KMSW - Social Work

Social Work Services

Many situations can lead us to feel lost in the forest. Personal struggles with mental health, substance use, abusive relationships and other issues often lead people to be involved in vast, impersonal, mysterious systems that most don't understand. Even people starting from socioeconomic advantage struggle to navigate things like child welfare, the justice system, school systems, public benefits and the patchwork of community-based services. Many start from a disadvantage. As a licensed social worker, I worked many years to help people from within these systems, and gained intimate knowledge of how to make them useful but was often frustrated by high caseloads and limited time. Now, I run my own practice and work with only a small number of clients at a time in order to provide short-term, intensive services designed to help people work their way through most efficiently. The goal is to give you a compass and show you how to use it, then walk with you so that you can find your way home.

My services are non-clinical; there is no diagnosis or treatment here (though I might recommend some as part of your path), so there is no pressure to do therapeutic work that can be hard for certain people. There are also fewer barriers of trust because even though I am still a mandated reporter, I do not work for any of those challenging systems, though I respect the positive intentions and skill of workers in them.

What is a licensed social worker?

Licensed social workers must have a certain type of bachelor's degree. I have a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in social services. LSWs must also pass a board test demonstrating competence in:

Human development, diversity and behavior

Assessment

Interventions

Professional values and ethics

For more detailed information, see the Association of Social Work Boards guidebook.

LSWs must also complete continuing professional development on a regular basis. Some of my trainings include trauma-informed practice, Motivational Interviewing, and parent consultant training from the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

What are my services?

Short term (8-12 weeks)
Intensive ( 2+ times per week)
Non-clinical case management
Geared toward family reunification or planning for post-incarceration release

My services begin with biopsychosocial assessment, followed by reunification/reintegration-focused action planning, direct service referral/application assistance, parent-child visit observation and guidance as needed, and case consultation for attorneys on behalf of their clients.

I can and do accept other types of cases on an individual basis if they fit within my expertise and scope, and if not then I share as much useful referral information as possible, so please feel free to make an out-of-the-box inquiry.

How to access services

I am a CPCS-approved court-cost vendor. Attorneys can reach me via my contact page and I will provide a free 30-minute consultation about their case. If it's a good fit, I will provide an engagement letter and copy of my practice policies for them to review with their client before making their motion for funds and starting services.

Individuals involved in the juvenile or criminal court systems, or their family/friends, may discuss court-cost vendor social services with their attorney and ask them to reach out.

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