Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 5

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The Healing Voice
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands Group Services Newsletter September/October 2009
Staff
Genevieve Waller, Esq. Executive Director Georgina Hance Office Manager Sherry Lewis, MA, LPC Director of Therapy and Outreach Joan Amado, LMSW Director of Crisis Services Katie Reid, MSW Community Education Program Director Daphne Pearson, MA, LPCI Advocate Counselor Jennifer Gantt, MSW Group Services Coordinator Melanie Griffin, MSW Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Mary Dell Amick Hayes Volunteer Services Coordinator Jaime Stein Education Intern Reonda Washington Education Intern Whitney Beissner Education Intern
Welcome New Group Facilitators!
Sabrina Wannamaker – Sabrina is currently a student at Webster University pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling. Sabrina is completing her practicum at Bolton Counseling & Consulting, LLC and she also serves as a Writing Center Consultant and English Tutor at Allen University.
LaQuista Peterson – LaQuista is a graduate of Webster University where she obtained her Master’s of Arts degree in Counseling. LaQuista serves as the Senior Lead Clinical Staff at the Alston Wilkes Society in Columbia, SC. LaQuista is currently working towards completing her supervision hours to become a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Message from the Group Services Coordinator
Inside This Issue
1 1 2 3 3 4 4 New Group Facilitators Message from the GSC Facilitator’s Voice Facilitator Spotlight Potential Facilitators Upcoming Trainings Friendly Reminder
I would like to welcome Sabrina and LaQuista to the STSM family. I also would like to thank all of the STSM group facilitators for your hard work and time that you put into your groups. Thank you for coming out to group supervision and giving your input on new ideas and activities for groups. We make a great team and I am proud of you all. Let’s continue to make it a great year at STSM! Jennifer M. Gantt
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
803-790-8208
www.stsm.org
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THE HEALING VOICE
Facilitator’s Voice – Janel Mitnaul, LMSW Child Abuse & USC – Children’s Law Center
A child is considered anyone under the ages of 18. Child abuse is when a child is injured by the intentional acts or omissions of an adult. There are four child maltreatment categories: 1. Neglect a. Physical Neglect b. Educational Neglect c. Medical Neglect 2. Physical Abuse 3. Sexual Abuse 4. Mental Injury The Children's Law Center is a resource center for South Carolina professionals who are involved in child maltreatment or juvenile justice court proceedings. The overall purpose of the Children's Law Center is to help professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills, so that court proceedings will have the best possible outcomes for children. This goal is accomplished through a variety of training events, information and technical assistance, written resource materials, and education through the USC School of law. Most services are available to all parties, prosecutors, guardians ad litem, judges, juvenile justice staff, child protection caseworkers and expert witnesses. The Children's Law Center, a program of the USC School of Law, is funded by a variety of state and federal grant sources. The office was established in 1995 through the efforts of S.C. Families for Kids, a partnership of the United Way of South Carolina and the S.C. Department of Social Services. The office began with a focus on resources for child protection professionals. The Children's Law Center in also responsible for coordinating the South Carolina Children's Justice Task Force. Training programs on legal, social service, medical, and mental health issues related to child maltreatment and juvenile justice are provided, using both state and national experts. Many sessions are offered at no cost or for a nominal fee. Multi-disciplinary training and training on legal issues are particularly emphasized. Children’s Law Center is available to conduct on-site training throughout the state. Organizations such as guardian ad litem programs, county DSS offices, county bar associations, Public Defender Offices, Solicitor's Office, community DJJ staff, and others may request in-service training programs from the Children’s Law Center. Agendas are tailored to the specific needs of the organization. Typical topics include:
          
termination of parental rights testifying in court legislative updates mandated reporting requirements truancy issues domestic violence and child maltreatment alternatives to children’s testimony introduction to legal principles juvenile justice system preparing children for court role of guardian ad litem
The Children’s Law Center invites you to attend the 2009 Children’s Law Conference. In today’s economic environment, many child-serving professionals find their work becoming more difficult. At the same time that agencies are struggling with the ramifications of budget reductions, the serious needs of children and families are increasing. We need to serve greater numbers of children who have overlapping, complex needs. This conference offers information and skills that will strengthen all of our efforts to assist children – even in these tough times. For additional information and speaker profiles, go to http://childlaw.sc.edu and click on Children’s Law Conference.
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
803-790-8208
www.stsm.org
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THE HEALING VOICE
Facilitator Spotlight: Erica James
Erica James is a Francis Marion University graduate student completing a master’s program in Clinical/Counseling Psychology. Erica is currently interning at the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Evaluation Center where she assists with psychological testing as well as group and individual therapy to clients in the evaluation program. Erica states, “I have always had an interest in helping others. I chose to volunteer my time with the Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands in order to learn from the men and women in that population and in turn use my training to provide counseling service to those in need of counsel and support”. Erica’s goal is to continue volunteering with STSM while furthering her education in psychology.
Potential Facilitators
Purpose: To provide therapeutic, psycho-educational, and support group services to survivors and their families. Groups are designed to serve varied populations including female and male survivors, adolescents, and their families. Responsibilities: • Attending to, describing, acknowledging, confronting, understanding, and responding empathically to Erica, group members behavior, statements, and themes Thank you group focus • Maintainingfor your dedication to STSM and your outstanding leadership skills as a group facilitator. receiving feedback in group setting • Giving and Qualifications: • Students currently enrolled in graduate program in counselor education, social work, psychology, or other closely related disciplines • Licensed and/or Masters-level social workers, psychologists, and counselors • Reliable, dependable, and self-confident about handling stressful situations To apply please email gsc@stsm.org.
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
803-790-8208
www.stsm.org
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THE HEALING VOICE
Upcoming Training and Events
Anonymous Reporting Training September 24 (7:00pm) STSM Volunteer Advocate Training September 26 – 30 Monthly Clinical Supervision for Group Facilitators and Co-Facilitators September 30 (6:00-7:00pm) STSM 2009 Rockin’ Oyster Fest October 1 (6:00pm) University House In-Service – Counseling Tips when working with Hispanic-Latino Clients October 9 (11:00am-12:00pm) STSM
SEPTEMBER 2009 S M T 1 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29 W 2 9 16 23 30 T 3 10 17 24 F 4 11 18 25 S 5 12 19 26
OCTOBER 2009 S M T W T 1 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29 F 2 9 16 23 30 S 3 10 17 24 31
Friendly Reminder to Group Facilitators
All forms are due by the first business day of the month. Weekly group updates are due by 9:00am every Friday via email.
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands 3700 Forest Drive Suite 350 Columbia, SC 29204 Office - 803-790-8208 Fax - 803-790-8282 24 hour Hotline – 803-771-7273
Monday – Tuesday –
Current Groups
Morris Village Female Psycho-Ed Killingsworth Female Psycho-Ed Shandon Female Support Group CHIC Chat Female Adolescent Psycho-Ed
Wednesday – Sistercare Lexington Female Psycho-Ed The Women’s Shelter Female Psycho-Ed Thursday – Sistercare Richland Female Psycho-Ed
Check out STSM on Facebook!
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
803-790-8208
www.stsm.org