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Sheri Hilger, LSCSW, LCSW
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Of Interest
Join Us for Student Informational Sessions!
These informational sessions are a great way for graduating BSW and MSW students to learn more about Social Work p.r.n. and a chance to ask questions about starting their social work career.
Upcoming SSWLHC Webinars for Social Workers
April 9th: "The One Big Beautiful Act: Implications for Social Work" 12:00-1:00p
April 16th: "Medical-Legal Partnerships: Social Workers and Lawyers Improving Health Outcomes" 12:00-1:00p
May 1: "Demystifying Research for Social Work: 2:00-3:30p
Click here to register and learn more about each of these online learning opportunities.
Social Work Licensure Compact Moving Through Regulatory Phases - Expected to Become Active
This agreement will enable qualified social worker to serve clients in every state within the compact, rather than having to obtain licensure in each state they wish to practice. This compact will help the nearly 500,000 licensed social workers in the United States find more opportunities for multistate practice. Learn more about benefits for licensees, licensing authorities and states here.
Join Social Work p.r.n. for an Informative Clinical Supervisor Training
Meet your Missouri 16-hour clinical supervisor training hours with our 2 day comprehensive Clinical Supervisor Training. Led by Grey Endres, MSW, DSW, LCSW, LSCSW, Associate Professor of Social Work, Missouri Western University, you will learn practical tools that you can use immediately, understand ethical guidance and best practices for confident supervision and receive 16 CEUs and a certificate of completion for Clinical Supervisor Training. Space is limited - secure your spot today. RSVP by February 24 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics Turns 65
On October 13, 2025, the NASW Code of Ethics celebrates 65 years. The Code of Ethics continues to evolve to support social workers as they uphold excellence in the field. To learn more about the Code of Ethics, read recent articles surrounding the code or to simply read the current code, visit this link.
Studies Continue to Link Improved Mental Health with the Presence of Pets
As loneliness and mental health conditions continue to rise, studies show a link between improved mental health and the presence of pets. Through companionship, increased exercise and the desire to care for a partner, pets are making people healthier and happier. Learn more about these studies here.
Compact (HB 2484)
Recent Study Finds General Public Holds Positive Perception of Social Workers
This national survey conducted by Ipsos finds Americans have a favorable opinion towards social workers based upon their experiences. View this article summing up findings, which will be released next month, to find out more specific public opinions regarding social workers.
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.
KU School of Social Welfare Offers Variety of CEUs
We encourage you to visit the KU School of Social Welfare web page to learn more about the CE opportunities they are offering. The link above will take you to their current list of events.
New Revision to the DSM 5; What Social Workers Need to Know
After nine years, there is a new revision to the DSM 5, which is used by social workers and other mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders. These new revisions, DSM-5-TR, have taken a stronger look at the impact of racism and Social Determinants of Health. "The New Social Worker" provides a brief overview here, and "Psychiatric News" more deeply addresses the new updates here.
Johnson County Regionalizes Local Calls to National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
For those in Johnson County reaching out for help on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, they will now be speaking to local mental health professionals. This move by Johnson County Mental Health seeks to dive further into underlying issues and involve professionals that are knowledgable about the resources available locally. Read more about this transition here.
New "Clinical Supervisor Training Manual" available for Kansas
We are happy to share the new "Clinical Supervisor Training Manual" for Kansas that was created to assist those seeking a clinical license in KS. We are particularly proud to see this on the Kansas BSRB website because Kansas City Coordinator, Sheri Hilger, was a member of the task force that put together this helpful manual during her tenure on the Social Work Advisory Board.
Click here to view the manual.
The Benefits of Social Work Organizations in Our Community
Throughout the Kansas City area, numerous organizations exist to support social workers both educationally and professionally. Two such organizations, SSWLHC and ACMA provide networking and educational events throughout the year. ACMA is hosting an upcoming CEU event and SSWLHC is offering a series of networking events for health care social workers and those entering the social work field. Be sure to check our Kansas City calendar to see what events are taking place in the community!
The Critical Role of Social Workers in Our Schools
As the mental health needs of our students increase, so does the importance of the social workers that support them. With Kansas students ranking in the top 10 for suicide rates, addressing mental health is becoming more pressing.
The passing of new legislation will help school districts connect their students with mental health centers more appropriately. Read more about this new legislation and the importance of school social workers here.
New Textbook Helps Students Understand the Link Between Social Work Theory and Human Behaviors
Recently, two University of Kansas social welfare professors published “Human Behavior Theory for Social Work Practice”. This textbook helps students understand the link between social work practice and theory. The authors felt there was a need for this type of book that exposed students to new ideas and discussed how theory plays out in human relationships. Learn more about this new book from this article written by the University of Kansas
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.
Social Workers in Integrated Care Settings
This brief video put together by the Integrated Health Scholars Program of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas conveys the key aspects of what social workers do in an integrated health care setting. Learn more about a typical day of a social worker in this type of setting as well as the lasting impact social workers can make.
Suicide Prevention
Did you know that in the United States, the suicide rate is almost 2.3 times as high as the homicide rate? As social workers, we are often handling delicate situations that revolve around these thoughts and the overall prevention of the act of suicide. Here is a great article that shares alarming facts and educates us on "Suicide Risk in Schools: What Social Workers Need To Know".
Recognizing the Need For School Social Workers
We encourage you to read this interview with Samantha Boatwright, a licensed clinical social worker who works with public school kids in Georgia. Those in these roles are stretched thin providing much needed mental health services to kids around the country.
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.
Why Companies Need Social Workers
Social workers can fill a variety of roles for companies, but as researchers are finding employing social workers for employees’ mental health can increase overall performance. Having social workers on staff can also help keep management’s decisions in check with ethical guidelines and evolve HR departments. Read this great article to learn more about why companies need social workers.