From the Director's Desk
Welcome to Summer! 
I apologize for the delay in sending our Winter Term 2015 Field Notes but we hope you enjoy our student contributions which portray our involvement this term. Our student spotlights help us understand the ways in which students are participating in field instruction and offer a glimpse into their lives and motivations in becoming a social worker.
We look forward to re-connecting with you again in the Fall term, when we will welcome a new cohort of incoming students. Our congratulations to the recent graduates and those in the Advanced Standing class who will be celebrating this accomplishment in August. Have a safe an enjoyable summer!
Regards,
Betsy Voshel, LMSW, ACSW
Associate Clinical Professor
Director of Field Instruction
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FIELD NOTES EDITORIAL TEAM
Freud Fellows
Marisol Fonzeca
Jesse Kerstetter
Lori Stone
Editors
Sean Smith
Betsy Williams, Writing Skills Coordinator
Elizabeth Voshel, Field Director
Our sincerest thanks to the School of Social Work students, faculty, staff and field instructors whose contributions made this newsletter possible.
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Digital Storytelling & Social Work By Jesse Kerstetter Technological innovations and media consumption are expanding at an exponential rate, allowing for increased access to various digital resources and forms of connection around the world. As technology grows and diversifies, so do opportunities and forms of social work interventions. Digital storytelling is one way social workers can utilize technology and media to work with diverse populations as a means of giving voice, empowering, advocating and capacity building... READ MORE |
Mandated Reporting: Considerations for MSW Interns By Marisol Fonzeca
Mandated reporting is all about the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is important to know the role reporters play in protecting clients, especially in an age of escalating numbers of confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect. Mandated reporting raises many ethical concerns for both new and veteran social workers, but MSW candidates may have special considerations as we apply our knowledge and practice supporting vulnerable children and adults in the field... READ MORE
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Could It Be That Easy?
Developing a Professional Identity
Developing one's professional social work identity is a reflective process for social worker students and is critical to that person's sense of self. When we graduate and find employment we become further vested in our chosen profession and suddenly, we have a new identity. Could it be that easy?
READ MORE
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Reflections on Field
Student Spotlight: Joseph Remaley
 "Interning at Wolverine Human Services, a residential home for at risk youth, has been such a rewarding experience. I have learned many things from the great staff members and supervisors there and my wonderful clients as well. My internship has taught me that you can learn from anyone and in all environments. It is important for social workers and clinicians to keep an open mind throughout their career. I will continue my career in social work being aware and consistently reflecting on all my experiences and applying my learning in future professional experiences. The things that I have learned in my past, current and future practice will all help others learn as well. As a current peer facilitator for field seminar, I am passing on my experiences and helping others reflect and discover their own insights in the field. As a future supervisor, my years of reflection, learning and growth will shape the way that I support clinicians practicing with diverse populations. It is a lesson in itself to acknowledge how far a learned experience can go."
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Social Justice Art Festival
By Lori Stone
On Saturday, April 11th, artists from all over the country gathered together at the University of Michigan School of Social Work (U-M SSW) for the annual Social Justice Art Festival. The festival theme this year was Social Justice: Violence and Vulnerability. The artwork being shared was thought-provoking and educational and brings to light the violence and vulnerability that victims and survivors have experienced...READ MORE
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Social Work Meets Global Experience:
Candice Gibson Reflects on the Peace Corps Masters International Program
By Marisol Fonzeca
The Masters International program at the U-M SSW combines the experience of developing skills through graduate school and serving abroad through the Peace Corps. Candice Gibson is one of the first students to take on the challenge of the Peace Corps Masters International Program. Accepted to the MSW program in 2011, Gibson is now in her last semester and is completing her last field requirement at Job Corps in Flint, MI. She explained that she is just beginning to feel settled after returning in August of last year from her Peace Corps site in the Philippines. Even though it's been a rough period of adjustment, Gibson wouldn't change it for the world....READ MORE
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The Righteous Rebellion
By Marisol Fonzeca
In light of the #BlackLivesMatter campaign, it is imperative that social workers continue to talk about and reflect on the issues relating to race, privilege, and justice. For this reason, the Association of Black Social Work Students (ABSWS) presented an immersive community experience highlighting the struggle and resilience of Black lives through poetic and lyrical spo ken word. The Righteous Rebellion was held at the School of Social Work on March 12th at 6:00pm. The two-hour event transformed a downstairs classroom into a space for demonstrating the significance of black lives and black contribution throughout society. The event featured local artists from Ann Arbor and Detroit, including... READ MORE
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Student Highlight: Xiaoxiao Zhang
By Lori Stone
Being a graduate student comes with challenges: juggling employment, a family, a job, coursework and readings. It is no wonder that graduate school is a challenge for most individuals. Consider for a moment the individual that travels to another country for graduate school; they don't know anyone and they need to understand and work in a different language and culture. The University of Michigan School of Social Work (U-M SSW) is fortunate to have many students from across diverse areas outside of Michigan. Xiaoxiao Zhang is here from China and here is her story....READ MORE
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 Making Safe-Care Work For You By Marisol Fonzeca
Large IT companies like Google, Facebook, Twitter, Evernote, and Cisco offer a variety of perks to their employees including onsite gyms, house-cleaning services, laundry services, childcare, yoga and free massages. In comparison, hardly any social service agency can afford to offer comparable amenities to their employees. In light of this, social workers should develop self-care skills that protect against burnout and secondary trauma...READ MORE
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Riot Youth: Queer Social Youth Activism and Self-Advocacy
By Jesse Kerstetter 
Neutral Zone's Riot Youth is a program designed to "engage in a youth-run, safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth and their allies. Through leadership skill building, community organizing, networking and socializing, Riot Youth connects youth to build an inclusive community. Riot Youth draws from throughout Washtenaw County and beyond"...
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Reflections on Field
Student Spotlight: Diane Schneeberger and Laura Yakas
 "Fresh Start Clubhouse staff (and interns) must choose to believe day after day, no matter what they saw in days prior, that each member that walks in the door is capable, valuable, and integral to us achieving our house goals that day. From administrative tasks, to fundraising, to cleaning the toilets. This is incredibly difficult to do, and I don't think I do it all that well yet, but learning to work at a Clubhouse is more about unlearning than it is about learning. Unlearning the bizarre lines that are drawn between dependence and independence, valuable and burdensome, normal and abnormal. And unlearning takes a lot longer than does learning." READ MORE
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Field Instructor Appreciation Event- May 8th
Thank you to everyone who attended OFI's Field Instructor Appreciation Event. The Office of Field Instruction would like to thank our Field Instructors for their time, commitment, and passion for the University of Michigan School of Social Work students. We owe the success of our field instruction program to the hard work and investment that the Field Instructors provide our students each day!
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Detroit Clinical Scholars
Congratulations to the first cohort of Detroit Clinical Scholars! Learn more about this exciting new program here.
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SEVENTH MILE MUSIC- Bringing Music to Brightmoor
 Seventh Mile Music is working to provide a free, five day music and arts summer camp for 50 children of elementary and middle school age from the neighborhood of Brightmoor, in Detroit. Brightmoor is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city, as well as being one of the most blighted and crime-ridden. The camp will be operated through the City Covenant Church and the City: Mission - both at the intersection of Schoolcraft Avenue and Stout Street in Brightmoor. Campers will receive free breakfast and lunch meals.
To learn more, make a tax-deductible donation or to donate instruments, visit Seventh Mile Music
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UPCOMING FIELD EVENTS!
The Office of Field Instruction is piloting several new events in the upcoming semester, including our Advanced Field Peer Consultation Groups and monthly "Field Trips" which take our learning outside of the school and into the community. Keep an eye on our calendar on our website for dates and locations!
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Bill Vanderwill is looking forward to teaching SW 503: Social Work and Sport with Warren Clark in June. It's a great mix of undergraduate and graduate students along with LMSWs seeking CE credit.
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Emma Rector is excited to spend lots of time outdoors this spring and summer with her husband, daughter, cat and dog. Cheers to the Detroit Tigers, bubbles and chalk!
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Leigh Robertson plans to enjoy kayaking, biking and swimming with her partner Karen this summer. She also looks forward to spending time with her family at the Traverse City Film Festival in July. She is still celebrating the SCOTUS decision for marriage equality. Love is love...
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Warren Clark recently visited family in Omaha, Nebraska with his son and together they attended a few games of the College World Series.
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Oliva Kuester returned from Australia and L.A. after some bonding time and self care with her sister, brother and their families.
- Sean Smith is happy to be practicing good self-care amidst a busy semester with lots of yoga, cooking and time outdoors. He hopes to travel during the break between Summer and Fall semester.
- Lisa Kelley recently celebrated the college graduation of her third and youngest child and is especially excited her daughter is gainfully employed in Chicago and soon to be rid of tuition payments. She looks forward to sunny days at the lake, her high school reunion and lots of summer concerts, including the Rolling Stones!
- Susan Crabb will be doing a lot of traveling this summer, including trips to Texas for my grandson's graduation from Texas Wesleyan College, my granddaughter's graduation from high school, a trip down the Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest, and finally a golf week in Colorado with my brother and sister-in-law.
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STAY CONNECTED 
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The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Inquiries or complaints may be addressed to the Senior Director for Institutional Equity, and Title IX/Section504/ADA Coordinator, Office of Institutional Equity, 2072 Administrative Services Building, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432, 734-763-0235, TTY 734-647-1388. For other University of Michigan information call 734-764-1817.
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY
Michael J. Behm
Grand Blanc
Mark J. Bernstein
Ann Arbor
Laurence B. Deitch
Bloomfield Hills
Shauna Ryder Diggs
Grosse Pointe
Denise Ilitch
Bingham Farms
Andrea Fischer Newman
Ann Arbor
Andrew C. Richner
Grosse Pointe Park
Katherine E. White
Ann Arbor
Mark S. Schlissel (ex officio)
© 2015 Regents of the
University of Michigan
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