There is still room in some interesting sessions coming up - please help us spread the word!


April 24, 2006 ~ Mountainlair, Morgantown
Program Evaluation
Nancy Lohmann, PhD, Professor, WVU Division of Social Work, and Senior Advisor to the Provost
7am-9am, 2 SW CEUs
Fees:  $25 (includes a light breakfast)

REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE AT http://sw.as.wvu.edu/continuing/index.php

During a time when social welfare agencies are under increased pressure to demonstrate accountability, how may program evaluation be used to illustrate an agency's impact? How may a small agency evaluate its programs, given limited staff and funding?  Through presentation and discussion, this session will attempt to answer these questions.  Measures that may be used to assess an agency's impact will be discussed. Ways to involve staff in understanding the need for evaluation and inexpensively implement evaluation techniques will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:  Upon completion of this workshop participants will learn to develop an understanding of the basic techniques of program evaluation, to understand the ways in which program evaluation results may be used to meet accountability expectations and to understand the difference between satisfaction and outcome measures and assess what situations may be appropriate for which type of measure.

May 19, 2006 ~WVU Knapp Hall, Morgantown
Illuminations -Through the Eyes of a Child:
A Personal and Intimate Encounter with the Abuse of a Child's Sexuality
Reverend Ray Chase
9am-5pm, 7 SW CEUs
Fees:  $75      (Early Bird by April 19 = $67.50)

REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE AT http://sw.as.wvu.edu/continuing/index.php

The complexities of the abuse of a child's sexuality * more frequently referred to as child sexual abuse - are of increasing and particular importance to mental health and other professionals.  This experiential presentation will provide clinicians with the opportunity to gain deeper cognitive and empathic insights into the experience of the abuse of a child's sexuality with subsequent exploration of the implications for treatment.  Using the original art work and writings, of Justin and Matt, victims of such abuse, participants will be given a unique and comprehensive look at both the short and long term emotional, mental and spiritual impact of the abuse on the victim.  In addition participants will be given a unique view and insights into:  the thoughts and feelings of a victim toward the perpetrator; his view of the family and the impact of the abuse on the family; his beliefs about healing.  The seminar will address the commonalities shared by victims who have had their sexuality abused across cultural lines while also acknowledging some of the differences, especially those regarding gender.  This seminar is appropriate for social workers at all levels of experience.

Rev. Ray Chase has worked in the field of residential treatment of neglected and abused children for 26 years.  As the Illuminations Clinical Director he conducts the acclaimed Illuminations Workshops for local and national mental health and law enforcement personnel and agencies and makes the exhibit available as an adjunct to treatment for adolescent and adult sex offender programs.

The artwork itself draws participants into successive layers of meaning that challenge them beyond both mental and emotional boundaries.  In doing so participants discover: new insights and perspectives; possible implications for their work or efforts in the area of child abuse; a unique and powerful experience of empathy for the victim of abuse; and a deeper understanding and appreciation of empathy as a critical resource and tool to enhance one's professional work in the area of child abuse.  These constitute the key learning objectives for this workshop.

May 26, 2006 ~ Dorothy McCormack Center, Martinsburg
Forensic Social Work: Assessing the Individual Facing Jail Time
Eileen Stanzione, LISW-C, Senior Lecturer, WVU Division of Social Work.
9am-5pm, 7 SW CEUs
Fees:  $75      (Early Bird by April 26 = $67.50)

REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE AT http://sw.as.wvu.edu/continuing/index.php

The assessment and possible testimony of a forensic social worker is crucial, worthy of extensive preparation, and can affect the lives of an individual and his or her family immediately following the trial and for many subsequent years.  The incalculable number of courts and the volume of litigation in our country virtually ensures that social workers will be involved with one or more clients' legal proceedings during the course of their careers.

As the court system is a complex bureaucracy with a vast number of cases, the legal process expedites most cases via negotiation prior to the actual court proceedings.  It is at this juncture that the social worker's assessments interface with the judge and the prosecuting attorney, and it is at this level that a social worker's expert judgment, compassion, knowledge, and skills will prepare him or her to portray the client's background and current life circumstances in a clear, empathic, and meaningful way. This portrayal, or assessment, often forecloses the possibility of one's client going to jail.

Whatever one's perspective is regarding the fault or innocence of the client, as well as the criminal justice system and its value, it is often the case that the social worker uniquely comprehends the mitigating circumstances that initially led the client into the criminal justice system.  The identification and effective description of these circumstances is the perspective lacking in every other member of the legal system.  This workshop will assist the social worker in the assessment process.

Learning Objectives:  Upon completion of the workshop, participants will gain an understanding of the criminal justice system; gain an understanding of the lawyers and their functions; discriminate between therapeutic and evaluator relationships; gain specific knowledge as to whom to interview and how to elicit their cooperation; learn specific interviewing questions and skills for conducting an effective and informative interview; gain an understanding of how to write the assessment and make the recommendations.  In addition, participants will learn the expert witness' tools.





Jacki Englehardt, MSW, ACSW
Coordinator of Professional and Community Education
Division of Social Work
West Virginia University
PO Box 6830
Morgantown, WV 26506
304-293-3501, ext. 3109
fax:  304-293-5936
cell: 304-282-0321
Summer Institute on Aging Website:  www.wvsioa.org