Social work courses provide the foundational knowledge needed
to become a child welfare professional. However, this book offers
something different-it reveals the realities of working in child welfare
that no classroom can fully prepare you for. Many enter the field
believing they have the answers and can transform every case they
encounter. The truth is both humbling and inspiring: meaningful
change often occurs one small step at a time. Hence the title, Trying
to Save the World... One Piece at a Time.
The world of child welfare can be harsh and unpredictable. It may
involve encounters with firearms, aggressive animals, threats of violence,
heartbreaking losses, and even the death of children. Yet it can also
bring extraordinary moments of hope, resilience, and success as
children and families overcome immense challenges and achieve
outcomes beyond anyone's expectations.
This book is not written for academics or researchers. It is written for those
who want to understand the realities of the child welfare system and the
challenges caseworkers face every day. Each of the more than twenty
chapters recounts a true story from my thirty-plus years of experience in
child welfare. To protect client confidentiality, all names, locations, and
identifying details have been changed.
