Social Service Academy

People We Serve

Are you a caseworker, service provider, caregiver, supervisor, manager, director, executive staff member, or someone who aspires to be in social service or a helping profession and work collaboratively with others? Do you feel stuck at times and need to alternate your approach to meet complex needs, connect differently, make a greater impact, obtain that promotion, find that new job, or help members of your team and organization reach their stellar potential? These trainings are presented in a way that provides comprehensive, nuanced, and foundational information, which is cumulative, offering core fundamental skills that will last a lifetime. This will lead to more spirited work environments with increased focus, high morale, and expanded possibilities around potential and growth for everyone you provide services for and you’ll be uplifted too!

Course Logistics

Social Service Academy provides online courses for persons and teams in social service, and other service industries, that will lead to professional "lens" enhancing strategies, that can bring about more positive experiences of growth for the individual being served, and encouragement for the provider to trust in their capacities to serve.

Course material has been divided into three stages. It provides a roadmap for exceptional care, collaboration strategies, and ways to address some of the most common pitfalls we experience as service providers, especially supporting persons with mental health, housing and additional support needs. Additional support and consultations are available.

Course content is presented in video format, with accompanying slides, workbooks and an extensive bibliography for further study or for your library.

There are close to 50 hours of Video Instruction altogether (broken down into sections, unless you obtain the bundle).

There are over 700 Workbook pages, paced throughout three stages. Stages can be obtained separately, or by purchasing all three stages together (recommended).

Stage One: Caregiving with Confidence, includes 7 hours, 15 minutes and 21 seconds of Video Instruction and 144 Workbook pages. Stage One includes:

• Step One: The Multi-View & Why, Why Matters, has 2 videos totaling 2:22 hours and 31 Workbook pages.
• Step Two: Critical Foundations, has 1 video totaling 1:26 hours and 39 Workbook pages.
• Step Three: The Primers, Theoretical Essentials & You, has 1 video totaling 3:26 hours and 74 Workbook pages.

Stage Two: Demystifying the DSM & Your World of Service, includes 27 hours, 17 minutes and 18 seconds of Video Instruction and 241 Workbook pages. Stage Two includes:

• Step Four: Demystifying the DSM has 1 video totaling 4:55 hours and 70 Workbook pages.
• Step Five: All About Services, has 4 videos totaling 20:17 hours and 129 Workbook pages.
• Step Six: Making the Most of Resources, has 1 video totaling 2:04 hours and 42 Workbook pages.

Stage Three: Supervision, Management, Self-Care and You, includes 11 hours, and 27 minutes of Video Instruction and 310 Workbook pages. Stage Three includes:

• Step Seven: Supervision and You, has 1 video totaling 3:58 hours and 89 Workbook pages.
• Step Eight: Management and You, has 4 videos totaling 5:26 and 126 Workbook pages.
• Step Nine: Self-Care and You, has 5 videos totaling 2:01 hours and has 95 Workbook pages.

All Three: Includes all of the above.

Individual login-credentials, with password are included in the portal, with the ability to take and print notes. Group Leaders each with their own dedicated dashboard, can be registered to administer, and review courses at their own pace. A dedicated video hosting service is provided within the platform, for seamless integration of material. Additional scheduling for task completion is optional and can be arranged by assigned admins with dashboard viewing. Certificates are available and the platform is equipped for self-pace or team environment.

It is recommended that you use headphones for privacy and focus, though is not necessary. You may also want to have a writing journal handy to record your answers in addition to what you feel comfortable writing in the portal, especially if courses are taken as self-paced. The platform was designed for efficiency, as a time saving measure, though can be completed in a 30 days (designed for onboarding, or can be scheduled throughout the year). There is no pass or fail. The aim is to complete the framework stress-free, while allowing as much time as needed to "download" and process the material. These logistics are also adaptable to fit your needs.

Why Social Service Academy?

In these courses, Lolita integrates her experience as a student and co-trainer at Teachers College, Columbia University, and her ongoing work in social service as educator, trainer, administrator and advocate for over 37 years to provide information to help you learn how to generate success for yourself, your team and your organization. The information is presented with an eclectic approach in a way that offers options, for helping that match the people you serve.

What Can I Expect in the Courses?

Expect to be provided with content that you can use to assist more people with actionable items to help them realize their goals. Expect to feel better about the work you do and free yourself from the daily grind and old "baggage" without judgement. Expect to feel a renewed sense of hope for yourself and others leading to greater satisfaction and skills to propel you and your team forward.  Expect to find courses designed for all types of learners with varying perspectives and interests that are that are self-paced so the useful information can be integrated with ease.

How Will Taking These Courses Help Me?

Here you will learn: (1) skills to be better equipped to provide service; (2) behaviors to help you navigate the workplace environment; (3) information that can be used to place you in the running and prepare you for promotions, or land you that next job; and (4) ways to take better care of your teams, your department, your agency, and yourself.

Why Would I Want to Take These Courses?

Taking steps to learn new things is a sign that someone is aware they have more to learn and is always valuable. Taking initiative to seek out information is also one of the first steps to achieving your personal and professional goals.

When Will I Receive My Certificate?

You will have the option to receive certificates after completing each Stage of the SOSA Social Service Care Product. The stages are: Stage One: Caregiving with Confidence, Steps 1, 2 and 3; Stage Two: Demystifying the DSM and Your World of Service, Steps 4, 5 and 6; and Stage Three: Supervision, Management, Self-Care and You, Steps 7, 8 and 9. Each Stage may be accessed separately, or you can access all three together as a bundle (recommended).  Certificates will be made available within 24 hours and sent to the email you or the registrant used at registration. A final certificate will be available upon the completion of the Social Service Care Product: Stages One, Two & Three.

How Long Do I Have to Complete Courses?

You will have access to the courses for as long as the site is operational after enrolling. Materials you download are yours to keep and you have the opportunity to save and print any notes you have taken online during the course.