Half Way

Training for my job is a 15 weeks long, split into two courses.  I am happy to say that I am half way through this process and have completed the first course! In the first course we went over a lot of things that are necessary for a CPS caseworker to know.  We talked about abuse and neglect, child development, assessing safety and risk, and a bunch of policies, procedures and forms that I can't even begin to recall at this moment.  Heading into the second half my training will be more specific towards my job.  I will learn more about child and family plans and more policies and procedures that I'm going to try hard to remember.


The best part of the first half of training came during day two of our legal training day.  They had the Judge from the county I work come and speak to us.  I had been in this judge's courtroom before several times and he really scares me!  He is intense and he will call you out on your stuff.  I am so scared for the day that I have to take a case before him!! However, when he spoke to our class he was very personable and funny.  He talked about how his wife was a CPS caseworker when they met and got married.  And how he understands and knows how hard our job is and that we don't have time to work each case the way we want to.  He also said we will never hear a judge say that in a courtroom.  It was very reassuring to me though to have that acknowledgment from a man who scares me so much.  It made me feel like I can stand before him with more confidence.  His parting words to us before he left where a story.  This was the story he told:


The Starfish Story
adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977)

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It matters to that one."


I love this so much!  In the past 7 weeks I have often wondered about my job and what I have gotten myself into.  I have thought about how much work each case requires and how many cases I'll have and how I can possibly make a difference.  The judge also read a quote by Dr. Seuss that says, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

I really liked that and I found it very inspirational. My desire is that one year from now, and two years, and three years, etc. I will still care an awful lot and that I will still care about the one starfish.  
I should be getting my first few cases in the next few weeks and I'm very excited!