26A%20Blog%20-%20Feature%20Image%20-%201600x900px.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/navigating-the-new-normal-qa-with-child-welfare-evangelist-rich-bowlen) Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2020 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Navigate the New Normal: Q&A with Child Welfare Evangelist Rich Bowlen](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/navigating-the-new-normal-qa-with-child-welfare-evangelist-rich-bowlen) *It’s no secret the COVID-19 pandemic will impact child welfare for years to come. We asked our child welfare evangelist, Rich Bowlen, to share his insight on how agencies are adapting, what this means for child welfare in the future, and how to weather the long-term aftereffects of the storm.* [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/navigating-the-new-normal-qa-with-child-welfare-evangelist-rich-bowlen) [![Reimagining Service Delivery in a Remote World (Q&A with Greg Tipping)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog/2020/Greg%20Tipping%20Q%26A%20Blog%20-%20Feature%20Image%20-%201600x900px.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/reimagining-service-delivery-in-a-remote-world-qa-with-economic-assistance-evangelist-greg-tipping) Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2020 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Reimagining Service Delivery in a Remote World (Q&A with Greg Tipping)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/reimagining-service-delivery-in-a-remote-world-qa-with-economic-assistance-evangelist-greg-tipping) *The COVID-19 pandemic is placing immediate and direct burden on economic assistance agencies tasked with handling an unprecedented uptick in applications for benefits.* *We asked economic assistance evangelist, Greg Tipping, to share his insight on how agencies are adapting to remote work, how the pandemic is forcing leaders to reimagine the system, and the role modern technology will play in helping caseworkers manage the mountain of work headed their way.* [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/reimagining-service-delivery-in-a-remote-world-qa-with-economic-assistance-evangelist-greg-tipping) [![Family First Prevention Services Act: Navigating the Road Ahead](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Research-Library/ResearchLibrary-17.png)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/family-first-prevention-services-act) Posted Tuesday, October 1, 2019 by [Team Northwoods](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/team-northwoods) ## [Family First Prevention Services Act: Navigating the Road Ahead](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/family-first-prevention-services-act) We know many states and agencies still have lingering questions and concerns surrounding the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), so we’ve rounded up several recent articles and resources to help you assess your options, plan for the best way to move forward, and navigate the impending change. *Editor’s note: we originally published this post on June 11, 2019. Since FFPSA has now officially gone into effect (despite most states delaying implementation), we’re continuously updating it to include new resources.* [Read More](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/family-first-prevention-services-act) [![Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway—5 Ideas to Create Meaningful Change in Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/2019/07-23-19%20Feel%20the%20Fear%20Feature.jpg)](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/feel-the-fear-and-do-it-anyway-5-ideas-to-create-meaningful-change-in-child-welfare) Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2019 by [Rich Bowlen](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/author/rich-bowlen) ## [Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway—5 Ideas to Create Meaningful Change in Child Welfare](https://blog.teamnorthwoods.com/resources/blog/feel-the-fear-and-do-it-anyway-5-ideas-to-create-meaningful-change-in-child-welfare) #### “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.”  — John F. Kennedy Life is a series of calculated risks and decisions. We know it pays off to take risks to advance our professional and personal lives, so let me ask you a few questions: why aren’t we doing the same for the children who rely on us? Why are we so hesitant to take bold action on behalf of innocent kids enduring some of life’s most horrific atrocities? 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