| The
Long Island Institute for Group Work with Children & Youth 
The
mission of the Long Island Institute for Group Work With Children and Youth is
to promote and enhance effective group work practice with children and youth through
advocacy, education and collegial support. The
Institute's aims are: -
Identify who is working with children and youth in groups and in which settings
- Identify
additional settings where group work with children and youth could be developed
- Provide
training and support to enhance group work with children and youth in a variety
of settings
- Advocate
for children and youth group work education in colleges and universities;
- Conduct
research on group work with children and youth
- Establish
a multimedia approach to the dissemination of information regarding group work
with children and youth
The
Group Work Institute also provides opportunities for collegial support and interaction.
Being able to discuss what works and what doesn't work is invaluable in group
work practice. Too often groups are designed to reflect policies aimed at adult
populations rather than to accommodate the needs of young people. It's no wonder
that many group workers feel on the verge of bailing out when what is needed for
them to hang in there. Roundtables
The Group Work Institute provides opportunities for collegial support and interaction
around issues of interest and importance. Being able to discuss what works and
what doesn't work is invaluable in group work practice. Roundtables composed of
25-30 colleagues have been structured to address issues such as spirituality and
social action in group work. Action
Research
An advocacy approach in which the subjects of a study
are participants in the investigation aimed at raising consciousness, stimulating
dialogue, and motivating change. Three studies completed by the LI Institute investigated:
the educational and supervision needs of group workers; executive directors' impressions
of job applicant readiness to perform group work services; homophobia in Long
Island high schools. Training
and Consultation
The Long Island Institute tailors training to
the needs of individuals and agencies. Ongoing group supervision, time-limited
workshops, lectures and consultation can be arranged. Subjects of training have
included broad practice areas including: successful planning in the development
of a group service; a model for problem solving in the group; and guidelines for
effective group work practice with children and youth. The Institute also offers
training in group work in the areas of: diversity; gay and lesbian youth; child
abuse; bereavement and trauma; changing families; street work; alcohol and other
drug abuse; children and health care issues. Online
Newsletter
Its purpose is to provide education, inspiration, and
support for group workers. Includes editorial comment, practice stories, historical
pieces highlighting group work tradition, book reviews, poetry, and specific practice
tips to demystify the work.
Publications
Long Island Institute members have published numerous articles in
professional journals on a range of issues including group work
with vulnerable populations. The Long Island Institute provides
a list of these publications.
Liaison
with Universities
The Long Island Institute is available to universities
for dialogue and consultation about the educational needs of group work practitioners. Agency
Liaison
The Long Island Institute is available for agency consultation
focusing on developing a sound group service.
LIGW
Steering Committee Members:
Jean L. Bacon
Jonathan Cooper
Joanne Ditchik-Stutz
Nicole Gonzalez
Toni Papetti
Andrew Malekoff, Chairman
Nellie Taylor-Walthrust
For further
information on LIGW contact: Andrew Malekoff, Long Island Institute
for Group Work with Children and Youth, North Shore Child and Family
Guidance Center, 480 Old Westbury Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577.
email: amalekoff@northshorechildguidance.org
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