Statewide Networking Events
Join us to connect with social workers in your region! FREE AND OPEN TO ALL SOCIAL WORKERS AND STUDENTS.
Monthly Educational Meetings
1st Tuesday of every month from 5:00–6:00 p.m. (1 CEU) via Zoom
Free and open to all social workers in this region!
Click on a date below to pre-register. If you can't click on a date, registration for that meeting has not been opened yet.
No in-person option being offered due to COVID-19.
October 4: LGBTQ and Social Work
Presenter: Angel Hight, St. Cloud Pride
Angel Hight is a Registered Nurse with 23 years of experience. She has been working for CentraCare for 12 years and most recently in the role of Community Health and Wellness. Her passion includes educating the community on how to be supportive and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. She provides Safe Space Training to the community and she is currently the secretary for the St. Cloud Pride Board.
November 1: Social Work with Immigrant Populations
Presenter: Karin Blythe, Senior Program Manager, Lutheran Social Service
Karin Blythe is the Sr. Director for Refugee Services at Lutheran Social Service of MN. In her role, she welcomes new families to Minnesota and directly assists individuals with humanitarian statuses (victims of trafficking, refugees, asylees, etc.) to increase their self-sufficiency through education, access to local services, and tools to overcome barriers. She is actively involved in multiple committees and local initiatives to increase equity and understanding of refugee and immigrant experiences. She educates children and adults as they learn about cultures and people with different perspectives or experiences from their own. Karin has a Master's degree from Columbia University Teachers College in International Education Development, with an emphasis in International Humanitarian Issues, as well as a Master's degree in Religion. She also teaches the Anthropology of Forced Migration/Citizenship course each fall as an adjunct professor at St Cloud State University. She has worked in refugee services for ten years, in multiple programs including trafficking victims' assistance, refugee resettlement, older adult refugee services, and refugee youth mental health studies. She lives in St. Cloud with her husband, young son, and maternal grandmother.
December 6: Mental Health Ombudsman
Presenter: Andrea Strobel-Ayres
Andrea Strobel-Ayres is the Regional Ombudsman Supervisor for the Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. Andrea earned her BA degree in psychology in 1988 and her JD in 1999. She has 35 years of experience in the mental health and developmental disabilities in a variety of roles. Join us to learn about Andrea's role in the Ombudsman's Office and her important work in the field.