Terri Williams Keynotes Social Work Conference

[Education]

Terri Williams, the noted writer and motivational speaker will keynote this year’s social work conference at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.

The March 20, 2009 is hosted in conjunction with the New York City Department of Education and the Staten Island Integrated Service Center’s Office of School and Youth Development. It’s the Sixth Annual National Professional Social Work Month Conference and begins at 8:00 am in Founders Auditorium at 1650 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225.

keynote speaker Williams, is leader of one of the nation’s most successful public relations firms and a clinical social worker who has emerged as a passionate advocate for youth and those who suffer depression. Her current book, entitled Black Pain: It Just Looks like We Are Not Hurting, will be featured at this year’s conference.

Over the past six years, the conference has grown from an initial idea of bringing together members of the social work community with other disciplines to celebrate National Professional Social Work Month, into a highly anticipated symposium that has been attended by social workers, guidance counselors, public sector administrators, and students from community schools.

This year’s conference also celebrates the launching of the College’s Baccalaureate Degree in Social Work which was spearheaded by the College President Dr. Edison O. Jackson. "The conference offers another opportunity for social work colleagues to gather together with guidance counselors, educators and other personnel, to exchange ideas, and discuss strategies for working more effectively with each other and with youth and families," said Conference organizer Dr. Eda F. Harris-Hastick, Professor of Social Work. "As a result of the collaboration with the New York City Department of Education and Office of School and Youth Development, and the unwavering support of the college administration, the conference has grown exponentially," Hastick said.

The conference will focus on the role of professional social workers working collaboratively with schools, families, and communities to help build resiliency in young people, many of whom are succeeding despite daunting odds. Group sessions targeted to youth will address strategies for building leadership skills, self-reliance and self sufficiency.

Adults will be able to attend special sessions on emerging technology and alternative strategies for engaging young people and helping them to prepare for the world of work.

Previous conferences have featured special guest speakers such as Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, Nan Henderson, a nationally renowned expert on resiliency and student support, and Elayna Konstan, CEO of New York City Department of Education Office of School and Youth Development and NYC Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott.

The conference is free and open to the public. Pre-Registration is required. For further information on the conference, contact Dr. Harris-Hastick, Associate Professor of Social Work and Conference organizer at (718) 270-4853 or hastick@mec.cuny.edu.