Friday, May 06, 2005
Seventh Annual School Social Work Institute to be held June 21-24
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Debbie Scott, a licensed clinical social worker with the North Spencer County School Corporation in Lincoln, Indiana, has attended the School Social Work Institute for the past four years. “I find it a great opportunity to keep abreast of current issues in the field of social work,” she said. “I also appreciate networking with others in such a relaxed setting.” The Seventh Annual School Social Work Institute (SSWI) will be held June 21-24 in Nashville, Indiana. Sponsored by the University of Southern Indiana Department of Social Work, with the support of the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana School Social Work Association, the SSWI attracts school social workers from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa, and Missouri, and well as Master of Social Work students with a school social work specialization. It includes presentations by nationally known experts, USI faculty, and experienced practitioners, as well as fresh perspectives from advanced students. School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the social work profession. School social workers are employed by school systems or agencies that go into the schools full time. They supplement the work of the school psychologist and counselor and are a link between the school, home, and the community and are instrumental in furthering the purpose of the schools: To provide a setting for teaching, learning, and the attainment of competence and confidence. “I am able to earn most of my credits for my license during the summer and do not need to take time away from work,” Scott said. “I would definitely recommend the conference to anyone working with children, and not only those working with those in schools – some of the topics have been applicable to those in mental health settings also.” Jerry Moe, an internationally known author, lecturer, and trainer on issues for young children from addicted families, will lead two sessions of the SSWI: “Children from Addicted Families: Moving Beyond Risk toward Resilience” and “Anger Management and Violence Prevention: Tools and Strategies.” Moe is the national director of Children’s Programs at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, with satellite programs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. He has been developing programs and facilitating groups for children from addicted families since 1978 when he founded The Children’s Place program in Redwood City, California. His teaching skills and understanding of children of alcoholics were featured in the PBS documentary “Lost Childhood: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Family.” He has authored books including: Kids’ Power: Healing Games for Children of Alcoholics; Conducting Support Groups for Elementary Children; Discovery… Finding the Buried Treasure; Kids’ Power Too: Words to Grow By; and The Children’s Place… At the Heart of Recovery. Christian Moore will present his WhyTry Program curriculum, which was recently endorsed by the School Social Work Association of America. Moore is a licensed clinical social worker, and has an MSW from Brigham Young University. He has several years experience working with at risk youth, including work as a school counselor at an alternative high school, and as a youth outpatient therapist at a community mental health agency specializing in adolescents with conduct disorder and learning disabilities. Judge Melissa S. May will present “Tell it to the Judge: What Every School Social Worker Needs to Know About Court Appearances.” May is one of three judges representing the Indiana Court of Appeals Fourth District. She also is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Indiana Bar Foundation, and a Master Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation. She earned the Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University School of Law Indianapolis, where she is a member of the adjunct faculty. The SSWI is approved for 20 Continuing Education hours for Licensed Social Workers and 10 Certification Renewal Units for educators. Registration is $345 until Tuesday, May 31; $395 thereafter. Graduate credit also is available; call USI Extended Services at 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600 for more information. The Seventh Annual School Social Work Institute will be held at The Seasons Lodge and Conference Center in Nashville, Indiana. For lodging reservations, call 800/365-7327 by June 1. Rates are $79, plus tax, for one to four people. |
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