Social Current

10/14/2026

When staff are afraid to ask questions or admit mistakes, teams stop learning. Building a learning culture is how we avoid recreating these stifling conditions. This might sound like a big change, but it can start small. In our most recent Knowledge and Insights Center spotlight, we break down habits and skills to help you build a learning culture within your team:

Social sector organizations operate in a state of constant change. Whether adapting to rapid technological shifts, managing turnover, or responding to evolving community needs, they must remain agile to fulfill […]

10/13/2026

Mark your calendars for Oct. 26-27, 2027, to join us in Minneapolis for !

SPARK 2027 brings together practice, innovation, and advocacy to help families and communities thrive.

Visit our website and share your email to receive future updates in your inbox.

10/12/2026

Nonprofits are told to collaborate more, but they’re also competing for the same limited funding and may be operating under different rules, funding streams, or accountability requirements.

That tension came up in both Maryland and St. Louis during Social Current’s Blueprint sessions. Participants said the real goal should be making collaboration easier, not just asking for it.

Read the full recap from Jody Levison-Johnson:

What gets in the way of better outcomes is not always a lack of good ideas. Sometimes, it’s the way the work itself is structured. That was one of the […]

10/09/2026

Our Knowledge and Insights Center has selected four books that explain how to strategically leverage AI tools. The recommendations cover practical uses of AI, responsible governance, humanitarian action, and leading teams through technological change. If your organization is in the Social Current network, you can log in to the Knowledge and Insights Center to access time-saving summaries of these titles.

Read the full book report:

10/08/2026

Your board can be one of your organization’s strongest advocacy assets. But meaningful involvement takes ongoing engagement and skill-building.

The webinar, “Encouraging Board Involvement to Strengthen Strategic Advocacy,” will give you practical strategies for engaging board members with different levels of advocacy experience and comfort.

Learn more and save your spot: https://ow.ly/Hzvu50ZVBQJ

10/07/2026

“We are shaped by the people, stories, traditions, and communities that surround us, and supporting someone’s well-being means seeing those relationships, culture, history, and sources of joy as part of the whole person.”

This , Social Current’s Arabella Pérez explores how language, storytelling, family traditions, and community can create connection and help people find resilience during difficult moments:

Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latino communities across the country. For me, it’s also a chance to think about what […]

10/06/2026

The Administration for Children and Families has updated federal guidance to allow states to use approved Title IV-E prevention funds to provide evidence-based services to expectant parents. This could expand access to mental health, substance use, and parenting support before challenges become a crisis.

Learn what this means and catch up on other policy developments in our recent federal update:

10/05/2026

Since 2014, more than 28,209 children have been voluntarily turned over to foster care by parents who say they cannot manage their children at home. The problem is the result of a lack of accessible mental health services for children with complex needs. The Imprint explains: https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/foster-care-for-mental-health-treatment-parents-surrender-thousands-of-kids-each-year-in-search-of-help/273355

The challenges facing children and families are systemic and complex. Part of our work is supporting the human and social service professionals working directly with families. Our experts emphasize shared goals and strategies that reflect how systems operate in the real world. Learn how our experts can help: https://www.social-current.org/training-and-consulting/family-and-community-systems

The Imprint did a first-ever survey of all 50 states, asking how often parents voluntarily turn their kids over to the child welfare system.

10/02/2026

Social Current recently partnered with Evident Change and Children's Trust Fund Alliance to host a national convening of The Quality Improvement Center on Helplines and Hotlines.

The event brought together people with lived experience, mandated reporters, CPS leaders, community helpline leaders, researchers, practitioners, and others for a sneak peek at the initiative's latest findings. Learn what's next for the Center: https://hubs.la/Q04ylBRP0

10/02/2026

AI should support strategy, not replace it. While AI can help with research and streamlining workflows, it can’t replace the professional judgment and trust-building required for donor relationships. The Nonprofit Quarterly explores further: https://ow.ly/gwNu50ZU35c

Want to learn more about best uses for AI in the social sector? Check out our post on risks & opportunities for AI: https://ow.ly/S3hn50ZU35f

Rochelle M. Jerry, CFRM, answers a reader’s question about how leaders should think about the role of AI in their processes.