Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Social workers work in a variety of fields, including mental health, geriatrics, education and social services. Many of these social workers develop a wealth of expertise in their area, and work to advocate, organize and connect people with the services and resources they need to navigate social systems. These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation, administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation.
Crystal Nacolle Dunivant, a social worker and consultant trainer with the Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center, provides ongoing training and consultation on Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis to 14 teams across 23 counties. Her work with FIRST teams throughout Ohio supports a better-informed workforce when it comes to identifying mental health conditions including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder with psychotic features. "It is important to me that people receive equitable healthcare and culturally responsive interventions. Safety and belonging are important to help build relationships and facilitate continuity of care," says Dunivant. "Ultimately, I would like people to have the support and resources they need so they can be their best selves in their communities."
One of her most recent projects has been to develop a Bipolar Companion Guide as part of a collaborative team of experts in the BeST Center. The guide is being used to train FIRST teams on enrollment criteria to diagnose and treat bipolar disorder.
The 2024 Social Work Month celebration this March is themed “Empowering Social Workers” and the National Association of Social Workers is recognizing social work with ways to support the social work profession as it addresses issues our nation faces—including the need for more mental health services providers. Dunivant is a current member and past board president of the NASW Ohio Chapter.
Dunivant takes pride in being the project lead for First Episode Psychosis Project ECHO, a telelearning platform that shares knowledge and presents networking opportunities for clinicians in Ohio and across the country.
-- Submitted by Lucky Tisch, ltisch@neomed.edu