 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Posts Tagged ‘
Hispanic social workers ’
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Doris N. Ayala, PhD, MJ, LCSW, CH
Private Practitioner
Clinical Dimensions
Oak Park, Illinois
 Dr. Ayala Q. Dr. Ayala, where did you receive your education, what are your areas of specialization, and where are you employed?
In 1979, I graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. In 1986, I graduated from the University of Chicago, School of Social Work Administration and obtained my Master's Degree. I pursued my doctoral education in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago in the year 2001. While completing my doctorate I entered the School of Law at Loyola University Chicago where I received my Masters in Jurisprudence in Child and Family Law in 2005. I completed my doctoral studies at Loyola University Chicago and received my PhD in Social Work in 2008.
I continued my education as a professional and have acquired training in mediation, Reike and hypnosis. These additional professional achievements have added tremendously to my personal and professional growth, knowledge, skills and proficiency as a clinical social worker. I use these as adjuncts in my private practice working with families, individuals and couples.
I currently work as a private practitioner (Clinical Dimensions in Oak Park, Illinois), supervisor and consultant in the Chicago and the greater metropolitan area.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your career?
Given the life constraints at that time, I realized that I could not pursue a career in medicine. I sought social work as a career because it offered great opportunities: flexibility to go to school while raising four children and learning how to best help people make positive changes to improve their lives in ways that were fulfilling and meaningful when situations and experiences became challenging and painful to cope with. While social justice and working with youth were a preferred areas of interest, I found that working with families and individuals with mental health issues provided me with the ability to learn more about brain structure and function while helping them, through psychotherapy, to improve psychosocial functioning.
Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?
Despite the numerous challenges I have faced, overcoming adversity in my life and my pursuit of academic fulfillment, my proudest professional achievements were obtaining a law degree and the PhD.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Doris N. Ayala, Hispanic social workers
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Christine M. Valentin, MSW, LCSW
Caregiving Specialist
Glendale, New York
 Ms. Valentin Q. Ms. Valentin, where did you earn your social work degree, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I earned my social work degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work in New York City where I focused my studies on Gerontology. Since graduating, I have expanded my focus to include working with family caregivers. I work full time at a non-profit organization and have a part-time private practice where I assist family caregivers who are concerned about an older adult in their life. I help family caregivers alleviate feelings of anxiety and hopelessness so they can better manage their situation through the provision of information, education, advocacy and counseling.
Q. Why did you choose social work for your profession?
I chose to become a social worker because I am an avid believer in helping other people. Since a young age, I knew I wanted to make a positive impact on other people's lives and the field of social work offered me the opportunity to do so on a variety of levels.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
My proudest professional achievement occurred when I assisted a client, Mrs. S, in fulfilling her aunt’s wish to live in her home versus moving into a nursing home. During our initial session, Mrs. S expressed an urgent need to place her aunt into a nursing home and requested a list of local facilities. Not knowing much of her situation, I complied with her request and gave her a list of nursing homes. As I was doing so, I decided to go a step further and inquire about the circumstances surrounding her decision.
Mrs. S revealed she was only considering a nursing home because she was told it was her only option as her aunt’s current home care agency no longer wanted to provide services due to her aunt’s “behavioral problems”. After extensive conversations with the home care agency, family members and other health care professionals, the home care agency reversed their decision and agreed to continue to provide services. This resulted in not only fulfilling Mrs. S’ wish to care for her aunt at home but in also giving the family a renewed sense of strength and hope.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Christine Valentine, Hispanic social workers
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Joe Vanny Perez, MSW, LMSW
Center for Special Studies – Chelsea
New York-Presbyterian Hospital
New York, New York
 Mr. Perez Q. Mr. Perez, where did you earn your social work degree?
I received my MSW at New York University. As an undergrad, I majored in sociology and graduated from Hunter College of the City University of New York.
Q. What is your area of expertise and where are you employed?
I am a medical social worker for the Center for Special Studies/New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Our clinic provides medical care to patients with HIV/AIDS.
Working with patients with HIV/AIDS has allowed me to focus on a population that has often times been neglected by our society. Social stigmas, homophobia, and lack of education/information have caused many people with HIV/AIDS to feel like outcasts.
As an HIV/AIDS medical social worker, I help patients navigate the complicated levels of public assistance requirements, teach them safer sex practices, self-care, promote medication adherence, and ultimately, regain control of their lives through self-reflection and advocacy. I have also had the honor of being able to share in our patients' achievements and challenges (losses).
About a year ago, I began an art therapy group with some of our HIV/AIDS patients to promote kinship and healing. What I discovered was that patients found a way to communicate using art as a medium to describe their anger, fear, confusion, isolation, and hope.
Through the art group, patients have formed bonds with their peers, have been able to express their experiences with HIV/AIDS through art, and have begun the journey of healing years of loneliness and isolation. To date, I have witnessed patients involved with the art group find a safe space that has allowed them to understand their personal journeys and document their experiences in a way that is not only colorful, but makes powerful statements in understanding HIV/AIDS.
Q Why did you choose social work as your profession?
After I graduated high school, I joined the United States Army in lieu of going to college. Even though I am a pacifist and do not believe in war, during my last year in high school I was experiencing confusion in terms of my sexuality and thought that joining the army would make me "straight."
I joined the army on a short contract of three years active duty and five years of inactive (reserve) duty. I figured that in three years nothing "could go wrong."
Needless to say, after I completed my initial training, I was sent to Iraq to support Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991. It was there that I witnessed the cold brutality of war. I saw many mutilated dead bodies, lost homes and businesses, and hundreds of displaced civilians who were living in fear during the war.
It was then, that I realized my calling in life was to help people, not hurt them. After witnessing the ravages of war firsthand, I knew that I needed to find a profession that would allow me to help people overcome their personal challenges and misfortunes and not cause them additional harm.
Q. What is your proudest professional achievement?
 Mr. Perez I think that my proudest professional achievement would be that I am the first child out of two boys and two girls to finish college, go on to graduate school, obtain my Masters Degree in Social Work, and now am planning on pursuing a PhD in Social Work.
A secondary professional achievement would have to be establishing art therapy groups at my medical clinic which ran for one year and a half that provided our patients with a therapeutic and creative outlet aside from “talk therapy” that allowed them to explore their souls in a safe and beautiful way.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic social workers, Joe Vanny Perez
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Sandra San Miguel, MSW
Retired Lead School Social Worker
Seminole County Public Schools
Winter Springs, Florida
 Ms. San Miguel Q. Ms. San Miguel, where did you receive your education, what is your area of specialization, and where have you been employed?
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Joseph's College, Brooklyn, New York in 1966. I earned a Master’s of Science Degree in Social Work from Columbia University, New York in 1970. In addition, I have a permanent social work license (Puerto Rico) and am a nationally credentialed school social work specialist.
I retired this past June after 25 years as a school social worker and Lead School Social Worker with Seminole County Public Schools, Florida. In my lead roles, I was instrumental in initiating partnerships and referral procedures with many local governmental agencies, community based groups and private entities that assist families in need and help troubled children.
I have been described as a calm but passionate advocate for school social work and a visionary social work leader who has led my school social work "family" to work as an interactive team and to be creative in our delivery of professional services. I have made countless presentations or workshops about school social work and have actively volunteered my time and expertise to numerous civic activities.
During my career, I have been selected as a member and chaired numerous local, state and national executive boards and advisory committees that have improved the overall and educational needs of children and families as well as improve the delivery of school social work services.
In my Central Florida local area, I have served as member and chair of my county's mental health center board. I addition I have been a member of the University of Central Florida's (UC F) School of Social Work Community Advisory Committee, a founding member and chair of the UCF President's Minority Advisory Committee and many other local civic groups.
At the state level, I served as a member of the Governor's Equal Educational Access and Opportunity Committee charged with overseeing the implementation of the state universities' policies and programs in the critical areas of diversity minority enrollment and retention.
I was elected State President of the Florida Association of School Social Workers and still serve on its board as its longtime legislative chair. As such, I worked with the Florida Department of Education to develop and help marshal the Association's successful upgrade of the state's teacher certification requirements of school social workers that still defines professional educational criteria for hiring. I have often been called upon by the Florida Student Services Project to provide input to important technical assistance papers drafts and participate in collaborative efforts to improve student services throughout the state.
On another work related matter, I also contributed language to the legislative overhaul of the state's compulsory education statutes during the mid 1990's. I also participated as an active member of the state team that initially established the rules for Medicaid reimbursements to Florida’s school districts.
Nationally, I have served as a member of the NASW national credential committee and elected as the southern region representative to the Columbia University School of Social Work Alumni Board.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
As a young child living in public housing in New York City, I witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly but my wonderful, dressmaker mother provided a warm, nurturing home. She expected my sister and I to succeed in school, be independent women, yet be considerate, kind and helpful to others, especially those who were troubled or even less fortunate than us. She provided in word and deed the model for me to enter social work and become the lifelong professional that I am. There has never been nor will there ever be a minute in my life that I regret following that path!
Q. What are your proudest accomplishments?
My dedicated work in my chosen professional field has led to numerous awards and recognition. During my local school social work career, I was elected to represent the professional support specialist staff as its Teacher of the Year 2000 candidate and was subsequently selected as a semi-finalist for district honors. The Florida Association of School Social Workers selected me as their Administrator of the Year (1999) and later awarded her with their prestigious Presidents Award (2007) in recognition of my tireless work and invaluable contributions to school social work in Florida.
On a more personal and of ethnic significance for me, the area's Puerto Rican community has recognized me with several top community awards for my overall contributions in the social work field and betterment of society.
I have been married to my very supportive husband Manuel for 42 years. We are longtime residents of Seminole County, Florida and plan to continue contributing to our community for years to come.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic social workers, Sandra San Miguel
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
We asked several outstanding Hispanic social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and what they see as challenges to serving the Hispanic community today.
R. Patricia Abatayo, MSW, LCSW-R
Ulster County Mental Health
Kingston, New York
Q. What is your area of expertise and where are you working?
My area of expertise is Mental Health. I work at The Ulster County Mental Health Center in Kingston, NY. There is a growing Spanish speaking population in the county but there were not many referrals. Through educational work in the community we have been able to get more a more people interested in mental health treatment. The need for treatment exist and there are many issues such as domestic violence, post traumatic stress disorders, depression, adjustment disorders and anxiety– to mention just a few–that remain untreated for lack of understanding of mental health.
Q. Why did you choose the social work profession?
I became a Social Worker after a long journey. Lived in many places and travel extensively. Became quite aware of the adaptation /acculturation challenges that foreigners encounter in other countries. It was a personal search and a willingness to connect and help others to thrive and achieve their greatest potential that inspired me the most. One degree let to another and personal experiences have led my way to where I actually practice Social Work. My AA, BA degrees in Human Services/Child Development with a minor in Psychology were obtained in Los Angeles City College and California State University Northridge. I had great and inspiring teachers there. I obtained my MSW at New York University, NY. NYU had an outstanding faculty that truly inspired me. I mentioned that I travel extensively, it was important to me to get fulfillment from a career and not be bored…well Social Work has never been boring and at times I’ve had more “excitement” that I bargain for… but that have been fine, I love my profession..
Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic social workers, R. Patricia Abatayo
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Denise Rosario, MSW
Executive Director
Coalition for Hispanic Family Services
Brooklyn, New York
 Ms. Rosario Q. Ms. Rosario, where did you receive your education, what are your areas of specialization, and where are you employed?
I attended the undergraduate and graduate programs in social work at New York University and focused on clinical services to Latino children and families. I have proudly served as the founding executive director of the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services in Brooklyn, New York for the past twenty one years.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your career?
The women in my family always took to helping themselves and helping others and they always stressed the importance of getting a college education- an opportunity that they did not have. In addition, as a teen I had the good fortune of working with a community organizer in East Harlem, New York City, who was working to improve day care services to children in her neighborhood. She was such an inspiration and I so enjoyed working with the children and families that I decided then, to pursue a career in social work.
Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?
I am proud to have participated in the development of the monograph, “Toward a Culturally Competent System of Care for Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Children and Their Families”, a groundbreaking document in the field, that continues to be referenced to this day. I am also proud to be the founding executive director of the Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, a multi service community based organization in Brooklyn, NY. We just celebrated 21 years of service to the Latino community and are the only Latino foster care agency in the City of New York.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Denise Rosario, Hispanic social workers
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Andres Hoyos, MS, LCSW
Wellness Director
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender
Community Center (The Center)
Advisor and Adjunct Professor
New York University School of Social Work
New York, New York
 Mr. Hoyos Q. Mr. Hoyos, where did you receive your education, what are your areas of specialization, and where are you employed?
I received my education at New York University. My areas of specialization are immigration issues with an emphasis in asylum cases on persecution due to sexual orientation and gender identity, PTSD, Hispanic monolingual speakers, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and substance abuse.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your career?
My first Master’s Degree was in clinical psychology. After many years working as a mental health provider with oppressed and disenfranchised communities like the immigrants, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, from a psychological framework, I realized that I would be only able to alleviate the symptom in a persons life and I wanted to impact the systems that caused those cycles of oppression. I wanted to do more advocacy, public policy and community organizing with these communities and social work was the perfect field where I could integrate all my interests and expertise in service of social justice.
Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?
As a Latino gay immigrant from Colombia, I am very proud of the work I have done at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) in New York City. As program coordinator, I established “Support Services for LGBT Immigrants” a program that now has over 300 participants from over 52 countries and has supported over 350 LGBT immigrants get granted asylum based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
In 2007 I was the founding director of "Center Recovery", the first and only OASAS license intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program serving the LGBT communities in New York State. After setting up this valuable program for the community, I was promoted as Director of Center Wellness.
In 2009, I was selected along with other 19 people of Color as new leaders in the LGBT movement nationwide to be part of in the inaugural cohort of the "21 Century Fellows Program" sponsored by Arcus foundation, Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fun and the Gill Foundation.
This year I was invited to join the School of Social Work at New York University as faculty advisor and adjunct professor, work that I deeply enjoy since it has allow me to mentor new professionals.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Andres Hoyos, Hispanic social workers
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Yazmira T. Nieto, MSW, LCSW
Nieto Counseling & Psychotherapy
Rochelle Park, New Jersey
 Ms. Yazmira T. Nieto Q. Ms. Nieto, where did you receive your education, what are your areas of specialization, and where are you employed?
I am the founder and primary therapist of my private practice, Nieto Counseling & Psychotherapy, in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. I graduated from the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service with a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW). I also hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rutgers University. My experience includes working with ethnic and cultural differences with specializations in crisis intervention, post-traumatic stress, domestic violence, sexual abuse, substance use and abuse assessments, and bereavement.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of New Jersey, a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and recognized as a Qualified Provider of Clinical Social Work Services. Additionally, I hold the Diplomate Clinical Social Work (DCSW) credential, which is a high distinction bestowed on clinical social workers and providers of advanced clinical social work.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your career?
My mother has always been my inspiration for helping others in need. She was a nurse and loved to care for people. She encouraged me to pursue psychology as a major and that was the right decision for me. I enjoy helping people with counseling and psychotherapy in English and Spanish.
Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?
In 1988, I completed my Master’s thesis on "Machismo" and domestic violence in the Hispanic community. Since then, I have enjoyed helping and working with the Hispanic population more than 15 years in the mental health profession.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic social workers, Yazmira Nieto
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Mary Jean Garcia, MSW
Dr. Carmine J. Pecararo, PsyD and Associates
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
 Ms. Garcia Q. Ms. Garcia, where did you receive your education, what is your area of specialization, and where are you employed?
I was born, raised and educated in Puerto Rico. I first came to the United States in 1970 and attended Barry University in Miami where I received my Bachelor's Degree in Science with a concentration in Social Work. After working in the public school system in my hometown of Fajardo, Puerto Rico for one year, I relocated to New York City. I pursued graduate studies and received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University in 1977.
The Florida sun and warmth were a loud call and strong magnet and in late 2003 my life partner and I and our dog relocated to the Sunshine State. In South Florida, I was a Programs Coordinator for the MS Society – South Florida Chapter. Most recently, I was a Systems Facilitator with Children's Home Society in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In that capacity, I intervened with complex foster care cases. I helped biological parents navigate the dependency care system and facilitating their reunification with their children. Prior to coming to Florida, I practiced in New York City for 26 years holding clinical, supervisory and managerial positions. Most of my professional experience has been in the area of community mental health.
I am a committed mental health professional and proud social worker and I approach my work with my heart. I am happy to be part of the family of Dr. Carmine J. Pecoraro, PsyD, and Associates since 2006. At this private practice group, I continue to use my cultural competency expertise working with the Latino community and have expanded my scope of practice to the GLBT community, the HIV+ community, substance abuse services and mental health issues as anxiety and affective disorders. In addition, I am and Adjunct Faculty member at the Barry University School of Social Work and at the Springfield College School of Human Services.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your professsion and what are your proudest achievements?
I wanted to be a social worker since I was in third grade in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. I had a crush on the school social worker and also thought how cool it must be to help people with their problems. My proudest professional achievements happen every time I am able to facilitate an enhanced state of mind/life for someone, i.e. facilitating a hospitalization for a client who had been suffering with auditory hallucinations for weeks. I have also enjoyed thoroughly facilitating the development of new social work professionals. I love the profession, its values and principles; I am proud to be part of it.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic social workers, Mary Jean Garcia
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
Introduction
To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked Latino social workers to talk about their career and proudest achievements.
Jacqueline Durham, MSW, LSW
Supervising Habilitation Counselor
University of Medicine and Dentistry
of New Jersey
University Behavioral HealthCare Partial Hospital Program
Piscataway, New Jersey
 Ms. Durham Q. Ms. Durham, where did you receive your education, what are your areas of specialization, and where are you employed?
I have my MSW for Rutgers School of Social Work in New Brunswick, NJ. I have been working in Mental Health for the past 22.5 years at UMDNJ-University Behavioral HealthCare Partial Hospital Program for adults. My title is Supervising Habilitation Counselor.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
Social work came naturally to me. As a child, I was the translator for my mother, for people standing in line at the bank, hospital, stores etc. I found I was drawn to helping people. I collected my spare change to help feed the homeless coffee and a donut in my town. I had an uncle who suffered with developmental disabilities and I learned early in life how to communicate with him without stressing him out. I developed the ability to give him feedback and helped him make changes that improved his relationship with my grandmother. All of this and I was not out of elementary school! I found my advocacy stklls and the desire for social change flowed strongly through my blood.
As the middle child of a political refugee single mother I was taught to fight for what I believed in. I began participating in rallies and protest very early on. Advocating for the less fortunate and for political change was second nature to me. My mother's suicide taught me not to take life for granted. My MSW has given me the necessary background and licensing to go beyond my life experiences and focus on helping people understand what possibilities are out there for them. I can educate the public on the silent killers and also teach them the skills to overcome their obstacles. Obtaining my Master’s Degree in Social Work was the way to connect profession to my life experiences, my values, my beliefs, my upbringing and my passion.
Q. What are your proudest professional achievements?
My proudest achievements include:
- Being a mother. I have two wonderful children. Wyatt, age 25, is my Cornell Graduate. Amanda, who is 16, is my very talented and intelligent softball player who is presently being scouted by a number of Division I schools.
- Being the first in my family to achieve an MSW. Education has always very important to me.
- Being a change agent, in high school-active in rallies and protests for Human Rights, in Livingston College as the Secretary of the congress and then being in the Senate for three years during my undergraduate studies.
- Being an advocate for people, especially for the people diagnosed with Mental Illness, helping to make their voices heard and increasing awareness of their needs, struggles and the limited services available.
- Being the founder of a prom dress giveaway originally called Dream Dresses. This project has been in existence for three years and it has provided hundreds of teens with Prom Dresses throughout NJ and West Philadelphia, PA.
- Being an active member of NASW-NJ as a member, Unit Chair and most recently elected as the Secretary.
- Being the Team leader for the UMDNJ-UBHC Recovery Project grant from FEMA
- Being a survivor.
To find a spanish-speaking social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic social workers, Jacqueline Durham
Posted in
2011 Hispanic Heritage Month |
No Comments »
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
| | |
