New Alliance Aims to Strengthen the Social Service Workforce
The Global Social Service Workforce Alliance officially launched on June 6. The Alliance is comprised of a collaborative network of stakeholders who will help address key social service workforce issues.
A well-planned, well-trained, and well-supported social service workforce can effectively deliver services to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. However, a number of challenges confront this workforce and limit its ability to create protective environments for children and families who face poverty, discrimination, violence, and exploitation in their daily lives. 
In its mission, the Alliance recognizes the key challenges facing this workforce and aims to promote the knowledge and evidence, resources and tools, and political will and action needed to address them, especially within low- to middle-income countries.
The CapacityPlus partnership contributed to the development of this important group, provided support for the launch, and is part of the steering committee. CapacityPlus houses the Alliance’s secretariat as well as the Steering Committee Chair.
“The social service workforce is critical for creating protective environments for healthy development and well-being and tackling poverty; promoting social justice; ensuring protection from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect; and providing needed services to care for and support those who need it most,” commented Alliance steering committee member Ummuro Adano of Management Sciences for Health and the AIDSTAR II project.
This observation, along with many others provided from organizations and individuals committed to strengthening the social service workforce worldwide, set the stage for the launch of the Alliance during two webinars held on June 6 and 7.
During the launch webinar, Amy Bess, the Alliance coordinator, described how to get involved in the work of the Alliance and introduced participants to the new Global Social Service Workforce Alliance website, which will act as a platform for information-sharing and advocacy. Through the website, individuals or organizations can register to become an Alliance member. Members can contribute to knowledge on the social service workforce through the Alliance’s Resource Database and monthly e-updates, connect with others through the social service webinar series and interest groups, and join others in advocacy efforts.
For those looking to be a part of the global movement to strengthen this key workforce, the Alliance welcomes you to become a member.
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