Member SurveyTake this survey about what you would like to see in the Region for social meetups>>
Region 2 & Region 3 Bonfire & S'mores, October 23
Region 2, 2024 Award Winners
| Student of the Year, Kiara BowensKiara Bowens is a BSW student at The University of Akron, expected to graduate in December 2024. Kiara has an Associate of Applied Science in Human and Social Services from Stark State College. However, her journey to get to this point was not linear or traditional. After two dismissals from school, Kiara began working in the healthcare field as a State Tested Nurse Assistant. Over a decade later, Kiara decided to pursue her degree. After receiving her associate degree, Kiara obtained employment at Summit County Children Services as a Social Service Aide in the visitation department until March of 2024. Kiara is now employed at Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority as a Service Coordinator in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program |  | Social Worker of the Year, Dr. Aviva Vincent Aviva Vincent, PhD, LSW is a Veterinary Social Worker, assistant professor at Cleveland State University and co-owner of Healing Paws LLC. Dr. Vincent is trained in Results Based Accountability for organizational strategic planning and evaluation through the Harwood Institute, Sustained Dialogue, and the Institute for Social Change. She is on the board of trustees for PATH International Board of Trustees wherein she chairs the DEI Committee, and serves on the advisory board for the Animal Law Clinic at CSU and NOMV. She has over 25 peer-reviewed papers and chapters including The Comprehensive Guide to Interdisciplinary Veterinary Social Work and The Handbook on Human Animal Interactions and Anthrozoology. |  | Lifetime Achievement, Nancy Carst Nancy has been very fortunate to have had a rich and meaningful career the past 42 years in social work. Nancy received her bachelors degree from Kent State University and her masters degree from The University of Chicago. Nancy has worked in the Akron area her entire career, most notably the past 38 years at Akron Children's Hospital. Her great joy has to have been a part of the Hematology-Oncology team service and a part of the Pediatric Palliative Care team. It has been so rewarding to serve children and families during the most difficult times in their lives and see their courage and strength. She has appreciated working with many different professionals and colleagues to enhance her abilities. |  | Agency of the Year, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource CenterThe culmination of decades of dedication and hard work arrived with the birth of the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center in 2017. Hope & Healing’s innovative Akron campus and together with its shelter in Medina, provides over 130 beds and safe shelter for men, women, and children. Hope & Healing supports survivors beyond the walls of its shelters. Meeting survivors where they are, Hope & Healing provides case management, court advocacy, and other supportive services in the community, holding regular drop-in hours at libraries, community centers, and other locations in the community convenient to survivors. Hope & Healing provides community education to raise awareness and reduce stigma, and advocates for systemic changes to better sup |
Recorded Meetings and CEUsNASW Ohio Region 2 (Akron Area) Public Policy Meeting Recordings
View the recording of the March 26 meeting with state Representative Casey Weinstein.
View the recording of the March 31 meeting with Akron City Council member, Shammas Malik. Councilman Malik spoke about various ways to get involved with local issues and advice for those who may be interested in running
for office.
First Annual NASW Ohio Region 2 Conference- Recording
10.5 Social work, counselor, and marriage & family therapist CEUs
Cost: $45 for NASW members, $80 for non-members
For the first time, Region 2 (Akron Area) of the NASW Ohio Chapter held its own conference, providing high quality CEU training and networking opportunities for NASW members and social workers in the Akron Area.
More information>>
Helping People Change with Motivational Interviewing- Recording
5.5 Social work and counselor CEUs provided
Presented by Susan Russell, LISW-S, LICDC-CS
Cost: $10 for NASW members, $15 for non-NASW members
Register for recording access>>
Watch the recording of this webinar from June 19, 2020. Participants will learn the foundations of Motivational Interviewing and connections with the Stages of Change Model, the key components and general principles
of Motivational Interviewing Spirit, Motivational Interviewing Skills and Traps, Change vs Sustain Talk, asking evocative questions, assessing importance and confidence about making a change, and developing a change
plan.
Mandatory Reporting of Elder Abuse- Recording
1.5 CEU, meets ethics requirement. Social work and counselor CEUs provided
Presented by: Sylvia M. Pla-Raith, MA, LSW
Cost: $10 for NASW members, $15 for non-NASW members
Register for recording access>>
In this session we will review the Ohio’s adult protection laws and limitations. We will share case scenarios, interventions and strategies for successful community partnerships to combat elder abuse and exploitation.
By the end of this session you should be able to review the NASW Code of Ethics and mandatory reporting responsibilities, know the revisions to the Ohio Adult Protective Services program laws and regulations, know
the Ohio mandatory reporter requirements, including immunity and the failure to report. Recognize common characteristics and risk factors of victims and perpetrators, and know the definitions and differences of
capacity, competency and self-determination.
Connect to Region 2
Region 2 (Akron Area) Co-Director Salima (Sam) Dunn She/her Salima R. Dunn, MSSA, MPA, LISW (she/her) is currently employed in the Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute at Akron Children's and she is employed at United Disability Services. She was born and raised on the East Side of Youngstown, Ohio and received her Bachelor of Social Work from Youngstown State, her Master of Public Administration from The University of Akron and her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University with a focus on Adult Mental Health. Salima has over 20 years in the social work field including being a supervisor in child welfare and a diversity and inclusion specialist. She is a proud mother of 3 adult children, 1 granddaughter and also a cat mom. Please reach out to Salima for suggestions on how Region 2 can better serve you and if you are in need of assistance in passing the ASWB exam.  Region 2 (Akron Area) Co-Director Renee Leber She/her Renee Leber born and raised in rural small town Ohio received her Bachelor's in Social Work from Defiance College. Upon graduation she attended The Mandel School at Case Western Reserve University to receive her Master's in Social Science Administration with a focus in Children, Youth and Families. While working and living in Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo for several years she focused her attention on providing trauma-informed psychoeducation and clinical treatment serving at-risk populations within residential, child protective services, outpatient, community mental health, and legal systems. For the past 10 years Renee and her husband along with their three children and two dogs live in the community where they grew up. Renee continues to provide clinical therapy to children and adults as a trauma-based therapist in addition to her role as the Behavioral Health Executive Director at a Federally Qualified Health Center integrating primary care, dental, behavioral health, nutrition, and school-based services. Renee is very passionate about empowering others while advocating for self-care and boundary setting. She was the recipient of the NASW Ohio Region 2 Social Worker of the Year award and represented Family Health Services of Erie County as the NASW Ohio Statewide Agency of the Year in 2023. Renee was the NASW Region 2 Executive Representative for Erie and Huron County for about five years before becoming the current Region 2 Co-Director. |
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