The Social Workers Radio Talk Show

Lynn Rothenberg graduated from the School of Social Welfare in 2008 after a career as a professional journalist. She recently completed a book-length manuscript that addresses her experience as a mother of a child battling addiction and its consequences.

Dr. Keli Rugestein is the author of "Relationsnip: Is there life after your adult child rejects you?" and discusses the factors that lead to estrangement, the impacts of estrangement, and what is the research saying on this topic. Bio:Dr. Keli Rugestein is a licensed clinical social worker and the executive director of Eastern Door Counseling Center. She has been in private practice for over 20 years in the capital region. Keli has focused in her practice over the years in family estrangement and is a clergy and congregation consultant.*She has partnered with Fe Anam Avis, the author of PEAK: Parents of Estranged Adult Kids, A Resource for Recovery. Together they have run on-line groups for this group of people for over a year. The focus on parents who are estranged is because they are the largest group in our population to be affected by this growing phenomenon.She has authored a book, Relationsnip: Is there life after your adult child rejects you? It's anticipated release is late May or June. In it she explores the many facets of estrangement but more importantly, recovery from the many impacts of estrangement.

Kathleen Earle Fox, B.A.'67, M.S.W.'76, Ph.D.'96, is the author of a new book titled, "An Early History of the Wyoming Valley: The Yankee-Pennamite Wars & Timothy Pickering." She discusses how her social work background helped her to write a history book that is not like most history books, as this one pays attention to people and their motivations, and celebrates a group usually ignored in American History: the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois).Fun fact: In 1965, Kathleen submitted the winning entry to UAlbany's mascot-naming contest, and the Great Dane – which represented “the grace, distinction and ‘strength' of the new university campus” – became both the nickname of the sports teams and their symbol.

Alyssa Rodriguez is part of a group of 1st year MSW students who are completing a media component as part of their field placement. Alyssa joined the show to discuss her experience interviewing guests and shares why she chose the topic of foster care. Her interview with a local foster care clinician is played following her interview with co-host Alyssa Lotmore. 

Flora Canavan is part of a group of MSW students who are completing a media component as part of their field placement. Flora joined Dr. Hardiman and Alyssa Lotmore to discuss her experience interviewing guests and shares why she chose the topic of the crisis in the Ukraine. Flora's interview with Father Vasyl Dovgan of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Troy, NY is shared.

We were joined by J.T. Stone, a UAlbany journalism major and podcast host. J.T. shared his story about how his interest in celebrity gossip as a high school freshman led him to a passion for journalism and podcasting. Only now a college freshman, J.T. already has built a bit of a resume, specifically in using his skills of storytelling to help amplify voices... particularly around issues such as mental health. 

Melinda Haselton  is part of a group of MSW students who are completing a media component as part of their field placement. Melinda joined Dr. Hardiman and Alyssa Lotmore to discuss her experience interviewing guests and shares why she chose the topic of childhood bereavement. Melinda's interviews is shared.

Camila Grande is part of a group of 1st year MSW students who are completing a media component as part of their field placement. Camila joined Dr. Hardiman and Alyssa Lotmore to discuss her experience interviewing guests and shares why she chose the topic of abortion and reproductive rights. Camila's two interviews are also shared. Interview one is with Dr. Aurora Phillips, followed by an individual who discusses her experience and the need for support following an abortion. 

We were joined by DTrae Carter, acting president of The Friends and Foundation of the Albany Public Library (FFAPL). We discuss how the FFAPL provides critical financial support to the Albany Public Library in order to help the Library provide education, literacy, career development, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning. We also discuss how social workers are being brought into libraries as employees to address the needs of patrons who may be trying to navigate complex life issues.

We are joined again by Julie Bailey, LCSW, who discusses how to help children manage anxiety,  different therapies used in the treatment of anxiety and trauma, and how we, as adults who are not immune to our own anxiety, can help children with their anxiety. Bio: Julie Bailey, LCSW, has been a children's therapist for approximately 20 years. After obtaining her Masters of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, she participated in a year long certification course through Boston University specific to psychotherapy with children and the utilization of play therapy. She currently uses a variety of treatment strategies in her work, including play therapy, with children who have been sexually abused and traumatized. She is also a part-time lecturer at UAlbany for MSW students, teaching the Social Work Practice with Children class.

We speak with Dr. James "Jim" Caringi, '91 '07, who is a current Professor at the University of Montana's School of Social Work. He is also a former WCDB 90.9FM DJ! Dr. Caringi discusses his research on primary and secondary traumatic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and his current area of focus - vaccine hesitancy related to COVID-19.  Bio:James C. Caringi is a Professor and Chair in the University of Montana's School of Social Work.  A licensed clinical social worker with considerable practice experience with diverse populations in several locales, Caringi's research and development interests encompass primary and secondary traumatic stress, adverse childhood experiences, participatory action research, and both professional and interprofessional team formation and collaboration.  Caringi has been awarded over four million dollars in federal grants to pursue his research. He is a certified Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) “Master Trainer” trainer, committed to raising awareness about the impact of child abuse and neglect nationally. A commitment to social justice drives all his work. Jim and his wife Brenda live in the westside of Missoula and have two awesome daughters.

In this non-traditional episode, faculty, staff, and students were randomly interviewed. Without any time to prepare answers, the questions asked focused on the past, present, and future of social work and what it means to them - "Why Social Work?", "Why Now?", and "What Next?". 

We are joined by Dr. Carmen Morano of UAlbany's School of Social Welfare and Dr. Tomoko Udo of UAlbany's School of Public Health. Both Dr. Morano and Dr. Udo are involved as researchers in a new Albany County pilot program, Albany County Crisis Officials Responding and Diverting (ACCORD). The program teams up social workers and paramedics to provide assistance in emergencies where a law enforcement presence is not necessary. Bios: Dr. Carmen Morano is a Professor and Doctoral Program Director at the School of Social Welfare. In addition to being a John A. Hartford Faculty Scholar, Carmen has served as Member and Chair of the HRSA Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary Community Based Linkages and as the Managing Editor of The Journal of Gerontological Social Work. Carmen's research focuses primarily in the areas of Gerontology and Interprofessional Collaboration and Education. He is the PI for several community-based program evaluation projects in Dementia caregiver programming, a multidisciplinary team response to Elder Abuse, and a number of community-based transitional care coordination programs targeting high risk adults. Carmen recently served as Co-Investigator for the Geriatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network. Along with Dr. Tomoko Udo, Carmen is evaluating the Albany County Crisis Officials Responding and Diverting Program (ACCORD). Dr. Morano frequently presents at national and international conferences and has been recognized for developing and providing interprofessional education and collaboration training. Dr. Morano's edited text, Social Work Perspectives on Interprofessional Education and Collaboration is published by NASW Press.Dr. Tomoko Udo is Associate Professor at Department of Health Policy, Management, and Behavior, School of Public Health. She has also been serving as a Health Policy Advisor for COVID for the University since Spring 2020. Her research focuses on identifying ways to improve health care for individuals with various behavioral health issues, including substance use disorder. Her work has been supported by funding agencies such as New York State Department of Health, CDC, NIDA, National Office of Drug Control Policy, and New York State Health Foundation. She also works as an evaluation consultant for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Along with Dr. Morano, she leads the project to evaluate the Albany County Crisis Officials Responding and Diverting program.

UAlbany SSW alumnus, Jordan Steven Sher '81, joined us to discuss his new book entitled, "And Still We Rise: A Novel about the Genocide in Bosnia."Bio: Jordan Steven Sher has had three careers-  in the non-profit sector as a social worker and administrator; as a middle school teacher; and currently as an author. All of his work throughout has been informed by his social work training in the graduate program, and his experience as a social worker. His current book, which will be published later this fall by Atmosphere Press, is fiction yet relied upon extensive research into the genocide in Bosnia from 1992-1995, as well as interviews with survivors of the concentration camps and other atrocities that befell the majority Muslim population in that country. Jordan lives in Northern California with his wife. He has two grown children.

Kathryn Zox started The Social Workers on WCDB Albany 90.9FM in the fall of 2011. She is no longer the host, but the impact of the show remains. Kathryn joins Alyssa and Eric to discuss the history of the show and what she is up to now. 

Malikah Shaheed returned to the show, this time to discuss her new role as the NASW-NYS Division Director. She shares how her experience in the social work field led her to this new position and what she hopes to accomplish during her term. Bio: Graduating over 15 years ago from University at Albany School of Social Welfare, Malikah sought to explore, experience, and practice all aspects of the social work field. Experiences include In and Outpatient Clinical Practice, Chemical Dependency, School Social Work, Medical Social Work, Child Welfare with Home Studies, and Contracted Short-term Social Work Case Management… all which have made Malikah a well-rounded clinician. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care. With total commitment to the practice and advancement of the field of Social Work, Malikah plans to keep challenging herself and her colleagues to higher levels to the benefit of social work clients.

We were joined by UAlbany SSW alumna, Allie Middleton JD LCSW C-IAYT, who is a published author, long term yoga & meditation practitioner, experienced social impact artist, and leadership mentor. She discussed her new book, Yoga Radicals: A Curated Set of Inspiring Stories from the Field.Bio: Allie Middleton JD LCSW C-IAYT is a published author, long term yoga & meditation practitioner, experienced social impact artist, and leadership mentor. She has served in leadership positions in business, not-for-profit and government settings. Her speciality is curating conscious awareness-based practices in teams who flourish together and create well-being and innovative sustainable outcomes. A recipient of awards for excellence and diversity, Allie implemented a yoga-based program while Clinical & Rehabilitation Director at a community mental health organization in NY. She continues to offer embodiment training to individuals living and working with disabilities. Allie completed all PhD coursework and served as adjunct graduate level faculty, research assistant and peer-reviewer at the School of Social Welfare at StateUniversity of New York, Albany. Her interest in leadership & organization development for social change is documented in her most recent commissioned book, Yoga Radicals: A Curated Set of Inspiring Stories from the Field. Allie is a long term member of the Presencing Institute community, a global awareness-based action research learning organization. She is yoga therapy training faculty in an IAYT-accredited program and an advanced practitioner of Social Presencing Theatre.alliemiddleton.com

We were joined by social worker and author, Renee G. Benson, who discusses her new book, Fifteen minutes on Illinois Street.

Al Cardillo, President and CEO of the Home Care Association of New York State, returned to the show to share information on sepsis prevention and awareness. Al is an alumnus of the School of Social Welfare and also a part-time lecturer. He was joined by Kathy Zazarine who had lost her sister, Lois, to sepsis and shares her story. 

Noteworthy Resources of Albany, Inc. is a nonprofit that expresses community through educational workshops, empowering support groups, and skateboarding. We are joined by its president & founder, Tatiana Gjergji, who talks about how the agency began, the power of community, and Skate Albany. BIOTatiana is first generation American with refugee family members who who escaped Albania and Montenegro to provide a better life for the family. With a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Tatiana has developed experience working in the mental health and addiction support services field. On her personal time, Tatiana founded Noteworthy Resources in 2017 to offer individuals a sense of community, educational resources and support like how her family & other immigrant families need today. Tatiana's business mindset shifted from “working harder” (learned from her parents) to “working smarter.” NWR provides a variety of educational workshops, empowerment meet-ups, skateboarding programs and other support services to other humans throughout the Capital District here in New York. 

In a special Social Work Month episode, we chat with three SSW faculty members about their area of expertise and why social workers are essential. Guests: Dr. Victoria Rizzo, Dr. Wonhyung Lee, and Dr. Eric Hardiman.

We were joined by Beatrice Yorker who shared her expertise on Munchausen by Proxy, also known as Medical Child Abuse. This type of child abuse is potentially lethal, yet remains under-recognized. Links mentioned in interview: American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Munchausen by Proxy theme issue of the March 2018 APSAC Advisor. Webinar given to CSP by Beatrice Yorker on Munchausen by Proxy. Bio:Beatrice Yorker, JD, RN, MS, FAAN has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Indiana University, a Master's in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco, and a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University. She is currently a Professor of Nursing and Criminal Justice & Criminalistics at California State University, Los Angeles. For ten years prior, she served as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, which included schools of Nursing, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Kinesiology, Dietetics, Child Development, and Public Health. Her clinical career includes work in child-psychiatric nursing, forensic nursing and as an expert witness in criminal, family and civil cases. Bea's research focuses on Munchausen by Proxy (MBP), a form of child abuse, and serial murder by nurses and other healthcare professionals. She published a Law Review article on covert video surveillance of MBP and was Co-Editor of The APSAC Advisor 2018 theme Issue on MBP that included APSAC's Guidelines for Practice—a consensus document from the APSAC Munchausen by Proxy Task Force. She is a past board member of APSAC and currently serves on the Munchausen by Proxy Committee. She continues to teach psychiatric nursing and frequently offers training in MBP and Medical Child Abuse.

We were joined by Rachel Potter, LCSW, who discusses the psychosocial challenges faced by patients and families recovering from COVID-19. She speaks about some of the challenges in providing psychological care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies a few strategies for coping with uncertainty.Bio:Rachel Potter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State. She is the clinical social worker at the Mount Sinai National Jewish Health Respiratory Institute. Rachel has created and led numerous patient support groups, classes, and special events. She is the developer and facilitator of wellness groups with Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine fellows and other medical trainees within the Mount Sinai Health System. Rachel is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Rachel's interests include psychosocial impacts of chronic illness and faculty and trainee wellness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel volunteered as a mental health liaison for front line workers on COVID inpatient units, as well as running support groups for the Pulmonary team and COVID outpatients.  

We were joined by Jonathan Jones, the Commissioner of Recreation, Youth and Workforce Services for the City of Albany. He gave us an update on his departments and what resources and services will be available to city residents as we continue to navigate through this pandemic. Bio:Jonathan Jones is the Commissioner of Recreation, Youth and Workforce Services for the City of Albany. He has served in that role since January 2014. He is a member of the 2016 class of the Albany Business Review's 40 Under 40. Jonathan is a graduate of the University at Albany, earning both his bachelor's in sociology and his master's in Education Administration and Policy Studies.

Play therapy is a widely misunderstood therapeutic intervention with children. It is often dismissed as "just playing" or something to do with youth until they are ready to talk. Julie Bailey, LCSW, shares her expertise on play therapy, discusses the myths of play therapy, and outlines the powerful impact of the play therapy approach with children and their families.  She also discusses how to use play therapy in non-traditional settings, such as via Telehealth. Julie Bailey, LCSW, has been a children's therapist for approximately 20 years. After obtaining her Masters of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, she participated in a year long certification course through Boston University specific to psychotherapy with children and the utilization of play therapy. She currently uses a variety of treatment strategies in her work, including play therapy, with children who have been sexually abused and traumatized. She is also a part-time lecturer at UAlbany for MSW students, teaching the Social Work Practice with Children class.

Hillary (Closs) Dolinsky, MSW is a two-time alumna of the University at Albany School of Social Welfare. She was involved with The Social Workers Radio Talk Show when it first began at the SSW in 2011. She earned her undergraduate degree in social welfare in 2011, and then went on to earn her Master's in Social Work (MSW) the following year. Since college, Hillary has worked in higher education, government, and non-profits. In these roles, she was the only social worker within the company. Hillary currently works at the Georgetown University Medical Center as a Communications & Research Administrator and is back in graduate school for a second time to earn her Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.

How do I grieve—and survive? Well-meaning friends and family encourage grievers “not to dwell” on the loss, to “get over it” and “move on”—at a time when this is very difficult to do in today's society. However, to thrive on the other side of grief requires finding solutions to questions we are living out but often do not ask because we are rushing to get grief over with. If explored, these questions can help individuals create a healing approach for themselves despite the pressure to hurry up and “get on with their lives.”We were joined by Anne Grenchus, LCSW, who shares her expertise on this topic. Bio:For 25 years Anne Grenchus, LCSW has blended social work and philosophy in her academic and clinical studies and work.  Her 5+ years of “exceptional” hospice home care and bereavement counselor work has proven that phenomenological existentialism can provide a practical framework through which people living in an individualistic society can explore life challenges.  Anne teaches practical workshops to hospice staff on communication and de-escalation techniques for psychiatric and dementia patients by exploring patients' lived experience of care provision, and, has taught phenomenological existentialism (the theoretical foundation of Svend Brinkmann's work) to undergraduates.  She brings this experience to bear in her teaching, her bereavement work for Hudson Valley Hospice, and her private practice work at Life Whispering Counseling.

The SNUG program aims to curb gun violence and save lives by intervening in the aftermath of shootings to prevent retaliation, working with high-risk youth to connect them to services and programs, and other community engagement initiatives. We were joined by three social workers who are part of this NYS program: Erika Mendelsohn, LCSW (Statewide Social Work Director of SNUG Street Outreach); Kristin Geiger, LCSW (SNUG Street Outreach Upstate social work supervisor); and Gbolahan Oyekunle ‘GB' LMSW (SNUG street outreach social worker).

This episode shares a virtual panel discussion on the Americans with Disabilities Act during its 30th year. This event was part of the UAlbany School of Social Welfare's 'Learning From Alumni' Continuing Education Series. Panelists: Julia Duff, LMSW; Shameka Andrews, Disability Advocate; Cliff Perez, MSW; and James McDonald, MBA.

Natalie Turner and Mary Moller, both LMSW's and graduates from UAlbany's School of Social Welfare, Internships in Aging Project (IAP), discuss their work with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. They will be giving an upcoming training through the continuing education program at UAlbany SSW. 

This year is the 20th Anniversary of the UAlbany School of Social Welfare's Internships in Aging Project (IAP). We spoke with IAP Director, Linda Mertz, and three 2nd year MSW students - Nicole Gardy, Meredith Goldstein, and Rachel Robinson - about the program and why it is a unique gem of the SSW. 

Associate Professor Dr. Julia Hastings, who holds joint appointment in the UAlbany School of Social Welfare and the School of Public Health, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on mental health in the Black community. She is currently conducting new research on the topic. Bio:Dr. Julia F. Hastings is an Associate Professor in the Schools of Public Health and Social Welfare at the University at Albany (SUNY). She is interested in reducing health, economic, and service utilization burdens for racially diverse populations. Her research covers three thematic areas: Physical and mental health disparities (e.g., type II diabetes, depression, and oral health); welfare participation; and poverty. Hastings is currently principal investigator of Black family stress and caregiving of loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. She enjoys serving on the Black Child Development Community Board. In 2019, she was named Public Health Social Worker of the Year by the PHSW Section of the American Public Health Association.

Yoga-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Y-CBT) is a research based psychological paradigm that combines the scientifically documented effects of yoga with cognitive behavioral therapy. Co-creators Julie Greiner-Ferris and Dr. Manjit Khalsa join us to discuss more. Bios:Julie Greiner-Ferris is co-creator of Y-CBT, Yoga Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is a clinical social worker and who attended the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.  She has over 25 years of practice in the field of Mental Health and is currently the Program Director of Outpatient Services at Riverside Community Care in the Blackstone Valley in Upton Massachusetts.Dr. Manjit Khalsa is also co-creator of Y-CBT. She is a psychologist and a yoga teacher with over 30 year's experience in both fields. She is also President of a yoga education and retreat center, located in Millis, Ma. Called Yoga at the Ashram. She is in private practice and also works at Riverside Community Care.  

UAlbany School of Social Welfare Dean, Dr. Lynn Warner, joined us to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on social work education and how the SSW is adapting during this time. Bio: Lynn A. Warner is Professor and Dean in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, SUNY.  She is entering her 3rd year as Dean at the school, but  has been on the faculty at SSW for more than 10 years.  During that time she's taught in the MSW and PhD programs and collaborated with faculty and staff in many administrative roles, including director of the MSW program and associate dean for research.Her research focuses on disparities in the delivery of mental and behavioral health services, especially disparities experienced by groups who are vulnerable because of low-income status or age, and who are racial or ethnic minorities.   She is helping lead the team at UAlbany that was commissioned by NY Governor Andrew Cuomo to inform the state about the Differential Impacts of COVID-19 in minority communities and ways to mitigate those disparities.She has published more than 60 peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters and her research has been supported by more than $1 million in national foundation and federal government grants.  A current project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Initiative focuses on of how behavioral health service providers in rural New York are adapting to significant changes in the way Medicaid managed care reimburses for their services.Dean Warner is proud to be a first generation college graduate who earned a Master of Public Policy Degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and MSW and PhD degrees in sociology and social work from the University of Michigan.

We were joined by Marcus Stallworth, LMSW, and Qur-an Webb, MSW, of Welcome 2 Reality, LLC about their work on domestic minor sex trafficking.  Bios:Marcus Stallworth, LMSWMarcus Stallworth, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker), is the Director of Director of Learning and Organizational Development at Welcome 2 Reality, LLC. Marcus operates with an assertive hands-on approach. Spending close to 20 years providing Child Protective Services, he is recognized by the State of Connecticut as an expert witness, providing testimony in numerous court proceedings. He has spearheaded several initiatives to promote fathers' engagement, prevent abuse and neglect, and address the dangers of social media. He has direct experience educating and supporting victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, training staff on sexual orientation and gender identity, and advocating for those in foster care. Marcus serves on the Board of Directors of the National Foster Parent Association and plays a leadership role in Connecticut's Fatherhood Engagement Leadership Team (FELT). He is also a member of Media Literacy Now's National Advisory Council, which provides educators with advocacy and resources on media literacy education in schools. Qur-an Webb, MSWQur-an Webb, MSW, is the Director of Operations at Welcome 2 Reality, LLC. Qur-an has been in the social work field for over 20 years. Qur-an is the Connecticut Chapter Lead for Media Literacy Now which focuses on education around media literacy. In this role, Qur-an was instrumental in getting Public Act No. 15-94 and Public Act No. 17-67 passed in Connecticut which now mandates school systems to educate the safe use of social media and computer programming instruction and create an advisory council must be was created related to digital citizenship, internet safety, and media literacy. He also works as an independent contractor and is an adjunct instructor. Qur-an is the vice president of the Association of Black Sports Officials. In this role, Qur-an advocates for the rights of and opportunities for Black sports officials and pushes for equality among officials. He also provides training and professional development opportunities domestically and internationally for the company.

We are joined by Benjamin Brubaker and Kate Gillespie of White Bird Clinic in Oregon. Both share their expertise in crisis intervention and discuss the CAHOOTS model (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets).Bios:Benjamin Brubaker works as Administrative Coordinator of WhiteBird Clinic. He began serving White Bird in September 2006. Ben first started as a full-time Crisis Worker (Qualified Mental Health Associate) on WBC's 24/7 Crisis Line and Walk-in Center. A few years later he joined the mobile crisis intervention team Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets ( also known as CAHOOTS) as a Crisis Worker.   He has worked in the mental health field for over 18 years, having held positions such as: Crisis Worker, Hurricane Katrina Relief Operational Site Coordinator, Day Counselor for youth, AmeriCorps Team Leader, and Direct Care Provider. Ben is an active trainer at his agency and has a passion for sharing information about the CAHOOTS model with other communities interested in reimagining public safety.  Kate Gillespie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has worked for White Bird since 2010 as a crisis worker as well as a clinical supervisor, and an administrator. She has worked in the mental health field for nearly two decades. Kate's background includes working in a state psychiatric hospital, local emergency departments, and crisis intervention for a mobile crisis unit. In addition to working at White Bird Kate has a private practice that focuses on healing trauma. 

Serve Albany aims to make it easy for interested members of the Albany community to find a place to get involved, to volunteer, and to make a difference in their city. With kids home from school and limited in-person contact with individuals like teachers and coaches, now more than ever we need volunteers to be tutors and mentors. And that is what Serve Albany is focusing on in this week-long volunteer recruitment drive.Jonathan Hentrich, who is the Director of Serve Albany and the Lead Pastor at Christ's Church Albany, joins us to discuss more. 

We were joined by Lakia Green who discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care, with a particular focus on cultural and historical trauma. Bio:Lakia Green is the owner of One Spark Consulting, which specializes in in providing training, facilitation, and consulting services to organizations focused on advocacy, social justice, and societal change. She has over 25 years of experience in training, facilitation, and curriculum development. In addition, she is an experienced consultant, assisting agencies in identifying organizational deficiencies that can hinder growth.Lakia's passion is working in the area of diversity and inclusion. Using her unique Integral Diversity model, Lakia has helped numerous individuals and agencies discuss diversity-related issues and incorporate principles of inclusion into their organizational model. She combines her award-winning research and practical facilitation skills to deliver diversity training to groups across the country.Lakia has a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and a M.A. in Organization Management and Development from Fielding Graduate University.

We were joined by three guests from the Spina Bifida Association of Northeastern New York - Executive Director Julia Duff, Heather Horwedel, and Michelle Miller. They discuss the agency, their upcoming Walk-N-Roll fundraiser, and why SBANENY is a great resource to those living with Spina Bifida and their families. 

Dr. Phyllis Kosminsky's work focuses on grief, loss and trauma. She joined us today to discuss how Covid-19 changed the face of grief, both in the relation to death and non-death losses.  Bio: Phyllis Kosminsky is a clinical social worker in private practice in Westchester, New York, and at the Center for Hope in Darien, Connecticut, where her work focuses on grief, loss and trauma. Over the past 25 years, Dr. Kosminsky has provided individual counseling to hundreds of bereaved individuals, and has helped many more in bereavement support groups and in the aftermath of traumatic events. She has conducted trainings for mental health professionals nationally and internationally in the treatment of normal and problematic grief. Her publications include journal articles, book chapters, and the book Getting Back to Life When Grief Won't Heal (McGraw Hill, 2007) Her book with John R. Jordan, Attachment Informed Grief Therapy: The Clinician's Guide to Foundations and Applications was published by Routledge in February of 2016. Dr. Kosminsky is an adjunct Professor of Social Work at Fordham University, and the Immediate Past President of the Association for Death Education and Counseling.

Tammy LaBrake, LCSW, is a therapist who specializes in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). She discusses the disorder and the treatment methods that she uses in her clinical practice. Bio: Tammy LaBrake is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years experience in a variety of settings. In 2006 she dedicated her outpatient private practice to the treatment of OCD. Before making it her sole mission to defy OCD, she taught social work courses at Siena College and held several different nursing home industry positions.  Now known for her expertise as an OCD therapist, Tammy is also the author of several books, including the OCD Coloring Book Journal, and the Face it With a Puzzle series.  

Incoming MSW student, Cassie Lotker, speaks about relocating to Albany during the pandemic and protests, why she chose to move forward with her education during this time of so many unknowns, and why she's excited about starting her graduate work at UAlbany. 

We are joined by Julie Bailey, LCSW, who discusses how to manage anxiety with children, roadblocks clinicians face when helping children cope with anxiety, activities for children to help them manage anxiety, and how we, as adults who are not immune to our own anxiety, can help children with their anxiety. Julie does regular workshops through the School of Social Welfare's Continuing Education program and has an upcoming training scheduled for August 2020.Bio: Julie Bailey, LCSW, has been a children's therapist for approximately 19 years. After obtaining her Masters of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, she participated in a year long certification course through Boston University specific to psychotherapy with children and the utilization of play therapy. She currently uses a variety of treatment strategies in her work, including play therapy, with children who have been sexually abused and traumatized. She is also a part-time lecturer at UAlbany for MSW students, teaching the Social Work Practice with Children class.

Alumna Natalie Turner discusses her experience as a BSW and MSW graduate, with a particular focus on her time in the Internships in Aging Project. Bio: Natalie Turner is a case manager at the Alzheimer's Center of Albany Medical Center. She received her BSW from the University at Albany in 2017 and continued on to get her MSW from the UAlbany, as part of the Internships in Aging Project. She has experience working with individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, facilitating support groups for people with the disease and caregivers, and delivering educational programs on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Natalie is committed to helping people affected by dementia and their families.

Kevin O'Keeffe, Hilary Charles, and Cathy Vasquez are all licensed social workers at Albany Medical Center. They shared their experience about being medical social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the importance of the social work profession. Social Workers are Essential Workers.  Bios: Kevin O'Keeffe is a LMSW who graduated with his MSW in 2015 from U-Albany. He has been working at Albany Medical Center since August 2017. He has experience in providing Social Work interventions on Medical/Surgery Floors, and in the Emergency Room. He is currently the social worker on the Medical ICU, where he works with the Critical Care Team to provide families and patients support & guidance during a critical time in their lives.Hilary Charles is an LMSW who graduated with her MSW in 2015 from Arizona State University. She has been working at Albany Medical Center since August 2018 initially assisting any unit that needed support and in May 2019 working on the Infectious Disease Unit. She has experience working with various populations across the lifespan.  In her role as the Infectious Disease Medical Social Worker, Hilary assists patients by connecting them to resources within their communities and provides social and emotional support to patients and their families.Cathy Vasquez is a LMSW who graduated with her MSW in 2017 from CUNY Hunter College in NYC. She has been working at Albany Medical Center since May 2018. She began as a medical social worker working in the outpatient pediatric hematology office and then switched over to the inpatient side of the healthcare field. She has experience in providing Social Work interventions on Medical/Surgery Floors on the Pediatric and Adult units. She is currently the social worker on the Medical Unit, where she works with the Interdisciplinary Team to provide families and patients support & guidance through safe discharge planning.

"Throughout history, sages, mystics, and philosophers called the place between certainty and 'what's around the corner,' 'the unknown.' Anticipating the unknown, 'the not knowing,' evokes anxiety when we lose sight of the harbor of our perceived safety. During this pandemic, social distancing, and isolation, 'what you thought you knew is dissolving,' according to Charles Eisenstein.The desire and struggle to get back to 'normal' feeds the fear of uncertainty, compelling us to cling to what was, avoid what is, while trying to remain present."William Mannel, LMFT shares his expertise in this area.  Bio: Bill Mannle, LMFT is a Gestalt and Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in Connecticut, USA. He is a former Adjunct Faculty in the Marriage & Family Program at Southern Connecticut State University where he served as a Clinical Supervisor and taught a course in Family of Origin.As an international trainer and facilitator in the Family Constellations Method, he has conducted seminars in Connecticut, New York, California, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Mexico, Spain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia & China.Interested in the intersection of psychotherapy and spirituality, he is currently exploring “symptoms” as symbolic road signs for waking up.

“Meditation is about orientating ourselves to what is. When I sit down to meditate, I'm not trying to stop what is going on. I am trying to come into relationship with what is going on."Karen Beetle, LMHC, is a therapist and mindfulness teacher in private practice in Albany, NY. She discusses how, in this time of uncertainty, we can incorporate mindfulness and meditation into our practice and our own lives. Bio:Karen Beetle, LMHC, is a therapist and mindfulness teacher in private practice in Albany, NY. She has been practicing meditation since 1995. Since 2006, she has been teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - the highly researched eight week intensive introduction to mindfulness meditation developed by Jon (CABET Zen) Kabat-Zinn. She has taught mindfulness to therapists, graduate students, community groups, and young people in the Capital Region for the past fifteen years. She continues to deepen her practice by sitting annual retreats and offering day-long and wilderness mindfulness practice opportunities.

UAlbany School of Social Welfare faculty members, Dr. Mary McCarthy and Dr. Catherine Lawrence, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the child welfare workforce and the child welfare system itself, with a particular focus on tribal communities. Both Mary and Kate are involved with the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, a collaborative organization that promotes organizational interventions focused on developing and retaining a diverse and effective workforce. Bios:Mary L. McCarthy, Ph.D., LMSW is a faculty member at the University at Albany School of Social Welfare. She is the Co-PI for the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, Funded by the Children's Bureau and Director of the Social Work Education Consortium, a partnership between the NYS Association of Deans of Schools of Social Work, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, and Commissioners of local Departments of Social Services in NYS. Dr. McCarthy worked in the child welfare field for 11 years both before and after receiving her MSW from the University at Albany in 1982. She was invited to work at Padjadjaran University in Bandung Indonesia in the fall of 2019 through the Fulbright Specialist Program.   Catherine K. Lawrence is an Associate Professor at the University of Albany School of Social Welfare.  Her scholarship focuses on public human services, particularly in the areas of child welfare and income support.  Her most recent research targets two key issues in child welfare organizations that prevent effective, just, services for children and families: workforce capacity and racial disparity. Dr. Lawrence is working with the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute to advance this research agenda.  She also teaches introductory and advanced policy courses at the School of Social Welfare.

New York State now allows adult adopted persons and their descendants to request and obtain the adoptee's original birth certificates. With this new law, the amount of adoption reunions may increase. Alumna Marie Dolfi, LCSW, is an Albany-based adoption counselor who works with all members of the adoption triad – adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Through her work with all members of this triad, she notes that adoption searches and reunion relationships are extremely complex and emotional, often leaving adoptees and birth parents overwhelmed in one of their most important life experiences.BioMarie Dolfi is a NYS licensed clinical social worker in Albany, NY who is an adoption counselor, speaker, advocate, adoption support group leader, and Advisory board member of Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition NY. Marie received her BA in psychology from UAlbany in 1981 and her MSW in 1983. For over 25 years, Marie has diligently educated herself on relinquishment and adoption issues by attending adoption workshops, conferences, reading adoption books and adoption research, and listening to her greatest teachers - adoption triad members themselves. Marie's website mariedolfi.com has detailed information about her services including the support groups she leads, her background, and adoption resources.

We virtually sat down with the National Association of Social Workers - NYS Chapter Executive Director, Dr. Samantha Fletcher, to discuss how the chapter is engaging with, and providing resources for, its members during this time of COVID-19. We discuss the role of social workers during this pandemic and how we can be at the table when addressing the inequities that are apparent during this pandemic. BioSamantha Fletcher is an alumni of the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, where she earned an MSW and Ph.D. Prior to her tenure at the University at Albany, she worked for over 15 years in human services including a family law firm, a crisis pregnancy center, an Islamic school, as well as a personal training business.While pursuing her Ph.D., Samantha served as the project coordinator of a peer support program for veterans, funded by the Joseph P. Dwyer Statewide Veteran Peer Support Program. She supervised the program development, implementation, and evaluation of 16 non-profit county programs focused on peer-delivered services. After earning her Ph.D., Samantha served as the Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and the Director of Admissions in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany. She worked with a diverse team of administrators and faculty to implement quality educational programming for social work students at all levels.In September 2019, Samantha began her career with the National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapter. 

We were joined by Nick Pattison and Cassandra Grandeau, both 2nd year MSW students at UAlbany who are graduating this month. Nick was in the Albany Internships in Mental Health (AIMH) program and Cassie was in the Internships in Aging Project (IAP). They speak about their experience in each of their respective programs, why they wanted to work in the field, and how they are moving forward during this pandemic.