Advocate - SWK Newsletter

The Advocate  Vol. XIII, No.1 Spring, 2008

Social Work Club Activities

Officers:

President: Jimmy Smith   

Vice President: Sara Rosenbaum

Secretary/Treasurer: Sarah Warren

Student Government Association Representative: Alicia McDonald and Hannah Olson

Most of the activities of the club have centered on our trip to Destin, Florida.  During the first week of March, eight students, Dr. Scholten and Professor Simpler traveled by van to the Baccalaureate Program Director’s annual conference.  The conference was celebrating its 25th Anniversary, so Destin was chosen as the celebration spot.  The conference is very welcoming to students as we did not have to pay registration fees for the conference if we volunteered six hours of our time.  Additionally, the conference opens the exhibit hall just for students one evening during the conference.  During this time, we joined students from all over the United States to meet with admission counselors representing graduate schools, and even got to meet the authors of some of our textbooks.  Our volunteer time was varied and fun, with some of our gang helping in the wellness activities, some volunteering at the sign up desk, and some actually introducing the speakers and collecting the evaluations forms from the sessions.  Of course, we won’t even mention the fun we had at the beach, hanging out with each other (Warning:  Dr. Scholten is evil good at games!), and the fun in the van coming and going. Next Year…Phoenix!

In addition to the trip, we held bake sales, and hope to participate as a group in the Arthritis Walk, and we want to schedule a time to work at the Rescue Mission to feed the people in Nashville who are homeless.

Notes from the Department

The Search is on!  The Department of Social Work has been given the green light to find a 3rd full time faculty member.  The search committee, which has included Social Work Club President, Jimmy Smith, has been working hard.  Two finalists have been selected.  By the time this newsletter is printed, we will have a new person in our ranks.

Professor Simpler leaves for Sabbatical. Professor Simpler was granted a sabbatical for the Fall, 2008 semester.  Yes, she is quite happy about the opportunity, as the last sabbatical she had was in 1990.  The plans are to compare two rural communities (Ennis, MT and Presque Isle, Maine) as they address the social service needs of their residents.

BURS Abstracts

“Aging Out to the Hope of Education and a Better Future”

Julia Caruthers-Thorne, Hannah Gentiles, Sarah Hylton, Elizabeth Kearse, Caitlyn Lecksell, Alicia McDonald, & Alison Peak

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lorraina Q. Scholten

The 105th General Assembly of the Tennessee State Legislature has proposed a bill, HB2960, requiring the state to provide resources to children aging out of foster care in order to allow them to finish their high school diploma, GED, or vocational training program. The “aging out process” is defined as the process in which a child in foster care exits the system at age 18. In this process the children leave state’s custody on their 18th birthday and thus also exit many of the services and support systems that are included in foster care. The legislation states that the youth’s status after age 18 will be voluntary so that the youth has the decision to stay and pursue a high school degree or not. The goal for this bill is to allow these children their right to the completion of their high school education. Homelessness, welfare reliance, and prison stays have been linked to higher percentages of undereducated foster youth. This bill seeks to reduce the frequency of these problems. This study aims to demonstrate how this bill would change the current aging out process and show the possible reduction in the numbers of foster youth who would be dependent on the system in some manner if these changes are not made. Using social work values, including self-determination, this study will argue in favor of HB2960 on both economic and bio-psycho-sociological aspects.

“What Does Pegram Have to Offer: A Community Analysis”

Kubar Abdi, Julia Caruthers-Thorne, Jessica Chapman, Hannah Gentiles, Stephanie Gregory, Elizabeth Kearse, Cait Lecksell, Alicia McDonald, Hannah Olsen, Alison Peak, Sara Rosenbaum, Lizzie Simpson, January Utermahlen

Faculty Advisor: Sean Muldoon, MSW

Pegram is one of three towns within Cheatham County in the state of Tennessee. Pegram is the smallest of the three incorporated towns and it is located roughly forty-five minutes from Nashville and Davidson County. Its rural setting provides a stark contrast to its metropolitan neighbor. Social Work is a discipline called upon to not only work with individual clients, but groups and communities as well. In this study the discipline of social work advocacy is applied to the town and people of Pegram in order to create a collaborative community analysis of the services available to the community, its history, and its economic and cultural norms. This study demonstrates the strengths and challenges that the community has, as well as the community’s ability to address those challenges by drawing on the resources in the other towns in Cheatham County as well as resources in Metropolitan Nashville. The study analyzes the community of Pegram with regards to what it has to offer as well as what other communities and cities have to offer it.

“Legislation Analysis: Dual Diagnosis Treatment within TennCare”

Authors: Lizzie Simpson, Kubar Abdi, Stephanie Gregory, January Utermahlen, Sara Rosenbaum, Hannah Olson, Jessica Chapman

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Lorraina Scholten

HB 1964 and SB 2024, sponsored by Representative Joe Armstrong and Senator Tim Burchett respectively, seek to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 33, Titles 68 and 71 relative to treatment of dual diagnosis. The bills, referenced in TennCare, shape a four-year pilot program to be made up of providers both public and private that treat dually diagnosed women under TennCare.  The program will include a 30-day detoxification program, capabilities to serve pregnant women, comprehensive discharge planning, and components for women in the criminal justice system, components to restore children in state’s custody to their mothers, and treatment for pain management with holistic alternatives. Low-income women seeking drug and alcohol treatment, especially those dually diagnosed, have little choice as far as affordable and available services.  We support this legislation and proposed program to treat and help dually diagnosed women and their families.

Report from the Field

Vicki Bourne is doing her spring field placement at the Freedom Recovery Community (FRC) and at The Next Door (TND).  She is focusing her practice on case management for the women and their children.  She specifically is working on life skills instruction with an emphasis in budgeting, parenting skills, and time management.  She also actively participates in group activities.  She really enjoys helping the women learn to advocate for themselves.  Vicki also gets to help interview women to come to FRC and TND by going to local jails and prisons.

Sarah Warren is completing her field placement at Davidson County Sheriff's Office for her last semester at Belmont University.  At DCSO she assists treatment counselors in the Healing Journey program which is an alcohol and drug treatment program for the women inmates.  Ms. Warren is enjoying the work she is doing with the women offenders and has already learned many lessons about crisis intervention in recovery.

Andria Bauerle: is enjoying working at Catholic Charities along with fellow social work student, Stacy Anderson.  She works specifically with the Refugee Youth Program which helps youth in Nashville adjust to their new life here in the United States.  She also is helping get a new mentor program up and running, pairing up refugee youth with other young adults and professionals here in Nashville.

Taylor Cawley enjoyed her placement at Safe Haven Family Shelter so much that she decided to stay; even after she graduates! Taylor is looking forward to serving homeless families at SHFS full time, primarily in the agency’s Transitional Housing Program, which serves to assist families with housing and savings after leaving the shelter.

Tracy Ezell  is completing her spring field placement at The Guidance Center in Smyrna, TN.  Her supervisor is Belmont’s social work alumna, Ashley Huebner, who is a children’s case manager.  The Guidance Center serves individuals with mental health and behavioral issues.  Each client is offered a treatment team consisting of a doctor, therapist and social worker.  Tracy spends her days learning about case management with the children.  She visits her clients at the Rutherford and Williamson County schools they attend as well as making home visits to check on progress made on the goals.  These goals could be personal, work or school related, leisure, medical or behavioral.

Christy Frink is working with Clifton Services in the role of legislative advocate.  She has been very involved with the state legislative work toward Pre-K classes and licensure for people who hold the Bachelor in Social Work degree.

Charlsey Gibson is working as a school social worker at Stratford High School in Nashville.  Aside from dealing with crises throughout the day, she has used her interest in higher education to help students prepare for their graduation, college applications and FAFSA forms.   If college isn’t the choice, Charlsey is prepared to help with vocational training or simply exploring the “what do I want to be” idea with the students.  Charlsey is also working with the Vanderbilt Institute of Public Policy and Services (VIPPS) by working with the foster youth at Youth Connections and with the Independent Living Policies.

Laura Leach  is completing her placement at the Napier Elementary School Family Resource Center.  She is spending her time building helping relationships with the parents and children of Napier.  Laura is co-leading and leading the FACES classes, which teach children social and behavioral skills.  Laura is also helping the Parent Group plan a dance with the children and is developing a volunteer handbook for the school.

Melanie Murphy is getting a taste of Tennessee's foster care system at Centerstone Family Centered Services.  Centerstone FCS contracts with the state to provide foster families and group homes to emotionally-behaviorally disturbed teens.  Melanie spends her days attending home-visits, youth court dates, appointments, and team meetings alongside therapists and case-managers.  She also enjoys her task of heading up a weekly boys' life-skills group.  This placement offers new experiences all around--Centerstone FCS has never had an undergraduate intern!

Abbie Sumrall  is living this semester in Cuernavaca, Mexico and is doing her field placement with “Ministerios de Amor” or Ministries of Love.  This organization has five houses that work with the street kids and orphans.  Abbie will be working in a house with 6-15 year old girls and will be developing programs to enhance the physical, spiritual, and emotional well being of the girls. 

Brooke Sunday is completing her field placement at Children's Hope International for the spring semester.  Children's Hope is an international adoption agency that places from the countries of Russia, China, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Columbia, and Kazakhstan. As an intern, Brooke conducts post-placement interviews, writes post-placement reports, goes on home visits, writes home studies, and will co-plan/lead a group for middle-school aged adoptees, and assists with anything else that is asked of her. 

Stacy Anderson is enjoying a different environment working with newly-arrived refugee families at Catholic Charities. Her main focus and role has been on the immunization shots children need for school. This requires her to drive one of the company vans to pick up and take the families to the clinic and to create workshops to educate the parents on the importance of keeping the shots up-to-date. She continues to struggle with the language barriers and cultural differences, but it's been a learning experience and one she won't forget!

Student Awards

Phi Alpha

The following students will be inducted into Phi Alpha, The National Honor Society for Social Work.

  • Alison Peak   
  • Tricia Roth     
  • Lizzie Simpson   
  • Stephanie Gregory    
  • Whitney Harold     
  • January Utermahlen     
  • Sara Rosenbaum     
  • Jessica Chapman    
  • Jenna Gust   
  • Jimmy Smith     
  • Cait Lecksell     
  • Lib Kearse    
  • And our Honorary Phi Alpha award goes to:  Stewart Clifton
Rising Star Award recognizes academic excellence in an underclass social work major.  This monetary award is generously given by Dr. Jan Williams and Elaine Williams of Knoxville.  This year two students were chosen for the award: Congratulations to January Utermahlen and Kubar Abdi. 

Louise Carter Fallis Award recognizes an outstanding senior who demonstrates the most potential for success in social work.  Dr. Richard Fallis provides this gift to honor the memory of his mother.  This year recipient is Laura Gulker Leach.  Congratulations!       

Dean's List Fall 2007

  • Jessica Chapman    
  • Amy Dunning    
  • Stephanie Gregory    
  • Jenna Gust    
  • Jennifer Hoge    
  • Lib Kearse    
  • Laura Leach    
  • Cait Lecksell    
  • Alicia McDonald    
  • Hannah Olson    
  • Alison Peak    
  • Sara Rosenbaum    
  • Emma Shouse    
  • Lizzie Simpson    
  • Jimmy Smith    
  • Brooke Sunday    
  • January Utermahlen                                                         

Alumni Update 

1994

Julie Williams Hunt gave birth to her third child, Lucy Clark Hunt on January 29, 2008.

1998

Stephanie Miller Lord continues her social work duties in dialysis at HCA.  She and husband, Tom, are expecting their first child in July.

Andy Polk is a social worker with the Metropolitan Government.  She is a one woman show operating the security section all by herself.

1999

Emily Bucci is a social worker with the Adult Day Services with Senior Citizens, Inc.

2000 

Ron Bushyager completed his theology degree at Oxford (England) and is currently an Anglican Priest in Abingdon, England.  He and his wife, Ruth, have a daughter, Zoe.

Peach Bowers is a social worker with HealthSpring.

2001

Dana Stewart is a member of the Austin (TX) Civic Chorus and has been accepted in the Ph.D. program in educational psychology at the University of Texas.

2003

Colleen Coffee is currently working with The Leadership Institute:  Women with Purpose.  She has been accepted in Trevecca’s Ed.D. program.

2004

Elisabeth Patton is a social worker with Second Harvest as the food and fund drive manager.  She is engaged to marry Ben Guthrie.

2005

Corinne Peters Reese and husband, Matt, are expecting a baby in July.  She is looking for part time social work positions.

2006

Summer Shearer married Patrick Blakeley in March, 2008.

2007

Destri Bockey continues her social work with STAND, an agency devoted to ending smoking.  She just returned from a workshop at the Mayo Clinic.

Christina Jensen is serving on the faculty search committee here at Belmont as we look for a third full time social work faculty.  She remains in her position as a social worker with the Mental Health Co-op.

Jackie Mallol is in Tampa and working as a social worker with Sydney’s School for Autism.  She is applying to graduate schools.

Cara Galuten and Blair Darnell will receive the MSW from Columbia University in May, 2008.

Jennifer Legg has returned from Puebla, Mexico and is a social worker at the Mental Health Co-Op.

2007 Legislative Conference (formerly Social Work Day on the Hill)

Belmont Social Work students joined social work students and professionals from across the state at the conference in April, 2007.  Gary Bailey, past president of the National Association of Social Workers gave the plenary address and helped to judge the poster contest. Belmont was well represented as the following students attended this year along with Dr. Scholten and Professor Simpler:

Stacy Anderson, Stephany Loy Anderson, Dawn Callas, Taylor Cawley, Blair Darnell, Tracy Ezell, Christy Frink, Cara Galuten, Hannah Gentiles, Charlsey Gibson, Stephanie Gregory, Christina Jensen, Laura Leach, Jackie Mallol, Alicia McDonald, Melanie Murphy, Hannah Olson, Sara Rosenbaum, Abbie Sumrall, Sarah Warren

Charlsey Gibson was a dynamic and effective spokesperson for this year’s poster presentation. The paper, entitled “Predatory Lending: The Hidden Cost” will be featured in the 2007 BURS journal.

Beyond Belmont

Graduate School - With May graduation fast-approaching, I thought it was time to write about my experience in the Masters of Social Work program at George Warren Brown School of Social Work (GWB) at Washington University in St. Louis.  I started the program last January with advanced standing, thanks to my BSW from Belmont in 2003, and am concentrating in gerontology.  Unlike the more typical micro/macro divisions of most Masters programs, GWB teaches across the continuum of practice but within a specific concentration of interest, such as health or children, youth, and families.  Gerontology has been challenging and rewarding because of its top notch faculty, active involvement with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and focus on real-life projects in each course. However, the most unique aspect of my education at GWB has been the opportunity to pursue program development as my particular area of interest.  Again, program development does not fall neatly into the clinical or administrative spheres of social work, but in this wonderful middle (or mezzo) arena that I had not explored before attending school here.  In both my coursework and in my practica I have been able to hone program development skills that I will hopefully carry into my next job.  To illustrate, my first practicum at the Alzheimer’s Association was in the Education Department, in which I was the Project Coordinator for Dementia-Friendly Hospitals, an educational pilot to teach hospital personnel about the special needs of persons with dementia.  In this position I developed curricula, implemented and evaluated the program, and assisted with the grant proposal to sustain the project.  Currently, I am the Project Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Educational Campaign for Older Adults at Saint Louis Effort for AIDS, which is the realization of a program I developed in one of classes.  Both practica have given me the opportunity to practice the development, implementation, evaluation, and funding of programs with the support of mentors who are experienced in program development. If you want to learn more about GWB’s graduate program, the field of gerontology, program development, or my personal experience, please feel free to contact me at mandy.adkins@hotmail.com.  I would enjoy sharing more of my experience with you.  Mandy Stinnett Adkins, BSW

Belmont, 2003

...and Mexico -

I can’t believe I am just about half way through the semester now. I will have spring break next week and then I will start a new chapter in my Mexico experience as I begin to live with a host family. I am super excited about this because up until this point I have been living with other students and it is hard to use my Spanish all day at the orphanage and then switch to English at night. I am looking forward to the challenge of never using English.

            I have had many enriching experiences. These include, living for a week in a rural area with a Mexican family, visiting with an activist group of farmers, meeting with several community developers around the area who work to improve indigenous rights, attending and participating in the annual women’s conference at the state legislature, meeting with immigrants who have been to the US and back, visiting a national park with caves and gardens, and going to a fair in Mexico City with the girls that I work with. I could go on and on about all the things I am learning in my time here but I feel I can best sum it up by telling you how blessed I feel to be sharing this culture with the Mexican people. They accept me into their homes and help me with my language, and every day I struggle to give back just a little of what they are giving to me.             My field placement is taking off. I have gotten into the routine with the girls and had opportunities to practice my social work skills in-group and individual settings. Continue to pray that I will be sensitive to what the girls need and not try to give them what I think they need but what they show me they need. I still struggle with not being able to produce results fast in my practice, but I am trusting that as I daily build relationships, the girls will trust me more and continue to open up.

            Abbie Sumrall

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