Southern State Social Services Students Attend Conference

Southern State Community College (SSCC) was well represented by students and graduates of the college’s human and social services program during a recent conference held at Deer Creek State Resort near Washington Court House.

The semi-annual conference, sponsored by the Ohio Coalition of Associate Degree Human Services Educators, was held this year on Oct. 29 and 30. It featured speakers and educational sessions on topics of interest for social workers, social work assistants, and professional counselors.  Participants representing SSCC included eighteen current and former students, many of whom were attending their first professional conference.

The Ohio Coalition of Associate Degree Human Services Educators is a state-wide group that promotes and advocates for associate degree social services education throughout Ohio.  “I was pleased the group chose to hold their conference at Deer Creek, because of it’s proximity to the college,” commented SSCC assistant professor Eric Patton.  “Conferences like this one will be a big part of the professional lives of our gradates in the future, and I wanted them to experience it now.”

Kim Paquette from West Union, a 2002 graduate of the college’s human and social services program, attended the conference primarily to earn continuing education credits toward renewal of her social work assistant certification.  “I was so motivated by the keynote speaker’s presentation.” Paquette remarked.   “His session provided a starting point toward understanding clients from all economic backgrounds.”  Well-known author and educator, Phil DeVol presented the program’s keynote address and spoke about the issue of generational poverty.

Other educational sessions during the two day event covered topics such as clinical documentation skills; ethics for helping professionals; rural homelessness; secondary trauma; and Appalachian cultural issues.  The presentations were led by professionals and educators from around the state and provided continuing education units required for several state mental health licenses and certifications.

Those representing SSCC included current students: Rhonda Olivarez, Manchester; Christina Mess, Lynchburg; Crystal Morris, Peebles; Brittany Black, Mt. Orab; Diana Spahr, Wilmington; Nichole Spahr, Blanchester; Ted Joslin, Washington C.H.; Jessica Tolle, Wilmington; Sandra Hayslip, Hillsboro; Mileah Wilburn, Washington C.H.; Teena Breeding, Leesburg; Lori Burns, Hillsboro; Amber Yonker, Peebles; Susan Ratcliff, Washington C.H.; Michelle Willis, Hillsboro; and graduates: Amy Sapp, Manchester; Lesley Ward, Hillsboro; and Kim Paquette, West Union.