State Board of Social Work Examiners public meetings in 2023
13 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous applications for RSW, LMSW, and LCSW credentials and endorsed several continuing education organizations. It adopted a new policy for remote meeting participation for public members with disabilities. Several requests for remote supervision and late contract submissions were denied, with compliance hearings offered.
- Adopted policy for remote participation in meetings for public members with disabilities (unanimous)
- Approved applications for RSW, LMSW, and LCSW credentials (unanimous)
- Approved continuing education pre-approval for City of New Orleans Health Dept, Jewish Family Services of GNO, NAMI New Orleans, and VIA LINK (unanimous)
- Denied multiple requests for late supervision contract submissions and offered compliance hearings (majority/unanimous)
- Approved financial statements for periods ending July 31 through October 31, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved upgrade of the telephone system (unanimous)
- Dismissed Complaints #2023-71, #2024-07, and #2024-17 (unanimous)
- Approved Consent Agreement and Order for Patrice Jefferson (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board authorized the board administrator to execute a contract with Covalent pending state procurement requirements. Members also reviewed and adopted several amendments to the board's rules and chapters, including changes to fee policies and disciplinary language.
- Authorized board administrator to execute contract with Covalent (unanimous)
- Approved $250 application fee for continuing education pre-approval organizations
- Adopted §309(J) (unanimous)
- Revised §309(K)(1) to include criteria of §37:2950 (unanimous)
- Adopted change making fees non-refundable in §313(A) (unanimous)
- Adopted §971 with added language regarding limited panel's decision (unanimous)
- Deferred §979 due to pending litigation (unanimous)
- Revised §981(B) stating letters of concern or education are not discipline (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved multiple applications for RSW, LMSW, and LCSW credentials, including several reinstatements and endorsements. It also granted various requests for remote supervision and distance learning for continuing education. Several compliance hearings were held resulting in application denials or referrals to the Impaired Professional Program.
- Approved Consent Agreements and Orders for Yolanda Owens and Harold Kirby
- Approved funding for Administrator to attend ASWB 2023 Delegate Assembly
- Approved Sankora Institute as a continuing education pre-approval organization
- Denied Jewish Family Services of GNO application for Continuing Education Approval Organization
- Denied remote supervision request for Reginald Parquet, LCSW-BACS
- Referred Rachel McWilliams and Leah Mendoza to the Impaired Professional Program
- Approved RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications for multiple individuals
- Dismissed Complaints #2023-82, #2023-134, #2024-03, #2024-22, and #2024-26
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous applications for RSW, LMSW, and LCSW licensure and reinstatements. It also adopted consent agreements for four individuals and approved several continuing education pre-approval organizations. A contract with Integrated Security & Investigative Specialists was increased by $10,000.
- Approved $10,000 contract increase for Integrated Security & Investigative Specialists (Total: $25,000)
- Approved contract negotiations with Covalent Logic
- Adopted Consent Agreements and Orders for Marleen Billiot, Tameika Lee, Christy Nicko, and Heather Kuntz
- Approved continuing education pre-approval for Deborah Glover, LSU School of Social Work, and Tides Center for Wellness, LLC
- Denied continuing education pre-approval for Jewish Family Services and NAMI New Orleans
- Approved supervision hours for Jessica Frankel and issued a letter of education to Kay Clemons
- Denied remote supervision requests for Nabila Barrera, Caroline Wegener, Abigail Mullen, and Debvin Shelmire
- Dismissed complaints #2020-74, #2022-77, #2023-38, #2023-118, #2023-133, #2023-160, and #2023-158 (with letter of education)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved a large volume of licensure applications and remote supervision requests. It adopted several rule amendments regarding continuing education, degree transcripts, and professional conduct. The Board also processed multiple consent agreements and disciplinary complaints.
- Approved financial statement for period ending June 30, 2023 (unanimous)
- Adopted rule amendments limiting CE credits for observing board meetings to 10 hours (unanimous)
- Adopted rule amendments regarding MSW degree transcripts and professional exploitation (unanimous)
- Approved multiple applications for Registered Social Work, LMSW, and LCSW (unanimous)
- Issued summary suspension for Complaints #2023-103 and 2023-154 (unanimous)
- Approved remote supervision for several applicants; denied requests for Ellen Dunn (4-1), Brandy Alexis, and Andrew Dietz
- Adopted Consent Agreements and Orders for Jade Stevens, Jasmine Nelson, Matthew McGoldrick, Tartiana Citizen, Anita Hall, and Keyshia Flowers (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of new conference room computer and live-streaming equipment (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board reviewed its SWOT analysis and strategic plan for FY 2023-2024. Members agreed to extend the application period for the Exam Committee. The Board also approved a pay increase for Administrator Emily DeAngelo based on a written evaluation.
- Approved amended agenda (unanimous)
- Approved extending Exam Committee interest and resume submissions until July 31, 2023
- Approved motion to enter Executive Session at 12:21 p.m. (5-0)
- Approved motion to exit Executive Session at 1:31 p.m. (5-0)
- Approved pay increase for Administrator Emily DeAngelo (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved a large volume of RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and reinstatements. Members voted on individual requests for remote supervision and continuing education credits. The Board also approved a financial statement for the period ending May 31, 2023.
- Approved financial statement for period ending May 31, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved funding for two representatives to attend FARB Regulatory Law Seminar (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of 4 computer screens and desk mounts (unanimous)
- Approved India Rachal’s RSW application following compliance hearing (unanimous)
- Denied RSW application for Jnia Bob and offered compliance hearing (unanimous)
- Approved 37 RSW applications and 7 RSW reinstatement applications (unanimous)
- Approved 53 LMSW applications and 2 LMSW reinstatements (unanimous)
- Approved 31 applicants to sit for the ASWB Clinical Exam (unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board adopted a budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and elected its officers. Members approved numerous virtual supervision requests and professional licenses, while dismissing five complaints and referring one to the disciplinary team.
- Adopted FY July 1, 2023 — June 30, 2024 budget (unanimous)
- Elected Hyacinth McKee (Chair), Jamie Barney (Vice Chair), and Bora Sunseri (Secretary-Treasurer)
- Approved 13 requests for virtual supervision after August 31, 2023
- Denied virtual supervision for Abigail Mullen and Tamar Stark
- Approved financial statements for periods ending March 31 and April 30, 2023
- Dismissed Complaints #2022-114, #2023-85, #2023-93, #2023-98, and #2023-101
- Referred Complaint #2023-108 to disciplinary team
- Approved $600 exhibit fee for 2024 NASW-LA Annual Conference
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board voted to increase renewal fees for all license levels, with the RSW fee set at $50 and others at $100. Members voted to maintain current requirements for virtual continuing education and supervision while forming an expert committee to draft amendments. The Board also approved adding a second Licensing Analyst position.
- Maintained Rule 503(H) requirements and appointed an expert committee for amendments (4-2)
- Set completion date for Rule 503(H) amendment committee as August 31, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Adopted and moved to promulgate Chapter 11 as amended (Unanimous)
- Increased RSW renewal fee to $50 (Unanimous)
- Increased CSW, LMSW, LCSW, and LCSW-BACS renewal fees to $100 (Unanimous)
- Determined that applications not meeting credential requirements within one year of submission are abandoned
- Approved adding a second Licensing Analyst position to staff (Unanimous)
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved several amendments to administrative rules regarding reporting arrests and continuing education. It also processed a large volume of licensure applications, reinstatements, and endorsements across various social work levels. Additionally, the Board ruled on several supervision credit appeals and dismissed five complaints.
- Adopted changes to §111, §331, §913, and §981 for promulgation
- Adopted change to §117 regarding arrest reporting time (4-1)
- Amended §1103(C) to require LCSW review of clinical continuing education
- Approved application fee up to $250 for continuing education approval organizations
- Approved $260 annual dues for CLEAR membership
- Approved RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and reinstatements
- Denied supervision credit requests for Kaitlyn Roy and Stevie Schlessel
- Dismissed complaints #2022-37, #2022-63, #2022-118, #2023-48, and #2023-83
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved several professional service contracts for accounting and legal counsel. It also processed numerous licensure applications, continuing education provider requests, and disciplinary complaints.
- Approved $4,500 accounting contract with Griffin and Furman, LLC
- Approved $70,000 maximum contract with Breazeale, Sacshe & Wilson, LLP
- Approved $50,000 maximum contract with Daigle, Fisse & Kessenich, PLC
- Approved contracts for Lisa Lipsey ($20,000 max) and Kathie Pohlman ($20,000 max)
- Approved $10,000 maximum contract for Gina Signorelli
- Denied reinstatement as LCSW for Anna Silva and offered a compliance hearing
- Denied supervision credit for Amber Cocchiola and Kristie Robinson
- Denied LMSW application for Kenneth Jackson, Jr. and issued RSW registration with conditions
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved numerous licensure applications, reinstatements, and endorsements across RSW, LMSW, and LCSW levels. It also voted to amend several regulatory rules for legal sufficiency and approved funding for the ASWB Spring Education Meeting. Several disciplinary matters were resolved, including the acceptance of a voluntary license surrender.
- Accepted Voluntary Surrender of License for Lucy Ehrenkranz
- Approved 'Waiting for Superman' film for 3 hours of general continuing education
- Approved $2,500 to co-sponsor ASWB Spring Education Meeting
- Approved amended contracts for Lisa Lipsey ($20,000) and Kathie Pohlman ($18,000)
- Denied continuing education extension requests for Windy Augustine and Dominique Stewart
- Issued summary suspension for Complaint #2023-100
- Approved the implementation of a new conflict-of-interest form
- Approved various licensure applications for RSW, LMSW, and LCSW
State Board of Social Work Examiners
The Board approved a large volume of RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and reinstatements. Several disciplinary complaints were dismissed, and two investigative contracts were awarded. The Board also denied a request to sit for the ASWB Masters exam prior to obtaining an MSW.
- Approved multiple RSW, LMSW, and LCSW applications and reinstatements
- Denied Kayla Ogden's request to sit for ASWB Masters exam before obtaining MSW
- Approved $600 payment to exhibit at NASW-LA Conference
- Awarded investigative contracts to Matthew Thomassee ($20,000 max) and Kirk Menard ($10,000 max)
- Dismissed 13 complaints, with one receiving a letter of education
- Referred Rule 117(E) to the Rules Committee
- Upheld denial of Caroline Caronna’s LCSW application
- Approved LaShanda Ellis’s LMSW application following a compliance hearing