It’s Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week. Hephzibah has many child welfare worker heroes among us, and caseworker Brianna Lane is one of them. Her incredible journey from foster child to foster care caseworker inspires us all:
How long have you worked for Hephzibah, and how did you get started working in child welfare? This October will be my 5th year working for Hephzibah. Working with children was always my clear career path, but I never dreamed I would be working in foster care. Being a former youth-in-care who aged out, I don’t have an adoption or permanency success story to tell. I have 5 brothers and sisters, some of whom were also in care. I was very lucky to be placed with my twin brother for most of my childhood. We were placed with an amazing foster family right from the hospital until the age of six. Our foster parents eventually moved to a new state and did not adopt us, hoping that we would be returned home. That was not the eventual conclusion, however. Multiple foster homes followed for us, which left me with mixed emotions and feelings towards foster care. I did not have great relationships with my caseworkers and never believed I could work as one.
What changed your mind about working in foster care? Hephzibah immediately changed my mind. After becoming a caseworker, I realized that our agency offered support to families in ways that I didn’t know they could. The caseworkers are constantly supporting our kids and their families, whether the goal is to return home or permanency in other forms.
What do you feel makes Hephzibah stand out among other agencies?
Hephzibah supports the same values I saw in my first foster parents. They support bio families and work as a team with everyone involved. Working as a foster care caseworker has been difficult and devastating at times. I am very proud to be a part of this agency. I get to be the worker that I wish I had when I was in care! Also, Hephzibah has the backing and support of donors, and that makes a huge difference in the workplace.
What is your favorite part of your job? It’s the kids. When I get to interact with the kids – visit with them, the informal visits when I check in with them, the long car rides – just talking to them off record, it’s the best. They know I will listen and that’s precious time with them.