Kauai Branch Holds Specialty Practice Section Workshop

Aloha from Kauai!

     The Kauai NASW Branch held a Specialty Practice Section (SPS) workshop on May 6, 2005.  The topic was “Increase Your Effectiveness in Working with Veterans Coming Home from Active Duty.”

       In the spirit of social work we organized our SPS Workshop on a topic that has already begun to effect individuals and families in our community. We choose this topic because it was a match when defining what the purpose of social work is.  We would like to acknowledge the many hearts and minds that “hui’d” together making the workshop successful.

     Our presenters Debra Soto from the Veterans Administration on Oahu and Romy Costello from the Veterans Administration on Kauai presented a very informative and community based presentation.

     Seventeen professionals attended the workshop.

     The atmosphere was relaxed and invited personal as well as professional experience.  Our objectives were to create a knowledge base for PTSD and Acute Traumatic Stress as well as expand current knowledge and understanding of the effects of combat trauma upon the individual and family.  We were able to expand our skills in providing education and treatment for those individuals experiencing combat stress.  Our presenters provided us with many different education mediums.  Included in the presentation was a video which gave us an overview on deployment, combat stress and what to expect in the future.

     As a result of the excitement and commitment generated from our social workers on Kauai we are planning a Cross Cultural Workshop slated for March 2006.

     I wanted to thank Debbie Shimizu our NASW Executive Director for her inspiration, assistance and follow through in helping our Kauai Chapter organize our workshop.

     In closing I would just like to say we each have a perspective and life experience that we bring to the world and share.  It takes all our gifts to create the whole. I have always been proud to be called a Social Worker.

Much Mahalo!

Tali

Kauai Branch Representative