Illinois School of Social Work Tech Series
October 11, 2024
From Spreadsheet Chaos to Data Magic: Power BI Revolution for Social Services!
January 24, 2025
12:00-1:30pm CST
1.5 CEs for LCSW/LSW And LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
Ready to break free from endless spreadsheets and clunky reports? Join this high-energy 90-minute virtual session where we’ll unlock the superpowers of Microsoft Power BI! Led by a tech-savvy process automation wizard who’s transformed countless spreadsheet nightmares into dazzling dashboards, this session will revolutionize how you think about data. Whether you’re a Power BI newbie or just curious about what all the buzz is about, you’ll discover how to turn your data into stunning visual stories that actually make sense (and might even make you excited about reporting)!
Skip the boring technical jargon – we’re diving into real-world examples that’ll show you exactly how to make Power BI work in your social service setting. By the end of this session, you’ll be ready to join the data visualization revolution and become your organization’s newest data hero!
Learning Objectives
After this power-packed session, you’ll be able to:
- Kiss Excel-only reporting goodbye! Understand how Power BI can transform your mountain of data into clear, automated visual stories that actually make sense
- Navigate the Power BI landscape like a pro – from picking the right license to connecting with your existing systems (without breaking the bank or your sanity)
- Recognize strategies for implementing Power BI as part of a broader organizational automation and efficiency initiative
Registration Options:
If you do NOT need CEUs for LCSW/LSW or LCPC/LPC, register via the link below:
If you DO need CEUs for LCSW/LSW or LCPC/LPC, register via the link below:
Meet Carly Contri, MEd, your guide to the data visualization revolution! As a Process Automation Specialist at the American Academy of Pediatrics, Carly is on a mission to prove that data doesn’t have to be dull. She’s the perfect blend of tech enthusiast and social service expert, known for transforming overwhelming spreadsheets into powerful, automated visual stories. With a decade of experience making technology work for real people in real organizations, Carly brings a refreshing, practical approach to Power BI implementation. Her presentations combine technical know-how with engaging real-world examples, ensuring you’ll leave with both inspiration and actionable steps to level up your data game!
Past Tech Series Events
Amazon Echos & Animatronic Pets: Tools to Decrease Social Isolation in Older Adults and Support for Caregivers
November 22, 2024
12:00-1:00pm CST
1.0 CEU for LCSW/LSW And LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
Join local expert Laura Gallagher Watkin as she shares CRIS Health Aging’s innovative use of technology to combat social isolation, enhance digital literacy, and improve physical safety for older adults and support their caregiver’s lives as well. Laura will introduce specific tools used in CRIS interventions, including Amazon Echos, animatronic pets, and motion detection sensors. This session will cover key topics such as the effectiveness of these tools, decision-making in their implementation, funding sources, research collaborations, ethical considerations, and client experiences. Earn CEUs while exploring how these technologies are shaping the future of social work with aging populations.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the Role of Technology in Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers
- Evaluate the Effectiveness and Ethical Implications of Technological Interventions
- Explore Collaborative Partnerships for Implementing Technology in Aging Care
After obtaining her law degree, Laura Gallagher Watkin focused her career on administrative advocacy for low-income families and persons with disabilities, assisting with Medicaid and Social Security applications and appeals. She moved Springfield and the Division of Rehabilitation Services to create the first Benefits Planning program in Illinois to assist persons with disabilities who received social security benefits, plan to return to work, and understand the provisions that could assist them with maintaining State and Federal benefits. She conducted training for sixteen states on how they could create programs similar to this as part of her role at a Chicago-based nonprofit called Health & Disability Advocates. When Illinois began welcoming home the largest deployment of military service members since World War II as part of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan she switched her focus to Veterans. She created a Veteran program that focused on the needs of the National Guard and Reservists who did not have the connection to traditional social and health services which was present for military families who live on a base. She created programs to assist with the mental health needs for these families including creating a training for civilian mental health providers around Military Sexual Trauma, a peer-based ‘Warrior to Warrior’ program which trained Veterans and attached them to Guard units as a resource, and assistance for military children. After moving to Champaign, she accepted a position at CRIS Healthy Aging to create innovative programs for family caregivers of older adults including people with dementia and programs to reduce social isolation.
Byte by Byte: Building a Stronger Community Through Tech Support
December 6, 2024
12:00-1:00pm CST
1.0 CEs for LCSW/LSW And LCPC/LPC
$10 for CEs, free for no CEs
As technology reshapes our world at an unprecedented pace, digital literacy isn’t just advantageous—it’s essential. Join us for a unique panel discussion featuring local providers whose missions range from providing personalized technical assistance to leading community-wide digital equity initiatives.
Discover the services they’re offering, explore the challenges they face amid rapid technological change, and discuss the strategies to break down barriers. This isn’t just another event; it’s an interactive experience that invites you to engage directly with the panel and one another.
Whether you’re a human service provider eager to better serve your clients, a student or a community member passionate about digital inclusion, this is your chance to be part of a timely conversation. Together, we’ll explore how to collectively elevate digital literacy for everyone, ensuring that our community is equipped with the skills for the digital age.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, collaborate, and champion a more digitally inclusive community.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the variety of technology support services offered by local organizations to support your clients
- Explore real-life examples and the tangible impacts of these services on individuals, families and the community
- Identify how these services improve digital literacy and inclusion in the community
Jared Dunn has worked at the intersection of community and technology for over two decades, first as a nonprofit technology consultant helping community organizations navigate data, IT, and emerging social media issues. Later he worked on community broadband adoption and digital literacy projects as a graduate assistant in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois, and on community engagement and technology support for the CU Community Fab Lab. In his current position he is building a community coalition for digital equity in Champaign County, and working to provide access to broadband internet, affordable computing devices, and digital literacy education throughout Champaign County.
As the Technology Librarian at the Champaign Public Library, Susan Winkler creates and teaches workshops on topics ranging from phone and tablet basics to online tools like Google Docs. She coordinates technology workshops taught at the library by other experts. She develops and oversees training for library staff and members of the public in the use of equipment in the library’s Studio maker area. She has held many roles in various libraries during her eighteen years in the profession and has a life-long passion to explore technology and provide instruction in its uses to others.
Joel Spencer is a native of Champaign, Illinois. Joel graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in history in 2008, and a master’s in library and information science in 2010. While in library school Joel focused on community engagement and teen services, and is now a Patron Services Librarian at The Urbana Free Library. Much of Joel’s work at the library centers around outreach and engagement, particularly through project-based technology instruction.