Today, I was a social worker...

For the first time since I got this job, I was a REAL social worker. And I have to say... I TOTALLY ROCKED!!!!!! (O.K.- you guys are just going to have to go with me on this one... you know I am not the kind of person to blow my own horn, so if I say that I rocked, then it means that I totally rocked!)

I can't go very much into the details of what I did today, because of client confidentiality, and because I know that at least half of the people who read my blog are weirdos. You know who you are. :)

The first cool thing that happened today was I got a referral from a DHS caseworker for a client who needed to get some safety planning done. I called her and set up a phone appointment to talk with her about safety planning. Today was the follow-up call. I spent 45 minutes talking to her, and hopefully got her to go in and get a restraining order against her abuser.

The second cool thing that happened today is the main reason why I am so happy. This was the toughest case I have worked yet, and I handled it pretty well, I think. Anyway, I had a client referred to me from her DHS caseworker. She was actively trying to escape an abuser who was either already released from jail or was going to be released soon. She wanted to leave the country, and has family in another country. But she doesn't have a passport. So, I got on the phone and arranged for her to get an expedited passport. I also arranged for her to have shelter when she goes to the other state to get the passport. It doesn't sound like much, but it involved about 20-30 phone calls and a lot of verbal "gladhanding" other agencies to get what we wanted. By this time next week, she will be in another country, safe from her abuser and with family.

So, three and a half hours after her caseworker turned her over to me, I gave her back- along with a three page, typed, safety plan including the names of all the agencies I had called with their phone numbers, who I spoke with, and an "action plan" for what the caseworker would need to do to finish up with the client tomorrow.

She was stunned.

She thanked me profusely.

She asked if it was too late to contribute to the donation drive we are having for DVRC for Domestic Violence Awareness month. She actually stopped me on my way out to ask me, "Does DVRC take checks?"

I just smiled and said "Yes."

God damn, I love my job!!!

That's all for now. Love to all!

Sherry