Officials with the National Association of Social Workers Kauai Chapter, along with leaders of the Social Services Department at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, announced in a press release the kickoff of March as National Professional Social Work Month with a special
Officials with the National Association of Social Workers Kauai Chapter, along with leaders of the Social Services Department at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, announced in a press release the kickoff of March as National Professional Social Work Month with a special session focusing on the unmet needs of people on the island.
The session, “One Community: Many Peoples,” focuses on how social workers help many people in the community, especially those with unmet needs.
Social workers and anyone interested may attend the free session tomorrow from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Wilcox Memorial Hospital conference rooms.
To honor achievements of members and bring to light the issues faced by social workers, NASW-Kauai Chapter members are hosting a panel presentation to address the unmet needs of members of the community.
The speakers participating in the panel presentation include Wanda Aki, MLS, Kauai Community Correctional Center; Jose Bulatao Jr., community advocate and retired educator; Jeff Chandler, Native Hawaiian activist and foster parent; Puna Kalama Dawson, Hawaiian cultural practitioner, kumu hula, and the resident service manager at Lihue Court Townhomes; Dayne Green, school counselor and coordinator of KKCR’s Teen Radio Program, and board member of the Wheelchair Engineering Lab; Cheryl Lum, behavioral health clinical director at Nursefinders, and co-chair of the Kauai Community Children’s Council, and Friendship House Advisory Board member; Shirley Matsuo, retired social worker for the state Department of Health’s Children with Special Health Needs program and Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center and currently a Kaua‘i Hospice volunteer; Dr. J.B. Sampsell, psychiatrist with the Kauai Community Mental Health Center; and Dely Sasaki, RN, retired pediatric nurse and also retired program manager for the state Department of Health’s Family Health Services.
Social Work Month provides an opportunity for social workers to highlight the essential role they play in alleviating some of the most difficult problems.
Through education training and dedication, social workers provide assistance in many different practice areas.
Refreshments will be served, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Registration is free. Call 245-1005 for more information.