Culture and Community: Sharing Stories from the Collaborative TCOM is an approach based on storytelling. People seeking help share their experiences (i.e., tell their stories). Sometimes, parts of their stories are retold by multiple professionals based on their skills and focus. In order to effectively help, these stories must be combined into a single story, and then, common themes from these stories are identified to decide how exactly to help. We do not help based on how people are different but on common themes they share.   The storytelling aspects of helping do not stop… Read More

By: Shelly Paule, Policy Analyst County of San Diego Child Welfare Services (CWS) Hi, my name is Shelly Paule. As a policy analyst with the County of San Diego Child Welfare Services (CWS), I was the lead for managing the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) implementation. My role included drafting the policy, training roll out and completion, and coordinating with our Behavioral Health Services partners. As a trainer and an advocate for the positive impact CANS will have on the children and families we serve, I also have the privilege… Read More