4/13/2009
Spring 2009
Letter from the Department Chair
Letter from the Department Chair
Greetings,
The school year has progressed to its ultimate conclusion, and we made it through another one. Both the BSW Program and MSW Program are operating, admitting, and graduating students.
This summer we hope to be updating our department’s website, to make it more informative and easier for the community to access. This fall the Community Relations Committee surveyed social workers in Central Minnesota about their interests in collaborating with our department. Various efforts are being considered, but it will begin in April with social workers from Sherburne County coming to present a workshop for students and staff, and continue with our department offering a workshop on Practice Evaluation for area social workers.
The Alumni Relations Committee sponsored a gathering at MSSA in March, and is planning morning coffees with CEU’s in St. Cloud in the future.
I look forward to catching up with various projects over the summer, and invite you to come and visit.
Gary S. Whitford
gswhitford@stcloudstate.edu
320-308-4880
http://web.stcloudstate.edu/gswhitford
News Story
MSW Program Update
With the first cohort and first advanced standing cohort graduating in May, the MSW program is in good standing for accreditation. There will be a site visit by CSWE occurring in October 2010, with expectations for full accreditation in February 2011. Accreditation is retroactive to the first class admitted to the program.
Two important changes have been made to the program. Applicants no longer need two years of experience to be admitted to the program, and the program is now offered as both a full-time and part-time program beginning the fall of 2009. Classes are offered Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 9 p.m.
Applications for the cohort beginning in fall 2009 continue to be accepted. Please check out the Department of Social Work website at www.stcloudstate.edu/socialwork for more information about the MSW program. Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, director of the MSW program, can be contacted through email: ebtalbot@stcloudstate.edu or by phone: 320-308-2981.
The Department of Social Work does offer Graduate Assistantships through the School of Graduate Studies. Assistants work 20 hours a week and receive a stipend and a partial tuition waiver. Please contact the School of Graduate Studies for more information: 320-308-2113.
MSW Advisory Committee
We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the following advisory committee members. We appreciate you sharing your time and talent with us and look forward to continuing to work with you.
Sunny Sinh Chanthanouvong, Director
Lao Assistance Center
Claire Garcia, MSW, LICSW
VA Medical Center
Tim Jeffrey, MSW, LICSW
Stearns County Human Services
Craig Martin, MSW, LGSW
Central MN Sexual Assault Center
Dennis McGuinness, LICSW
Memory Disorders Clinic
Sarah Meisinger, MSW
VA Medical Center
Mike Rivard, MSW, LICSW
St. Cloud School District
Frank Sandelin, LISW
Todd County Social Services
Marissa Sharbono, MSW, LICSW
Stearns County Human Services
April Stadtler
Paynesville Area Health Care System
Gretchen Welch, LICSW
P.A.T.H.
Social Work Day at the Capitol
Professional Social Work Month
Each year the Minnesota NASW celebrates Social Work Month in March. It is a time to reflect on and observe the history of social work and the significant work being completed on behalf of all those served. The focus of this year’s celebration was Social Work: Purpose and Possibility. (Minnesota NASW)
Annual Social Work Day at the Capitol
Social Work Day at the Capitol this year was held on Monday, March 30, 2009. This was an opportunity for social work students, practitioners, and educators to be heard as one voice for social change. We encourage your participation and hope you were able to attend!
Student Development Committee
You are invited!
The Student Develolpment Committee, committed to nurturing pride and professional identity amongst students and building community with and for students, would like to invite all Social Work students and faculty to attend an ice cream social. Come join us for some good conversation and a sweet treat!
Steward Hall 228
Wednesday, April 15 4:00-5:00
Thursday, April 16 3:30-6:00
Renovated Social Work Office
We invite you to come check out the newly renovated Social Work office! After much planning and work, the space was completed over spring break with the installation of the new carpeting. With two newly created spaces, some cleaning, and much rearrangement, everything has once again found its home. We welcome you to stop by, take a look, and say hello!
Student News
Spring Thank You Tea
Spring Thank You Tea
You are cordially invited:
Community Advisory Board Members
Field Advisory Committee Members
Field Instructors
Field Experience Supervisors
Group Work Supervisors
Social Work Guest Speakers
To the St. Cloud State University
Social Work Spring Thank You Tea!
Please join us on Wednesday, April 22, 2009
From 3:30-5:00
At University Lutheran Church
The faculty and staff of the Department of Social Work would like to show appreciation for your invaluable contributions of talent, time, support, and encouragement to our social work students.
Come and enjoy food, entertainment, door prizes, and our gratitude!
Students Complete MSW Program
Congratulations to our first MSW Graduates 2009!
We wish you well in your future endeavors!
Erin Bahr
Christina Newell
Wendy Brichacek
Brad Duea
Joanna Green
Richelle Kramer
Pamela Krueger
Kathryn Lund-Reed
Jennifer Mages
Lana Niebauer
Patricia Offerdahl
Hannah Pierson
Christa Polhemus
Katie Raverty
Glenda Schmidt
Abby Schmoldt
Michelle Schroeder
Melissa Steadman
James Turner
Renea Weigel
Students Complete BSW Program
Congratulations to all who completed their BSW program May 2009!
We wish you well in your future endeavors!
Sarah Anderson, Emily Beckermann, Heather Benedett, Cindy Bertram, Jeffrey Black, Amanda Boser, Christine Bouley, Bridgette Braun, Brittni Casperson, Victoria Fett, Danielle Gilbertson, Kara Griffin, Charlina Gutierrez, Sandi Heinen, Kari Holvik, Megan Huff, Courtney Johnson, Kimberly Kulset, Michelle Lang, Christopher Laposky, Laura LaTour, SooChin Lee, Katherine Marshall, Jennifer Martin, Timothy Mealey, Alyson Montplaisir, Danette Newman, Amanda Olson, Jessica Piatt, Andrea Ploof, Ashley Riehl, Brittany Rieland, Alysa Ruelle, Stacy Schlangen, Kayla Scott, Amanda Seelen, Krystal Thiel, Katie Westermeier, Tou Yah, Kristine Zoz
Student Social Work Association Activities
The Student Social Work Association has been involved in several projects this semester. They have continued volunteering two times a month at the Salvation Army and are currently working on a food drive for Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Another project they are organizing for the month of April is a Twin's raffle ticket fundraiser. All proceeds will benefit Anna Marie's Alliance and the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center.
Tanzania Study Abroad
Social Work Students to Study Abroad in Tanzania
This summer a group of social work students (along with others) will be traveling to Tanzania, East Africa, for a study abroad experience through the Women’s Studies Department. Patty Thurmer, Christy Knight, and Andria Winterhalter, current Social Work Juniors, shared their thoughts on their anticipated experience of their upcoming trip from May 21-June 4, 2009.
These students spoke of their expectation of personal and professional growth from this travel opportunity. Being submerged in a new culture, a third world country, brings hope for a new perspective on the values we hold here in the United States as well as the role of women in the family, the community, and society. Patty, Christy, and Andria expressed openness to experiencing how poverty directly affects people, and how they adapt to that environment. They hope to gain a deeper understanding of what it might be like for others from such a different background to come to the United States, where values may differ drastically. They also hope to grow in empathy and to have their eyes opened to the realities of their preconceived ideas, especially concerning the United State’s involvement in helping with the AIDS/HIV epidemic in Africa.
Activities the students will be involved in include learning Swahili each morning. Learning common conversational phrases will enable easier communication. They will also be bringing school supplies (gathered from a fund raiser prior to the trip) to a rural school with about 400 elementary and middle school students and spending time with the students, teaching them games. Another highlight will be visiting an AIDS/HIV center to see how the people are dealing with the epidemic. Each evening the students will gather to debrief the day’s experiences. While visiting numerous cities and townships, the students will also have the opportunity for some sight-seeing. Adventures include Mount Kilimanjaro and a safari weekend.
Patty, Christy, and two other members of the group will be traveling to Kenya for about a week after their Tanzania experience to visit Dr. Mumbi Mwangi’s orphanage. Dr. Mwangi, a Women’s Studies professor at SCSU and native of Kenya, opened her own home to children who lost their parents to AIDS/HIV. The students will be spending time with the children and volunteering their services.
While anticipating life changing experiences, these three women are looking forward to a trip of learning and enjoyment.
Social Work Association Fundraiser
Tanzania School Supplies Fundraiser
As students at St. Cloud State University we are trying to right the wrong of inequality of children in African Education. How can we expect children to thrive and learn if they do not have the supplies and resources? Please help us and support this worthy cause. Your help will go directly to a school in Tanzania. The donations will be hand delivered to Tanzania during a study abroad trip through St. Cloud State University. With support for our community and the Social Work Association we can truly make a difference and impact the lives of these children forever.
Teacher Needs: stamps, stickers, correcting pens, chalk, stapler, staples, tape, paper clips, calendar, highlighters, clocks, 3-ring binders
Student Needs: pens, coloring books, notebooks, markers, picture books, chapter books, flashcards, backpacks, crayons, loose leaf paper, folders, calculators, glue, scissors, rulers, pencils, used computers, protractors, colored pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, tissues, hand sanitizer, paints and painting supplies, construction paper
THERE WILL BE A DROP BOX RIGHT OUTSIDE THE SOCIAL WORK OFFICE UNTIL
MONDAY ARPIL 16TH.
Faculty Notes
Fundraising Project
FUND RAISING
Over the past few years, Gary Whitford, his partner, and others, have been contributing to a fund that will eventually become a BSW Student Scholarship. The time has come to build that up.
We have a goal of raising the total high enough in the next 3 years in order to provide a $500 scholarship to a student every year.
If you are willing and able to contribute to this fund, please send your check to:
SCSU Foundation
720 Fourth Ave. S.
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
Pledge forms are available, or you may contribute on-line at: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/foundation/donations/
This scholarship has a fund number of:
330-750-26901;
When making a contribution please note that number on your contribution, and make the check out to the SCSU Foundation.
Faculty Updates
Faculty Notes
Sandra Chesborough
I began my new position as MSW Field Supervisor in January of 2009. Receiving a grant for the OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) support group I am involved in will enable us to work with teachers to educate them about children and OCD. We will be working with rural schools in particular, as well as one where students have contacted the website for the support group, sharing that they are living with OCD. The support group website is: ocdsupportgroupcmn@gmail.com
I have written a proposal about how to support and maintain OCD support groups to present at the national Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, which will be in Minneapolis in August 2009. I have also published an article entitled "Do Social Workers Learn Differently?" in the March 2009 edition of The Journal of Psychological Type.
Jan Kircher
I am getting ready to begin to write a proposal to do research with parents of gay children.
I am preparing for a presentation in April in Des Moines, Iowa, on my dissertation of gender roles in television.
Darla Korol
I have begun my second semester as the Student Social Work Association Advisor and am pleased with the progress the association has made this academic year. Attendance at meetings tops at 22-23 students. Unfortunately, the field trip planned to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota over Spring Break was cancelled due to dangerous weather conditions and a drop in students’ financial ability to attend. I want to commend our students who are responsibly assisting their families financially. Students have reported parental loss of employment and many of them worked over Spring Break to financially assist their families. The Social Work Association officers met with Mr. Lyle Rustad of the Diversity Organization Foundation. He will be assisting them with outreach to the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I am excited that approximately 6 members of the Student Social Work Association will be participating in a service opportunity to Tanzania this summer. (Please see Tanzania Study Abroad under Student News.)
Sandy Robin
Sandy Robin, along with co-authors Barbara Lehmann, Augsburg College, Nancy Rodenborg, Augsburg College and Randy Herman, University of St. Thomas/College of St. Catherine, will have their article, "Cambiamos Juntos (Changing Together): Student Voices on Transformation through a Social Work Semester in Latin America" published in Educating for Social Justice: Transformative Experiential Learning, edited by J. Birkenmaier, A. Cruce, J. Curley, J. Burkemper & E. Stretch., Lyceum Press (2009). Sandy Robin will be starting a three year phased retirement in the 2009-2010 academic year
Cath Stilwell
I am currently working on an article on women in leadership at the higher education level. As part of the MSW faculty, I have been working on revising syllabuses to meet the new requirements for the courses I will be teaching. Mary Pfohl and I are in the early research stages of gathering articles to write an article on ethics in social work practice. And, as a field seminar instructor, I have been busy going on site visits, which are going well. I am learning so much about the community and the agencies.
Elizabeth Talbot
I am actively pursuing my research agenda on human trafficking working internationally in May in Moldova with women who have been rescued from trafficking. I also published a paper that was presented at an international conference on human trafficking.
Rodgers, M., & Talbot, E. (2008). Human Trafficking Prevention: Networking, Training, and Learning.
An International Collaboration and Lessons Learned. 2006 Biennial European
Interuniversity Consortium for International Social Development (IUCISD), Warsaw, Poland.
June 28-July 2, 2006. Referee Publications Conference Proceedings.
Gary Whitford
I spent the fall semester adjusting to being department chair and BSW program director. I had numerous roles and tasks to learn. One of my duties during spring semester will be to attend a conference in Phoenix and gain greater knowledge about my jobs. During March, I and other faculty are accompanying students to the Minnesota Social Service Association conference in Bloomington, and to the Social Work Day at the Capitol. This July, Lake Dziengel and I, and 2 faculty from the University of Minnesota are presenting a workshop at the 34th Annual National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas in Duluth. My summer will be spent on the following tasks: re-designing the department’s website, setting the groundwork for our next accreditation, and working on program assessment efforts.
Alumni News
Alumni Updates
Alumni Updates
Jackie (Davis) Adair (Class of 1999)
I am working as a Contracted Case Manager for Hennepin County through People Incorporated Mental Health Services. I have been working here for 9 months and really enjoy what I do. Much of the time prior to this I was working in the supervisory capacity in the DD field as both a Program Manager and a Program Director. I also spent 3 years supervising PCA staff and services through Accessible Space, Inc. and opened their Mounds View site during that time. I have been married for almost 7 years and enjoy doing volunteer work with House of Charity in Minneapolis.
Erin Brom (Class of 2003)
I am a graduate of the 2003 class I believe? :) I am getting old so I don't remember. Over the last five years or so, I have had a lot of changes and a lot of growth! I am the mother of a beautiful, vibrant four year old little boy named Elijah. I have actually opted out a career in Social Work and found an even bigger passion working in the health and wellness field. I am currently a certified personal trainer and working as a Health Advisor for a corporate wellness company, Health Fitness Corp. Next fall I will be beginning round two of school going for the physical therapy assistant program at the College of St Catherine in St. Paul. I hope all is well with those from my graduating class!
Gypsy Denzine (Class of 1984)
I recently attended an alumni event in Scottsdale, AZ, in which I had the opportunity to share with the new president how much I valued my academic preparation from the SCSU Social Work program.
Jessica Krebs (Class of 1998)
I worked in the nursing home for 6 years after graduation and have been working at Hennepin County as a social worker since 2004. I do the Long Term Care Consultations for clients 18+. Hope to hear more from the class of 1998 at SCSU!
Crystal (Danielson) Larson (Class of 2008)
Crystal is employed as a Child Protection Social Worker for Swift County Social Services in Benson, MN. At the recent Minnesota Social Services Association Conference held in Bloomington, MN Crystal spoke at the Title IV-E Child Welfare luncheon. This luncheon was attended by 70 child welfare scholars and faculty from St. Cloud State, Bemidji State, Winona State, Minnesota State University Mankato and Minnesota State University Moorhead, as well as from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities School of Social Work. In her presentation Crystal spoke about what being a IV-E scholar had meant to her including that it gave her a focus for her social work education, encouragement to develop her commitment to working in public child welfare, and the support of meeting with peers and the project faculty director to learn more about issues of importance to the field of child welfare. Crystal stated that her public child welfare internship equipped her with knowledge of the county system including processes and programs as well as realistic expectations about working in a county setting. With all of this background Crystal felt that even though she was a new social work graduate she had the education, county child welfare experience, including SSIS, and strong commitment to working in public child welfare that allowed her to be hired and move quickly into a professional position. Congratulations Crystal!
Mary Neaton (Class of 1997)
Mary is a grandma! Her daughter, Davette, and her husband, James, had a son -- Amiel Isaiah James Kohnen -- on July 12, 2008. He weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces. Mary's current favorite activity is babysitting.
Please update us! If you would like to share some news with your fellow alumni, please send us the news along with your graduation year to: socworksw@stcloudstate.edu. Thanks!
SCSU Alum Appointed to MN Board of Social Work
Carol Payne of Becker, graduate of St. Cloud State University with degrees in social work and psychology, was named to the Minnesota Board of Social Work by Governor Tim Pawlenty on March 5, 2009. The board is in charge of licensing social workers and includes 15 appointed members who serve 4 year terms.
Payne is the manager of Payne Consulting Inc., working as a consultant to social service departments and health care organizations. She is a licensed social worker who has almost 30 years of experience in the health care field.
SCSU Alum Retires from Tri-CAP
Paula Erdmann retired in March after 34 years of service to Tri-County Action Program. She began as an intern at Tri-CAP in 1975. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, she went to work full time for the agency.
During her time at Tri-CAP, Erdmann worked at coordinating agencies to work together to help the poor of Central Minnesota. She helped to implement many programs including energy assistance, helping low-income families to weatherize their homes, and bus transportation specifically for the elderly.
Angie Theisen, the new director at Tri-CAP, is also a graduate of St. Cloud State University. Before coming to Tri-CAP, Theisen worked at Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Service in Monticello.
SCSU Alum Begins Starfish Program
Cara Ruff is the founder of the Starfish Program, which helps women who have been abused become self sufficient through resource and financial assistance. In collaboration with the Women’s Fund at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, Ruff is also volunteering her time as a mentor for the Starfish Program. Three women were selected to spend time with Ruff over 18 months, after which the women give back to the community in some way. This summer three more women will be chosen to begin the 18-month journey.
Ruff, a graduate of St. Cloud State University, is the founder and director of Independent Lifestyles. This St. Cloud nonprofit agency promotes independence and choice for people with disabilities.
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