Sheena Sanford, a Redding, CA native, is graduating from California State University, Chico, with her Bachelors in Social Work. As a single mother of a seven-year-old, the distributed learning (DL) program and Title IV-E program offered her an opportunity of a lifetime. She is continuing her education following graduation through the MSW program within Chico State School of Social Work. She plans to continue her employment with Shasta County Health and Human Services – Children's Branch, where she has worked since 2013, serving the families of her community.
Why do you want to be a social worker?
I have always worked in careers that involved helping others. I come from a long line of caregivers and public servants. Fresh out of high school I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked within the healthcare field for eight years. I loved it! But when I chose to return to college, I couldn't decide in which direction to go. Nursing seemed to be the most obvious next step. But when I took a Sociology course at Shasta College with Professor Heather Wiley, it changed my life. Learning about just how immense and multi-layered the human experience can be, I wanted to help those facing challenges. I have an incredibly supportive and involved family. And still, in early adulthood, I faced difficulties in my own life. I really couldn't imagine the impact that some of my choices could have made if I did not have the guidance, support, and coping skills instilled in me by my family. I wanted to be a lighthouse, a change agent to help break cycles, educate and motivate others to make changes needed to live a healthy life. I want to be the bridge between healthy strategies and practices and lost hope.
What motivated you to pursue a career in child welfare?
Families are the integral pieces of all communities. In my work with families, I learned their stories and witnessed the successes of overcoming barriers. I am hopeful that even the most minor of victories plant the seeds of change. I want to be part of that. I enjoy meeting families where they are, learning about their cultures and beliefs, and most of all, aiding them to support the longevity and health of their families.
How will the Title IV-E program prepare you for a career in social work?
The Title IV-E program has offered me the opportunity to return to school and still be able to support my family at the same time; I have a young son and a single mom. The daunting weight of the financial responsibility it would take to return to school and provide for my son while finishing school was something I was not sure I could undertake before learning about the Title IV-E program.
Working with CalSWEC has also introduced me to so many students from different backgrounds and communities. During the planning for the summit in the two years I participated, I learned about their communities' issues and practices around the barriers they faced. The Title-IVE program has allowed me to acquire the knowledge and the stability to be a well-rounded Social Worker and further developed my leadership skills.
How has Covid-19 affected your Title IV-E experience this past year?
The Covid-19 pandemic for me was a paradigm shift. Over the past year, we have had to adapt and execute tasks in ways we could never have imagined. Having attended the summit previously and been part of planning for the 2020 year, coming in this year as a Committee Chair I knew that things would be different. There were so many unknowns, but this group was prepared and eager to produce a Summit that would reflect issues of the time and provide an experience that would be memorable. I fully believe we were able to achieve that, and I am so proud of that work!
What are some of the challenges you faced in school this year, and what did you do to overcome them?
Managing the stress of life, work, and home life during Covid was challenging this year. There were so many unknowns! I have never in my life had so much anxiety around completing the most everyday chores, like taking my son to school or going to the grocery store. I had to ground myself and remember that all things will pass. I stayed grounded in my faith and stayed connected to family and friends. One of my professors, Sue Steiner, spoke to us about mindfulness, meditation, and journaling. Using these practices, I made a conscious effort weekly to refocus and stay motivated.
Can you describe your internship experience, in-person or hybrid, and what did you gain from it?
I participated in an in-person internship where I am currently employed. For us in Children's Services, we took new precautions and the work never stopped. I feel I was able to receive a well-rounded experience in the different units (Intake and Ongoing). Working alongside seasoned social workers was a fantastic experience and solidified this is where I am supposed to be. Seeing the agency from a different lens and practicing all the techniques I have been working on in my course was nerve-racking but gave me the confidence to learn my strengths and work on the areas I would need to improve.
With the ongoing pandemic affecting so many lives, do you have any concerns about finding work in the near future?
I am blessed to have been offered a position with the agency which I will begin shortly after graduation. With the pandemic still a large part of our lives I feel comfortable that my agency is working to protect its staff and families.
Congratulations on becoming the Title IV-E Summit All-Star Student! How was your experience at the Summit this year? What did you gain and learn by being a part of the Summit planning committee for the last two years?
I feel so honored! Each year I have met such talented and inspiring individuals, and this year was no different. I feel great that my work was appreciated, and I couldn’t have done it without my amazing Welcome Committee team (Alex, Anesha, Beth, Candace, Carolina, Desiree, Diana, Jennifer, Jovanna, Melissa, Terra, and Viri). Creating an entirely virtual summit was a team effort, and the other Committee Chairs and members' hard work and diligence made this happen. We were able to create something new, and working with such a brilliant team of people helped me trust myself and stay open-minded.
Any advice for the incoming Title IV-E participants?
Don't be nervous! Trust yourself and be open to learning and seeing the world and our profession in a new way. You can do this, and you will be a stronger and more educated leader by doing so.
