Candidates:
Karine Levesque (NB)
Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:
I received my BSW from Université de Moncton in New Brunswick (1996) and worked as a clinical social worker for a mental health clinic. For the past 20 years, I’ve been working for the Extra-Mural Program, a health care program delivering social work palliative care services in clients’ homes; providing health services, counseling, and access to resources for all age groups; doing individual and group counseling; and providing end of life, spiritual, and grief counseling in both French and English languages. I am a certified facilitator for Pallium Canada, training multidisciplinary teams and paramedics across New Brunswick on the principles of palliative care and end of life philosophy of care. I believe the social work profession is well equipped to be in such a pivotal and influential position, and I am proud to add this to my practice with a client faced with dying in dignity.
Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:
I was appointed chair of NBASW`s discipline committee for seven years. I had two mandates as vice president and two mandates as president of the NBASW provincial board, where I became involved with ASWB, CASW, and the Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators. I served six years as director of the CASW board and now chapter director for the NBASW board. I worked on NBASW’s newly adopted legislation committee, nominating committee, bylaws committee, and, currently, promotion of the profession committee. As NBASW president, I was the voting delegate at the ASWB Annual Meeting of the Delegate Assembly and attended the spring education conferences. I was awarded NBASW`s Debbie Nason Social Work in Health Care Award, CASW`s Distinguished Service Award, and Social Worker of the Year. I was appointed the first social worker on the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission. I am a member of the New Brunswick Palliative Care Association board. I sit on various committees related to my current employment.
I was elected to ASWB’s Nominating Committee in 2016 and served as chair. I became familiar with ASWB’s mandate and challenges. I was also fortunate to be part of last year’s election as candidate for Director at Large, and after three tied votes, I humbly recognize that the delegates agree that my knowledge and experience can be an asset to the ASWB Board at this time.
Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:
I stand a strong advocate for diversity, which is what ASWB represents. Lately, we are faced with unprecedented challenges; ASWB’s success is all about networking and partnerships across Canada and the United States. Regulation, public protection, and mobility are still priorities. Considering current hardships in this time of crisis, regulators across both nations ensured the highest standards of competency for social work practice. The current climate is urging us to reassess our values, priorities, the way ASWB conducts its business, financial ramifications for ASWB and member boards, etc. The strong foundation and progress made around challenging issues of mobility and diversity demonstrate ASWB’s ability to motivate and empower change as we move forward. Pursuing this philosophy, I pledge to advocate mobility as a vital asset toward one regulatory voice for social work practice across Canada and the United States. I will remain transparent, lead in building relationships with members and stakeholders, lead in promoting pride for our social work profession, and use my skills in maintaining a strong and viable ASWB. We are welcoming important challenges around translation of ASWB’s exams and the impacts for both Canada and the states. As an ASWB Board member from a legislated bilingual province, I would actively support new guidelines around this initiative. Reflecting my knowledge and experience of a Board member’s role and duties, I will address the challenges while defending ASWB`s best interests.
Date jurisdiction board term ends/ended:
Second mandate to end in June 2022
Kathy Outland (OR)
Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:
I am an LCSW in the state of Oregon. I was licensed in 1988 and have worked full time in my private practice since 1991. I provided mental health services for individuals, couples, and families in both my private practice and as a subcontractor in a mental health clinic providing services for Oregon Medicaid clients. I have 35 years of experience as a court-approved mediator for family court in Marion County. As a mediator, I assist families in the process of separation/divorce, develop parenting plans, and resolve custody disputes. I volunteer as a master gardener, with elementary children in a Hispanic community, as a fundraiser for our community art association, and with foster care adolescents aging out of the system. Outside of my professional life, I especially enjoy spending time with my wonderfully supportive husband of 34 years, my son, and our new daughter-in-law.
Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:
I have seventeen years of combined regulatory experience serving two two-term appointments to the Oregon Board of Social Workers (1995 to 2003 and 2012 to the present). I served as Oregon board chair from 2001 to 2003 and 2014 to 2017. I am currently serving as chair of the rules and legislative committee, and I have served on our consumer protection committee for the past seven years. I am an active and supportive member of ASWB, serving over the years on numerous committees as a member and/or chair, including as Continuing Competence Committee member and chair, 2000–2005; Practice Analysis Task Force Clinical chair, 2008–2010; and Nominating Committee chair. Most recently, I chaired the ASWB Bylaws and Resolutions Committee from 2018 to 2019. I have also participated in/attended numerous ASWB delegate assemblies and education meetings over the years.
Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:
I would be remiss if I did not address the challenges that the COVID-19 epidemic has had on all of us personally, at work, in the regulation field, and at ASWB. This was definitely “not business as usual,” and it has also been a time of innovation! Challenges, yes, and also a time for creative new solutions.
ASWB faced numerous unprecedented challenges! It is evident to me, that these challenges were met with tremendous collective collaboration and effort by ASWB member jurisdictions, Board leadership, our CEO, and staff. Focusing on a safe environment for staff, continuity of ASWB services, and support for our member jurisdictions, we addressed the needed changes this epidemic created. Our association’s leadership and staff rose to the challenges with innovation, collaboration, and determination.
As your nominee for the position of ASWB secretary, I commit that I will serve you to the best of my ability. I will promote our mission and values. I will work diligently, collaboratively, creatively, and enthusiastically on behalf of ASWB! Although these are uncertain times, they are also times of opportunity for innovation and creative solutions. It will be an honor to serve you as part of our ASWB leadership team.
Date jurisdiction board term ends/ended:
I am currently serving on Oregon Board of Social Workers and my term has been extended.