82% of AU Social Work Grads Pass Licensure Exam on First Try

Last year the social work department at Ashland University graduated 14 students from its program.  The Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Board that oversees the examination and licensing of social workers reported that 12 of the students are now licensed in Ohio to practice social work.  One student has applied to take the exam but has not taken it yet, and one other student has not applied for licensure.   

Students graduating from an accredited school of social work are the only individuals who can take the licensure exam, which when passed allows them to be a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). 

The university’s social work program continues to boast an 82% passing rate for those taking the exam for the first time with the remaining students passing it the second time.  This is in contrast with the state-wide passing rate of 81.9%. for first time test takers, and only a 45% passing rate for those taking the exam a second time.

Sarah Hayes, Intern at OhioHealth MedCentral

Sarah Hayes in an intern at OhioHealth MedCentral, which, along with MedCentral Shelby Hosptial, has joined forces with OhioHealth, a faith-based, not-for-profit health system. 

Tell us a little bit about your internship placement, your job duties, and the activities you’ve been involved in. 
I complete patient assessments as well as plan their discharge, which can include setting up Nursing Home Placements, arranging transportation, and setting up Home Health Services.  I also talk about if the patient needs medical equipment at home, how they can get the medical equipment, and provide financial, substance abuse, or prescription assistance to patients if needed.  

How has Ashland University’s Social Work Program prepared you for your internship?
The Social Work program has prepared me immensely for this internship.  Volunteering at the Nursing Home (an experience provided to all AU social work students in their sophomore year) gave me the opportunity to work on my assessment skills and also my communication skills which have provided me the ability to complete my assessments here at the hospital. The social policy class was really beneficial, too, as I am working with Medicaid and Medicare every day and having a little bit of background information about these policies has made my life so much easier.  

What have you enjoyed most about your internship so far?
I really enjoy the fast pace at the hospital and how every day I get the opportunity to work with new patients. I also like how every new patient I work with has a different background story and how I get to learn a little bit about their past. My supervisor is awesome and I have enjoyed just about everything at the hospital.   

More information about OhioHealth MedCentral can be found here.  

All social work students undergo a 500-hour internship in their senior year, during which they put into practice the skills they have learned throughout their time at Ashland University while gaining valuable experiences to prepare them for employment or graduate studies after graduation.  For more information about Ashland University’s Social Work Program, please visit our website.

Social Work Faculty to Attend National Conference

This week, Professor Udolph, Field Director, and Professor Vimont, Program Director, will be attending the 33rd Annual Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) Conference in Dallas, Texas.  This year's theme is "promoting excellence in undergraduate social work through education and leadership" (visit the BPD website to learn more).

At the Conference, new accreditation standards for social work programs will be a major focus, and Professors Udolph and Vimont will have the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming reaffirmation process, during which the AU Social Work Program's accreditation status is renewed.

"Accreditation is important," Dr. Vimont says, "because it ensures we are providing an education that is aligned with the demands of the social work profession and which conveys best practices in our curriculum."

Save travels, Professors!

Social Work Club Assembles Easter Baskets for Associated Charities

For the Social Work Club spring service project, members assembled 30 Easter baskets for children in the Ashland community.  The baskets included jump ropes, bubbles, playdoh, assorted balls, stickers, stamps, pencils and erasers, crayons, glow sticks and candy!  The Club received donations for the baskets from School Specialty. 

Social Work Club members donated the baskets to Associated Charities, which is an organization that provides support to residents of Ashland County, to be distributed to children in need for Easter.   

 Great job, Social Work Club! 

Bailey Fullwiler, Intern with Richland County Youth and Family Council

Bailey Fullwiler is an intern with Richland County Youth and Family Council.  The council is made up of over fifteen agencies that work directly in the community to provide services for youth, starting before birth, as well as for entire families. 

Tell us a little bit about your internship placement, your job duties, and the activities you’ve been involved in. 
I attend the monthly full council meetings as well as all our committee meetings.  I also work closely with several grants.  One is Strong Families, Safe Communities, where I help organize referrals, make presentations for agencies to assist in creating greater awareness of available funding, coordinate respite weekends at Camp Nuhop, as well as other other respite events in the community such as Friday Nights at the YMCA.  I work closely with the Home Choice program, where I visit youth in institutions to perform an assessment and then work with the client and their support system to determine the needs we can assist them with.  After they are released from the institution, I perform regular home visits for 90 days to ensure all needs and referrals are being met.  I also coordinate and perform team meetings for care management by meeting with families and their caseworkers in the home to fill out the proper paperwork and prepare their proposal for funding.         

How has Ashland University’s Social Work Program prepared you for your internship?
I was aware of the importance of confidentiality, the use and protocol for release of information, and how to properly maintain client paper work.  I feel that from course work and discussions, I was well prepared to work with the diverse client population, and have great techniques for engagement and skills to tactfully address confrontation.  I also felt confident in my knowledge of performing home visits.  The program has taught me the best ways to personally cope and how to prevent burn out, so I can deal with any feelings of stress and frustration in my internship. I am appreciative of how well prepared and competent I felt, thanks to our program.     

What have you enjoyed most about your internship so far?
I have enjoyed the opportunity to engage and work directly with clients.  I have loved getting to meet a diverse group of individuals, learn about their experiences, and provide meaningful services and assistance to them.  I have been overwhelmed to learn about the amazing programs available to assist those in need and see the dedication and commitment of the social workers in this community.  


More information about Richland County Youth and Family Council can be found here. 

All social work students undergo a 500-hour internship in their senior year, during which they put into practice the skills they have learned throughout their time at Ashland University while gaining valuable experiences to prepare them for employment or graduate studies after graduation.  For more information about Ashland University’s Social Work Program, please visit our website.

Ashland University Day of Giving

Ashland University is celebrating its first Day of Giving, during which individuals who make a donation to the University can show their support for the Social Work Program.  Today, any donation made at the Day of Giving donation website is part of the Eagle Rising Challenge, the winner of which will receive a $1,000 donation from the Alumni Association.

If you wish to vote for the us in the challenge, please visit the Day of Giving donation website and enter "Social Work Program" in the "Cast your vote!" box.

Click here to learn more about and to follow the progress of the Day of Giving.

Thanks for your support!

Give A Meal Service Project Nominated for Service Project of the Year

Each fall, the Social Work Club raises funds to purchase food for the Ashland County Food Bank. Fall 2015's Give A Meal service project, which raised $1,149, has been nominated for the Leadership & Service Awards' Service Project of the Year award.  The Awards program seeks to recognize the exceptional efforts of Ashland University students, faculty and staff, and this year's recipients will be announced at the program's 29th annual ceremony on Sunday, April 24th.

Best of luck, Social Work Club, and thank you for your service!

Happy International Women's Day!

Today is International Women's Day, a day of celebration of the achievements of women.  This year's theme, #PledgeforParity, aims to encourage "everyone - men and women - ...to pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity..."  To learn more about steps you can take to help bring about equality, visit the International Women's Day site here.

Jocelyn Bean, Intern at Catalyst Life Services

Jocelyn Bean is an intern for Catalyst Life Services in Mansfield, OH.  They are the largest mental health provider in Richland County.

Tell us a little bit about your internship placement, your job duties, and the activities you’ve been involved in. 

I work in the youth department and began by sitting in on counseling appointments and diagnostic assessments.  After awhile, I was able to move to the case management department, which works on skill building with clients during school hours.  Now I am seeing my own clients as well as leading skills groups in Mansfield City Schools two days a week. At the school, I help assist when there is a crisis or a disruptive child. I am also a facilitator for an autism group called Aspirations, an 8-week, hand-selected group, which includes a group for children with autism as well as a group for their parents.

How has Ashland University’s Social Work Program prepared you for your internship?    
There are other interns at the agency and I have been trusted with the most work. I have been able to use the theories and skills learned in practice one and two (social work courses taken in each student's junior year) to engage and assess several clients. I was nervous at first but soon felt I had the knowledge and preparation to do everyday tasks and to complete what was asked of me.

What have you enjoyed most about your internship so far?

My fellow staff members are great and I could not ask for a better support system. Also, I really enjoy working with my clients as I am able to help them better their lives. I have seen first-hand clients using the skills I have taught them to stay out of trouble. My job is extremely rewarding and I could not have asked for a better placement.

More information about Catalyst Life Services can be found here.  

  

All social work students undergo a 500-hour internship in their senior year, during which they put into practice the skills they have learned throughout their time at Ashland University while gaining valuable experiences to prepare them for employment or graduate studies after graduation.  For more information about Ashland University’s Social Work Program, please visit our website.