Academic Innovation program at Florida Institute for Child Welfare

Enjoy these scenes from a simulation training at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare at FSU's College of Social Work. Patricia Bott, an employee with the Florida Department of Children and Families, talks with two actors portraying a husband and wife during a simulation depicting an
unannounced visit by a child protective investigator.

The Learning Lab provides students with a space to engage with state-of-the-art technology, allowing them to experience simulations of real-world scenarios that bridge the gap between theory and practice.

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We truly enjoyed being part of the 2026 Symposium hosted by the Florida Institute for Child Welfare at FSU's College of Social Work.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table to learn about the Academic Innovation program and our opportunities for students interested in child welfare. Learn more at https://loom.ly/XALymgE

"Youth voice isn't a courtesy; it's a compass. And when we follow it, the entire system becomes more humane.” - Dr. Elizabeth Wynter, Child Welfare Consultant and Foster Youth Voice Champion.

Dr. Wynter shares how she makes a difference in this field. Her work is guided by listening to the youth, honoring their lived experiences, trusting their honesty, and using their feedback to help systems do and be better.

Interested in more inspirational stories? Stay connected for more of our “Ask a Child Welfare Professional Series!”

“One defining moment in my career that reaffirmed why this work matters was seeing the profound sigh of relief on the faces of a large sibling group.”- Irma Harrison, Adult Peer Programs Manager for NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Irma shares her thoughts on how she makes a difference in this field. Her purpose is rooted in keeping families together, helping siblings remain united and supporting families as they find stability, safety, and hope.

Interested in more of these stories? Follow us for more!

When do you feel like you make a difference? In child welfare, this is different for every person.

Rick Manuel, Vice President of Youth and Family Advocates, Inc., shared that when he was a caseworker, he felt like he was making a difference when watching families reunite and closing cases in court.

As the 2024 winner of the Chile Welfare Professional Award (leadership category), Rick also shared that as a leader, helping other processionals build their skills made him feel like he was making an impact.

Stay connected to the Academic Innovation page for the next post in this series highlighting voices from the field.

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare's Assistant Director of Academic Innovation, Research and Evaluation, Dr. Burcu Izci, recently presented at the 2026 Florida State University Provost's Showcase of Scholarly Teaching. The event was hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Florida State University Libraries.

Dr. Izci delivered two poster presentations on behalf of the team (Michae' Cain, Malaika Samples, and Kyle Cook).

Poster 1: Immersive Learning: Using Simulation to Increase Students' Interprofessional Skills and Knowledge in Practice

Poster 2: Evaluating the Integration of Virtual Reality Into Social Work Education: Adapting Delivery Methods Based on Course Level

Being a child welfare professional is more than just a profession; it’s about making an impact on systems and families.

"This work is about people reclaiming hope” - Sonya Johnson, Adult Peer Programs Manager for NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties and Program Coordinator for Parents for Parents Program shares.

The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) program offered at Florida State University College of Social Work is currently enrolling . This program focuses on developing students’ understanding of factors that lead to child maltreatment, as well as existing responses to such incidents.

Admission Requirements:
• Completion of general education requirements
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in all social work coursework (including field placements)
• Statement of interest that includes proposed career goals

👉 For more information: https://loom.ly/98xqYsU

The mission of the Academic Innovation program at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare at FSU's College of Social Work is to better prepare students for the realities of serving system-impacted children and families in Florida.

We do so through innovative teaching and simulations that provide real-world experience in the field.

Interested in learning more? Review the chapter on Innovations in Learning and Practice in our legislative update at at https://loom.ly/lsgSO3U.