Minutes

SOCIAL WORKER LICENSING BOARD MEETING

December 7, 2017 8:30 A.M. Room 474 - Fourth Floor Heber M. Wells Building

160 E. 300 S. Salt Lake City, Utah

CONVENED: 8:35 A.M. ADJOURNED: 1: 15 P.M.

Bureau Manager: Jennifer Zaelit

Bureau Manager: Larry Marx

Board Secretary: Lee Avery

Board Members Present: Donna Didas, Chairperson Doran Williams, Vice Chairperson Kathleen Anderson Emily Aikins Rachel Stoddard

Board Member Excused: Jenafer Newman

DOPL Staff Present: Mark Smith, Compliance Specialist James Furner, DOPL Investigator

Guests: Attny of Probationer

ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS: 1. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The Conflict of Interest Disclosure forms were signed.

2. Swear in Board Member Emily Aikins Ms. Aikins was sworn in as a Board member. Ms. Aikins introduced herself.

3. Review and approve minutes The minutes dated October 5, 2017 were reviewed. Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the minutes. Ms. Anderson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

4. Compliance report Mr. Smith reviewed the compliance report with the Board. Mr. Conlee and Ms. Rhees are new probationers. Ms. Bodily is unable to keep her appointment due to illness.

Mr. Furner met with the Board to review his investigation regarding Mr. Alex Jackson and indicated the Board may do the following:

1. Request a Psychological Evaluation and then followed the recommendations. 2. Require working supervised as a CSW. 3. Is he a potential threat to the public? 4. Get something from his current employer.

APPOINTMENTS: 9:36 A.M. - Kate Johnson, information to the Board At 9:46 A.M. Ms. Aikins made a motion to close the Board meeting to discuss the character, professional competence or physical or mental health of an individual. Ms. Anderson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. A recording was not made. Written notes were not taken. The Board meeting opened at 10:06 A.M.

10:10 A.M. - John Conlee, new probation interview Mr. Conlee met with the Board for his new probation interview. Ms. Didas conducted the interview. Mr. Conlee reviewed his employment history with the Board. He does not have a supervisor in a clinical setting right now. The Board advised him that his probation status starts when he gains employment in the field. He needs to be in compliance with his stipulation and keep in touch with Mr. Smith, Compliance Specialist with the Division. Mr. Conlee advised the Board that to keep his sobriety he started attending support meetings. He meditates at a meditation center. Mr. Conlee noted he is having problems gaining employment and finding a supervisor due to his license being on probation. The Board advised Mr. Conlee that he could obtain a LCSW and sign a business agreement with this LCSW and his agency for supervision. Mr. Conlee was encouraged to let the Division know when he gains employment in the field. If he is working in the field the Board will see him February 1, 2018.

10:00 A.M. - Abigail Bodily, probation interview Ms. Bodily was unable to keep her appointment with the Board due to illness.

10:27 A.M. - Laura Chamberlain, probation interview Ms. Chamerlain met with the Board for her probation interview. Ms. Stoddard conducted the interview. The Board noted that the supervisor report is looking better. Ms. Chamberlain indicated she is now working PRN on call for IACSS and Uni. Her supervisor will be the same. The Board encouraged her to check with her employer regarding establishing a business agreement with her supervisor. The Board encouraged her to keep her recovery plan in place and to keep going in the positive direction she is going. The Boards role is to support her in being successful especially with the stressors of the holidays and family issues. The Board noted that her tests results have been negative and encouraged her to continue.

10:44 A.M. - David Pearson, probation interview Mr. Pearson met with the Board regarding his probation interview. Ms. Didas conducted the interview. The Board noted his supervisor was approved and his supervisor reports are positive. He is working at an addiction center. Mr. Pearson stated he is meeting with his supervisor regularly. The Board asked him to have his supervisor note when his supervisor sits in on the individual therapy sessions or listens to the recording. The Board reminded him he had (90 days) to complete his continuing education. This time started when the stipulation was signed May 2017, due August 2017. The Board reminded Mr. Pearson that his CEs need to be preapproved by the Board. He needs to obtain six (6) total hours, with three (3) hours face to face and three (3) hours may be obtained online, or obtain all 6 face to face. The Board encouraged him to continue in the positive direction he is going. If the CEs are completed and submitted by the next Board meeting, he will be in compliance. The Board asked to see Mr. Pearson February 1,2018.

10:55 A.M. - Linda Rhees, new probation interview Ms. Rhees met with the Board regarding her new probation interview. Mr. Williams conducted the interview. Ms. Rhees reviewed the violations that brought her before the Board. Ms. Rhees indicated she realized she made some bad judgement calls. The Board encouraged her to review the NASW professional code of ethics yearly. Ms. Rhees indicated she reviewed the stipulation and understands it. The Board noted Ms. Rhees needs forty (40) hours of continuing education for her license. The CEs she is proposing will be okay for this, however she needs to complete a thinking errors course required by her stipulation. Once she has completed this, she will need to submit her essay to include what she has learned and what she is going to do different. The Board noted that her supervisor needs to be an LCSW, whose license is in good standing. The Board encouraged Ms. Rhees to submit her supervisors CV for Board approval. The Board asked to see Ms. Rhees February 1,2018.

11:14 A.M. - Enrique Velasquez, probation interview Mr. Velasquez met with the Board regarding his probation interview. Ms. Anderson conducted the interview. Mr. Velasquez stated he is working part time at Stepping Stones. His supervisor is an LCSW. She was a student in one of her college courses about ten (10) years ago. He does not have a personal relationship with her. The Board reviewed Mr. Velasquez's proposed supervisor's CV. Ms. Stoddard made a motion to approve his clinical supervisor. Mr. Williams seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The Board advised Mr. Velasquez his supervisor and employer will each need to submit reports to the Board. The Board asked Mr. Velasquez to have his supervisor report on the sessions she sits on and the recordings she reviews. He needs to submit his plan, addressing his violations and how he is going to be in compliance with the professional code of ethics.

11 :20 A.M. - Cory Dennis, request for additional supervisees The Board reviewed Mr. Dennis' request for additional supervisees. Ms. Didas conducted Mr. Dennis' interview via telephone. The Board noted that his request will put him to up to six (6) supervisees. Mr. Dennis indicated his only responsibility is to supervise. Currently he is working full time with BYU. There are two (2) supervisees who are about to finish their hours. The Board noted that all of his supervisees have stipulations and require a closer oversite. Mr. Dennis stated he feels he will be able to supervise the additional supervisees okay. Mr. Williams made a motion to approve Ms. Dennis' request. Ms. Aikins seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

11 :35 A.M. - Dwight Hurst, public reprimand Mr. Hurst was contacted via telephone. Mr. Williams conducted the interview. At 11 :39 AM Ms. Didas made a motion to close the Board meeting to discuss the character professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Ms. Stoddard seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. A recording was not made. There are no written notes. The Board meeting opened at 11:47 A.M. The Board noted that Mr. Hurst has taken responsibility and identifying a process he is going through to keep these violations from happening again. The Board encouraged him to set up a recovery or warning plan to keep him from going down this same path again. The Board encourage him to read the code of ethics at least once a year, to keep them fresh in his mind.

11:51 A.M. - Benjamin Nielson, review LCSW application Mr. Nielson met with the Board regarding his LCSW application. The Board reviewed the documents Mr. Nielson submitted regarding a report made to the DCFS Services and his physical abuse of his child. Mr. Nielson reviewed the circumstances behind his actions. Mr. Nielson indicated he reached out to his supervisor, he took his child to the doctor and he continues working on his anger issues. Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the LCSW license with the following conditions for six (6) months; I . He meets with the Board; 2. He obtains therapy for himself; 3. His therapist reports are submitted to the Board. 4. He obtain therapy with his family; and 5. He obtain an evaluation for child. Ms. Aikins seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

12:20 P.M. - Alex Jackson, LCSW application eligibility Mr. Jackson met with the Board. Ms. Didas conducted the interview. At 12:33 P.M. Mr. Williams made a motion to close the Board meeting to discuss the character professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Ms. Aikins seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. A recording was not made. There are no written notes. The Board meeting opened at 12: 38 PM. The Board expressed concerns regarding Mr. Jackson's behavior, progress, clinical judgement, interaction with co-workers, responsiveness to supervision, social interaction with clients and coworkers. Mr. Williams made a motion to not accept the application submitted by Mr. Jackson at this time. The Board is recommending Mr. Jackson submit the following: I . A psychological evaluation. 2. Have his current supervisors submit a detailed evaluation of his work.

The Board wants to meet with Mr. Jackson when the above infonnation is obtained.

NOTE* After further discussion with Mr. Jackson, the Board expressed serious concerns about his ability to safely practice as a CSW. Mr. Williams made a motion to recommend the Division take action on Mr. Jackson's CSW license. The Board has serious concerns regarding Mr. Jackson's ability to work in the community and keep himself and others safe. Ms. Didas seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

12:15 P.M. - Patricia Winn, review request for CSWI, unable to attend the Board meeting, Out of order on the agenda The Board reviewed Ms. Winn's application for her CSWI and the statutes and rules. The Board indicated the intent of this license was to allow the licensee already employed by an agency to continue working for six (6) months to take the next available exam. The Board noted the current statutes and rules are unclear regarding the time frame. Mr. Williams made a motion to approve Ms. Winn's application. Ms. Stoddard seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

NOTE* The Board noted the current statutes and rule needs to be clarified to include a limited timeframe. The Board requested this be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting.

NEW ITEMS: None

UNFINISHED ITEMS: 1. Proposed language to rule (R 156-60a) update, Ms. Zaelit, taken out of order on the agenda. The Board reviewed the supervision contract and tabled this discussion to review the information provided.

2. Change Verification of Post Graduate Supervised Experience form, update, Ms. Zaelit - taken out of order on the agenda. The Board tabled this discussion to review the information provided.

Next Board Meeting Scheduled: February 1, 2018

2018 Board meetings tentatively scheduled February 1, April 5'" might have a hearing"', June 7, August 2, October 4, December 6

ADJOURN: Motion to adjourn at 1:15 P.M.

Note: These minutes are not intended to be a verbatim transcript but are intended to record the significant features ofthe business conducted in this meeting. Discussed items are not necessarily show they occurred.

a . \ . l(5 Date Approved

c::2 ' I· 1& Date Approved er, Division of Occupational &

Licensing