Welcome to the MSW Field Application Meeting for spring 2015

1. Welcome to the MSW Field Application Meeting for spring 2015

2. FIELD EDUCATION FACULTY Chair of Social Work Department Dr. Iris Phillips, Ph.D Office: 812.465.1116 Email: iris.phillips@usi.edu Director of Field Education Patricia Loehr ACSW LCSW LCAC Office: 812.465.1106 Cell: 812.455.7696 Email: ploehr@usi.edu

3. Field education faculty Field Education Barb Ferguson, MSSW Cell: 812.453.0559 Email: bferguson@usi.edu Graduate Assistant for Field Education Cory Stone, BSW Office: 812.465.7114 Fax: 812.465.1116 Email: socialwork.field@usi.edu

4. Field education faculty Seminar Instructors/Field Liaisons **Steve Roehm, LCSW Email: smroehm@usi.edu Office Hours: By Appointment **There will be a different Seminar Instructor/Field Liaison for each MSW Clinical Cohort

5. FIELD EDUCATION Classes • SOCW 611, Graduate Field Placement -Students complete 525 hours of supervised field experience over a 22 week period during the spring and summer semesters. • SOCW 612, Integrated Field Placement Seminar

6. Criminal Background checks • All MSW students are required to submit TWO criminal background checks prior to beginning field internships! • National Background Check • www.sentrylink.com • Click the “criminal search” tab • The cost is $19.95 • Local Background Check All Background Checks are Due November 1!!

7. Field Application Your Field Application Must Include: • A MSW II Field Instruction Application; • A Current Resume (no more than 2 pages); • A MSW Placement Preference Form; and • A Placement in Agency of Employment Form (if needed). ALL Completed Forms are Due on October 3rd by 4:30pm!!

8. Agency Choice forms • You will be provided a list of agencies in which USI has a Field Education Affiliation. • Just because an agency is listed, does NOT mean they will be available for an internship during a Fall or Spring placement. The list of agencies provided is just a starting place and can be helpful in beginning to think about what type of placement you may wish to pursue. Please do not get frustrated if your first choice agency is not available and you must move on to your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th choice. • Internships can be competitive! Just because you interview with an agency, does NOT guarantee they will choose you to be placed with them. PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND BRING YOUR A GAME!

9. Field Application • PLEASE NOTE • Your application is NOT complete without a current resume. • Please turn in all forms at one time to the Social Work Office. • Please do NOT use staples. It drives Cory crazy, because she has to pull every single one of them out. • You do not need to purchase fancy or expensive folders. • Just use a paperclip! 

10. Field Application • PLEASE NOTE • You may also fax (812. 465.1116) or email (socialwork.field@usi.edu) Cory your completed application packet. If you do so, the forms MUST contain your actual signature.

11. Field Application ALL Completed Application Packets are Due on October 3rd by 4:30pm!

12. The Field Guideline Letter • We will send The Field Guideline Letter to this class roughly two weeks after Field Application Packet’s are Due. • You must take The Field Guideline Letter to your interview with your agency. If everything goes well, you will leave The Field Guideline Letter with your agency. Your Field Supervisor will fill out the paperwork and mail it back to us in the self-addressed, stamped envelope. • If you loose your Field Guideline Letter, extra copies are available in the Social Work office at the front desk in a white binder.

13. Release of Academic Information Form The Field Education Office is happy to assist students in faxing, emailing, or otherwise sending their academic field education information, including their criminal background checks, to field agencies, places of employment, or other Universities. In order to do so, we must be provided a Release of Academic Information form. In order to obtain this form, please contact the Graduate Assistant for Field Education.

14. October-December • Students will be placed with an agency from October through December. • You will be authorized to contact your agency via your USI email. Detailed instructions regarding the process of sending your cover letter and resume, as well as scheduling an interview will be included because every agency is different. • Student interviews with Barb Ferguson are NOT mandatory! If you have questions or concerns about field placements, you may schedule an interview with Barb Ferguson.

15. November-December • Students interview with agencies. • Do not put off your interview until the last minute. • Schedule as early as possible in case an alternate placement must be found. • Email the field director after your interview and advise as to how the interview seemed to go. • Do not forget to bring The Field Guideline Letter to your interview.

16. Dec 17-Jan 11 Winter Break! GO AWAY…HAVE SOME FUN!

17. REMEMBER • NOTE: You MUST have authorization before making contact or scheduling an interview with an agency. Either PatiLoehr, Barb Ferguson, or Field Education Graduate Assistant will be making contact with you!

18. January 12 First Day of Field!!

19. January 12 • Students are responsible for scheduling their start dates with their agencies. • Requests to start field internships early, MUST be approved by Barb Ferguson!

20. PLEASE NOTE: Agencies may request full criminal history background checks and drug screens. Be prepared to comply with agency requirements. Agencies will reject field candidates due to positive drug screens reflecting substances that are not prescribed for the candidate by a licensed physician or practitioner. You may be required to submit an additional criminal history check prior to field placement. Agencies may refuse candidates based on criminal histories and/or positive drug screens.

21. Facebook? • Things to think about …. • You may want to create a “ More Professional” Facebook page. • Also, careful about email names. I have seen barflygirl@xxxx.com & mrhot4sure@xxxx.com Needless to say, these are not appropriate if you are planning to enter the professional world!