DSW Social Work Sample Statement of Purpose

DSW Social Work Sample Statement of Purpose

An African-American woman, a social worker, and a Captain in the US Army since 2010, I now serve in the reserves. I think of myself as strong yet compassionate, dedicated to duty yet a critical thinker, and someone who has a lot to contribute to the field of Social Work, especially after earning the DSW Degree at UXX.

My professional goals span across academic, organizational, and clinical worlds. I am especially interested in obtaining a teaching position in the future where I will have the freedom to teach and practice at the same time, working with students in clinical practice. I look forward to developing a special focus on human behavior and the social environment as well as diversity issues in Social Work.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to serve as a field instructor during my BSW as well as MSW studies, for students matriculating at Texas A&M, Baylor University, and NYU. I discovered that I have a great passion for teaching and social work training and the development of new competencies for new generations of social workers. I seek to build upon my strengths, identifying and addressing professional deficiencies in order to always reach upwards to my fullest potential

At some point after earning the DSW Degree I look forward to building my own thriving practice that involves but transcends therapy, providing CEU trainings, consultation and supervision. I look forward to contributing to research and becoming a published author of well-received studies of the issues in Social Work with which I am most engaged, developing my voice in those areas that I see as especially important. I seek to develop and inform behavioral health policy and contribute towards its effective implementation.

I have a special interest in developing programming for mothers of color who are incarcerated for non-violent offenses, advocacy of jail release and recovering custody of their children if possible, not as a lawyer but as a DSW Professional. Programming would include comprehensive assessments, individual and family Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, educational/employment assistance, childcare, support groups and housing. In the case of moms in particular, I see special opportunity for reform and smart decarceration leading to second opportunities for women and their children

My professional experiences have provided me with exposure to various challenging opportunities that have strengthened and broadened my skillset in leadership, collaboration, communication and innovation. As a Program Director at Bell County Mental Health Indigent Defense a new mental health diversion court program in Bell County Texas, I worked with the local county commissioners court comprised of elected officials responsible for the fiscal oversight of all county programs. Many of the elected officials and stakeholders had limited formal knowledge of mental illness and its impact on the criminal justice system and commonly adopted the “tough on crime” approach. Mental health trainings were provided to all stakeholders including court appointed defense attorneys in order to enhance general knowledge mental health and best practices. I realized the value of purposeful data collection and data integrity when I found myself demonstrating how Bell County Mental Health Indigent Defense can help to reduce fiscal cost at the county jail through early identification of defendants with mental health needs, along with jail release/ diversion to mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. Through the BCMHID Social Work Program, Bell County was able to divert scarce resources to assist with other desperate needs in the community, especially housing referral services. BCMHID collaborated with the local mental health authority agency developing a MOU to streamline service referrals and proposed the creation of a co-response team for outreach and engagement of mutually served participants that were hospitalized, missed court appearances/re-arrests or otherwise demonstrated challenges in treatment engagement.

DSW Social Work Sample Statement of Purpose