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Tampa Bay Unit Social Work
Month Photo Gallery
TAMPA BAY UNIT
(Updated 5/2/18)
The Tampa Bay Unit is close to concluding a very successful 2017-2018 season. By way of review, we've held kickoff meetings in both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties in August and September. Workshops during the 2017-2018 season focused on a variety of topics including evidence-based treatment for trauma, treatment planning, forgiveness and self-forgiveness, girls court, diversity, LEAD, medical cannabis as well as evaluating suicide risk in adults.
During this same timeframe, our Unit Vice Chair, Ms. Sharon Barber and I participated in multiple pinning ceremonies at the University of South Florida's School of Social Work and Saint Leo University's Downtown Tampa Education Center. Further, on two occasions, I met with the new Director of the University of South Florida School of Social Work, Dr. Riann van Zyl. Our joint focus centered around further building a relationship between his school and the Tampa Bay Unit. Another outreach effort focused on my making a presentation about our profession and NASW to a grass-roots organization, Peace4Tarpon.
The high point of our season occurred on March 10, 2018, at our Annual Social Work Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony hosted by Allegro Hyde Park in Tampa. Ms. Pamela Jeffre, Executive Director of Success4Kids&Families in Tampa was our Social Worker of the Year. Mr. David Shaw from Saint Leo University was named our Social Work Student of the Year and Ms. Theresa Hickie from Brandon, FL was awarded our Public Citizen of the Year.
U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D) of Florida's 14th Congressional District was our Elected Official of the Year. While she was unable to attend our Social Work Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony, Representative Castor hosted members of the Steering Committee at her District office in Tampa on April 30, 2018. In addition to receiving her award, Ms. Castor spoke at length to members of the Steering Committee regarding their social work experiences and their thoughts regarding several topics now before the Congress.
L to R: Sarah Jenkins, MSW Student Rep; Sharon Barber, Unit Vice Chair; Jack Smith, Unit Chair; Representative Kathy Castor; Dave LaPensee, PACE; Stacy Kratz, CCNLI and Ethics
As we move forward, much is planned. Following the NASW FL Annual Conference in Ft. Lauderdale next month, our Unit will be starting kickoff events in August in both Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Workshops starting in September will include topics such as leadership skills for social workers, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing as well as private practice "dos and don'ts."
Further, we will be working with our Unit's BSW and MSW Student Reps to initiate a panel discussion composed of NASW professionals in September. The goal of this panel will revolve around the professionals from various social work fields talking about their work experiences, outlining how NASW membership has benefitted them and answering questions from the BSW and MSW students in attendance. I anticipate the Unit will then offer BSW and MSW students as well as new social workers a weekly or monthly support group to assist them in their professional development.
Next, I ask each of you to please register to vote and then vote! It is critical that you do so in order to further our social justice agenda. On November 6, 2018, Floridians will elect a new governor, elect a U.S. Senator as well as members of the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. Further, many local and county officials will stand for election. In sum, I sincerely ask you to vote for those candidates that will uphold the values that we see in our NASW Code of Ethics.
In closing, I invite you to contact me with any questions, concerns, comments or ideas you may have to make our Tampa Bay Unit work better for you. My email address is tampabay.naswfl@socialworkers.org. In order to keep up with our Unit's workshops and events, please go to www.naswfl.org and read our Unit news.
Best Regards
Jack Smith, LCSW, ACSW
Tampa Bay Unit Chair
NASW FL Chapter
P.S. As a benefit of NASW membership, I continue to offer members a review of their resume. The goal of this complimentary review revolves around offering you suggestions to sharpen and focus your resume. Also, I will use my 40 year social work career to offer members interviewing tips."
As always, feel free to submit your ideas to make our Tampa Bay Unit better. Currently, we're in need for ideas to increase our membership and ensure that you receive maximum "bang" for all of your annual dues "bucks." If you have ideas or wish to volunteer, please contact Jack at tampabay.naswfl@socialworkers.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
There are no local events planned at this time. Please visit the Events page for other opportunities.
UNIT LEADERSHIP
Jack Smith, LCSW - Unit Chair
tampabay.naswfl@socialworkers.org
Unit Vice Chair
Sharon Barber
Chapter Committee on Nominations and Leadership Identification (CCNLI)
Stacy Kratz
Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee
David LaPensee
Membership
Robin Waters
Newsletter
Vacant
Legislative
Brittany Peters
491 Board Liaison
Susan Infanzon
Chapter Supervisory Task Force
Nancy Gordon
Susan Infanzon
Ethics
Stacy Kratz
MSW Representative
Sarah Jenkins
BSW Representatives
Marlene Aboytes
Jaqualla Grimes