State of Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners met April 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Call To Order:
The Open Session was called to order at 10:50 a.m. by Ms. Denise Capaci, Board Chair.
Approval Of Minutes:
March 9, 2018 minutes were approved -9 Yes,
Adjustment And Additions To Agenda:
Announcement: None.
Board Chair: Denise Capaci
•Denise Capaci, open the Board by thanking the Salisbury staff and faculty for allowing the Board to hold its Board meeting at their beautiful campus. She discussed how the Board has decided to hold periodically, Board meetings on the different sites throughout the state of Maryland in hopes of educating its upcoming social workers or the duties and responsibilities of the governing Board.
•Denise introduced the staff, students and community to Board's governing members and staff.
•Stanley E. Weinstein, Executive Director discussed the history of the Board and how the primary purposed of the Board was to protect the public. He shared how the Boards focus has changed from 1975 the date of origin to now due to multiple changes to the statute.
•Gerard Farrell, Chairman of the Disciplinary Case Review Committee (DCRC) discussed the duties and responsibilities of the committee. He discussed the types of sanctions the committee can recommend to the Board
•Gerard furthered shared the types of cases and frequency of cases received by the committee. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the volume of dual relationships and Medicaid/Medicare fraud cases
•Karen Richards, Chairman of the Continuing Education Committee discussed the importance of social workers maintaining their CEU's and completing them in a timely manner to prevent from cramming them in at the last minute. She suggested social workers may want to implement a professional plan to assist with obtaining CEU's that would enhance the social worker's professional development. She encouraged students to make sure they are taking CEU's that have been approved by the Board.
•Karen shared there are sponsors who are approved by ASWB who may not be by the state of Maryland and therefore, students are encouraged to call the continuing education department when in doubt.
•Deborah Evans, Continuing Education Supervisor, reminded students and staff to visit the Board's website to check the Statute and Regulations governing CEU's. To pay close attention to the amount of CEUs required for each category. She discussed how on the Board's website you will find a list of Board approved sponsors to eliminate taking CEU's that have not been approved.
•Dr. Joyce Bell, Chairman of the Statute and Regulations Committee, discussed the many changes in the Social Work Practice Act. One of the many new changes in the regulations is how LGSW will now be called LMSW. Another is the independent level for LBSW and LMSW social worker.
•Njeri Clay, Board Staff Social Worker, informed staff and students that all forms needed for licensing are located on the Board's website. Also, the Board will be implementing on line applications in the near future.
•Denise Capaci, opened the floor to staff and students for questions and comments. The question was raised as to whether "advocacy” is defined in the new regulations
•Denise Capaci, shared how there are upcoming vacancies on the Board and that Board officer's terms end on June 30, 2018. Nominations were given to Board members to nominate themselves or colleagues for the office. Nominations will be read at the next Board meeting.
Executive Director: Stanley E. Weinstein
•Stanley E. Weinstein discussed with the Board the results of the ASWB Exam in Maryland and the County for the year 2017. The percentage reflects 1st time students who have passed the exam. Maryland applicants did better than the national average LGSW and LCSW-C examinations. He shared with the Board how he sent the passing score rates to the individual schools regarding the performance of their students.
•Stanley Weinstein shared with the Board the number of licensees in each category as of 04/09/2018. They are as follows:
LBSW – Licensed Bachelor Social Workers – 559
LGSW - Licensed Graduate Social Workers - 4319 #
LCSW- Licensed Certified Social Workers – 325
LCSW-C – Licensed Certified Social Workers-Clinical - 9467
•A petition to amend COMAR 10.42.01.05C920(b) was discussed and the Secretary supported the current regulations.
Committee reports:
Statute and Regulations Committee- Joyce Bell, Chair
Joyce Bell shared how it would be good if there was a representative from the Salisbury community who would consider becoming a Board member.
Continuing Education Committee- Karen Richards, Chair
Nothing further to add
Reminder Or Request:
The Open Session adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
https://health.maryland.gov/bswe/Documents/Minutes/2018/April2018Minutes.pdf
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