Karen Blessinger
- MSW
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Field Instruction and Coordination
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IU Indianapolis IU Online
Contact
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(317) 274-6738
- keblessi@iu.edu
About
Karen is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Field Coordinator for MSW students in the Children, Youth, and Families, Schools and Special Populations focus areas. Karen has a BS in Psychology and Criminal Justice & Criminology from Ball State University and a MSW from IUSSW. Karen was employed by the state of Indiana for over two decades in different roles and worked in child welfare for 14 years. Karen's experience has allowed her to collaborate, lead, and manage different groups at different levels. She focused on relationship building within her organization as well as within communities to gain the best outcomes within the field. Karen's experiences in leadership have allowed her to lead quality improvement projects for large scale changes.
Education
MSW
Emphasis/Major: Leadership Concentration2014 - Indiana University
BS
Emphasis/Major: Psychology and Criminal Justice &Criminology2000 - Ball State University
Teaching Interests
Karen is primarily interested in teaching field education, child welfare, and leadership courses.
Institutional Services
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Committee Member
2021 - Field Instructor/Task Instructor Professional Development Committee -
Committee Member
2021 - Field Re-structuring CommitteeCommittee completed a SWAT Analysis of the current field unit structure and worked to create a survey to look into streamlining the structure of Field staff. -
Committee Member
2021 - Learning Plan Group-FieldCommittee met regularly and I helped provide work to create updated Learning Plan Guides for Field students. I worked specifically on the Children, Youth, and Families and Schools Learning Plan guides by adding information to Canvas course of objectives and activities. -
Committee Member
2021 - Diversity Committee -
Committee Member
2021 - Faculty Senate -
Committee Member
2021 - MSW Curriculum Committee -
Committee Member
2021 - School Assembly -
Committee Member
2021 - Schools focus area committee -
Committee Chair
2022 - Field Coordinator Training CommitteeCo-chair of committee to develop and enhance a universal Field Coordinator training for all IUSSW programs. As co-chair, facilitate agendas, schedules, and meetings and monitor progress of work. Also, report back for system-wide field for progress of committee. -
Committee Member
2022 - Field Form CommitteeThe Field Forms Committee is charged with revising, updating and sharing universal field forms in order to produce a consistent product that speaks the same language on all campuses and programs. -
Committee Member
2022 - Optimal Field Site WorkgroupThe Optimal Field Site Workgroup was a task oriented group to review the evaluation form for site evaluation for Field. -
Committee Member
2022 - Children, Youth, and Families Curriculum GroupThe Children, Youth, and Families curriculum group reviews current and proposed curriculum for the Children, Youth, and Families focus area. -
Other
2023 - School Mental Health GrantThe School Mental Health Grant Team is comprised of faculty and PhD students to facilitate the partnerships under Dr. Barb Pierce's school mental health federal grant. My responsibility is to partner with schools and agencies for placement of MSW students, participate in learning circles, participate with RTI, present at conferences, and recruit students for the Fellowship offered through the grant. -
Committee Member
2023 - 651/652 Master Course CommitteeThe committee is working on a Master Course for 651/652 field placement and seminars. This will provide consistency for field liaisons and students. The committee has surveyed and held focus groups with field liaisons in regards to the class and will include that feedback in development of the course.
Memberships
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Council on Social Work Education
2023 to Present
Public Services
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Board Member
2022 to Present - Safe at HomeProvide Board oversight to Safe at Home. Safe at Home is a local victim advocate agency serving those affected by domestic violence.
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Board Member
2018 to Present - Henry County Health Department