Indiana University-South Bend Master of Social Work student, Jodie Kay Gaines, always had a passion for helping people but did not find her way to the field of social work until she met her husband. Gaines’ husband is a disabled combat veteran who endured many service-connected injuries, including the effects of both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Through regular collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for her husband’s care, Jodie discovered a passion to join the esteemed social work profession with the vision of assisting and supporting veterans and their families. Jodie intends to pursue her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials following her Master of Social Work and Licensed Social Worker education.
Professional and academically, Jodie is eager to continue learning more about trauma and addiction treatment, especially as it relates to the military combat veteran population. Whenever Jodie has the opportunity, she is reading new material that pertains to veterans, PTSD and TBI. In the past, Jodie launched a support group for spouses, caregivers, family, and friends of veterans who suffer from the effects of PTSD and TBI. Jodie hosted this support group four times a month within the South Bend and Laporte, Indiana communities for a full year. However, Jodie made the difficult decision to dissolve the group due to the lack of community involvement, despite substantial and persistent advertising on her part. Jodie hopes to resurrect the group again in the future.
Jodie credits the Indiana University School of Social Work for preparing her and supplying her with the knowledge and resources to lay a strong foundation as she prepares to embark on a professional future serving others. As an individual who is in the midst of a career transition, Jodie is gaining confidence and experience as she navigates this journey. Furthermore, her instructors are personable and exceptionally knowledgeable in their fields. Their diverse backgrounds and ability to apply the coursework to real-world scenarios are tremendously beneficial. The courses complement each other well and provide valuable focus on the macro, mezzo, and micro levels.

The most important lesson Jodie has learned throughout her time studying and working in the social work field is that change is inevitable. Jodie believes that sometimes change is anticipated and welcome, while other times it is unforeseen and challenging. Jodie believes that no matter the origin, change can be particularly stressful, however, incorporating regular self-care practices can help make those alterations slightly less distressing.

Jodie likes to live by this quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” ~ Maya Angelou.