NASW-RI Chapter

Meet our Chapter's Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults Award Honoree 2024: Rose Leandre, MSW, DSW! Dr. Leandre currently works as the Administrator for Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Program for the for the State of Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS). She oversees eligibility process, timeliness measures, and implementation of policies and practices to ensure alignment with Federal and State Regulations as well as equity in access for individuals looking to apply for and utilize Medicaid LTSS. Prior to moving to and working for the State of RI in 2019, she worked for 11 years for New York State Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee originally as her Director of Constituent and Community Relations and for the later 3 years as the Chief of Staff. Dr. Leandre also worked for 14 years as the Executive Director and CEO of HACSO Community Center, an organization established to facilitate transitions for immigrants and support their economic independence in Rockland County NY. Dr. Rose Leandre received her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo); Her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and her Doctorate Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC) Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Learn more and register for the Awards Ceremony 2024 (November 21) here: https://lnkd.in/dT3CMpDB

Take a look at the speakers joining us at this year's Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice in Behavioral Health Conference on Friday, November 15! This conference is happening virtual - 4.5 CEs available in cross-cultural practice! Register here: https://lnkd.in/dY-Nws3

Our Chapter invites you to join NASW-MA's inaugural Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice in Behavioral Health Conference, happening virtually on Friday, November 15 (8:45am-2:30pm EST). 4.5 CEs available in cultural practice, with keynote speaker Anthony C. Hill, Ed.D, MSW. Social workers need culturally responsive practice skills to interact effectively with clients who bring their own unique culturally-based experiences and expectations to clinical services. Participants will develop culture-specific knowledge, gain practical skills, examine their assumptions, and increase self-awareness. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dY-Nws3

Meet our Chapter's Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults Award Honoree 2024: Pamela Morris, MSW! Pamela is a highly experienced, successful, and well-regarded organization leader. As a RI native with a long career in health and human services, particularly serving older adults, she brings a wealth of knowledge to JCS. Pamela holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rhode Island College and a Post Graduate Certificate in Long Term Care Administration from Iona College in New York. The last 20 plus years of Pamela’s experience has been marked with work in the senior living field in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In her most recent position, Pamela acted as a Director of Senior Living in the not-for-profit sector, leading teams in multiple settings such as assisted living, adult day health, memory support, residential care, and independent living over the past ten years. In this role, Pamela was responsible for Board relations, operational management, census growth, and regulatory compliance. Pamela is currently responsible for all business, finance, and personnel operations for Jewish Collaborative Services. She oversees the agency and its professional staff in delivering the highest quality of services to the community and all stakeholders. Learn more and register for the Awards Ceremony 2024 (November 21) here: https://lnkd.in/dT3CMpDB

Meet our Chapter's Legislator of the Year Award Honoree 2024: Senator Alana DiMario! Senator Alana DiMario is finishing her second term representing District 36 (Narragansett, North Kingstown, and New Shoreham) in the Rhode Island Senate. Senator DiMario has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for over two decades, working with clients across Rhode Island in community-based settings with a specific focus on postpartum mental health and getting children and families off to the best possible start in life. It was her experiences as a counselor and the desire to bring the voices of the people she has worked with to the State House that prompted Alana to first run for office. Since being elected, Senator DiMario has served on the Health and Human Services Committee and co-chaired the Permanent Joint Legislative Commission on Child Care. For the last two years she has also had the privilege of chairing the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture. Senator DiMario looks forward to serving another term in the Rhode Island Senate, where she will continue her focus on supporting families with young children, growing our workforce in key areas, strengthening our healthcare system, and protecting our natural resources. Learn more and register for the Awards Ceremony 2024 (November 21) here: https://lnkd.in/dT3CMpDB

Did you know you can place congratulatory ads in our Awards ceremony program book or sponsor the ceremony? Visit our website to learn more about ad sizes and prices. Our program books will be distributed to all guest at the ceremony on November 21. Have you registered yet? Join us for our 2024 Chapter's Awards Ceremony, an inspiring event that honors the incredible dedication, commitment, and impact of social workers and allies throughout the state of Rhode Island. Visit: https://lnkd.in/dT3CMpDB

Our NASW-RI Legislative Survey is LIVE! Please take 3 minutes to complete it and let us know your social work priorities for the 2025 session that begins in January! #socialworkers #2025legislativesession

Speakers Katelyn Medeiros, Esquire and Kara A. Foley, MSW will provide an overview of the responsibilities of the OCA as the oversight agency to DCYF, and how the OCA is a resource to the Rhode Island community. Join us at NASW-RI & RISSWA Annual School Social Work Summit on Friday, November 8 at the Crowne Plaza Providence Warwick (801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886). The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is the independent state agency that oversees the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). The OCA will also discuss how the office intervenes on individual cases and how the OCA monitors the children served by the child welfare, children’s behavioral health, and juvenile justice systems in Rhode Island. Earn 6 CEs in total! Registrations are closing soon - register today here: https://lnkd.in/dY-Nws3

Meet our Chapter Awards Honorees 2024! We're very excited to come together to recognize and celebrate these unsung heroes who make Rhode Island a more compassionate and just place for all. Join us on November 21st - register here: https://lnkd.in/dT3CMpDB - Legislator of the Year: Senator Alana DiMario - Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults Award: Pamela Morris, MSW - Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults Award: Rose Leandre, MSW, DSW - Social Workers of the Year - Mental Health and Substance Use: Desiree Soto, LICSW, LCDP, CGS, IGDC-1 - Social Worker of the Year - School Social Work and Children and Families Award: Julie O'Connor - Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award: Sgt. Michael Wheeler - Nancy H. Gewirtz Social Action Award: Kate Brewster, MSW - Promising Practitioners Awards: - Providence College - BSW: Isabella Ferrucci - Salve Regina University - BSW: Kayla Luczak - Rhode Island College - BSW: Andrea González Sánchez You can also purchase congratulatory ads for the honorees - to be placed in our ceremony's Program Book. Learn more in our website: https://lnkd.in/dT3CMpDB

Join us at our Awards Ceremony 2024 on Thursday, November 21, 2024. We'll be hosting our ceremony at Chelo’s Banquet Facility (2225 Post Road, Warwick, RI). Learn more about tickets, congratulatory ads, and sponsorships available here: https://lnkd.in/dT3CMpDB Award Honorees 2024: - Legislator of the Year: Senator Alana DiMario - Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults Award: Pamela Morris, MSW - Social Worker of the Year - Older Adults Award: Rose Leandre, MSW, DSW - Social Workers of the Year - Mental Health and Substance Use: Desiree Soto, LICSW, LCDP, CGS, IGDC-1 - Social Worker of the Year - School Social Work and Children and Families Award: Julie O'Connor - Robert S. Burgess Community Service Award: Sgt. Michael Wheeler - Nancy H. Gewirtz Social Action Award: Kate Brewster, MSW - Promising Practitioners Awards: - Providence College - BSW: Isabella Ferrucci - Salve Regina University - BSW: Kayla Luczak - Rhode Island College - BSW: Andrea González Sánchez