I. CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order with a quorum of the Board members at 10:15 am in the Hudson Conference Room, 6th floor, 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey by the Board’s Vice-Chair, Mr. Henry Acosta, MSW, LSW.

II. ROLL CALL

Present:

Louise A. Murray, Ph.D., LSW,
Henry Acosta, MSW, LSW, (Vice-Chair)
Kathleen Ellis
Maxine Lisboa, MSW, LSW
Wanetta Williams, BSW, CSW
Leonard Altamura, DSW, LCSW
Paul J. St. Onge, Esq.

Absent:

Doreen J. Bobby, MSW, LCSW, (Chair)
Lorna Hines-Cunningham, MS, LCSW

Also attending:

J. Michael Walker, Executive Director
Jodi C. Krugman, Deputy Attorney General
Larry DeMarzo, Deputy Director
Theresa Brundage, Administrative Staff
Lucy Chalet, Administrative Staff

Announcement of Quorum

The Vice-Chair announced that a quorum was present.

The Vice-Chair also announced that in accordance with Chapter 231 of P.L. 1975, more commonly referred to as the Sunshine Law, adequate notice of this meeting was provided by mailing to the Office of the Secretary of State, The Newark Star Ledger, The Trenton Times, The Bergen Record and The Courier Post.

Mr. DeMarzo, introduced Dr. J. Michael Walker as the newly appointed Executive Director of the Board due to the resignation of Ms. Kay McCormack, the previous Executive Director.

III. REVIEW OF MINUTES

No public session minutes were presented at this meeting.

IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

J. Michael Walker introduced himself to the Board, he explained to the members about his position as Executive Director to other Boards also. All welcomed him. Dr. Walker informed the Board that the Social Work Board’s 3 different applications for licensure may be posted on-line soon so candidates will have access to them.

1- Review of State of New Jersey 213th Legislature, Assembly #4026 was accepted as informational.

2- Memo from DAG Jodi Krugman about the question as to whether LSW’s accepting “independent contractor” positions would constitute the independent clinical practice of social work. DAG Krugman explained under the job descriptions presented by applicants indicated that they would be working at an agency under supervision provided by the agency. The clients and the records belong to the agencies and that work under those circumstances would not be the independent practice of clinical social work. The Board specifically advised the applicants that its opinions were confined to the Social Work Licensing Act and regulations and specifically did not address any other issues of compliance with any other law including the Internal Revenue Code. It was proposed to place appropriate information on the website. Motion made by Dr. Leonard to accept the proposal, seconded by Mr. St. Onge. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

V. REVIEW OF CLINICAL SUPERVISORS’ CREDENTIALS

Jamie M. Hakim, MSW, LCSW- the required clinical experience. Motion made by Dr. Murray, seconded by Ms. Ellis to move this subject to executive session. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

VI. VOTE ON CANDIDATES PROPOSED FOR CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

A motion was made by Dr. Altamura and seconded by Mr. Acosta to approve the following candidates as qualified in their category based on a review of their application documents and in accordance with the Statute and Regulations and subject to renew in the cases of pending criminal history background checks. All in favor of the motion.

LCSW APPLICATIONS:

COMPLETED CRIMINAL HISTORY:

Lisa J. Castrianni
Wendy C. Donnelly
Elizabeth M. Dunlea
Caroline J. Faraone
Jamie L. Grimes
Cristina L. Hollmann
Tracie L. Kritch
Leah Kuperman
Kristin M. Morrissey
Robyn F. Novick
Linda Opperman
Stephanie M. Puerta
Angela A. Pusey
Deborah P. Ramos
Christine M. Rappa
Elyse F. Reilly

PENDING CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK:

Kathleen Andrews
Donyale P. Baker
Lesli J. Chaskelberg
Aimee E. Ennis
Jeannine M. Fenlon
Amy M. Hill
Debra L. Kessler-Westgate
Giovanna M. Macrina
Lorin A. McKane
JoAnn M. Purdy
Shlomo D. Silverstone
Catherine M. Willets
Simira L. Wilson
Brianna J. Zirpolo

LSW APPLICATIONS:

CRIMINAL HISTORY COMPLETED

Kristen E. Ackley
Rebecca N. Alcaide
Elyse S. Amedeo
Samantha M. Ames
Abby G. Bartolotta
Charles Beardsley
Sarah J. Beck
Kathryn M. Billon
Kathryl, L. Brucia
Sheila C. Cahilig
Avigayl Cansino
Megan Casper
Alison M. Cevasco
Janna Beth Cobb
Marie C. DauPhin
Katherine M. Desario
Tiffany N. Donaldson
Dana M. Epstein
Jeffrey P. Hanna
Maria C. Hoppas
Jill M. Jerome
Elisabeth K. La Forgia
Laura A. Ledoux
Stacey A. Lovejoy
Myrna E. Ludwig
Esther B. Maldonado
Susan D. Matty
Stacie D. Max
Sarah R. Mazer
Sheyla Mejias
Evelyn Modzelewska
Benjamin S. Morris
Liora Moshe
Christopher G. Nackos
Emily M. Nealis
Amanda V. Nieliwocki
Dorothy E. O’Keefe-Diana
Danielle Perri-Gasperini
Dipal Patel
Ann B. Peters
Michelle A. Pinheiro
Yajaira A. Ramirez
Jared Randiek
Regina M. Reilly
Bethany R. Reynolds
David Roussell
Alyssa B. Sher
Shirley M. Thompson
Jaclyn M. Trojanowski
Alba J. Vizcaino
Ewa Wojciechowska
Jennifer R. Wolpert
Sabrina K. Wong
Sharon B. Zwickler

CRIMINAL HISTORY PENDING

Ruth D. Abrams
Alexis Adamczyk
Caitlin E. Barry
Charles B. Beardsley
Theresa A. Bivaletz
Sarah Cho
Dorothy Coffey
Edward G. Conklin
Marianne M. Cook
Melissa R.Crew
Jesselly De La Cruz
Clare D. DeLoskey
Lauren S. Fafulas
Amanda C. Furman
Jocelyn S. Gray
Michele M. Igielski
Sarah E. Lamm
Stephanie A. Love
Kathleen A. Lowenfels
Monica A. Mangual
George Mathew
Keesha D. McClean
Athena Milonas
Timothy D. Moore
Lauren C. Myler
Claudia M. Offray
Maleita M. Olson
Lauren Pardo
Lida M. Pascual
Lisa L. Poles
Adina Rauer
William Rodriguez, Jr.
Rebecca Rosenau
Sharon A. Sarno
Shana J. Schwartz
Rocco Sherman
Rebecca L. Shoyer
Robin Siegel
Stella Sigalus
Serena R. Thompson
Denise R. Tucker
Linda Timmins-Tuckerman
Wihelmina P. Vargas
Lori S. Kayne
Sloan R. Falihee
Natalia Mrsic

CSW APPLICATIONS:

CRIMINAL HISTORY COMPLETED

Joyce Ackah
Kelly M. Bradshaw
Gema Casteneda-Martinez
Jenniifer A. Cave
Regina C. De Rosa
Vanessa L. English
Iantha F. Gardner
Diana Gordillo
Jennifer-Lyn Gwaley
Whitney M. Holman
Erica L. Husta
Yostina Matta
Pamela M. Ragges
Melissa H. Robinson
Aimee K. Roesch
Gurpreet K. Singh
Alexander C. Smith
Teresita A. Trocino
Megan L. Williams

CRIMINAL HISTORY PENDING

Marlene B. Aqua
Maria E. Chiiari-Pace
Karen Freeman
Shawntel L. Gray
Mary F. Harper
Rebecca A. Larsen
Nicole Larsen-Kleinman
La Dean L. Mitchell
Kimberly C. Morague-Artis
Thomas Murikan
Teresa M. Peschl
Tiquan Ross
Patricia H. Severino
Joyce y. Tiemens
Tiffany M. Summersett X

VII. CONTINUING EDUCATION

A. Paula C. Ochs, MSW, LCSW- Master Class in Brief, Experiential Psychotherapy course work submitted to establish compliance with N.J.A.C.13:44G-8.1(a)4. Motion made by Dr. Murray, seconded by Ms. Williams to accept the credits that Ms. Ochs submitted. Dr. Almura opposed, all others voted in favor.

B. Kimberly Veith, MSW, LCSW- Ocean Mental Health Services- Clinical Supervision of Social Workers course work submitted to establish compliance with N.J.A.C.13:44G-8.1(a)4. Motion made by Dr. Altamura, seconded by Mr. Acosta to approve Ms. Veith’s credit. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

C. Carol Kahn, MSW, LCSW- Drexel University- Legal Ethical Implications course work submitted to establish compliance with N.J.A.C.13:44G-8.1(a)4. Motion made by Dr. Altamura, seconded by Mr. Acosta to approve Ms. Kahn’s credits. Voting in favor: all.

D. Michelle Desiree Stefanelli, MSW, LCSW- assorted course work submitted to establish compliance with N.J.A.C.13:44G-8.1(a). Tabled

E. Gail Britt, MSW, LCSW- GSC- Ethics and Values in Clinical Supervision (3 credits) submitted to establish compliance with N.J.A.C.13:44G-8.1(a). However, if approving this course, there will be still 2 more remaining credits to complete the required 20- hour clinical supervision course. Decision to defer until all material is received. Voting in favor: all.

F. Joan F. Maynard, MSW- (LCSW expired 8/31/08)- a request of extension to obtain past due CEUs and a letter from her treating physician. This request was moved to executive session.

G. Patricia Dore, MSW, LCSW- NASW- course work submitted to establish compliance with N.J.A.C.13:44G-8.1(a). Motion made by Mr. Acosta, seconded by Ms. Williams to approve Ms. Dore’s credits. Voting in favor: all.

VIII. MEETING DATES FOR 2009

08/26/2009- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
09/23/2009- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
10/28/2009- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
11/18/2009- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
12/16/2009- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL

IX. MEETING DATES FOR 2010

01/27/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
02/24/2010- Essex Conference Room, 7th FL
03/24/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
04/28/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
05/26/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
06/23/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
07/28/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
08/25/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
09/22/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
10/27/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
11/17/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL
12/15/2010- Hudson Conference Room, 6th FL

X. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Today’s session was attended by representatives from New Jersey’s Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Executive Director Walter X. Kalman, Jr., MSW, LSW, Assistant Executive Director Mary Jean Weston, MSW, LCSW and Leah Jones also from (NASW). Also attending Ms. Wendy Donnelly, Ms. Jamie M. Hakim, Mr. Edward Weikert, Ms. Maureen Braun Scalera from Family International Services, Ms. Donna Wardell from Rutgers School of Social Work, Ms. Sarah J. Beck and Ms. Judith Kuskin. Walter Kalman welcomed Dr. Walker as Executive Director and thanked DAG Krugman for her explanation on the CE credits and different subjects in the meeting. He stated the Association’s desire to work with the Board to ensure that the work of the Board a smooth transition of administrative leadership. Ms. Mary Jean Weston thanked the Board for their hard work and welcome Dr. Walker to the Board. Ms. Maureen Scalera also was very happy to hear that on-line applications soon would be available to consumers.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Public session concluded at 11:35 am. The Board re-entered public session at 4:25 to adjourn the meeting by unanimous consent.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________ Henry Acosta, MSW, LSW
Vice-Chair