Monthly News & Updates
SPECIAL FEATURE
NASW-MO 2023 Spring Symposium Keynote Speaker Lee Westgate talks to Cassie E. Brown
March 16th through 19th at the NASW-MO Annual Symposium at Camden on the Lake in Lake Ozark, NASW-MO will have the pleasure of featuring Lee Westgate, MSW, MBA, LCSW-C (he/ him/ his) for the Keynote Address, “A Lamp, A Lifeboat, or a Ladder: A Call to Heal.” He took the time to answer a few questions by email for NASW-MO Executive Director, Cassie E. Brown in November.
CB: Lee, thank you so much for taking the time! When we have crossed paths professionally, I have observed you to be exceptionally poised. As social workers during this time of stress and strife, I think we could all use a little more of that! What helps you stay centered in difficult situations?
LW: I have always felt deeply that being a social worker is a great calling in my life. For me service to others is a beautiful gift that has afforded me the privilege of bearing witness to the vulnerability of the private life of others. I have embraced the mindset that I stand to learn so much from the people and communities that invite me to be part of their path and journey.
Greetings from the State
Committee for Social Workers
We are honored to serve each of you and our social work profession as we all strive to meet the many needs of our Missouri community. Thank you for your dedication to such a rewarding yet challenging career! We appreciate the opportunity to provide an update from the State Committee for Social Workers.
Currently staff are reviewing continuing education certificates submitted by licensees who were selected for audit. Let’s give a big SHOUT OUT to them for their hard work and support of our profession!! As a licensee, please remember that you are required to take continuing education prior to the renewal of your license. For those of you who received your initial license during a renewal cycle the amount of CE required for the first cycle is prorated, please see chart below. For everyone else 30 hours are required. No matter which category you fall into, everyone is required to include in the total number of hours due; 2 hours of suicide prevention, assessment, etc, 3 hours of ethics and 3 hours of explicit or implicit bias, diversity, inclusion, or cultural awareness/ competency/ humility.
Reflection on Foundational Research Methods
Debra Olson-Morrison, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S.
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Chair of the School of Social Sciences and Social Work Program Director
Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri
Dr. Mary Kinyanjui, acclaimed researcher and scholar from Kenya currently serving as Activist in Residence for the Buchanan Initiative for Peace and Nonviolence at Avila University, recently spoke to the students enrolled in my Research Methods for Social Workers class. Dr. Kinyanjui is a qualitative researcher. Her life’s work centers on empowering women and children in Africa through telling the stories held dear by the communities. It is through these stories that she assists the participants in embracing their strengths and talents to strengthen economic and educational mobility. The research data encompass many forms – interview narratives, stories, songs, and dances. By deeply listening to and observing the people in the community, she moves between the roles of researcher and active participant in the social change process. Although she did not label herself as such, I would classify her as a participatory action researcher.
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