Marion County Superior Court Juvenile Probation Department since June 2002
IUSSW Graduate Class of 2006

I honestly didn’t choose social work; social work chose me. Within a few months of working on probation, my supervisor told me that my solutions shared during my interview and my daily practices reminded her more of a social worker vs a criminal justice graduate. She asked if I ever looked into the program and I told her that I had not, and she told me I should. After speaking with my mother, I found out that prior to her getting ill, she was studying social work. At that moment, I viewed that as a sign, and my journey to attain an MSW began.

As a Juvenile Probation Supervisor, I am always using my social work skills, specifically – effective communication and motivational interviewing. Additionally, I use my social work knowledge to advocate within the juvenile justice realm for reform and rehabilitation. Any youth that does not recidivate and obtain an education is an accomplishment to me. I am on a few committees working with the Annie E Casey Foundation and Robert F Kennedy Research Center and I believe that my social work background makes me an asset to those groups.

The biggest challenge in the field is funding. Funding is needed for ongoing services and training for juveniles, their families, and the staff development within juvenile probation.

Words of wisdom- Be the best version of yourself that you can be. Take care of yourself emotionally and physically. Stay encouraged through the good and bad times.

My favorite quote is “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”