1 Shelley Schuurman, PhD, LMSW Social Work Licensing Information Session GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

2 Public Health Code P.A. 61 of 2004 Went into effect July 1, 2005 Caused significant changes to the regulations of the social work profession

A National Model for Social Work Licensing No Exceptions: Everyone must be licensed to practice social work Two designations for MSW – macro & clinical All Direct Practice is Clinical

4 Title Provided by the Law Licensed Master’s Social Worker Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker Limited Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker Social Service Technician Limited Social Service Technician

Limited License Master’s Social Worker Qualifications: MSW from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work Must be supervised by a Licensed Master’s Social Worker from their area of practice Limited to a six year period

Licensed Master’s Social Worker Qualifications: 4,000 hours of supervised experience in either clinical or macro practice over a two year period 100 hours of supervision from a Licensed Master’s Social Worker in their area of practice which may be a combination of individual and group (1 hour per week) Verification and recommendation from LMSW supervisor Clinical must pass the Clinical Social Work Exam (ASWB) Macro must pass the Advanced Generalist Exam (ASWB)

7 Licensed Master’s Social Worker Qualifications for Macro & Clinical: One qualifies in one area of practice or the other including passing the test Has additional 2,000 hours of experience under LMSW supervision 50 hours of supervision by a Licensed Master’s Social Worker in that area of practice Additional testing is NOT required

8 Scope of Practice for Macro Social Work Advanced application of macro SW processes & systems to improve the social or health services of communities, groups, or organizations through planned interventions. Includes, but is not limited to, community organizing; program planning and development; administration of community programs; assessment of client needs for community programs; coordination & evaluation of programs; advocacy; analysis & development of social welfare policy; organizational analysis; & provision of training about community needs/problems

9 Scope of Practice for Clinical Social Work Use of assessment, treatment, & intervention methods that utilize a specialized, & formal interaction between a social worker & an individual, couple, family, or group where a professional relationship is established. Includes one or more of the following: advocating for care; protection of the vulnerable; forensic practice; increasing social well-being; education; case management for complex & high risk cases; psychotherapy; community committees; supervision; & administration of clinical programs

Psychotherapy The assessment, diagnosis or treatment of mental, emotional, or behavior disorders, conditions, addictions, or other bio- psychosocial problems and may include the involvement of the intrapsychic, intrapersonal, or psychosocial dynamics of individuals, couples, families, or groups

Limited License Bachelor’s Social Work Qualifications: BSW degree from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work Supervision from a Licensed Master’s Social Worker Limited to a 6 year period

Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker Qualifications: 4,000 hours of supervised experience over a two year period 100 hours of supervision by a Licensed Master’s Social Worker which may be a combination of individual and group (1 hour per week) Verification and recommendation from LMSW supervisor Pass the Bachelor’s Examination (ASWB)

License Bachelor’s Social Work Scope of Practice Social casework, assessment, planning, and interventions with individuals, couples, families, or groups, to enhance or restore the capacity for social functioning and developing solutions for interpersonal or community problems Case management of health and human services Information about and referral of individuals to resources Planning and collaboration with communities, organizations, or groups to improve their social or health services Establishing a professional helping relationship with an Individual, couple, family, or group to assist them in accessing services, solving problems, and making decisions about personal, health, social, educational, vocational, financial, and other concerns

14 Scope of Practice Grid The grid clearly delineates which Social Work task or function is typically performed at the different levels of Social Work Licensure See last page of Hand out Note the distinctions made between Clinical and Macro practice at the MSW level

15 Application Process The application packet and additional information about licensure can be found at the State of Michigan Department of Community Health’s web site at: _27529_ ,00.htmlhttp:// _27529_ ,00.html The packet contains many forms, however to apply for a LLBSW or a LLMSW you only need to be concerned with the Application Form (2 pgs) and the Certification of Social Work Form (2 pgs) and the Criminal Background Check and Fingerprint Request Forms

Overview of the Process Instructions: 1. Application 4. Fingerprinting & Criminal Background Check 5. Certification of Education 6. You will be sent a letter that says you’re eligible to take the Exam

Criminal Background Check Fingerprint Scan 1.Complete the Form 2./ 3. Schedule an Appointment 4. You must bring: Completed Form Driver’s License Money Order $62.75

18 Application Form Be sure to check Limited BSW or MSW License MSW must check Macro or Clinical Note Questions 1-8 to which you must check Yes or No and include an explanation for any answer checked Yes You must be absolutely honest

19 Certification of Social Work Education Form You complete Section One and then give it along with Section Two to your schools Program Director and/or the Registrar (At GVSU, you give it to Esther Visser) Section Two needs to be completed by a school official and they must send in this form along with a copy of your transcript.

Supervision Verification Form Once you begin employment, this is the form your Supervisor will use to verify your completed hours of supervision LLBSW AND LLMSW must be supervised by a LMSW

21 Continuing Education Requirements You DO NOT have to earn Continuing Education Credits while you are a LLBSW or LLMSW and working toward full licensure You certainly can attend trainings but you don’t have to pay the extra cost for CEU’s

22 The EXAM After you have mailed in the Application Form and the School of Social Work has mailed in the Certification of SW Ed form, (within 4-6 weeks) you will receive your Limited License and a letter informing you that you are eligible to take the Licensure Exam and need to register at ASWB in order to do so.

When should I take the Exam? You can take the exam anytime after you receive your Limited License and have registered The current cost of the exam is $ A passing score is 75 If you don’t pass the first time you can retake the exam. 9/21/201523

Where do I take the exam? Licensure exams for Health Professions take place within ACT testing sites Exams are given year round Multiple versions of the test are given throughout the year and at any given site 9/21/201524

A ssociation of S ocial W ork B oards Lots of great information df Candidate Handbook 9/21/201525

How do I prepare for the exam? Review material from course work Review skills from practice Form a study group 9/21/201526

27 Exam Web Resources Association of Social Work Board Study Guides are $30 Good information on test taking strategies and a practice test No study material on content areas

28 Exam Web Resources Social Work Examination Services Click on “Home Study Program” Master level Study Guide is $ Bachelor level Study Guide is $ Comprehensive material on each content area and several practice exams

Thank you Time for Questions Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead