Fall 2018 Board Bulletin

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Minnesota Board of Social Work

Protecting the Public

ISSUE NUMBER ONE  •  FALL 2018


Board Bulletin | Minnesota Board of Social Work Newsletter

Message from Board Chair and Executive Director

Welcome to the Board Bulletin!

We are excited to launch new Board communication strategies including the GovDelivery Service, a digital communications platform used exclusively by over 1,800 government agencies, the new Board Bulletin quarterly newsletter, and a “new and improved” website.   These new strategies demonstrate the Board’s commitment to be responsive, better engage our customers and stakeholders, and improve access to Board information.  With over 15,000 currently licensed social workers, and numerous stakeholders, the Board Bulletin is a new way to stay connected with licensing requirements, educational innovations, and important topics concerning social work regulation and practice in Minnesota.  

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Board Feature: Budget Planning

Board Budget Planning: What You Should Know

Board biennial budget planning is underway, including a comprehensive budget analysis to create a sound, fiscally responsible budget proposal for fiscal years 2020-2021 (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2021).  The Board is committed to ensure transparency and easy access to public budget data.  

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Compliance Toolkit

The Compliance Toolkit is a regular feature of the Board Bulletin that will provide you with tools for handling common ethical dilemmas and issues related to the Standards of Practice found in the Minnesota Social Work Practice Act. Consider the following scenario:

I am an LICSW employed as a Mental Health Professional at an agency providing Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS). I have had an MSW student intern working as a mental health practitioner for the last few months and would like to hire my intern full time after graduation. Can they work under my license until they pass the exam?

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Meet the Board Members

The Governor's Office announced Board Member appointments on June 29, 2018.  All terms were effective July 4, 2018.  Read the Governor's press release for term expiration dates (BOSW members are listed last).

Congratulations on reappointment for current members!

  • Kathy Lombardi, LICSW - Ms. Lombardi lives and works in the metro and is employed at St. Paul Public Schools

Congratulations to new members!

  • Jolene Engelking, LISW - Ms. Engelking lives and works in the metro and is employed at the Minnesota Coalition of Sexual Assault as a Program Development Specialist
  • Stephanie Jacobson, LSW - Ms. Jacobson lives and works in the metro and is employed at the Governor's Office as a Constituent Outreach Liaison
  • Pa Der Vang, LICSW - Ms. Vang lives and works in the metro and is employed at St. Catherine University-University of St. Thomas as an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work
  • Mary Walsh, LSW - Ms. Walsh lives and works in Glenwood, MN at Minnewaska Area Schools as a School Social Worker

Visit the Board Members page of the Board's website to learn more about all BOSW members.

Data Snapshot

Fiscal Year 2018 - July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
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15,226 current licensees

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2,278 applications received

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428 complaints received

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503 average renewals received per month

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12.6 full-time Board staff

Did You Know?

The Minnesota Board of Social Work is entirely fee supported and receives no tax dollars.  Here are a few services your license fees fund:

Comprehensive online license services including online fee payments, renewals, applications, supervision forms, and public license lookup

Access to confidential help through the Health Professionals Services Program (HPSP) for licensees and applicants with potentially impairing illnesses to safely allow them to continue working

Annual in-person presentations at every social work program in Minnesota to educate students about licensure

Top Ten Tips

Fall is here and school is back in session!

Check out the Top Ten Application Tips for Students including staff tips for a smoother application process. 


Opportunity to Serve

Serve as a BOSW
Board Member!

There are three Board member scheduled vacancies ending January 7, 2019.  See the Board Member Vacancy Press Release for details.