AM Breakouts – 90 minutes

OVERVIEW
As our nation grapples with an increasing mental health crisis among children, adolescents and collegiate students, School Social Workers within Hamilton County Schools are making history. Through strong advocacy, data collection and community partnerships, School Social Workers in Chattanooga,TN are serving as interdisciplinary bridges to meet the needs of students and families. As change agents, their work often begins with the story of a student, family or school in need. This dynamic and interactive workshop will focus on the role of social workers within schools, expanding school social work services within communities and strengthening community partnerships.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of attending this presentation, participants will:

1. Be able to recognize the importance of the role of social workers within schools;

2. Develop ideas on how to intentionally expand school social work in their communities;

3. Formulate ideas for strengthening community partnerships; and

4. Consider alternative funding sources for providing school based mental health services.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Professionals with an interest in schools; education; professionals who interface with schools.

PRESENTERS

Professor Stephanie Guster obtained her undergraduate education at Andrews University where she majored in Psychology with double minors in Business Administration and Spanish. After completing undergraduate degree requirements, Professor Guster moved to Argentina to study Spanish through the Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) program. While overseas, she was awarded a graduate fellowship to The Ohio State University where she completed her MSW. Her emphasis was School Social Work. Prior to becoming a professor at Southern Adventist University, Guster was working fulltime as a School Social Worker in Dalton City Schools. Her professional background also includes providing clinical services while working in the area of hospice and bereavement. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in both Tennessee and Georgia. Previously, she worked as the Senior Advisor to the President for racial diversity. She currently serves as the MSW Program Director for Southern Adventist University. While she has many, many hobbies, a couple of her favorites include: vegan cooking, vegan baking, gardening, singing, sports, photography, crochet, writing and traveling! Professor Guster identifies herself as a global citizen. She has lived abroad as an international exchange student and has traveled to 23 countries (thus far) engaged in international mission work.

Lori Carmack is a Licensed Master Social Worker and Licensed School Social Worker with over two decades of experience in the field of social work. Lori graduated with her Master of Social Work from the University of South Florida. She started her MSW career as a mental health therapist providing individual, group, and family therapy at a residential facility for adjudicated youth. She has served as a School Social Worker for over eighteen years with an emphasis on trauma-informed practices, exceptional education services, suicide prevention/intervention, mental health counseling, crisis response, drop-out prevention, community outreach, and wrap around services. She has practiced in six states serving in both urban and rural communities. Lori is now serving as the Coordinator of School Social Work for Hamilton County Schools. She is a certified trainer for Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools (Associate Certification), Fundamentals of Restorative Practices, and a STARR Commonwealth Certified Trauma and Resilience trainer. She is trained in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST), Conscious Discipline, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).