Partnership Connections

Join us as we chat with Desiree Soto, Program Director for Rhode Island Lottery's Problem Gambling Services Program. We explore intersections between gambling disorder and child welfare, from defining gambling addiction to discussing its neurological and emotional impacts. Learn about some of the latest trends in online betting, the role of mental health, and how child welfare professionals can better screen for and address gambling-related challenges. 

The following is a meditation provided by Dr. Mimi Mumm, Professor at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. Dr. Mumm is also a certified Yoga Instructor. She has been gracious enough to record several sessions, so please visit our show page for more episodes!

Alternate Nostril Breathing/Nadi Shodhana. (5 minutes). This breathing technique involves breathing through one nostril at a time. It is believe to clear the mind and bring calmness.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

We welcome back Jennifer Gaviria, RIC SSW Adjunct Faculty, School Social Worker and Co-Founder of the Latino Mental Health Network to discuss the importance of integrating one's cultural identity into the workplace. Listen as we explore how cultural values influence professional behavior, the challenges of navigating workplace norms, and the impact of imposter syndrome—especially for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. The conversation offers insights for supervisors and organizations on fostering welcoming environments in child welfare and beyond.

The following is a meditation provided by Dr. Mimi Mumm, Professor at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. Dr. Mumm is also a certified Yoga Instructor. She has been gracious enough to record several sessions, so please visit our show page for more episodes!

This gratitude meditation is a mindfulness practice that focuses on recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of your life. This practice can help shift attention away from stress or negativity and foster a sense of peace and contentment.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

Yoga Nidra/Yogic Sleep.

Yoga Nidra is a guided relaxation practice that has been shown to help promote restful sleep. You can use this audio recording at bedtime to support falling asleep, or during the day to experience a sense of restoration and deep relaxation. If you choose to use it mid-day, I recommend setting a timer or alarm, just in case you drift off to sleep.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

Loving Kindness Meditation: Loving-kindness meditation is used to cultivate  empathy, compassion, and understanding—toward oneself and others. It can increase a sense of connection to others and emotional well-being.

Please practice in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery! 

Thank you to Dr. Mumm for providing these for our podcast! 

The following is a meditation provided by Dr. Mimi Mumm, Professor at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College. Dr. Mumm is also a certified Yoga Instructor. She has been gracious enough to record several sessions, so stay tuned for more!

Please practice this meditation in a safe space and never while operating a vehicle or other machinery!

Description: Grounding Meditation/5-4-3-2-1. (5 minutes). This is a mindfulness exercise that helps bring your attention to the present moment, especially when feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected. It uses your five senses to gently ground you.

Join us as we chat with Ariana DeAngelis, Training Manager at The Autism Project, to explore the complexities of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its implications for child welfare professionals. Ariana shares her deep expertise and lived experiences working with autistic individuals across the lifespan, offering practical strategies for supporting children and families impacted by ASD. From debunking common myths to navigating meltdowns, trauma, and elopement, this conversation provides essential tools and compassionate insights for anyone working in child welfare. Whether you're a caseworker, foster parent, or simply seeking to better understand neurodiversity, this episode is a must-listen.

Join us as we speak with Tricia Driscoll and Stephanie Manzi. Tricia is the Executive Director of the Center for Mediation and Collaboration of Rhode Island and Stephanie is a professor of criminal justice at Roger Williams University teaching courses in policing and criminology. They provide insight into generational diversity impacting the workforce and how to better understand these differences for better relationships, communication, and an overall work environment, with a particular focus on the child welfare workforce and environment. 

Join us as we speak with Christopher Margadonna, Senior Director of Training and Program Development at MENTOR RI about the concepts of both Growth Mindset and Mentoring Mindset. Christopher will help us define what both of these terms mean, why they are important, and what we can actually do to apply these to not just our professional lives but also in our own personal lives as well.