Margaret Otto, LSCSW
Director and Co-Founder of the KC Center of Family Systems
Kansas City Center of Family Systems
Margaret Otto, LSCSW is the Director and Co-Founder of the KC Center of Family Systems since its inception in 1996. She has been learning and applying Bowen family systems theory for over twenty years, which includes studying under Murray Bowen, MD and Michael Kerr, MD through the programs offered at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. She earned a Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and then obtained clinical licensure in Kansas and Missouri. She began her study of Bowen family systems theory at the Menninger office in Kansas City. She has a full time private clinical practice as a family therapist in addition to carrying local and national responsibility for leadership of the KC Center in representing Bowen family systems theory.
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Director and Co-Founder of the KC Center of Family Systems
Kansas City Center of Family Systems
Dr. Tami Radohl, Ph.D., LSCSW
Chair, Social Work, Associate Professor
Park University Social Work
Tami is an Associate Professor and Department Chair at Park University. She is also a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker #2347 in the State of Kansas. Research interests and publications include child and family mental health, personal medicine and shared decision making in mental health recovery, MSW field education, social work advocacy, and homelessness in transition-aged youth. In addition to her career in social work, academics, and mental health, Tami is also a past-President for The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, a non-profit that promotes volunteerism and leadership among women while supporting interests that benefit women and children in the Kansas City area and is a past board member for the Kansas Chapter of the National Association for Social Workers. She is also on the Council for Field Education, a council of the Counsel of Social Work Education, social work’s accrediting body in higher education.
About Dr. Tami Radohl, Ph.D., LSCSW
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Chair, Social Work, Associate Professor
Park University Social Work
Dr. Stevie Johnson
CEO
The Space Program
Stevie “Dr. View” Johnson is a producer, DJ, educator and community organizer from Longview, TX. Dr. View received his Ph.D in Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma in May of 2019. His dissertation entitled Curriculum of the Mind: A BlackCrit, Narrative Inquiry Hip Hop Album on Anti-Blackness & Freedom for Black Male Collegians at historically white institutions, received the 2019 Bobby Wright Dissertation of the Year Award for the Association for the Study of Higher Education. After receiving his Ph.D, View moved to Tulsa and began working as Executive Director for the multimedia hip-hop movement, Fire in Little Africa, which includes a commemorative album of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on the iconic Motown/Black Forum record label. Dr. View released his debut album (IN)VISIBLE Man in 2020 and the follow-up to that, TIDY, is scheduled for Spring of 2022.
https://www.greenwoodartproject.org/stevie-johnson
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CEO
The Space Program
Rhonda Weimer, LSCSW, LCSW
MSW Program Director, Department of Social Work
Fort Hays State University
Rhonda Weimer received her MSW from the University of Kansas in 1993 with a concentration in Clinical Social Work. From 1993 through 2004 Rhonda worked as a Clinical Social Worker; first at Northeast Kansas Mental Health and Guidance Center (now known as the Guidance Center), and then through her private practice. She also remains active working part time as a Military Family Life Counselor with active duty and National Guard troops to address pre and post deployment difficulties. From August 2013 to July 2015 Rhonda served as Assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at Park University. She left to work more closely with Veterans at the VA Medical Center as a case manager in the Homeless Program in Kansas City Mo, but has now returned to her love of teaching by joining the FHSU faculty.
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MSW Program Director, Department of Social Work
Fort Hays State University
Sarah Flanagan, MSW, MPA, LCSW
Director of Community Health & IPE Community Health
Clarkson College
Sarah Flanagan joined the Clarkson College community in 2010 as an instructor in the General Education program and became the Director of Community Health and Interprofessional Education (IPE) in 2018. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Creighton University, Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Ms. Flanagan is a licensed Master Social Worker and Mental Health Practitioner in the state of Nebraska.
At the College, Ms. Flangan takes an active leadership role on the Student Support Team, the Clarkson College Leadership Series and multiple Critical Success Factor committees. She is also the co-coordinator of the Maltese Mission Service Week and helped develop the Interprofessional Education module at the College that helps students develop skills to work within interprofessional groups in health care. As a member of the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, she has presented numerous times on IPE topics to educators and health care professionals.
For her work in developing IPE curriculum at the College, Ms. Flangan was a co-recipient of the Dr. Patricia Book Perry Scholarly Project Award. She also earned the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014.
https://www.clarksoncollege.edu/professional-development/courses/ipe-course
About Sarah Flanagan, MSW, MPA, LCSW
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Director of Community Health & IPE Community Health
Clarkson College
Elizabeth Pflazgraf, LMSW
President of NASW-Kansas
NASW-Kansas
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President of NASW-Kansas
NASW-Kansas
Dr. Jody Brook, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW
Associate Professor, University of Kansas
University of Kansas
Dr. Jody Brook received her Ph.D., with honors, from the University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare in 2005, where she is currently an Associate Professor. She has served as the Program Evaluator for 16 externally funded research projects across 3 US States which center on designing, implementing, monitoring, refining, and evaluating the ongoing implementation of services and program practices into the public child welfare, behavioral health, and court related service delivery systems that serve vulnerable child welfare involved families. Dr. Brook’s scholarship focuses on the impact of parental substance abuse and child maltreatment, and the design and delivery of public services to impact this issue. She earned her Master of Social Work at Tulane University in 1988 and has maintained a license to practice at the clinical level since 1991.
About Dr. Jody Brook, MSW, Ph.D., LCSW
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Associate Professor, University of Kansas
University of Kansas
Wendy Funk-Schrag, MSW, LCSW
Vice President State Government Affairs
Frenius Health Care
Wendy Funk Schrag received her Bachelors of Social Work from Bethel College and her masters of social work from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. She has spent the past 32 years working in the dialysis industry as a dialysis social worker and currently is the Vice President of State Government Affairs. She is a former President of the NASW Kansas Chapter Board of Directors. She lives in Newton, KS.
About Wendy Funk-Schrag, MSW, LCSW
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Vice President State Government Affairs
Frenius Health Care
Tina Lai, LMSW
Social Worker
Tina Lai is a Licensed Master Social Worker who earned her MSW from the University of Kansas in 2020. Her professional interest is in older adult care and finding ways to reduce loneliness and isolation in aging populations. She has lived in Taiwan, Mississippi, Illinois, California, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Kansas and is eager to contribute to positive social change wherever she resides. She enjoys volunteering in the local community, making quilts for others, and taking the time to wonder.
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Social Worker
Mark Davis, LCSW
Chief Programs Officer, Mental Health Association
Oklahoma Mental Health Association
Mark A. Davis, LCSW Chief Programs Officer Mental Health Association Oklahoma Mark Davis began his social work career in 1996 working as a Rehabilitative Specialist at an area Psychiatric Community Mental Health Center, where he provided supportive counseling and group rehab to individuals entering an In-patient setting. After receiving his Master’s degree in social work from the University of Oklahoma in 2005, he continued his unyielding promotion of hope and recovery for people impacted by mental illness, homelessness, trauma, debilitating poverty, and those facing challenges as a result of involvement with the criminal justice system. Ultimately, his drive to assist at-risk populations along with a more global goal of improving the social service system(s) across the community led to his current position as Chief Programs Officer for the Mental Health Association Oklahoma. His leadership and experience in the adult mental health and social service field includes Executive level management in areas of fiscal budgeting, fundraising, grant writing, performance and quality improvement, strategic planning and development. With 23 years of experience, Mr. Davis remains committed to implementing a wide range of mental health service modalities and evidenced based practice models with the overall goal of enhancing the quality of the service delivery system within our State. In addition, Mr. Davis also remains active in a variety of professional activities; including various community task force, partnering agency Boards, and Advisory Council seats.
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Chief Programs Officer, Mental Health Association
Oklahoma Mental Health Association
Phelica Glass, LSCSW, GCCAC, FAAGC, CSOTP
Clinical Social Worker
Private Practice
Phelica Glass is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker with a successful psychotherapy practice in Topeka, KS. Graduate of Washburn University with a bachelor’s in Behavioral Sciences. Graduate of Tulane University of New Orleans with a Masters in Clinical Social Work and certification of Gerontology. Through further education Phelica has attained certification in Child And Adolescent Grief Counseling, Sex Offender Treatment , Ecotherapy and Anger Management.
https://excelfullcircle.wordpress.com/
About Phelica Glass, LSCSW, GCCAC, FAAGC, CSOTP
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Clinical Social Worker
Private Practice
Cheryl Calhoun, LMSW, LMAC
Social Work Instructor
Kansas State University
Cheryl Calhoun is a licensed social worker and licensed addiction counselor with 17 years' experience in addiction counseling and case management. Calhoun serves as instructor in the social work program at Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus. She has been with the campus since 2016. She also serves as the Director of Development and as a substance use disorder counselor at Ashby House in Salina, KS.
About Cheryl Calhoun, LMSW, LMAC
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Social Work Instructor
Kansas State University
Learn more aboutDr. Dottie Saxon Greene, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, LADAC II, CAADC, CCS, QCS, RYT
Dr. Dottie Saxon Greene, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, LADAC II, CAADC, CCS, QCS, RYT
Dr. Dottie Saxon Greene, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, LADAC II, CAADC, CCS, QCS, RYT
Coordinator for Clinical Addiction Counseling Studies, Associate Professor
East Tennessee State University
Dr. Greene's practice experience has been in the areas of addiction, mental health, trauma, eating disorders, criminal justice, adolescent, and clinical supervision settings. Inspired by over 20 years of practice experience, Dr. Greene's scholarship interests include recovering addiction professionals and relaspse, practitioner well-being, and social work student self-care. Dr. Greene's professional experience also includes 15 years of teaching in higher education, two terms on the North Carolina Addiction Specialist Practice Board, and seven years of service to the National Association of Social Workers Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Speciality Practice Section. She currently serves on the National Board of Directors of the National Association of Social Workers.
About Dr. Dottie Saxon Greene, PhD, LCSW, LCAS, LADAC II, CAADC, CCS, QCS, RYT
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Coordinator for Clinical Addiction Counseling Studies, Associate Professor
East Tennessee State University
Dr. Lanny Endicott, D.Min., MSSW, LCSW, LMFT
Professor Emeritus
Oral Roberts University
With a lengthy and distinguished career in higher education, Dr. Lanny Endicott has dedicated his professional life to social work. He was the Director of the Social Work Program at Oral Roberts University (ORU) for over 47 years. Dr. Endicott continues to beinvolved in social work education both at ORU and abroad (Russia). His interests besides education include: community planning and development, social services (particularly South Peoria in Tulsa, Oklahoma), workshops in compassion fatigue and burnout, community services for military veterans including soul repair, child welfare (both in Oklahoma and Russia), and family.
Lanny has earned a Doctorate of Ministry from the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He is affiliated with NASW, NACSW; the Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa; the South Peoria Neighborhood Connection Foundation Inc; the South Tulsa Community House and social work in Russia. Recognized by those in the field for his work, Dr. Endicott was awarded Social Worker of the Year in Oklahoma by NASW-OK in 2003. As well as being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker he is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist where he lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In conjunction with his professional interests, Dr. Endicott is a keen runner, having been Head of Cross Country and Track Coach at ORU. Ever a leader, he launched the cross country program at ORU in 1976. Their best season was in 1984 when ORU finished 11th in the NCAA National Cross Country Championships.
About Dr. Lanny Endicott, D.Min., MSSW, LCSW, LMFT
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Professor Emeritus
Oral Roberts University
Dr. Victor Manalo, MSW, Ph.D.
President of NASW-California Chapter; Retired university professor
NASW-California
Dr. Victor Manalo is the President of the NASW-CA Chapter Board of Directors, retired university professor, former city councilman and Mayor, and local government consultant. He earned a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.
For over eleven years, he served on the Artesia City Council in Southeast Los Angeles County and was active as President of the California Contract Cities Association, Regional Council Member of the Southern California Association of Governments, and Policy Board Member of the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board. He continues to serve as a Planning Commissioner for the city, a member of the board of directors of a local nonprofit, and as an alternate commissioner for First 5 Los Angeles.
Victor has continued to lecture at California State University, Los Angeles in the School of Social Work, teaching graduate and undergraduate policy, policy practice, and community organizing. As a consultant, he is working with Los Angeles County to facilitate public-private coalitions to create healthy communities and is engaging local governments to address pedestrian safety.
https://victormanalo.com/
About Dr. Victor Manalo, MSW, Ph.D.
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President of NASW-California Chapter; Retired university professor
NASW-California
Dr. Steven Wells, Ph.D., MSW
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Oklahoma
Steven P. Wells is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, and serves as Simulation Program Coordinator. He has worked in the field of family and children services since 1976 as a child welfare worker, family mediator, foster parent trainer, group counselor, and university professor. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oklahoma (U.S.A.) and earned a doctorate in early childhood education in 2006. He teaches courses in social work practice, interviewing skills, and human behavior. He received a “Champions of Children Award” in 2008 from The Foster Care Association of Oklahoma, Inc., and was named Undergraduate Adviser of the Year in 2012 by the O.U. College of Arts and Sciences. His interests include children with disabilities and their families, child welfare services, counseling with abusive parents, foster parent training, and family mediation. He has explored Motivational Interviewing for the last ten years as a vital model for social work practice. Most of his MI training is within the context of child welfare services and allied health. He became associated with the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in 2017 Dr. Wells is married to a social worker and is the parent of four adult children.
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Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Oklahoma
Victoria Stob, LCSW
Assistant Clinical Professor of Social Work in the Child Study Center
Yale University
Victoria Stob is a licensed clinical social worker and Assistant Clinical Professor of Social Work at the Yale Child Study Center. Victoria has been in the mental health field for over a decade and has extensive clinical, supervisory, and teaching experience, currently leading state-wide advanced clinical training for the IICAPS (Intensive In-Home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services) Network. Victoria’s research interests include the intergenerational transmission of trauma and the developmental of parental reflective functioning.
https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/
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Assistant Clinical Professor of Social Work in the Child Study Center
Yale University
Terrie Fritz, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker
University of Oklahoma
Terrie Fritz, LCSW, currently serves as Director of the Center for Social Work in Healthcare (CSWH) at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma. She wrote and submitted the proposal to the University Hospital Trust to establish the CSWH, and received the first of six annual funding installments in spring of 2012. She is also a Clinical Instructor and teaches graduate courses related to healthcare as well as serving in the role of field liaison for students in health field units. national levels within NASW. At the state level she has served on the board of directors and has served as president. At the national level, she has been the chair of the Committee on Ethics.
About Terrie Fritz, MSW, LCSW
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Clinical Social Worker
University of Oklahoma
Amber Jewell, LMSW
Social Worker
Finding Hope, LLC.
Amber Jewell, LMSW has been a social worker for over 15 years working with children, families, and individuals from all dynamics and life structures. She is a foster parent, adoptive parent, and advocate for child welfare services across the country. She is compassionate, authentic, and cares for the value of all people. Amber believes all people have the ability and right to live a life that helps them be the best versions of themselves. She excels at solution-focused services that build strengths for and within people.
About Amber Jewell, LMSW
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Social Worker
Finding Hope, LLC.
Crystal Rose-Bennett, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
THRYVE, LLC
Crystal Rozelle – Bennett, LMSW has been working with youth and families for nearly 20 years. She is committed to empowering, engaging, educating and advocating in order to implement trauma-informed strategies for individuals and communities.
Mrs. Bennett earned a Bachelor’s in Arts in Psychology from Wells College and went on to complete her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University.
During her career, Ms. Bennett has demonstrated a passion in sharing her personal and professional experiences with others to serve marginalized individuals and prevent re-traumatization.
She has experience in directing child & youth service programs for the Department of the Navy with a history of providing program oversight and accountability in accordance with the Department of Defense, COA, & BGCA Requirements. Additionally, she has consulted with schools on policy development and has managed residential treatment facilities and foster care programs.
Ms. Bennett is a life longer learner and has provided education and support to foster families, facilitated psychoeducation programs for youth, responded to crisis hotline calls for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and trained behavioral healthcare professionals in the areas of Human Trafficking, Suicide Prevention, Child Trauma/Maltreatment, Motivational Interviewing, Racial Trauma, Cultural Competency and serving LGBT youth.
https://crystalthryves.com/
About Crystal Rose-Bennett, LMSW
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Clinical Social Worker
THRYVE, LLC
Tenisha Bennett
NASW-OK Board of Directors
NASW-Oklahoma
Tenisha received her bachelors degree in Social Work at oral Roberts university in 2021 and has been apart of multiple internship programs such as Youth at Heart Inc, Legal Aid, and Family Center for Juvenile Justice.
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NASW-OK Board of Directors
NASW-Oklahoma
Charles Cobble, MSSW, BCD, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker
TVHS
Charles B. Cobble is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Board Certified Diplomate with 5 years of experience working with a diverse and complex population. Charles graduated from University of Tennessee Knoxville with a MSSW and a Certificate in Gerontology. Charles currently works as a Homeless Social Worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs and serves as a First Lieutenant with the Tennessee Army National Guard as a Behavioral Health Officer meeting the complex needs of over 1500 soldiers and recently returned from a deployment in Kuwait. Charles is also an adjunct faculty member at Tennessee Technological University where he teaches Social Work courses and provides consultation on the Social Work academic structure.
About Charles Cobble, MSSW, BCD, LCSW
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Clinical Social Worker
TVHS
Ashley Lincoln, MSW
Child Wellness Coordinator at Cherokee Nation The HERO Project
Cherokee Health Services
Child Wellness Coordinator at Cherokee Nation The HERO Project
Studied Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW at The University of Oklahoma
Studied Bachelor Degree of Social Work at Northeastern State University
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Child Wellness Coordinator at Cherokee Nation The HERO Project
Cherokee Health Services
Heather Tharp, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Cherokee Health Services
Heather holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Northeastern State University and Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. She has been working for Cherokee Nation HERO Project since 2013. She currently works at the micro level as a Behavioral Health Clinician under supervision for clinical licensure with children ages 0-17, youth ages 18-23, and families. She previously worked as a Family Care Manager, collaborating with families to set goals and objectives to improve child wellness outcomes, acting as a client advocate and providing parenting classes to the community. Heather has worked at the mezzo level partnering with schools to provide various social/emotional trainings including; Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma, Brain Architecture, Toxic Stress, Social/Emotional Skill Building, Self-Care, and Suicide Prevention programs to address high adverse childhood experiences and intergenerational trauma in the student population. Heather has assisted in program development through research and implementation of grant goals and objectives for LAUNCH and Systems of Care, as well as implementing Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grant as Project Director.
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Clinical Social Worker
Cherokee Health Services
Heather Morrow-Binkley, MS
Outreach Liaison, Laureate Eating Disorders Program
Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital
Heather Binkley Morrow, M.S., joined the Laureate Eating Disorders team in 2013. Heather currently serves in an outreach capacity, supporting the program's efforts to connect with outpatient programs and providers and share the Laureate treatment philosophy with patients, families and clinicians.
Heather earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism with an emphasis on public relations from Oklahoma State University. She also holds a Master of Science degree in healthcare administration from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. She is a member of the American Marketing Association and has completed training in PDSA Cycle change management theory specific to healthcare at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Boston, Massachusetts.
She has written and contributed to numerous articles and blogs related to eating disorders treatment and advocacy. Heather is grateful to work in such a collegial and passionate industry, supporting the incredible and valuable work of Laureate clinicians as they impact the lives of patients and families.
https://www.saintfrancis.com/laureate/eating-disorders-program/why-laureate/
About Heather Morrow-Binkley, MS
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Outreach Liaison, Laureate Eating Disorders Program
Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital
McKensey Coit
Regional Marketing Coordinator
Sante Center for Healing
https://www.santecenter.com/
About McKensey Coit
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Regional Marketing Coordinator
Sante Center for Healing
Kaitlynn Wilkinson, MSW
Project Evaluator for NorthCare
NorthCare, INC.
Kaitlynn Wilkinson, MSW is the Project Evaluator for NorthCare. She has been with NorthCare for over five years, having served as the agency’s Communications Specialist for three years, and before that as an MSW practicum student. Kaitlynn also serves as the chair of the Diversity & Inclusion workgroup, is a member of the Trauma-informed Care & Wellness workgroup after serving as chair for two years, and is the founder and chair of the Antiracism workgroup. She is a native Oklahoman, and a double-alumna from the University of Oklahoma (BA 2014, MSW 2017). She is also an adjunct professor teaching Social Work Research in the online MSW program at OU.
Kaitlynn has a background in psychology research, social work research, and policy analysis, and has presented her research at state and national conferences. She also has experience in community outreach and organizing, public speaking, and fundraising. She is passionate about increasing access to behavioral healthcare for all – especially those from historically underserved groups, understanding and addressing systemic issues that contribute to poverty, and creating effective systems to promote social justice and progress. She lives with her two pets in Oklahoma City and enjoys gardening in her free time.
https://northcare.org
About Kaitlynn Wilkinson, MSW
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Project Evaluator for NorthCare
NorthCare, INC.
Sarah Butts, MSW
National Policy Director
NASW
Sarah Christa Butts, MSW, is the National Policy Director for NASW. Prior to her role at NASW, she was the Executive Director of the Grand Challenges for Social Work and Senior Administrator within the Dean’s office at University of Maryland, School of Social Work. Ms. Butts is the founding administrator of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW) and played a significant role in the organization’s development as a 501c3 and launching of Grand Challenges from 2013-2017. She is a co-author on the AASWSW working paper to End Homelessness and contributing author on a new book, Grand Challenges for Social Work and Society, published by Oxford University Press. Prior experience include roles at the Family League of Baltimore, Maryland Department of Human Services, Social Services Administration and Baltimore County Department of Social Services. Ms. Butts holds an MSW from University of Maryland Baltimore and a BSW from University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy.
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National Policy Director
NASW
Dallas Pettigrew, MSW
Director, Center for Tribal Studies
University of Oklahoma
Dallas Pettigrew is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and grew up in Adair County, OK. He joined the faculty in January 2017. Before that he worked for the Cherokee Nation, with experience in Child Welfare, Human Service Administration, Higher Education/College Resources, and Behavioral Health. He also was the first Program Manager of the Family Safety Program of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, NC. He is a Global Leader for Young Children, part of the World Forum Foundation, and serves on its Indigenous Peoples’ Action Group.
Mr. Pettigrew is a Co-Investigator and Director of Community Environmental Change in “A Prevention Trial in Cherokee Nation,” a five-year long study funded by the National Institutes of Health, testing interventions that prevent underage alcohol use. He is also the founding director of the Center for Tribal Social Work in the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work. He and his collaborators have been awarded approximately $1,600,000 in grants and contracts to support the education, training, and workforce development of tribal child welfare professionals, including $650,000 to provide stipends for tuition and other expenses for social work students who commit to working in tribal child welfare upon graduation.
Mr. Pettigrew teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in macro social work including Human Diversity and Societal Oppression and Social Welfare Policy. He is the facilitator of the OU-Tulsa Police Advisory Council and formerly served as the 2nd Vice President (Treasurer) of the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, of which he has been a member since 2010.
In his free time, Mr. Pettigrew enjoys woodworking, kayaking, hiking, and road trips. He is the father of one son, and uncle of several nieces and nephews.
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Director, Center for Tribal Studies
University of Oklahoma
Marcia Epstein, LMSW
CEO/Private
.
Ms. Epstein brings decades of experience in the national suicide prevention community. She is also a social worker who lives with suicide grief. Her areas of special expertise include reducing suicide risk, support for grief after suicide or death from other causes, and support for trans and nonbinary youth and adults. Ms. Epstein served as a volunteer counselor, then as Director for 34 years, of Headquarters Counseling Center, now known as KSPHQ, which serves Kansas on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Since December 2013, her social work includes work with individual youth and adults, plus support groups, retreats, workshops, and special events for people affected by suicide. Her groups include Healing After Suicide, for suicide grief; Stayin' Alive, for living with suicide thoughts, self-harm, and attempts; and Thriving Family-Friends, for supporting suicidal loved ones. She also provides consultation and training. Ms. Epstein is Co-Chair of the national Clinician Survivor (of Suicide Loss) Task Force, a member of the Steering Committee of NAMI Douglas County, KS, and a member of the Thriving: Grief Support Team of The Light Center in Douglas County, KS. She is also the host of events at "The Intersection of Art and Mental Health.” Ms. Epstein, her husband, and their Rainn Beau pup live in an 1880’s home in Lawrence, KS.
https://marciaepstein.biz/
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CEO/Private
.
Tahira M.
Director of Operations at Urban Strategies
Urban Strategies
Raised in Tulsa, Tahira works as Director of Operations at Urban Strategies Inc. in Tulsa. Urban Strategies is a national nonprofit, based out of St. Louis, that focuses on human capital development and community redevelopment, specifically in severely distressed, low socioeconomic neighborhoods. The Eugene Fields community in West Tulsa was awarded $30 million by the US Office of Housing and Urban Development for redevelopment in 2018. With additional funding from other partners, this will be a 6-year project totaling over $200 million in development. As Director of Operations, Tahira leads the People Implementation Strategy of the CHOICE neighborhood grant, focusing on housing, health & wellness, economic mobility/workforce and education to move children and families to stable and thriving.
Prior to her role at Urban Strategies, Tahira worked at a strategic communications and management consulting firm, where she helped start conversations with leaders across the state about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Tahira graduated with her MBA and an HR certification from Oklahoma State University. She is also certified in diversity and inclusion by Cornell University and certified in unconscious bias and cultural IQ by the global Cultural Intelligence Center.
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Director of Operations at Urban Strategies
Urban Strategies
Sarah King, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital
Sarah King, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor and certified school counselor trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, parent-child interaction therapy and collaborative assessment and management of suicidality. She is also working toward her certified eating disorders specialist credential. Sarah serves as a therapist for the Laureate Eating Disorders Program inpatient adolescent unit. She earned her undergraduate degree from John Brown University and her master’s in counseling psychology from Oklahoma State University. As a former middle school counselor, she is passionate about empowering educators and education staff.
https://www.saintfrancis.com/laureate/
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Licensed Professional Counselor
Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital
Dr. Deborah Johnson, MSW, LMSW
NASW-Oklahoma President
NASW
Deborah Johnson, Ph.D., MSW, LMSW is the President of NASW-Oklahoma. In addition, she serves at the President of the NASW National Council of Chapter Presidents, a member of the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers, and a member of the Oklahoma State Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Deborah practices at Kaleidoscope Behavioral Solutions in McAlester, Oklahoma. Her clinical focus on children and adolescents. She is an MSW graduate of University of Oklahoma and graduated from Iowa State University with her Ph.D. in Psychology. She has held board positions on the Mental Health Association of Collier County, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Collier County, and several other boards in Florida and Oklahoma over her career. She has been a featured speaker at workshops, professional meetings and been featured on radio and TV programs.
https://www.naswok.com
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NASW-Oklahoma President
NASW
Jennifer Pribble, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Director
Western Plains Youth and Family Services
Jennifer Pribble is a licensed clinical social worker in rural Oklahoma currently serving as the Clinical Director for Western Plains Youth and Family Services. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Master of Social Work degree from the University of Oklahoma and is currently completing her Doctor of Social Work degree from Walden University. Ms. Pribble has previous social work experience within the field working with children and families and in social work higher education. She continues to teach social work courses as an adjunct instructor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Ms. Pribble’s research of interest centers on rural social worker safety, focusing on the overall impact regular de-escalation, self-defense, and self-reflection training of social workers in the field has on job performance.
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Clinical Director
Western Plains Youth and Family Services
Joshua Knowles
NASW-OK
NASW-Oklahoma
Joshua J. Knowles earnestly entered the social work field following a life in Kansas City as a youth minister and program coordinator. Beginning his social work education in Tulsa, OK, Knowles would then partner with multiple organizations in the areas of advocacy, development, and research. These organizations include Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Youth Services of Tulsa, Ascension: St. John, Little Lighthouse, and the Oklahoma Coalition Against Trafficking. Knowles will graduate from the University of Kansas with his MSW this May and continue his service with NASW:OK Board of Directors and Oral Roberts University Social Work Advisory Board.
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NASW-OK
NASW-Oklahoma
