State Board of Social Work Examiners public meetings in 2022
14 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and endorsements. It also authorized $12,000 for Certemy services and approved a survey to gather feedback on amending the Social Work Practice Act.
- Approved $12,000 for Certemy services through May 23, 2023
- Approved $2,000 fee for each board data set request
- Approved survey on behalf of the IOC regarding Social Work Practice Act amendments
- Denied Community Health Educator position at AmeriHealth Caritas as eligible for LCSW supervision
- Approved 6.5-hour BACS workshops for Nita Baucom (unanimous)
- Approved BACS supervision extension for Julita Montgomery through March 1, 2023
- Approved 22 hours of supervision for Sandriekia Baker
- Approved funding for two board members or one member and one staff to attend 2023 FARB Forum
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved a change allowing certain LMSWs to sit for the Clinical exam starting January 1, 2023. It also established a committee to hold public meetings regarding ASWB pass/fail test data.
- Approved agenda as presented (unanimous)
- Approved allowing LMSW to sit for Clinical exam upon completing 75 hours of supervision and being within 6 months of completing supervision, effective January 1, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of a committee to hold public meetings regarding ASWB pass/fail test data (unanimous)
- Appointed Ruth Weinzettle and Jamie Barney to the ASWB test data committee
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous applications for Registered, Master's, and Clinical Social Work licenses and reinstatements. It dismissed eight complaints and accepted a voluntary license surrender and a consent agreement. The Board also authorized a request for an Attorney General's opinion regarding Act 487.
- Accepted Voluntary Surrender of License for Michelle Graffeo (unanimous)
- Accepted Consent Agreement and Order for Rhia Biagas (unanimous)
- Denied supervision credit for Sandy Baker and Marlene Lucas (unanimous)
- Denied use of Special Education Teacher employment as social work experience for Robert Chilton (unanimous)
- Authorized counsel to request an opinion from the Attorney General regarding Act 487 (unanimous)
- Approved increase of maximum CPA contract amount to $5,750.00 (unanimous)
- Dismissed eight complaints, including Complaint #2021-196 and #2023-17 with a letter of education (unanimous)
- Approved multiple license applications for RSW, LMSW, and LCSW credentials (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous applications for Registered, Master's, and Clinical Social Work licenses. It voted to terminate its contract with Certemy effective March 31, 2023, and accepted a proposal from Agilify. Several disciplinary complaints were dismissed and one licensee was released from a Consent Agreement.
- Terminated Certemy contract effective March 31, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved Agilify proposal subject to contract (Unanimous)
- Denied Diana Barnes' request for Board Approved Clinical Supervisor designation (Unanimous)
- Approved CE applications for Community Enrichment Group, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, and Impact Counseling & Support Services
- Dismissed complaints #2021-133, #2022-79, #2022-104, #2023-02, and #2023-07 (Unanimous)
- Denied LCSW application of Caroline Caronna for insufficient supervision documentation (Unanimous)
- Approved 15 Registered Social Work and 7 RSW reinstatement applications (Unanimous)
- Approved 28 LMSW applications, 1 LMSW reinstatement, and 6 LMSW endorsements (Unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous licensure applications, reinstatements, and endorsements across Registered, Master's, and Clinical Social Work levels. It also authorized several continuing education organizations and dismissed five complaints. Additionally, the Board voted to abolish and reconstitute its Rules Committee.
- Approved continuing education applications for LDH Office of Behavioral Health, LDH Office of Public Health, Team Dynamics LLC, and Crayton Counseling and Consulting
- Abolished and reconstituted the Rules Committee (unanimous)
- Approved funding for Emily DeAngelo to attend FARB’s Regulatory Law Seminar (unanimous)
- Dismissed five complaints: #2021-156 CW 2021-183, #2022-36, #2022-46, #2022-76, and #2022-94
- Released two licensees from Consent Agreement and Order (unanimous)
- Approved 28 Registered Social Work applications and 6 reinstatements/endorsements
- Approved 18 Licensed Master’s Social Work applications and 5 reinstatements/endorsements
- Approved 18 applicants for the ASWB Clinical Exam and 13 LCSW endorsements
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved changes to ASWB testing procedures and referred a continuing education carryover request to the Rules Committee. Members also authorized further contract negotiations with Certemy and approved a merit increase for the Administrator.
- Approved allowing candidates to sit for ASWB Masters exam in final graduate semester starting Jan 1, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Denied allowing candidates to sit for Clinical exam within 6 months of completing supervised experience (3-4)
- Approved inquiry to ASWB regarding a 75-hour supervised work experience requirement before exams (Unanimous)
- Referred continuing education carryover request to Rules Committee for research and drafting (Unanimous)
- Approved continued discussions with Certemy regarding costs and outstanding deliverables (Unanimous)
- Approved 3% merit increase for Administrator Emily DeAngelo (Unanimous)
- Approved agenda with addition of Chanell Williams case consideration (Unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved a large volume of RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and endorsements. It dismissed four complaints and referred one respondent to the Impaired Professional Program. The Board also adopted sample ADA and SAME agency policies from the Division of Administration.
- Approved Consent Agreements for Precious Lashae Smith, Jessica Nichols, and Shawndaya Thrasher
- Approved ADA and SAME agency sample policies from the Division of Administration
- Dismissed Complaints #2021-179 CW 2022-10, #2022-70, #2022-74, and #2022-93
- Referred respondent in Complaint #2023-16 to the Impaired Professional Program
- Approved RSW application for Christopher McDowell with a one-year probation, $500 fine, and ethics CE
- Denied LCSW Endorsement for Leslie Goddard and RSW application for Kristopher Graham (offered compliance hearings)
- Granted payment extension to Ada Craige-Roberson and supervision extension to Lesli Tregre
- Tabled decision on Administrative Complaint #2020-152 (Chanell Williams) to July 30, 2022
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board elected Hyacinth McKee as Chairperson, Jamie Barney as Vice Chairperson, and Bora Sunseri as Secretary-Treasurer. The Board approved a large volume of RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and endorsements, while denying several others and offering compliance hearings. Additionally, the Board approved updated ASWB examination policies and dismissed two complaints.
- Elected Hyacinth McKee (Chair), Jamie Barney (Vice Chair), and Bora Sunseri (Secretary-Treasurer) by acclamation
- Approved ASWB exam policy changes regarding waivers and nonstandard testing arrangements
- Summarily suspended Precious Lashae Smith’s Certified Social Work credential
- Approved numerous RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and endorsements
- Denied LMSW applications for Gregory Roberts and Sophia Stevenson (offered compliance hearings)
- Denied LCSW application for Vadeisha Williams (offered compliance hearing)
- Dismissed complaints #2022-58 and #2022-64 (with letter of education)
- Dismissed complaint #2020-152 against Chanell Williams
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and endorsements. It also approved the removal of disciplinary flags for three individuals and granted an LCSW application to Mimi Marie Cordray following a compliance hearing. The Board voted not to participate in the DOJ Occupational Licensing Review Program for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
- Approved LCSW application and exam eligibility for Mimi Marie Cordray (unanimous)
- Approved removal of disciplinary flags for Lisa Mansfield, Katelyn Powell, and Vanessa Rubin (unanimous)
- Denied request for Flora Cooper to use 2019 Board Orientation Workshop for BACS approval (majority)
- Denied Jennifer LaCarriere's request to provide alternative dispute resolution or parenting coordinator services independently (unanimous)
- Denied Senior Academic and Career Advisor position as eligible for LCSW requirements (unanimous)
- Approved CE approval organization application for Flowers 2 Life, LLC (unanimous)
- Voted not to participate in DOJ Occupational Licensing Review Program for 2022-2023 (unanimous)
- Approved proposal for Gina Signorelli to develop BACS and clinical supervision workshops (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved staff to select a vendor for Performance Acceleration Through LEAN. Members discussed the potential removal of the LMSW examination requirement but decided to seek more information from the ASWB before further action.
- Approved board staff to select the best suited vendor for Performance Acceleration Through LEAN (unanimous)
- Approved March 25, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous; 2 abstentions)
- Adopted meeting agenda (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved several legal, accounting, and consulting contracts for the upcoming fiscal year. It also granted continuing education approval to five organizations and processed numerous social work licensure and endorsement applications.
- Approved $75,000 legal services contract for Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson (unanimous)
- Approved $50,000 legal services contract for Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich (unanimous)
- Approved $4,500 accounting services contract for Griffin & Furman (unanimous)
- Approved $15,000 complaint consultant contract for Lisa Lipsey (unanimous)
- Approved $10,000 Impaired Professional Program manager contract for Kathie Pohlman (unanimous)
- Approved continuing education status for Ronald Fletcher, Carol Miles, LA Association of Clinical Social Workers, Nita Baucom, and SLU School of Social Work (unanimous)
- Denied Debbie Breaux's request to accept supervision contract without penalty (unanimous)
- Dismissed Complaints #2018-344, #2021-29, #2022-06, #2022-48, and #2022-67 (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 and accepted the financial statement for the period ending July 31, 2021. Several professional license applications and continuing education providers were approved, while others were denied. The Board also accepted a report from the Legislation Review Committee.
- Approved FY 2022-2023 Budget (unanimous)
- Approved financial statement for period ending July 31, 2021 (unanimous)
- Approved 22 Registered Social Work applications (unanimous)
- Approved 25 Licensed Master’s Social Work applications (unanimous)
- Approved 13 Licensed Clinical Social Work endorsement applications (unanimous)
- Denied LCSW applications for Mimi Cordray, Joann Glasper, and Le’Tricia Smith (unanimous)
- Denied continuing education approval for LA Association of Clinical Social Workers and Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (unanimous)
- Approved $250 ASWB and $175 FARB annual membership fees
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved various licensure applications, reinstatements, and exam eligibility. It also authorized contracts for investigations and LEAN training, and issued disciplinary actions including a license suspension and a probationary credential.
- Approved $10,000 contract with Advanced Investigative Technology and $20,000 with Integrated Security and Investigative Specialists
- Approved bids for LEAN training not to exceed $10,000
- Suspended Rebecca Dawson’s LMSW No. 13842 for a minimum of three years
- Issued Cory Kronenberger a Certified Social Work credential on probation for minimum two years
- Reinstated William O’Connor’s LCSW No. 9745 subject to restrictions and probation
- Approved The Carpenter Health Network as a continuing education approval organization
- Denied licensure applications for Bethany Darnell, Caroline Caronna, and Chadwick Jasper
- Approved 19 RSW, 28 LMSW, and 9 LCSW endorsement applications
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved the extension of distance learning for continuing education and virtual BACS supervision. Members also processed numerous licensure applications, dismissed several complaints, and authorized a response to vendor Certemy regarding contract deliverables.
- Extended distance learning for continuing education and virtual BACS supervision through August 31, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved removal of disciplinary flags from public view for Trina Johnson, Rekisha Perkins, and Delise Wilridge (Unanimous)
- Denied supervision request for Shemika Bailey (Unanimous)
- Authorized Counsel and Administrator to set deliverables and payment schedules for vendor Certemy
- Denied LCSW application for Leslie Fluence (Unanimous)
- Dismissed complaints 2021-108, 2021-137, 2021-138, 2021-144, 2021-145, 2021-186, 2022-07, and 2022-23
- Approved multiple applications for RSW, LMSW, and LCSW credentials
- Denied LCSW applications for Amiee Brooks, Erin Evans, and James Jordan