Welcome to day two of the NASW Mississippi Chapter Virtual Annual Conference!

Phylandria Hudson, MSW, LCSW, President, NASW-MS Chapter

The purpose of this study is to examine mental health among Black/African American adults receiving services for physical health conditions at any of Federally Qualified Health Center clinic sites in South Mississippi. This study focuses on how psychosocial factors are associated with health and mental health problems. Also, this study examines whether the associated factors differ by gender. The study utilizes ecological systems theory and the biopsychosocial model of health as conceptual frameworks. A total of 346 patients participated in this study. Of 346 patients, 119 were males and 227 were females. The following scales were used to measure study variables: The Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder, the Duke Health Profile, Stressful Life Events Checklist, and Lifetime Exposure to Traumatic Events. Results revealed that the rates of anxiety and depression differed by gender, with higher rates among females than males. Females were more likely than males to experience abuse. However, in both groups, exposure to abuse was a significant predictor of physical and mental health problems. In addition, SES-related stressors (e.g., housing, employment) were significant predictors in both groups. These results indicate the importance of integrated healthcare services to address the physical, mental, and psychosocial needs of Black/African Americans.

Credit:1.5 CD 

Joohee Lee, PhD, MSW, Professor, Social Work, USM

Dr. Joohee Lee earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Social Work from the University of South Carolina and the University of Texas at Austin. Since joining the USM faculty in 2006, she has taught 10 different courses including HBSE, Research Methods, Human Diversity, Systems and Human Life, Program Evaluation, etc. Also, she has served as a chair of department’s evaluation committee since 2007. The areas of her research interest include: 1) mental health among people exposed to disasters, people with chronic health conditions, and immigrants; 2) child welfare; and 3) violence against women. She has produced numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations related to these areas including Psychology of Women Quarterly; Journal of Interpersonal Violence; Journal of Family Violence; Violence Against Women; Social Science & Medicine, Journal of Public Child Welfare, Children and Youth Service Review, Child and Youth Care Forum, Health Care in Social Work, Journal of Community Psychology, Disaster Prevention and Management, etc. In addition, she has served as a faculty advisor for student’s independent research and poster presentations at various conferences.

Candace Williams, BA - Student Presenter, USM, Social Work

Ms. Candace Williams was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. She attended the University of South Alabama and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. She is employed with the State of Alabama Department of Human Resources as a Social Service Caseworker II. She has been employed with the Department of Human Resources for seven years. She is currently in the 2nd year of the MSW program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Jessica Skanes, BSW - Student Presenter, USM, Social Work

Ms. Jessica Skanes was born and raised in Citronelle, Alabama a small town 30 miles from Mobile, Alabama. She graduated from the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's in Social Work and minor in Sociology in 2012. She is currently employed with the State of Alabama Department of Human Resources since January 2015 in Mobile, Alabama as a Social Service Caseworker II. She is currently in the 2nd year of the MSW program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Mississippi’s new Human Trafficking Council was launched September 10, 2019. The Council functions as a statewide, centralized task force and is powered by members of federal, state, and local governments; nonprofits; and non-governmental organizations. The Council represents the state’s first coordinated interdisciplinary movement toward addressing human trafficking. This presentation provides an overview of the Council and its work. Opportunities to assist in this effort will be presented.

Credit: 1.5 CE

Tamara E. Hurst, PhD, LCSW, Associate Professor and Field Instructor, USM Social Work

Tamara Hurst is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi. She earned her doctorate from the University of Georgia, School of Social Work, and her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work from Georgia State University. She was recently appointed chair of the Strategic Planning and Trafficking Protocol Committee of Mississippi’s Human Trafficking Council.

The student track will include the following topics of interest to student social works students. Students will learn about modern advocacy work, licensing process, licensure prep, resume development, and social media etiquette. 

The guest lecturers are renowned professors and practitioners from across our state and region. They are experts in their fields whose expertise is called upon from community and government officials. Their invaluable knowledge will offer students practical advice and suggestions as they move forward in their new careers.

A massive amount of research recognizes the detrimental effects that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and/or bullying have on the health and other negative issues of children and adolescents. This presentation will examine the incidence of child and family characteristics associated with ACEs and/or bullying in Latinx children and adolescents in immigrant families compared to Latinx children and adolescents in U.S.-born families. Data comes from the nationally representative 2017–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). The NSCH is a nationally representative landline and mobile phone survey of households with at least one resident child zero to 17. The primary outcome variable of interest is the ACE exposure category. The secondary outcome variable of interest is bullying. Using multivariable regressions, this study examines the ACEs exposure versus no ACE exposure by family characteristics. Also, this presentation will examine any differences in bullying between immigrant and not Latinx immigrant children. U.S.-born Latinx children and adolescents born to U.S.-native parents are hypothesized to have higher levels of ACEs than foreign-born Latinx children and adolescents. However, foreign-born Latinx children and adolescents are hypothesized to have higher experiences with bullying than U.S.-born Latinx children and adolescents born to U.S.-native parents.

Credit:1.5 CE

Pedro M. Hernandez, PhD, MSW, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Jackson State University

Dr. Pedro M. Hernandez is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work at Jackson State University.  He completed his Ph.D. in Human Resources and Family Studies in 1996 at the University of Illinois and, in December 2006, completed his MSW degree.  Dr. Hernandez has been an NIH Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Office of Population Research, Princeton University, and a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Center for Demography and Ecology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. He worked for ten years as an Assistant Research Professor at the Children and Family Research Center at the University of Illinois. Dr. Hernandez was an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Grambling State University, Grambling. Louisiana from 2014 to 2016.

Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent and costly health conditions in the United States. Nearly half (approximately 45%, or 133 million) of all Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease, and the number is growing. Approximately 17% are children.  Chronic diseases—including, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, respiratory diseases, arthritis, obesity, and oral diseases—can lead to hospitalization, long-term disability, reduced quality of life, and death. In fact, persistent conditions are the nation’s leading cause of death and disability.

This seminar will present evidence-based clinical approaches to alleviate the physical and mental health distress in children and adults living with chronic diseases.  Understanding the cultural preferences of the patient and their families (or caretakers) will be discussed as an essential consideration.  Often times, patients and families are confronted with difficult health decisions.  The social worker plays an important role in assisting them to make these decisions within an ethical framework and inclusive of their cultural preferences.  Understanding the effects of chronic illnesses and providing the appropriate interventions can enhance the quality of life for these individuals.

Credit:1.5 CE  (Includes .5 Ethics)

Robert J. “Bob” Guasco, LCSW, MHA, ACSW, Director for the Anderson Regional Cancer Center

Guasco serves as Director for the Anderson Regional Cancer Center, a nationally accredited, comprehensive cancer treatment facility in Meridian, Mississippi.

Guasco received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola University in New Orleans, LA. He completed his Master of Social Work at Tulane University and his Master of Health Administration from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University. He has an extensive career in healthcare administration and behavioral health sciences. Guasco is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and previously worked extensively with children and adolescents with mental health and developmental disabilities. His professional interests include treatment of child and adolescent disorders, legal rights of minor children, healthcare policy and effective delivery methods of healthcare services.

Guasco is an adjunct faculty at Mississippi State University (MSU-Meridian) and teaches in areas of healthcare social work, clinical social work and psychiatric disorders. He is a member of the Mississippi Conference on Social Welfare and the National Association of Social Workers.

This presentation will cover parenting in the midst of a global pandemic. We will discuss parenting challenges, and ways to provide comfort and support to children of all ages during this time. During this presentation, we will also cover healthy self-care strategies for parents, and ways to decrease stress and anxiety due to Covid-19. The goal of this presentation is to provide tips, validation, and a mental health perspective on parenting children during a global pandemic.

Credit:1.5 CE

Rachel Lahasky, LCSW, MSW, BSW Coordinator, Instructor, USM, Social Work

Rachel has a professional background in primarily school-based social work. She worked for five years as a school-based therapist in the largest outpatient mental health facility in Louisiana. She also has a medical social work back-ground and has most recently worked in the medical social services department at Forrest General in Hattiesburg, MS. Rachel has been teaching at Southern Miss for the last 6.5 years and transitioned into the BSW Coordinator role in the fall 2019 semester. Rachel’s interests include work in areas of grief and bereavement, school social work, and work with animals as it relates to grief and loss. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the circumstances surrounding pregnancy and birth, both for expectant and new parents and for the medical staff members who care for them. Social workers can play an important role in educating, providing support, and working with family and staff strengths.

Credit:1.0 CE

Brenda Sumrall Smith, PhD, LCSW, LMFT, ACSW, BCD, Contractual Worker/Retired Director of Social Work, UMMC

Brenda Sumrall Smith has 46 years of practice in social work in health care, in clinical and administrative roles, including working in perinatal healthcare throughout those years in either full-time or part-time positions. Even when employed full-time in an administrative role at UMMC, she worked part-time with another hospital in perinatal care, because that type of clinical work has always been important to her.

Smith was a charter member of the National Association of Perinatal Social Workers, one of the authors of that organization’s Code of Ethics and Standards for Social Work in NICUs, and filled many leadership roles in the organization, including that of President.

She was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the multi-disciplinary National Perinatal Association and have been active in MS NASW, most recently serving as Vice-President of the chapter. She was part of a 7-member national task force which developed competencies for social work in healthcare for NASW. She also taught classes for USM Graduate School of Social Work, and served as field instructor for many students, as well as teaching nurses and medical students throughout the years. She has been published in various related publications.

The 2021 LCSW Supervisory Update is intended to introduce, review, provide a platform for discussion, and consultation among LMSW Supervisors providing contractual supervision to Mississippi credentialed LMSW that are engaging or anticipate engaging in the required 100 hours of supervisory experience needed to sit for the LCSW licensure examination.  This session will provide guidance and insight as to tried and tested strategies to ensure a positive and most engaging supervisory experience for both the licensee and the supervisor.  Case examples, licensure data, and test prep examples will be incorporated into the delivery format for this presentation.

(Please note this workshop is 2.0 hours and for LCSWs)
Credit: 2.0 CE

Virginia H. Adolph, DSW, LCSW, C-SSWS, Harrison County Special Education Dept.