Social Service Academy

Over 37 Years of Groundbreaking Experience!

Social Service Academy is designed to meet A to Z social service needs in mental health, non-profit, and housing environments by integrating information from disciplines including education, psychology, business, and the arts. It is based on over 37 years of experience that includes training at Teachers College, Columbia University, leading services in three top social service provider agencies in NYC; and working to develop groundbreaking projects. This training is here for you and your team, starting now! Within this seamless, step-by-step format, classes can be completed to gain knowledge; to learn how to apply new/learned information, and for professional and personal growth.

Hello, I’m Lolita Goldring and it’s nice to meet you! Welcome to Social Service Academy! I created this site to provide you with very selective material to help you help others and remain invigorated while doing it. This is all based on my own experiences, and over 37 years of experience in social service. These principals last a lifetime.

The underlying philosophy of this platform is to be client centered, with a belief in self-determination, ones ability to make empowered choices, and a committment to Housing First. As one of my most Supervisors asked of me: "Lolita, go do that thing you do:" My aim is to provide you with information so that you too can help as many people as you can, while being able to integrate your full self and confidently go on and "do that thing you do." For me, that meant overcoming my own struggles, learning what I needed to learn, being open to learning more, and then sharing what I learned.

Education, counseling, training, housing, program development, advocacy, community engagement, the arts, and wellness have been the cornerstones of my life and career. The greatest distance that I have seen between people dreaming and realizing their dreams across a variety of spectrums is: Information, or a lack of it, resulting in a belief of limiting beliefs, self imposed, or otherwise, or both. My aim is to share what I learn in order to support growth and close the distance between what someone thinks they can become or wants to become, to gaining the tools and insight to being all they can, and seek to become.

People We Serve

Are you a caseworker, service provider, caregiver, supervisor, manager, director, executive staff or member of human resources who is responsible for a variety of departments or teams? Feel stuck and need to elevate your skills to do better work, 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 all, including you!

Course Logistics

Social Service Academy (SSA) offers a Social Service Care Product that consists of self-paced, uniquely designed courses for individuals and teams in social service, which once employed, will lead to personal and professional "lens" altering techniques that can bring about personal and professional successes. Course material has been divided into three stages, each with three accompanying steps and three action steps. This framework provides a roadmap of step-by-step how to instructions for each topic, with one-on-one feedback offered through session chat features, by Zoom, by phone or other meeting mechanism. Course content includes video's for each section of the course, accompanied by visual slides, included as workbooks mirroring video instruction, downloadable handouts, and bibliography/references with active links.

There are 45 hours 59 min and 39 seconds of Video Instruction.

There are 695 Workbook pages (+18 extra slides).

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.

Individual login-credentials, with password are included in the portal, with the ability to take notes and print them; Group Leaders/admins can be assigned; dedicated video hosting for seamless integration of material, without interference is included; scheduling for task completion is optional and can be arranged by assigned admins with dashboard viewing; Certificates are available at the completion of each stage, 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 30 days. 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 SSA 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.

Effective, Affordable, Social Service Training.

Gain Confidence. Build Skills. Make a Greater Impact.

Social Service Providers

Managers

Directors

Operations

Agency Staff Training Needs

Why Social Service Academy?

Over 37 Years of Groundbreaking Experience!