The Road of Social Work
The road of social work can be full of bumps and potholes, however obtaining my license felt like a car crash.
DCFS policy states after a year of supervised social work, all employees complete a social work exam and obtain a SSW License. As the end of my probation approached, I completed a rigorous test containing 200 questions with multiple hypothetical scenarios. I passed the exam (yippee!) and subsequently applied for my license. Everything was going smoothly until I was informed that based upon my degree of study (Criminal Justice) my application was denied. I felt the social work brakes screech to a disappointing halt.
I wrote a letter of appeal to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requesting that my license be approved based upon my education, experience and training. After several months, numerous phone calls, letters and emails, I was allowed to present my case to the Board of Directors. Following a 45 minute discussion I was granted my SSW license. The traffic cleared and I was on my way!
Child Protection Services provides insight and experience into a world of not only abuse and neglect, but also promise. While obtaining my license may not make the decisions or challenges I face out in the field any easier, it has helped me appreciate that being a Social Worker requires strength and determination – qualities that will be of great assistance while navigating the SSW road.
-Aimee Duvall, SSW
CPS Investigator
The road of social work can be full of bumps and potholes, however obtaining my license felt like a car crash.
DCFS policy states after a year of supervised social work, all employees complete a social work exam and obtain a SSW License. As the end of my probation approached, I completed a rigorous test containing 200 questions with multiple hypothetical scenarios. I passed the exam (yippee!) and subsequently applied for my license. Everything was going smoothly until I was informed that based upon my degree of study (Criminal Justice) my application was denied. I felt the social work brakes screech to a disappointing halt.
I wrote a letter of appeal to the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing requesting that my license be approved based upon my education, experience and training. After several months, numerous phone calls, letters and emails, I was allowed to present my case to the Board of Directors. Following a 45 minute discussion I was granted my SSW license. The traffic cleared and I was on my way!
Child Protection Services provides insight and experience into a world of not only abuse and neglect, but also promise. While obtaining my license may not make the decisions or challenges I face out in the field any easier, it has helped me appreciate that being a Social Worker requires strength and determination – qualities that will be of great assistance while navigating the SSW road.
-Aimee Duvall, SSW
CPS Investigator
Congrats Aimee,
ReplyDeleteProud of you, way to fight for it.
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ReplyDeleteWOW, Aimee! I had no idea. I am so impressed.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved your mom's articles in the relief society newsletter. You both have great writing skills!
i had no idea you had to go through all of that! Way to go and we are so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteSince social work is your field, maybe you could point us in the right direction. Where could my husband look for a job/career helping troubled youth? Would a degree in Elementary Ed be okay, or do they require he be a certified social worker?
ReplyDelete