GROW YOUR COMMUNITY & ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
Our systems are not just broken, they have been persistently murderous and cruel. On Sunday, April 11, 2021, a police officer shot and killed Daunte Wright after being pulled over for having an expired registration. On April 15, 2021, police released body camera footage revealing a police officer who shot 13-year old Adam Toledo in the chest while he had his arms up.
Black and Brown people are being killed.
Daunte Wright ought to still be alive, and his son not fatherless. Adam Toledo ought to have the rest of his childhood in front of him. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Eric Garner. Michael Brown. Should all be alive. Our words feel incessant naming the Black and Brown lives lost at the hands of blatantly negligent police.
The California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW), California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW), and National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter mourn yet more unnecessary and painful losses for our Black and Brown communities. We stand with these communities to demand swift justice in the name of Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, and the countless others that have fallen victim to the social imprisonment, oppression, and disempowerment of the carceral state that embody our current criminal justice system. When law enforcement opts to serve, they commit themselves to do precisely that, to help, to care, and to protect. Instead, our governments have decided to perpetuate racist practices that create ongoing platforms for anti-Blackness and white supremist ideologies.
We reaffirm Black Lives Matter. We reaffirm that racism needs to end. We call on our members, our allies, and the broader field to respond. Check in with your Black and Brown colleagues, your Black and Brown communities and clients. Our Code of Ethics maintains our responsibility as advocates for social justice to work to end discrimination, act to expand opportunity, and seek to preserve equity and liberation for all. CASSW, CSCSW, and NASW-CA explicitly reassert our commitment and action to advocate for state-level policies that encompass anti-racism principles to advance safety and justice for Black and Brown communities. We call on our membership and our allies to advocate within your own organizations for the systemic change that needs to happen. We call on you to call in racist policies and practices, to create space for and lift up Black and Brown voices, and to invest in programs and services that center Black and Brown needs.
Collectively we can move action to cease these horrific headlines, once and for all.
California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW) offers the Jannette Alexander Foundation for Clinical Social Work Education Scholarship each year to graduating master’s level social work students who demonstrate excellence in clinical studies and practice. Applicants must attend a California accredited graduate social work program. 2021 applications must be received no later than March 15, 2021.
Recipients receive $1,000 and a FREE one year membership to the CSCSW. We recognize that due to the pandemic, this year has proved particularly challenging to students. Therefore, the CSCSW has decided to award three (3) additional scholarships this year in response to the increased need.
Please forward this message to any advanced year student within your network and direct them to our website to complete an application:
http://clinicalsocialworksociety.org/JAF-Scholarship-Application
Thank you for your assistance.
This is a call to action. I’m sure all of us are reeling from the recent murders of black citizens, I know I am. To many Black, Indigenous, Mixed-Race and People of Color (BIPOC) the civil unrest we are seeing is not unexpected - it is long overdue. As a person of color and social worker, I am holding on to our professional value of challenging Social Injustice and Dignity and Worth of a Person. We happen to be part of a profession that is not value-neutral when it comes to challenging social injustice. This means we should be in full solidarity with our Black colleagues, clients, and community members.
However I want to be clear, this is not a temporary or short term goal. It’s not enough to voice our disgust or opposition to racism. One of the ways racism continues to thrive is by not following through with action. We might have good intentions but real change comes from the commitment to a life long development of our critical awareness, being radically honest of the ways in which we (and I mean every single one of us) contributes to upholding white supremacy culture and systemic racism. Based on our awareness we reflect and create intentional action to challenge our privilege from a system that is set up to oppress Black people.
Things to keep in mind while doing this work:
Professional questions we should be asking ourselves:
Resources to check out:
To my BIPOC colleagues,
Please know that the Diversity, Equity, and Transformation (DET) committee is in solidarity with you. It’s an incredible time to be witnessing a fight for the right to accept that Black Lives Matter let alone be seen as valuable and integral to our society. As chair and founder of the DET committee, I am re-evaluating my role and committing to integrating a stronger focus on anti-Blackness, colorism, and the genocide of Native and Indigenous folks in our objectives. I am recognizing my own privilege of being Asian and that means I need to bolster the voices of my Black, Native, and Indigenous members because I too have benefited from this oppressive system. I am also committing to support the National Association of Black Social Workers code of ethics and will think of ways to integrate this into my own work as a POC Social Worker.
I encourage you to join us at our first BIPOC consultation group this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. (this event has opened up to additional attendees). This is a space dedicated to supporting us as social workers and community members. Providing services during this time is an incredible ask on us right now both with how COVID and health care disproportionately affect the Black Community and the protest. We are happy to spend time processing this as it does impact how we show up as clinicians. I leave you with the wise words of Audre Lorde:
"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."
For anyone that is feeling lost but is genuinely wanting support on how to get involved, how to make changes in their professional practice, or anything else related to dismantling racism please feel free to reach out to me at jayaxroy@gmail.com.
With Gratitude your DET Chair and Founder, Jaya Roy, M.A., A.S.W.
CSCSW is adapting to the need for social distancing in response to Covid-19, by planning online educational events, so we can continue to provide you with quality clinical education and the opportunities to earn CEU’s and meet licensing requirements.
Click here for the CSCSW Statement COVID-19
During this crisis, the CSCSW Listserv is a valuable source of information helping our members adjust to the changing environment including updates from government regulations, Medicare and private insurers. We hope you will join our professional community and participate in our efforts to support each other during these challenging times. If you are a member and have not joined the listserv, contact Donna Dietz, CSCSW Administrator at info@clinicalsocialworksociety.org to be added to the Google Group.
If you are not a member join today at a prorated amount - click here to learn more.
The CSCSW Board hopes you and your family stay well and safe!
Thanks to all of you who have expressed interest in serving on the CSCSW board. Due to the overwhelming response, the board has created a Nominating Committee and an application process. Please submit the items below by June 1. (Let us know if you need additional time.) Please refer possible candidates who work in finance, business development, marketing or tech
Please send:
Click here to complete and submit a board position application
A nominating committee member may also reach out to you for a phone or in-person meeting. Elections will follow.
Board member expectations: attend 3 all day in person meetings a year; participate in monthly board conference calls; lead or serve on a committee with regular meetings; dedicate time to following through on objectives. Some of the initiatives that board will be pursuing are:
Thank you for your interest in supporting and growing the California Society for Clinical Social Work!
Monica Blauner, LCSW President, California Society for Clinical Social Work
The California Society for Clinical Social Work needs new board members for the 2018-2019 Board Year, commencing in July of this year. The Society is the only organization in California that focuses on the needs of clinical social workers. Our mission is “to advance and promote the profession and practice of clinical social work.” We are engaged in a multi-year effort to revitalize an organization with a venerable history of providing professional development, advocacy and connection to our members across the state.
Our strategic plan includes strengthening our community and increasing membership resources, as well as broadening and deepening the work we do as an organization. Goals we have achieved include: increasing our student and ASW membership, adding member benefits including the Listserv, growing our Mentorship Program, offering a Supervisor List, and Consultation groups, while continuing to offer high quality educational programming and many opportunities for networking. We have a new logo, increased social media presence, and a new website is in development.
We are seeking a diverse group of board members who are ready to roll up their sleeves to grow the organization. Goals include:
We would also like to have (non-social worker) board members with expertise in:
Board members serve a two-year term, and are expected to attend 3 all day meetings each year, participate in monthly conference calls, and lead or serve on committees. For further information please contact Monica Blauner, monica@monicablauner.com or 310-498-2773.
I ask that you volunteer, or nominate members [or future members] who will join us in making CSCSW a vibrant professional community. All applications will be considered.
Monica Blauner, LCSW President, CSCSW
The Society is proud to announce its Member of the Year Award has gone to Leah Reider, Past President, whose “continuous and extensive activity” has sustained and nurtured the rebirth of our Society. Leah has truly gone above and beyond in terms of the many hours she has devoted to reviving the Board and the Society, recently ending two terms as President (with Board approval), since she was the only person with experience serving on the CSCSW board. Leah has served on the Board for the past ten years. She will continue to serve as Past President on the Board for the next two years. Her many accomplishments on behalf of the Society include:
Listing these accomplishments cannot begin to account for the many hours of phone calls, emails, and discussions that Leah has handled, all the while managing a full-time clinical practice serving children and adults.
Leah received her BA in psychology from Wellesley College in 1969 and her MSW from UC Berkeley in 1971. She has worked in the public and private sectors, providing consultation to Castilleja School, Family Service Association of the Mid-Peninsula, and The Children’s Health Council and psychotherapy for Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Prior to that, Leah worked in foster care for Contra Costa County Social Service Department. Her clients have ranged in age from children to seniors.
Leah loves all things British and is an enthusiastic and wide-ranging world traveler. She is always up for an adventure! When Leah isn’t working in her practice or for the Board, you might find her at the San Francisco Ballet. She has two daughters, Abby, an MSW working as a social-emotional learning specialist at the Nueva Middle School and Rebecca, an environmentalist and writer living in New Zealand.
Leah’s enthusiasm and tireless devotion to clinical social work, the Society and its members have earned her this recognition and our gratitude. Leah was presented with the award at a dinner held just prior to her last Board Meeting as President. The award states:
To Leah Reider
In appreciation for your extraordinary contributions as President and Board Member
CSCSW, June 2017 Thank you Leah and Congratulations.
Dr. Katherine "Katy" Kolodziejski, a founding member and past President of the California Society for Clinical Social Work, passed away on June 20, 2017 at her home in Westwood, California. Katy was born on October 18, 1922, at Hayden Hill, California, and grew up in various parts of Nevada. She attended college at the University of Nevada, Reno, earned a Master's degree in Social Work from The University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. from the California Institute for Clinical Social Work.
Katy's career spanned five decades and was dominated by her association with UCLA. She spent 35 years on the faculty of the School of Social Work and later was a volunteer in its Ombudsman office. She also ran a private practice, a drug rehabilitation facility, a sexual addiction facility, and worked in various capacities for organizations including Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. She was instrumental in the founding of the Airport Marina Counseling Services and participated with this organization until her final days. She was a frequent contributor to professional journals, and was the recipient of numerous awards.
Speaking about the founding of CSCSW, Katy said, “Licensing of Clinical Social Workers had been established in 1965 . . . we felt strongly we needed a professional organization of our own that would further advocate for the role of the Licensed Clinical Social. Worker and continue to develop a relevant body of knowledge and standards in clinical social work emphasizing the whole person in their situation.”
When asked in an interview about the role the Society should play in the development of professional social work, Katy said, “I believe we should continue to provide relevant educational forums, deal with the ethical issues and dilemmas faced by practitioners, and advocate for more involvement with agency and hospital practice. We should train students with a much wider knowledge of the social environment and the multiple needs of clients . . .”
Katy is survived by Jack and Ken Little and Shirley Hagman, her sons, Dan and Kip, their wives Arlene and Jeanne, and her grandchildren. She was married for 35 years to Richard "Dick" Kolodziejski, who died in 1968.
The Jannette Alexander Scholarships are given annually to graduating MSW students for recognition for excellence in their clinical work. In the past, the scholarship committee has chosen six winners, each of whom received a $500 scholarship. This year the CSCSW board voted to give three $1000 scholarships, in view of the fact that there has been considerable inflation since the scholarship fund was started. The scholarships were awarded to the following outstanding applicants. We received scholarship applications from many qualified applicants, making the selection process difficult. The following are their professional autobiographies.
I am a passionate clinical social worker who enjoys building a rapport with my clients and assisting them in identifying and realizing their goals. I practice cultural humility to learn about them and build a strong relationship with them so they can explore their experiences and identify goals during our sessions. I was born and raised in Japan. Upon coming to the United States, I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree, both in psychology, from San Francisco State University. I worked as a researcher and an evaluator in mental health and education settings before returning to school to obtain an MSW. I have served as a crisis hotline counselor in San Mateo as well as in Tokyo, Japan. Currently I serve transitional age youth and adult clients with serious mental illnesses and dual diagnoses at the Central County Clinic of San Mateo County. I am looking forward to assisting people further and learning more about clinical social work.
After I graduate I hope to work with individuals and families struggling with mental health issues. I am interested in working at a school as well as in a private practice or group practice setting.
My name is Yeny Guarin and I am a student at California State University, Long Beach, earning a master’s degree in social work. My family moved to Houston, Texas from Colombia when I was eight years old. I recall waking up at five in the morning in elementary school to make Mexican tamales to sell after school. Watching and many times helping my family work numerous odd jobs fired up in me a determination to pursue higher education. When I was 17 years old I moved to the home of my aunt, a foster mother in Los Angeles. During my time there, I had the opportunity to meet teens that had hard childhoods. As I was learning about their stories, I felt indignation and wanted to do something. I learned about social workers, who had the power to advocate. Once again I knew that the key to effectively help those around me had to be with higher education. My goal was to finish high school as quickly as possible and attend college. As a result, I did my junior and senior years at the same time. I am fortunate to attend a university that has introduced me to empowering professors, who taught me the value of mental health and how that affects a person emotionally, physically, and socially.
Upon graduation, I plan to work for an agency or organization that provides mental health services. My goal is to start working on my hours to obtain my license as a clinical social worker. I have worked in non-profits and currently I am doing my internship in one. I enjoy medical social work.
Editor’s addendum:
While working in Assembly Member Jimmy Gomez’s office, Yeny spoke with him about undocumented students who did not qualify for grants or financial aid. As a result of their conversations, Mr. Gomez introduced AB-2000, which allowed undocumented students to qualify for financial help. This bill is now a law.
Kelly Hansen has over 12 years of experience working with individuals and their families in community mental health. Kelly received their MSW from California State University of the East Bay and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and cultural anthropology with an emphasis in gender, sexuality, and feminist theory from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Kelly has compassionately supported a diverse spectrum of individuals from all walks of life. Their experience covers a wide range of issues, from people who are working through complex trauma histories, to substance use, HIV/AIDS diagnoses and survival histories, grief and loss, caregiver fatigue, different physical and cognitive abilities, and LGBT/queer and gender non-conforming identity growth and discovery.
Kelly identifies as a non-binary queer individual who grew up in the Bay Area. With a family history riddled with mental health and substance use challenges, Kelly had to grow up quickly and learned what it meant to be a caretaker. Life challenges have taught Kelly that it is essential to know who you are, so that you can best serve others for who they are, not what you want them to be. As providers we must meet people where they are. Kelly is willing to sit with others in their most vulnerable time and bear witness to their present moment without judgment. Their resiliency has, and will, continue to give them a great capacity for empathy because of their own experiences with hate speech and oppression that persistently targets LGBTQI communities.
As a clinician, Kelly practices from a queer, client-centered, harm reduction based philosophy. They work to serve the underserved in a compassionate way. They fight against stigma and work to be an advocate for all communities in need. By empowering others and facilitating social change, they work to create a better world for all. Social justice work is Kelly’s life practice and purpose.
As a non-binary queer individual Kelly’s pronouns are they/them/theirs. These pronouns are present in their writing.
We have received inquiries about ordering the "Clinical Social Work Journal." To order the journal, members may call 1-800-SPRINGER (777-4643) or e-mail customerservice@springernature.com to order a subscription. You will receive a discount if you mention that you are a CSCSW member. With the discount, the rate is $75/year for four issues or $42/year for an electronic subscription. If you want both the hard copy and the electronic version, it is $100/year.
CSCSW | PO Box 880712 | San Diego, CA 92168-0712 | (310) 254-9471 | info@clinicalsocialworksociety.org
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