Child Welfare Workforce Month, celebrated each September, honors the invaluable contributions of child welfare professionals, who dedicate themselves to advocating for the well-being of children and families. 2INgage would like to celebrate the dedicated social workers, case managers, administrators and support staff for their tireless commitment to their daily impact in their communities.
2INgage recognizes Heidi Stoll, a remarkable Permanency Director. Her unwavering dedication to child welfare stems from her love for family, inspiring her mission to create a brighter, kinder world for children and their families.
Path to Child Welfare:
Born and raised in southeast Michigan, Heidi pursued a degree in business management before an advisor steered her toward social work. Her personal experiences with her siblings – some in foster care and some who were separated through adoption – inspired her drive to help children and families.
“Knowing their journeys and environments impacted where they are now fuels my commitment to this field,” Heidi shares.
Empowering Leadership & Careers:
Heidi has dedicated more than 12 years to working in child welfare, beginning with state agencies in Michigan and Texas before joining 2INgage in 2020. Her roles have included investigations, working with residential treatment centers and specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Heidi’s leadership journey culminated in her promotion to director last May.
“The support from leadership and colleagues has been instrumental,” Heidi remarks. “Their encouragement helped me believe in myself and aspire to leadership roles.”
Impactful Stories:
One story that Heidi fondly recalls involves taking a history-loving youth on a quick 45-minute trip to the capital in Austin. This experience created a lasting memory for the child – one they still talk about years later. Moments like these highlight the importance of building positive and lasting connections with children.
“Small acts like that remind kids they’re cared for and valued,” she emphasizes.
“I treat every child as if they were my siblings—advocating for them, offering support and showing compassion.”
Motivation & Support:
Hailey credits her motivation to the support of her coworkers, leadership and the connections she forms with families. She stresses the importance of self-care and maintaining work-life balance, especially given the emotional demands of the job.
The Ultimate Goal:
Heidi affirms that family reunification is the ultimate goal of foster care. She appreciates the efforts of foster parents and emphasizes her team’s commitment to reunifying children with their families. This dedication involves close collaboration with social workers, therapists and legal professionals to address the unique needs of each child and family.
Advice for Tomorrow’s Child Welfare Heroes
Heidi notes, “This work isn’t for the faint of heart. You might get yelled at by a parent one day and then, the next, they’re calling to apologize. You have to be ready for all of it. But seeing kids reunite with their families—hugging their siblings and parents – makes it all worthwhile. Those moments may not be celebrated publicly but knowing we helped bring them to life makes it truly extraordinary.”
Dedicated child welfare workers like Heidi Stoll are vital in creating healthier, more hopeful futures for families and children. Their daily efforts have a lasting impact, opening doors to new opportunities and positive change. Thank you for your passion and for being the essential heroes behind every success story.
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