[humanser] 2010 NFB National Convention

Mon Jun 14 15:07:43 UTC 2010

Hey all,

Well, I too am unable to attend the convention this year. I have plenty of
time, as I'm in the midst of a job search, but not the funds. Funny how we
either have one or the other. 

I attended my first national convention last year as a member of the 2009
scholarship class. Since then, I graduated with my Masters of Social Work.
My field placement this past year was at the VA Domiciliary Care for
Homeless Veterans Program. I really enjoyed working with this population,
even with many technology issues with the VA, and am hoping to continue
working with veterans. I am also a board certified music therapist and
incorporate techniques, such as group drumming, into my social work
practice. I've worked with a variety of other populations including children
and adolescents in residential treatment, individuals with developmental
disabilities, older adults coping with memory impairment, and children with
developmental and physical disabilities as well as diagnoses on the autistic
spectrum. At this point, I'm hoping to find a position in which I can
complete my hours for the credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse
counselor (CASAC in NY) and to work toward my clinical social work license. 

I am a single mom to twin boys who turned 5 a few months ago. They will be
graduating from pre-K next week and we are getting ready for kindergarten.
They were with me at the convention last year and often talk about Detroit,
all of the people and their favorite "teacher" at NFB camp. 

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Steve Johnson
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2010 3:36 PM
To: 'Human Services Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [humanser] 2010 NFB National Convention

Good afternoon all,

Although I am unable to attend convention due to my job, I would still like
to introduce myself which will explain why I was unable to get the time off
for Nationals.  

My name is Steven Johnson, and I am a Social Service Specialist with a
Community Health Education background and a pretty extensive diagnostic
medical background before losing my eyesight almost 25 years ago.  I am 46
and work for County Government, and more specifically La Crosse County in
our Human Services Department where I work as a specialist in our Aging and
Disability Resource Center (ADRC).  After almost 11 years with another
agency, the funding for the Federal program in which I was coordinating was
being significantly reduced, thus forcing me into cut hours which really
didn't cut it for me.  When I applied for my current position Memorial week
2009, I finally was given a conditional offered for employment after 3
interviews, and after all of the technology bug a boos were worked out I was
hired on full-time and have been there since August of last year.  Which,
leads me to the issue of vacation requests, and due to my level of seniority
which is basically none, the vacation days were limited as our SW's pretty
much left us at half-staff for the month of July which ultimately resulted
in no more vacation granted for this month.  However, my current plan is to
attend my first National convention next year with my girlfriend who is also
a NFB member.

I live in a small river town called La Crosse Wisconsin, and our county is a
very progressive county with long term care redesign and it is a great
feeling to be a part of this for many years.  I own a little 120 year old
home, and when not at work, enjoy time out in the woods, in my garden, and
working on my home as well as volunteering on countless councils,
committees, and boards.  

Kind regards,

Steven C. Johnson

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of JD TOWNSEND
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2010 1:18 PM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] 2010 NFB National Convention

Hi Nicole & list:

Great idea to introduce ourselves again.

I am working in the field as a clinical social worker for the past 30 years.

Currently working with children, adolescents & parents in a public
psychiatric center;  in the past I have worked with chronic mental
illnesses, elderly, substance abuse & homeless populations.

This week the county decided to drop all school counselors in a cost saving
effort.  We have lost 5 or 6 therapists from our outpatient services over
the past year and these positions have not been replaced.  And, while jobs
in our area are drying up, caseloads are increasing, wars are continuing,
massive personal & ecologic traumas, and the need for social services are at
an all time high.  We, in this field, are needed like never before.

JD Townsend, LCSW
Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System Helping the light dependent to
see.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nicole Robinson" <nrobinson at mail.utexas.edu>
To: <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 10:32 PM
Subject: [humanser] 2010 NFB National Convention

> Hi  my name is Nicole
>
>
>
> I thought it might be nice to find out who is planning to attend the NFB
> National Convention this year in Dallas from July 3 to July 9.  My 
> thoughts
> are that maybe we can find a way to start communicating beforehand so that
> when we get there the experience is more benefiticial and rewarding for 
> ALL
> of us.  My thought is that if everyone who is attending can write a little
> BLOG (Just a couple of sentences/paragraphs about yourself.) Then when we
> are all together for the workshop as professionals in the field 
> (Apologized
> for not knowing the correct wording, I think it is the Human Development
> Workshop.  Right?) If we start to communicate beforehand then we  will be
> one step ahead.  Even people who are not going to the National Convention
> can enter act with us all.  Sound good?  I will start by giving a little 
> bit
> of personal as well as some professional information about myself (You can
> share as much or as little as you choose. No pressure)  I am excited!  I
> think this may be a lot of fun and a great way for our group to interact
> beforehand, at convention and then even afterwards.
>
>
>
> I will be attending the NFB National Convention 2010 in Dallas this year
>
>
>
> My name is Nicole Robinson.  I just recently turned 40  but act much 
> younger
> and have a fun and care free attitude.  I began to lose my sight at age 7
> due to a form of Macular Degeneration.  I could still drive at age 16 but
> did not trust my sight and decided not to.  From that point my eyesight
> declined pretty rapidly.
>
>
>
> I think at 21 I actually started accepting the fact and was open to  using

> a
> cane.  I learned JAWS and went onto college.  I am a single parent.  I 
> live
> in Austin, Texas..  I moved here from California with two babies in 2000.
> Since then I have gone to Cris Cole Rehab Center and learned the skills I
> needed to go back to college and finish.  After achieving my bachelors
> degree from Ut in 2004, I got a full time job as a Licensed Social Worker.
> I have been working for this agency advocating for disabled children for 6
> years.  On top of working full time, taking 2 grad classes every semester
> for the past 3 years I have also been a single Momma of 2.  I own my own
> house here in Austin  and have just walked receiving my Masters Degree in
> Social Work from UT on May 22, 2010.
>
>
>
> I am currently  advocating for disabled children as well as  counseling at
> the women's shelter which totals over 40hours a week. I absolutely love 
> the
> experience.  I need to take my licensing exam to be a LMSW and then move
> forward to get my hours in to become a LCSW.
>
>
>
> I look forward to meeting you all and am completely open to communicate 
> with
> each one of you before convention and even those who do not plan on
> attending.  My e-mail address is:
>
> nrobinson at mail.utexas.edu
>
>
>
>
>
> Thank you.
>
>
>
> Nicole Robinson LMSW Intern
>
> .
>
>
>
>
>
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