Gayle Flavin, LCSW St. Louis Coordinator   Gayle Flavin holds a BSW from the University of Missouri and received her MSW from The Brown School of Social Work through Washington University in St. Louis.    Gayle’s professional work experience includes child welfare, family services, program development, program replication, consultation, and training. Gayle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Missouri. As a St. Louis native, Gayle is eager to assist the local social work community.   To discuss employment opportunities or staffing needs, Gayle can be reached at 314-963-3155 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Of Interest

Number of Licensed Social Workers Increasing Greatly in Illinois

In an attempt to address workplace shortages, Illnois passed a bill at the end of 2021 to remove a known biased exam as a requirement for licensed non-independent social workers. With the new law's implementation, LSWs have risen throughout the state tremendously. Learn more about this uptick in LSWs and how the legislation change has broken barriers in Illinois here. 

DC Considers Removing Exam Requirements 

Concerns of racial bias are fueling a debate among social workers and now DC is considered removing the exam requirements for certain types of social workers. Read more about this debate here. 

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Goes Live

Social Worker Licensure Compact

As of July 14, 2022 draft legislation for the Social Worker Licensure Compact has become available. To view, please click here. 

The Lifeline and 988 - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022. 

Learn more about this resource here. 

St. Louis Mayor Hopes Social Workers Will "Disrupt and Transform" Public Safety

Through the addition of social workers into various city departments, St. Louis is hoping to keep people out of the criminal justice system. This initiative will place 30 social workers to assist in connecting non-violent people with mental health crises with traied health care workers. Learn more about this initiative here.

 

Advancing Antiracism in Social Work Education

In 2020, the CSWE created the Task Force to Advance Anti-Racism in Social Work. The purpose of this group was to develop a plan of action to make social work education stronger. Learn more about the idea presented here. 

911 Calls to Be Diverted to Mental Health Professionals

This proposed program will divert callers with mental health issues away from the police or fire department and directly to a mental health professional. Responders will be trained professionals who will work in partnership with officers. Their primary focus is behavioral health support, but they will also respond to domestic violence calls and other traumatic situations. Read more about this new initiative here. 

Missouri Among Top States for Prosecution of Human-Trafficking Cases

Annual reports show that Missouri is among the top 10 states for the number of defendants prosecuted in human-trafficking cases. With Missouri being a crossroads in the center of the country, this is an encouraging statistic. Read more about the actions being taken across the country and learn valuable statistics relating to human-trafficking in this News Tribune article. 

COVID-19 Brings Additional Struggles to Foster Families

This article from 'The Missourian' discusses the additional challenges foster families are experiencing during this unprecidented time. From virtual visits with biological parents, to training being moved online, every one is continuing to adapt and find a new normal. 

Resources For Social Workers Regarding COVID-19

With many Social Workers able to continue their work, understanding the importance of practicing safety when it comes to COVID-19 is imperative. Here is a collection of resources put together by the NASW to help direct Social Workers in their efforts. 

We Are Always Looking For New Social Workers

Social Work p.r.n. is seeking MSW and BSW professionals interested in temporary, temp to hire, and direct hire work in the St. Louis Metropolitan area in all fields of practice. We provides social workers with a bridge to temporary and permanent placement opportunities while working to promote social work interests. It is our goal to match social workers with an employment opportunity that makes a fit for your whole life. This is a great opportunity for new graduates, those looking to make a shift in their career, social workers wanting temporary employment, retired social workers, social workers new to the region, etc. Applicants must possess a social work degree from a CSWE accredited university.

Searching For Jobs Outside the Traditional Social Work Setting

Our founder, Joan Upshaw, was a strong believer that social workers could bring value to any position or organization. All of us at Social Work p.r.n. support that belief. This insightful article from USC's online Doctor of Social Work program details the challenges and benefits of moving from the nonprofit world into a corporate setting.

Innovation in the field of Social Work- How Social Work p.r.n. Began

When the late Joan Upshaw started the company Social Work p.r.n. in 1988, she had a vision for the way social work could branch out from its traditional mold of direct practice and advocacy roles and expand its reach into social enterprise. Learn more about the start of Social Work p.r.n. here. 

In this article, Boatwright shares how she’s hoping to help families struggling to understand mental illness in children and why working with children on their mental health is crucial for development.