State social work leader addresses area professionals at MSU-Meridian

MERIDIAN, Miss.— Nearly 75 practitioners and students from around the region are better informed about ethical practices and standards of conduct in the field of social work following a Friday lunch- and-learn at Mississippi State University-Meridian.

Coming from throughout East Mississippi and West Alabama, they attended a presentation by Virginia Adolph, state president of the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.          

Sponsored by the local Deaconess Home Health agency, the program took place at the university's College Park Campus.          

In her remarks, Adolph reviewed the NASW Code of Ethics and entertained suggestions from participants on how to implement ethical decision-making practices in the field.          

Prior to the lunch-and-learn, Adolph met with social work students now in their final semester at the university, where 450 hours of field placement must be completed prior to graduation.         

University officials said 22 field students have been placed with 15 agencies spread among six counties in Mississippi and one in Alabama.  Among participating agencies are the state Department of Humans Services, East Mississippi State Hospital, Central Mississippi Residential Center, Care Lodge, Multi-County Community Service Agency, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Meridian Public School District.      

Adolph reminded the students of their special opportunity to assist others in need, as well as the many critical responsibilities of the social work profession.  She also emphasized the importance of establishing good working relationships with communities they serve, as well as with colleagues.        

A social worker with Harrison County School District's special education office, Adolph is a 33-year veteran of the profession.  For nine years, she also has been a member or held the post of chair with the Mississippi State Board of Examiner's for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.  Additionally, she has served on the commission supervising construction of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.        

By attending monthly NASW lunch-and-learn programs, area professionals may receive continuing education credits required for re-certification.          

For more information or to apply for membership visit www.socialworkers.org, or contact the MSU-Meridian social work program office at 601.484.0140.     

To learn more about academic preparation in social work at the Meridian campus, visit www.meridian.msstate.edu/academics/arts-sciences/degree-programs/social-work.   

Mississippi State University is the state's flagship research university and is found online at www.msstate.edu.


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