Licensure for School Social Workers in Iowa

ISSWA's Response: A Letter from Sue Smith

Dear School Social Workers:
I am sure you have heard the Social Work Licensing Board has proposed a change in Chapter 280.  They are wanting the term "diagnosis" to be limited to utilizing the DSM IV (see attachment).  This change in definition is being proposed because a school social worker challenged the Licensure Board’s denial of her application for LISW licensure.  The case was appealed in Polk County District Court.  The Judge remanded the case back to the Iowa Board of Social Work.  The Iowa Board of Social Work must now determine whether the social worker performed diagnosis under any other standard or definition.

If the term "diagnosis" is limited to the DSM IV, this will have a significant impact on SSWers.  If you have your LMSW, you will not be able to do your supervision in the school setting. It will be difficult to get graduates who may want to practice in a clinical setting on-the-side or later in life, to come and work with us.  And I believe it will eventually create a shortage of qualified clinical social workers. 

We Need Your Help!   We can make comments of the proposed rule changes to the Licensing Board and the Administrative Rules Review Committee no later than Sept. 29.  There is also a public hearing on Sept. 29th from 9:00-9:30 a.m. on the Fifth floor (#526) of the Lucas State Office Building in which you may express your views.  I strongly encourage you to make contact with the Administrative Rules Review Committee.  This is the group of senators and representatives that have the potential to approve or disprove the Licensing Board's recommendations. 
Attachments:  There are key arguments listed on one of the attachments.  You may take those and copy and paste them in your own letter.  Or there is a letter completed that you can add your name and send out to everyone on the list below.  Also attached is my letter written to represent the ISSWA.  They need to hear from all of us; there is power in numbers!  Call me if you have any questions or would like to have a telephone conference with me and one of the Administrative Rules Review Committee.  I would be happy to set those up!  Sue Smith 515-571-1578.

 
Board of Social Work Licensure
Roxanne Sparks
Professional Licensure Division
Department of Public Health
Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
rsparks@idph.state.ia.us

Administrative Rules Review Committee:
Senator Horn – Chair    (D-Cedar Rapids)          Wally.horn@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Frevert – Vice Chair    (D-Emmetsburg)    Marcella.frevert@legis.state.ia.us
Senator Bartz    (R-Grafton)             Merlin.bartz@legis.state.ia.us
Senator Courtney    (D-Burlington)      Thomas.courtney@legis.state.ia.us
Senator Kibbie    (D-Emmetsburg)      John.kibbie@legis.state.ia.us
Senator Seymour    (R-Woodbine)    James.seymour@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Heaton    (R-Mt. Pleasant)    Dave.heaton@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Tyler Olson     (D-Cedar Rapids)    Tyler.olson@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Reichert    (D-Muscatine)    Nathan.reichert@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Upmeyer    (R-Garner)    Linda.upmeyer@legis.state.ia.us

Sue Smith, LMSW
School Social Worker
Heartland Area Education Agency 11
511 South 17th Street
Ames, IA 50010
(515)232-7583 or 1-800-255-0405 ext. 12355
sue_smith@aea11.k12.ia.us

Board of Social Work Examiners Public Comments 

Letter from Mollie O'Meara Conrad, ISSWA President Elect

The NASW, Iowa Chapter, Board made a statement with regards to the definition for diagnosis in the July/August Iowa Update.  A copy of the article is included with this email for your review.  The NASW Board responded to the Licensing Board’s article in the May/June Iowa Update regarding their interpretation of the law and rules when approving applications for LISW licensure.  The NASW Board continues to stand by their statement and would refer to the professional standards for practice, including definitions and define diagnosis as it was intended by the profession.  As stated in the Social Work Dictionary, diagnosis is:  “The process of identifying a problem (social and mental, as well as medical) and its underlying causes and formulating a solution.”

It was mentioned with the NASW Board’s response that a social worker challenged the Licensure Board’s denial of her application for LISW licensure.  The case was appealed in Polk County District Court.  The Judge remanded the case back to the Iowa Board of Social Work.  The Iowa Board of Social Work must now determine whether the social worker performed diagnosis under any other standard or definition. 

Renewing your License? 

Social Workers in Iowa must have 27 hours of continuing education credits every two years, including three hours of ethics training.  Licensees are now required to document their own training.  To read the continuing education requirements go to:  Continuing Education.

License renewal fees depend on the level of license that you hold:  The LMSW fee is $120, the LISW fee is $144.

To renew your license go to:  www.licensediniowa.gov

To download a paper renewal application go to www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure

Paper applications will not be mailed!

School Social Workers in Iowa must have an MSW degree from an accredited school of social work, and they must be licensed by the Board of Social Work  in the Iowa Department of Public Health and by the Board of Educational Examiners in the Iowa Department of Education.

1. Possess a master’s degree or PhD. in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

2. Have passed the intermediate level examination of the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards)

3. Have previously and will in the future conduct professional activities as a master social worker in accordance with standards for rules of conduct described in rule 645—280.213(154C).

1. Possess a master's or a doctoral degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

2. Have passed the clinical level examination of the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards).

3. Have engaged in the practice of social work at the master's level, under supervision, for at least two years (or 4,000 hours) as a full-time employee.

4. Have been supervised by a social worker licensed at the independent level (LISW).

Option 1: School social work endorsement

The individual applying for this endorsement must be nominated by one of the two programs approved by the Iowa Department of Education for the School Social Work Endorsement.  The University's nomination states that the individual has completed:

1. A Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, including a minimum of twenty hours of course work related to assessment, intervention, resource coordination, and education and a practicum in a school setting. The study must include:

2. Courses in general education issues such as school law, foundation of education, and psycho-educational measurement

3. Courses in special education such as exceptional children and special educational regulations.

4. A practicum experience in a school setting under the supervision of an experienced school social work practitioner. The practicum must include experiences in assessment, direct services, consultation, community liaison and documentation. If the individual has served as a school social worker for two years the practicum experience can be waived.

5. Completion of an approved human relations component (Individuals completing the approved school social work program at the University of Iowa are exempted from the human relations course because the content is included in the regular master’s degree curriculum)

6. Preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped and the gifted and talented.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I get the School Social Work Endorsement or the Statement of Professional Recognition?

At first glance, it may appear that Option 2 is the least complicated route to become a school social worker.  However, this option has some disadvantages. The holder of the SPR can practice as a school social worker indefinitely, but the holder cannot move on to leadership positions within education.  To be eligible to pursue administrative endorsements an individual must hold an entry level license in education, like the School Social Work Endorsement.  

In the past, school social workers had to return to school to complete a teaching license.  The School Social Work Endorsement made school social workers equal members of the education community because it serves as the entry level education license for school social workers, enabling them to move on to leadership positions in education.

2. I already have an MSW, but I did not do an approved program in school social work.  How can I get the School Social Work Endorsement?

Individuals with an MSW from the University of Iowa should submit a transcript to Kate Kemp, Program Administrator, at the University of Iowa, School of Social Work, 308 North Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, 319-335-1254, or by e-mail at  kate-Kemp@uiowa.edu, to determine what additional work will be needed for the University of Iowa ask the Department of Education to award the endorsement. 

Individuals with an MSW from any other certified social work program should contact Mike Cavin, Special Education Consultant at the Board of Educational  Examiners, 515-281-34367,  or  by e-mail at mike.cavin@iowa.gov to begin the application process.  Unless the individual already has completed the equivalent of an approved program they will need to contact one of the two approved programs to seek their nomination for the Endorsement.

3. I graduated from the University of Iowa and completed the approved program in school social work, but did not apply for the school social work endorsement?

You should contact: Lynn McMorris, Licensure Analyst, College of Education, Office of Teacher Education and Student Services, N310 Lindquist Center, at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, 319-335-5358, e-mail lynn-mcmorris@uiowa.edu.  Go to the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services to learn more.

4. I am certified to practice school social work in another state, what should I do to be licensed in Iowa?

You will need to contact the Board of Social Work to apply for an Iowa license.  Your current license must be directly verified by the state that granted the license.  You will also need to contact Jane Heinsen, Special Education Consultant at the Board of Educational  Examiners, 515-281-34367, mike.cavin@iowa.gov, to begin the application process for the School Social Work Endorsement. 

5. I am a school social worker in Iowa.  I have a Statement of Professional Recognition, but not the School Social Work Endorsement.  I would like to pursue one of the administrative endorsements.  What must I do?

You will need to contact one of the two approved programs in Iowa to develop a program leading to the endorsement..  Some of the courses required in the Approved Program for the School Social Work Endorsement also are requirements in the Administrative Endorsement.  You can take those courses to fulfill the requirements for the School Social Work Endorsement and reduce the total number of courses you will need to earn the administrative endorsement.  See the courses in the Approved Program at the University of Iowa listed below, those courses marked with an asterisk fulfill the requirements of both endorsements.

Requirements for the State of Iowa Endorsement for School Social Work at the University of Iowa

The Curriculum detailed below which is offered by the School of Social Work in cooperation with the College of Education meets the  Chapter 1 STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ORIGINAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER ENDORSEMENT – Endorsement 15.3 (15)

 School of Social Work Courses

Students complete the 48 semester hour curriculum (if they have a BA in Social Work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education ) or 60 semester hour curriculum.  Either of two concentrations are acceptable.  The Dept. of Education Endorsement in School Social Work requires 20 s.h. coursework which demonstrates skills, knowledge and competencies in the following areas:  Social Work: assessment, intervention and related studies; Education: General education, Special Education, Practicum Experience, approved human relationship component and Preparation contributing to education of handicapped and gifted and talented. Included in the 48 or 60 semester hours are the following required courses:

42:233             School Social Work                                                     2 s.h.

42:296             Advanced Practicum in School Social Work                   6 s.h.

 College of Education Courses

          General Education - choose at least one of the following:                     2-3 s.h.

            7B:102             History of Education

7B:130             Educational Sociology

7E/S:100          Foundations of Education

            7S/7E:101        Introduction to Education (Independent Study)

            *7E:300           Design and Organization of Curriculum

7P:106             Child Development

            7P:200             Educational Psychology  (Independent Study)

         Preparation contributing to education of handicapped and gifted and talented

            7U:100  Foundation of Special Education                                   3 s.h.

            7U 130  Exceptional Persons  (No longer offered, but if taken previously, it will apply)              3 s.h.

          Special Education - choose at least one of the following:                      3 s.h.

            7P:134                         Parent-Teacher Communication (independent study)

            7P:136                         Home-School Community Partnerships

7U:140                        Characteristics of Disabilities

            *7B: 236                      Administration of students with Special Needs

7P:263                         Consultation, Theory and Practice

7P:347                         Home/School/Community Systems Interventions

 Human Relations Component                                                                      

 This requirement is satisfied by completing the entire MSW as approved by a waiver request granted by the State.  Contact Program Administrator for more information.

 Practicum Sites

Any of the Area Education Agencies in the State of Iowa.  Other school districts by arrangement.   Practicum must occur in school setting under supervision of experienced school social work practitioner to include experiences in assessment; direct services to children and families; consultation; staffing, community liaison and documentation; which leads to development of professional identity and disciplined use of self. Supervision of student must be provided by an experienced School Social Work practitioner/Licensed Social Worker.

Application information for initial application for Iowa School Social Work Endorsement is available at:

http://www.uiowa.edu/~edstuser/Certification/app3info.html

 If you are interested in School Social Work endorsement in other States, you must contact that State directly.  Iowa’s requirements may or may not fulfill other state’s requirements.

*Courses contribute to Supervisor Special Education Support Endorsement.  See Program Administrator for more information.

Links:

Option 1:  School social work endorsement.

Option 2:  Statement of professional recognition (SPR)

University of Iowa School Social Work

St. Ambrose University, Master of Social Work Degree

LINKS TO OTHER PAGES IN THE ISSWA WEBSITE

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