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Posts Tagged ‘
social worker ’
Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Warren K. Graham, MSW, LMSW, ACSW, CASAC
New York State Office of Court Administration
Project Director
NASW Delegate to the National Assembly
Reclaiming Futures Project Director Fellow
Westbury, New York
 Mr. Graham Q. Where did you earn your social work degree(s); where are you currently employed and what is your area of expertise?
I am a New York State Office of Court Administration Project Director overseeing the administration of both the Nassau County Family Treatment Court and the Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts. I received my MSW from Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service. I am a Licensed Master Social Worker, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), and School Social Worker with nine years experience in the field of addictions, criminal justice/juvenile justice, and child welfare proceedings.
I am active in the National Association of Social Workers, having been elected as a Delegate to the National Assembly in 2009, and becoming a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers in 2009 as well. In addition, I serve on theNASW- Nassau Division Steering Committee, Nassau County Probation Department’s Placement Review Committee, the Coalition Against Child Abuse and Neglect’s Child Protection/Substance Abuse Task Force. I am also one of many national Reclaiming Futures Initiative Project Director Fellows involved in creating system change for juvenile offenders.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
It was never a question whether I would wind up in a helping profession, understanding that social work is not just a profession but a calling. I've always been a steward helping to alleviate the ills of the human condition, having observed so many in my personal life and community at large.
Q. If you were able to make one lasting impact on the world, what would it be and what would be your strategy for achieving it?
If I could change one thing, I would ease the disparities between access to equitable resources for minorities and disadvantaged populations. We've created a system of haves and have-nots and we all suffer in the process consistently highlighting our differences and minimizing our similarities. We're not just the racial or ethnic groups we represent, we're people first. I would foster multi-racial/ethnic collaborative community service based events, establish panels on hospital boards representative of the populations served to ensure policies reflected the varied needs in any given geographic area. And lastly I would create more educational programs in academia, making courses like social justice core curriculum in college majors to help promote understanding of others and develop ways to combat prejudice and racism.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: Black History Month, social worker
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Black History Month Celebration |
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Introduction
To honor Black History Month we asked African American social workers to tell us why they chose the social work profession and to describe the unique challenges facing our African American community.
Felicia Parker-Rodgers, MSSA, LCSW, ACSW
BCD, RYT
North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention
Founder and CEO, The Urban Yoga Institute of Charlotte, NC
Charlotte, North Carolina
Q. Where did you earn your social work degree(s), where do you work, and what is your area of expertise?
My name is Felicia Parker-Rodgers. I earned my MSSA degree at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.
I hold a certification through the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work and I am a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD), the profession's premier advanced-generalist practice certification. It embodies the highest standards in the areas of clinical education, training, and experience. In addition, I have served on several child mental health committees, served as an instructor of Social Work graduate students, chaired teen health initiatives and served as the chair of maternal child heath/mental health boards. I am the chair of the NASW, NC Charlotte/Mecklenburg Local Program Unit and serve as a member of the NASW, NC Peer Review committee. I am also a registered Yoga teacher teaching stress reduction practices to at risk youth.
I work with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Clinical Department. My areas of expertise are child/adolescent mental health, depressive disorders, acculturation issues, cultural competency and using Mindfulness Practices to enhance social work interventions with youth.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I feel social work choose me. I grew up with family members who believed in the power of authenticity, empowerment, and education. I always knew it was important to interact effectively with people who have different cultural backgrounds. Many of the skills I learned were acquired well before earning a graduate degree. Communicating with skill, heart and authenticity is always helpful in this field because even though we all share a common language it can be easy to forget that at times communication can be a cross cultural exchange. I believe communication is always affected by the context in which it happens and by the personal experience of people communicating. I grew up in a family that taught understanding usually comes from the direct contact with others and from knowledge of specifics such as the history and culture of diverse groups, including values, stories, myths, music and art. I believe authenticity lends itself to giving your client the experience and gift of a product and service a consumer actually wants in today's market.
Q. If you were able to make one lasting impact on the world, what would it be and what would be your strategy for achieving it?
In the field of Juvenile Justice, I believe many African American youth with diagnosed mental health needs experience poor transition outcomes. For me a dual focus on youth and young adults with mental health needs and on career preparation, work-based experiences, employment, and related services is important. This includes interventions/practices that recognize youth with mental health needs are not the same as adults and, therefore, that their treatment should be youth oriented.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, Felicia Parker-Rodgers, social worker
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Black History Month Celebration |
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Introduction
To celebrate Black History Month, we asked African American social workers to talk to us about their career.
Victoria D. Coleman, EdD, LCSW, CAMF
President/CEO
The Coleman Group/The Anger Doctor
Indianapolis, IN and Chicago, IL
 - Dr. Coleman
Q. Dr. Coleman, where did you earn your social work degree, where are you employed and what is your area of expertise?
A former tenured professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, I am currently President/CEO of The Coleman Group and The Anger Doctor, comprehensive management consulting firms providing services and products in Anger Management, Mediation, Human Capital, Psychotherapy, Training, and Research. I travel throughout the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and South America conducting workshops, developing programs, and evaluating institutions for accreditation.
I provide consultation for educational institutions, business, industry, government, professional associations, and community organizations. With expertise in distance education and the virtual classroom, I am also proficient in ANGEL, Blackboard, eCollege, Moodle, WebCT, and Wimba platforms.
My research interests include anger management, domestic violence, career development, sports counseling, addictions, and diverse populations, with several national and international refereed publications in these areas.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
Social Work is an opportunity to assist individuals, families, groups, and institutions with the complex issues and concerns of the 21st century. I am able to conduct an in-depth needs assessment and evaluation, and custom design a program for various entities. Social Workers can facilitate the growth and development of individuals, families, and communities.
Q. If you were able to make one lasting impact on the world, what would it be and what would be your strategy for achieving it?
One of the challenges in the global economy is anger. Anger is a major problem in our technologically advanced society. Although an appropriate emotion, inappropriate responses to anger may lead to violence, destruction, and criminal activity. The ability to control one's response to anger requires skill and training. Understanding anger will help to facilitate conflict resolution and management in a complex world.
As a Social Worker, Certified Anger Management Facilitator (CAMF), and Mediator, I provide a variety of anger management programs for individuals, families, groups, education, business, industry, government, organizations, associations, and institutions. My strategy is to offer programs and interventions for court ordered and self-referred clients, designed to address their specific issues and concerns.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: African American social workers, Black History Month, social worker, Victoria Coleman
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Black History Month Celebration |
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Caitlin Ryan, PhD, ACSW
Director, Family Acceptance Projectâ„¢
Marian Wright Edelman Institute, San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California
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| Dr. Ryan |
Q. Dr. Ryan, where did you earn your social work degree? What is your area of expertise and where are you currently employed?
I received my MSW from Smith College School for Social Work. My undergraduate work focused on human sexuality and my doctorate is in public policy with a focus on health policy.
I have worked on health and mental health issues for lesbians and gay men and LGBT adolescents for the past 35 years. My work started in the lesbian and gay health movement before AIDS where I worked to develop early networks of lesbian and gay health providers across the country.
I initiated the National Lesbian Care Survey to define lesbian health needs in the late 1970s, developed community-based AIDS services at the beginning of the epidemic, and have worked to implement quality care for LGBT adolescents since the early 1990s.
In 2002, I started the Family Acceptance Projectâ„¢ (FAP), a research, intervention, education and policy initiative that promotes family support and healthy futures for LGBT children and adolescents. I am based at the Marian Wright Edelman Institute and am affiliated with the César E. Chávez Institute at San Francisco State University.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
Social work chose me. I found a home in social work for my passion for social justice, interest in working with systems and on multiple levels and commitment to positive social change. I had been trying to find a profession that would enable me to make a difference and that's what social work gave me.
Q. What are the greatest challenges facing the LGBT community today and how can social workers help?
One of the greatest challenges facing LGBT youth and adults has been longstanding – lack of accurate information about sexual orientation and gender identity – among providers, families and policymakers.
Many providers and so many families wrongly believe that heterosexual identity is innate and that homosexuality is only acquired later in life. But research shows that children – gay and straight – become aware of sexual attraction, on average, at about age 10. Until accurate education on sexuality and human development is included in schools and professional training, basic misconceptions about human development will continue to restrict the humanity, life chances and civil rights of LGBT people.
Social workers need to self-educate and learn research literacy skills so they can:
- accurately interpret and critique research and science;
- help clients, families, communities and policymakers understand basic human development;
- understand advances in our knowledge of sexuality and gender identity development and the connection between oppression, disease and well-being; and
- continue to incorporate this information into practice, education, advocacy and policy work.
Dr. Ryan's Community Professional Acknowledgments include;
- Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, American Psychological Association, Division 44
- Day Garrett Award, Smith College School for Social Work
- Researcher of the Year, Lesbian Health & Research Center, University of California, San Francisco
- NASW Social Worker of the Year
- Jane Addams-Howard Brown Lifetime Achievement Award, National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: bisexual, Caitlin Ryan, gay, Gay Pride Month, gay social worker, lesbian, LGBT social worker, social work, social worker, transgender
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About Social Workers, Gay Pride Month |
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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.
Donald Chavez y Gilbert, MSW, LISW
School Social Worker
Belen, New Mexico
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| Mr. Chavez y Gilbert |
Q. What is your area of expertise and where are you currently working?
My area of expertise over the past thirty-four years has simply depended on the particular focus of my work. Undergraduate social work focused on the women's movement and ERA. In graduate school I worked for migrant farm worker champion Cesar Chavez, followed by protective services to children and adults for Hispanic and Indian populations in northern New Mexico, interrupted by a stint on the faculty of the College of Santa Fe School of Social Work.
On my own time serving on various boards and commissions my main focus was during the era of the father's movement. I was the president of the National Congress for Men, Washington DC and founding president of Dads Against Discrimination (New Mexico) which moved the state legislature to make New Mexico the second state to establish a presumption of joint custody for children of divorce. Most recently my focal point has been school social work and behavior therapy to rural populations in central New Mexico.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I come from a long line of rescuers and have always experienced a compelling propensity to be a helper of people less fortunate than myself. They taught me all about the origins of social work in the Elizabethan Poor Laws of jolly old England while enrolled at the University Of Michigan School Of Social Work just as they taught my fellow social workers. However, having lived and studied a considerable amount of history since then, it is clear to me that the first social workers date back even further; back to my ancestors of the Knights of the middle Ages in Spain.
In the Middle Ages knighthood was a very high station in society, and required swearing an allegiance, and vows of ethics. By his vows, the knight was required to swear to advocate justice and the protection of women, the innocent, elderly and the weak. He was in modern day lingo, a "change agent." The noble knight was a protector of the common people guided by a code of conduct and etiquette; an interesting parallel to the modern day social worker. As part of the knighthood ceremony, the knight was required to adopt an identifying coat of arms insignia, in ranching culture later evolving into the "brand." He then rode to all villages in the kingdom, and publicly recited his vows of knighthood so that all would witness his devotion to the King and his people. This part of the ceremony was to enable all in the Kingdom to recognize the knight, and if the knight faltered in his duties, he endured public shame and dishonor. A knight's honor was a virtue for which many knights defended to the death.
It should be noted also that the first cowboys/vaqueros and the whole American Western Ranching culture also evolved from the valiant Knights of the Middle Ages, a second interesting parallel to the culture we work with here in rural New Mexico. As a contemporary social worker and sheep rancher myself, it is clear now that these penchants to do social good have had at least a thousand years to work into our DNA. I must say in closing, that my DNA misses the romantic old fashioned version of making things better.
Q. What are the challenges to serving our growing Hispanic population?
Helping people learn to help themselves. Aside from the obvious battles against common foes such as poverty, unemployment, abuse of the innocent and defenseless, my biggest challenge has been to help the community of Hispanics to organize a healthy collective self concept.
Restoring the pride and nobility of our culture, language and family traditions is a monumental task. This goes beyond serving individuals and families one at a time to educating whole communities. I have approached this task via a regular Op Ed column in our local news paper to tying Hispanic history, pride, and tradition in guest appearances on National Geographic.com, the History Channel, and National Public Radio.
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Tags: Donald Chavez, Donald Chavez y Gilbert, Hispanic, Hispanic heritage month, profile, social worker, social workers, spanish
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About Social Workers |
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Kyrsten Sinema, MSW, JD
Arizona House of Representatives (D-15)
Assistant Leader
House Democratic Caucus in Arizona
Member
President Obama’s Task Force on Healthcare
Washington, DC
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Ms. Sinema
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Q. Rep. Sinema, where did you earn your social work degree? What is your area of expertise and where are you employed?
I have a master of social work degree from Arizona State University, where I now serve as adjunct faculty. I am the Assistant Leader to the House Democratic Caucus in Arizona and I have been a state representative for five years.
I also teach at the Center for Progressive Leadership, a nonprofit organization that trains political leaders. In addition, I am a political consultant, focusing on ballot initiatives and referenda, electoral and legislative work, and coalition building. I am also an attorney and practice criminal defense, election law, and immigration law.
Q. Why did you choose social work for your profession?
I was born a social worker – I love to organize and teach and bring diverse groups of people together to work for social justice. A master of social work teaches you to do all of these things, and gives you the skills to work in diverse settings throughout your career.
Q. What are the greatest challenges facing the LGBT community and how can social workers help?
I think our greatest challenge is overcoming our community's victimhood mentality. For decades, we have seen ourselves as "other" – somehow different and separate from those around us. Oppressors and institutionalized forms of oppression have supported this mentality. However, a worldview of "otherness" prevents us from forming meaning coalitions with people who are different from us – in terms of orientation or identity – but who are similar to us as well. We share so much more in common with those around us – when we can learn to emphasize that shared experience instead of our "differentness", then I believe we can work with the community at large to achieve social justice and equality.
Ms. Sinema’s honors:
- Named one of the Arizona Technology Council’s “Tech Ten” Legislators of 2008.
- 21st Century Democrats – 21st Century Leader Award
- Border Action Network – 2008 Human Rights Champion Award
- Gold Key International Honour Society – ASU Chapter Induction
- 2007 BALLIE Award
- Arizona Hispanic Community Forum – “Friend of Hispanic Community Recognition Award”
- 2007 Planned Parenthood Advocates Choice Award
- YWCA – 2007 Emerging Leader Award
- Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence 2007 Legislator of the Year
- 2007 and 2008 Friends of Cities and Towns Award
- 2006 National Association of Social Workers (AZ Chapter) “Public Elected Official of the Year”
- 2006 Arizona Public Health Association “Policy Maker of the Year”
- Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter’s, 2006 “Most Valuable Player” Award
- Arizona League of Conservation Voters “Legislative Hero” Award in 2006
- 2006 Planned Parenthood “Legislative Choice” Award
- 2006 Reader’s Choice Award from ECHO Magazine for “Distinguished Service by a Woman”
- 2005 Leadership Award for Distinguished Service from the AZ Stonewall Democrats
- 2005 ECHO Magazine’s “Woman of the Year”
Ms. Sinema is the author of:
In July 2009 MSNBC News interviewed by Sinema. Please click here to see the interview.
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: bisexual, gay, gay social worker, Kyrsten Sinema, lesbian, LGBT social worker, social work, social worker, transgender
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About Social Workers, Gay Pride Month |
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
James J. Kelly, PhD, MSSW
President
Menlo College
Atherton, California
President
National Association of Social Workers
Washington, DC
 President Kelly Q. Where did you earn your social work degree? What is your area of expertise and where are you currently employed?
I received my MSSW from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and my doctorate in social work from Brandeis University. My specialty areas are gerontology, social policy, and higher education administration. I am the Executive Vice President and Provost of Menlo College, Atherton, California, and the President of the National Association of Social Workers.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
As a child, I had learning disabilities and was labeled slow. I knew that I had capabilities, but I didn't understand that the processing issues I had were standing in my way in communicating with others. Out of this feeling of being labeled as "different" grew my desire to help others by thinking creatively and using all of the available resources for changing perceptions, policies, and opportunities for the underserved.
Q. What are the greatest challenges facing the LGBT community today and how can social workers help?
I wish we could say that the world has evolved past gender discrimination, but my personal experience and that of those less fortunate than I speak otherwise. The LGBT community must continue to educate others assertively, but compassionately. It is not easy for people to accept what is unfamiliar, what they have always been taught is wrong, and what they fundamentally do not understand. We must continue to educate others about HIV-AIDS, which is still thought by many to be a gay-caused disease.
Social workers can lead by example in facilitating efforts to increase communication between disparate groups, and to be educators, community activists, and neighborhood and government leaders. Shifting opinion often results from one story at a time. A neighbor is LGBT, a friend is LGBT, a coworker is LGBT. Once we realize that people we happily interact with are LBGT, then the wall of prejudice starts to crumble.
Dr. Kelly’s memberships and honors include:
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To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: bisexual, gay, gay social worker, James Kelly, Jim Kelly, lesbian, LGBT social worker, social work, social worker, transgender
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About Social Workers, Gay Pride Month |
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
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Dr. Lebolt
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Q. Where did you earn your social work degree? What is your area of expertise and where are you employed?
I earned my MSW at Hunter College and my PhD in clinical social work at The Union Institute. I specialize in recovery from depression and addictive behaviors; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender concerns; cultural issues; life transitions (career, separation, loss); and spirituality. I am in solo private practice:
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I chose social work as a profession because I had a therapist as a young adult during a very difficult period. I felt as if he saved my life, and I wanted to help others the way he had helped me. He was a social worker, and I decided to return to school to become one myself.
Q. What are the greatest challenges in the LGBT community and how can social workers help?
The LGBT community is struggling to achieve basic civil rights on a national basis, including the rights to marry, receive protection under hate crimes laws, adopt and share custody of children, and serve in the military. Social workers can help by raising colleagues’ and communities’ consciousness about these issues, and by advocating change through government representatives.
###To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: bisexual, gay, gay social worker, Jonathan Lebolt, lesbian, LGBT social worker, social work, social worker, transgender
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About Social Workers, Gay Pride Month |
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Jane Kornbluth, MSW, LCSW
Psychotherapist and Psychoanalyst
www.JaneKornbluthLCSW.com
New York, New York
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Ms. Kornbluth
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Q. Ms. Kornbluth, where did you earn your social work degree?
I received my MSW from New York University.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I worked to pursue a social work degree following a career as an artist. My abundant and life-long curiosity and fascination with human behavior and respect for psychotherapy motivated me to expand and continue my education and personal growth.
Identity struggle, without access to or knowledge of resources and services is painful, alienating and finally a hindrance to growth and development. I want to be able to offer that which I felt was unavailable.
Following social work school, I further trained as a psychotherapist and psychoanalyst. I believe that practicing clinical treatment with a foundation that makes me ever-aware of the important influence of the social environment, has allowed me a more holistic perspective. Through my clinical work, I am better able to promote self-esteem and strengthen and develop skills for people to manage and navigate life.
Q. What are the greatest challenges in the LGBT community and how can social workers help?
The LGBTQ community has historically existed among the vanguard of social movements. It served the necessary function of blurring the personal and political. Retaining this lead may unfortunately keep the LGBTQ community a few steps ahead of supports, resources or services it may need.
I believe it is the function of far-seeing social leaders and workers to be constantly vigilant in their work to anticipate these needs, and be available without judgment or expectation.
###To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: bisexual, gay, gay social worker, Jane Kornbluth, lesbian, LGBT social worker, social work, social worker, transgender
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About Social Workers, Gay Pride Month |
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Introduction
To honor LGBT Pride Month we asked Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) social workers to tell us why they chose social work as their profession and to describe the unique challenges facing their community.
Josephine Tittsworth, LMSW, BSW, AA
Transgender Educator
and
University of Houston Graduate
College of Social Work PhD Student
Houston, Texas
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Ms. Tittsworth
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Q. Ms. Tittsworth, where did you earn your social work degree? What is your area of expertise and where are you employed?
I earned my undergrad social work degree at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and my masters of social work degree at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. I am a transgender educator. I am a regularly invited guest speaker at business, institutions, nonprofits, universities, and community groups to discuss transgender issues. I am a published researcher on transgender issues. I only do volunteer work within my profession. I am a lobbyist in Austin,TX and Washington, DC for transgender rights. I am an advocate to change nondiscrimination statements in institutions and universities.
Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?
I am retired from IBM after 30 years of service. I chose to enter the field of social work in order to follow my passion for helping transgenders. My entire focus is on issues related to transgenders which include employment, education, foster care, adoption, social accessibility, community action, and clinical work (individual and group).
Q. What are the greatest challenges in the LGBT community and how can social workers help?
The greatest challenge to the Transgender community is employment. Currently research suggests unemployment within the transgender community is somewhere around 25 percent to 65 percent depending on which research article you read. Unemployment is a method of suppressing an oppressed group so as to disallow them access to power. Social Workers in organizations, businesses, and nonprofits need to hire transgenders based on their qualifications and not their presentation. The work starts where we are now, we are the change.
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Ms. Tittsworth is a member of the following committees:
To find a social worker in your area, please click here.
Tags: bisexual, gay, gay social worker, J P Tittsworth, Josephine Paulette Tittsworth, lesbian, LGBT social worker, social work, social worker, transgender
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About Social Workers, Gay Pride Month |
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