Supporting the Child Welfare Workforce when People Have to Work from Home

Posted on March 31, 2020

Transitioning a face-to-face, people-focused workforce into one that leverages virtual meetings and visits is no small feat, especially in a crisis. Many child welfare agencies are considering how best to incorporate technology solutions into everyday workforce activities. The QIC-WD is focused on strengthening the child welfare workforce by reviewing and translating the evidence about what works for agency leaders. Although there is not a lot of research on the most effective strategies to manage a remote child welfare workforce, Harvard Business Review recently released an article that summarizes the available evidence and provides concrete tips for managers with employees who are working from home. In addition, the Children’s Bureau recently compiled a list of low- to no-cost technology options (below) that may be helpful to child welfare agency directors as they explore options to manage a more remote workforce. The demands on the child welfare workforce are great and the QIC-WD aims to bring reliable information to agency directors and human resources professionals during this crisis.

Low- or No-Cost Technology Options for Virtual Participation and Contact
Source: The Children’s Bureau, March 27, 2020

Facetime - Video Calling

  • Get it on: Apple Products from the Apple App Store
  • Cost: Free
  • This is a video calling app that can only be downloaded from the Apple App store for video calling other Apple products

Snapchat - Video Calling, Text Messaging, Video Messaging

  • Get it on: Android and Apple mobile devices.
  • Cost: Free
  • This is a video messaging app that allows all messages and conversations to not be saved.

Whatsapp - Video Calling, Text Messaging

  • Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
  • Cost: Free
  • Whatsapp is an internationally used messaging app that is widely popular globally.

Skype - Video Calling, Text Messaging

  • Get it on: Computers, web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
  • Cost: Free
  • Skype is a widely known video calling platform that uses Microsoft's AI technology for features such as live translations.

Hangouts - Text Messaging, Video Calling

  • Get it on: Web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
  • Cost: Free
  • Google Hangouts is a robust communication platform on the web.

Duo - Video Calling

  • Get it on: Android and Apple mobile devices
  • Cost: Free
  • This is the Google analog to Apple Facetime. But can be used on Android phones and iphones.

Signal / Telegram - Encrypted Text Messaging

  • Get it on: Android and Apple mobile devices
  • Cost: Free
  • Both Signal and Telegram are messaging applications that use end to end encryption.

Facebook Messenger - Video Calling, Text Messaging

  • Get it on: Computers, web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
  • Cost: Free
  • This is a communication service tied to Facebook's social network.

Microsoft Teams - Video Calling, Text Messaging, Community Management, Productivity

  • Get it on: Computers, web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
  • Cost: Free
  • Teams is Microsoft's chat productivity application. It allows for collaborating and staying in contact with multiple people within the team.

Discord - Video Calling, Text Messaging, Community Management

  • Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
  • Cost: Free
  • Discord is a robust community management tool. Create servers or rooms for different interests or teams to communicate and keep in touch.

FreeConference / FreeConferenceCall / FreeConferenceCalling - Conference Calling Service that is Free

  • Get it on: Create the account online using an email address and use the service with a phone.
  • Cost: Free
  • Each of the listed above are not typos. Each is an individual company that provides conference calling for free.

Google Voice - Cloud Based Phone Number

  • Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
  • Cost: Free if used to make calls within the United States. Calls to other countries have a cost per minute.
  • Google Voice is a cost-effective way to have a phone number and make phone calls so long as you have access to the internet.

GotoMeeting

  • Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
  • Cost: Free for two weeks.
  • Video conference calling for many people

Marco Polo

  • Get it on: iphone and ipad
  • Cost: free
  • "video walkie talkie," a video chat app that lets you send quick messages back and forth.

In response to COVID-19 developments, some internet providers are offering free services to low-income families and households with students.

Free Comcast Xfinity internet

Comcast Xfinity is currently offering its Internet Essentials program free for two months to new customers. The internet provider is also automatically increasing speeds for all Internet Essentials customers.
Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are also open and free to use by anyone.

Free internet for students from Charter Spectrum

Households with students K–12 or university students can sign up for a new Charter Spectrum internet account to get the first two months of internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps for free. Installation fees will be waived for those who qualify for the offer. Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll.

Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots are also currently open and free to use.


Free internet for students from Altice

Altice internet providers Suddenlink and Optimum are offering 60 days of free internet service for households with K–12 or college students. Internet speeds are up to 30 Mbps if you do not already have access to a home internet plan. To sign up, call 1-866-200-9522 if you live in an area with Optimum internet service, or call 1-888-633-0030 if you live in an area with Suddenlink internet service.

Free low-income internet from Cox

Until May 12, 2020, Cox is offering the first month of its low-income internet program, Connect2Compete, for free. The internet service is also providing free phone and remote desktop support for technical support during that time.
For more information, go to: www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/are-there-government-programs-to-help-me-get-internet-service

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