Understanding How Implicit Bias Affects Case Management [6 CEUs]

Understanding How Implicit Bias Affects Case Management [6 CEUs]

Trainer: Dr. Marya Wright, DSW, LCSW

Date: December 5, 2025

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Location: Virtual – Zoom

Agency: City College San Francisco

Description

By attending this course attendees will review how research has measured implicit beliefs. The course will describe how the Implicit Association Test (IAT) has been used as a tool to measure implicit biases. This course will review what is implicit bias and attendees will be able to evaluate how this may occur in their practice. The course will cover how we make decisions and the impact it has on our practice. Attendees will be able to describe the difference between Explicit and Implicit bias. The course will list 3 examples of explicit and implicit biases for attendees to review. This course will illustrate the impacts of implicit bias in the workplaces and encourage participant discussion on reducing the impact. Attendees will develop an awareness to implicit bias and the impact it has on the system-involved youth and families. The course will compare cultural values and backgrounds on how they impact biases. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

•Evaluate how decision-making impacts our practice when working with system involved youth and families. 

•Describe the difference between explicit and implicit bias.

•Illustrate the impacts of implicit bias.

•List 3 examples of explicit and implicit biases.

Transfer of Learning Goals

After the training, participants can:

•Implement strategies for a continuous practice of self-evaluation of personal bias, both conscious and unconscious to deliver high quality, culturally inclusive and humble services. 

•Participants will continue to practice skills for self-awareness of implicit bias and utilize tools learned in this course as reminders for integration into daily life.

•Engage in conversations with youth, families and peers regarding culture, behaviors and decisions to response positively, effectively and culturally appropriate.

Founder & Lead Trainer Bio

Marya Wright, DSW, LCSW (#128392), is a nationally distinguished Black social worker, consultant, published author, educator, and facilitator with extensive experience in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. As the Founder and CEO of Marya Wright Consulting LLC, Dr. Wright is dedicated to empowering system-involved families through awareness, services, and education. She also provides consultation, training, and facilitation to agencies serving these communities.

Dr. Wright earned her master’s in social work from Cal State East Bay, specializing in child welfare policy and research, and a bachelor’s in social work with a focus on Child Welfare Services and Motivational Interviewing from San Diego State University. She holds a doctorate in social work from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, focusing on achieving equal opportunity and justice in the child welfare system.

As a community leader, Dr. Wright prioritizes building relationships, networking, and collaborating with stakeholders to address social and economic issues faced by clients, aiming for justice and peace. She has served as a qualified expert witness and forensic social worker. Additionally, Dr. Wright sits on the Board of Directors for the National Phi Alpha Honor Society and is actively involved with the National Association of Social Workers and California Chapter.

Dr. Wright’s research interests include child sexual exploitation, foster care, and algorithmic decision-making in child welfare. She has published articles and lectured extensively on these topics. Dr. Wright’s teaching experience includes courses in sociology and social work at Cal State East Bay, since January 2020, focusing on sexualities, child welfare policy, family sociology, and sexual violence. Currently, she serves as a professor in the graduate program teaching generalist practice, human behavior and social environment, and advance practice children youth and families.