Welcome to the site for Students and New Professionals. Listed are descriptions of the programs which will be helpful to you including the Supervision Referral List; Mentoring Program; and our Student Awards for Excellence Program. We hope all students and new professionals will take advantage of our programs, and that you will see the advantages of joining PSCSW if you are not already a member. For your convenience the PSCSW Membership Application is available here to print and send.

It is important to stay aware of the regulations and procedures for obtaining the LSW and LCSW.  May 11, 2007, is the deadline for taking the LCSW as a basic licensing exam.  Please check out these documents that have been prepared to help you:

• Guidelines for students to pursue their LSW
• Rules and Regulations for Obtaining the LCSW
• Rules and Regulations for Supervisors of those Obtaining the LCSW
• Frequently Asked Questions about the LSW and LCSW

Supervision Forms

These forms were developed to document your LCSW supervision process and provide your clients with informed consent for supervision.

• Click here for Confidential release of information form
• Click here for Case Consultation form
• Click here for Supervisor Evaluation Consultation form

Don't forget that members can also use our listserve, which is helpful for exchanging ideas about resources, programs, jobs and licensing information.

If you have any questions about the information listed here or about the New Professional Development Committee, please contact our chair, Joan Pollak, at jfpol@aol.com. 

Mentoring Program
The society offers a Mentoring Program for social work professionals who are new graduates, or for those who have been out of school up to three years. This program is open to PSCSW members only. The purpose of Mentoring is to provide support and guidance to those making that difficult and sometimes overwhelming transition from graduate education to beginning social work practice. For those already practicing, Mentoring can be a tool for furthering career development. Some other benefits of the program include:

• Assistance in building professional confidence and competence 
• Career development
• Job search support 
• Networking 
• Information about further training 
• Help in sorting out problems and identifying priorities in your practice 
• Stress management 

Currently, we are offering individual mentoring, provided by experienced PSCSW members who have skills and interests that are compatible with the needs of the person seeking guidance. The individual mentoring relationship may simply involve a few phone calls or face-to-face meetings, to guide the new professional with questions and concerns. We have also offer group mentoring, depending on the interest and availability of participants and experienced members who are interested in facilitating a group. If you are interested in being connected to a mentor, please contact: Robin Meyer: Phone: 484-326-4039.

Additionally, we are always looking for more members who are interested in volunteering their time to becoming mentors. Clinicians who have experience working with children and adolescents would be great assets to our program, as we have received numerous calls from young professionals needing guidance in this area of practice. But others are also encouraged to get involved! Being a volunteer mentor is not a longstanding commitment, and it is a great way to stay connected to newer professionals in the field. If you would like to be on the list of available mentors, or have questions about what this entails, please contact Robin Meyer: Phone: 484-326-4039.

LCSW Exam Preparation Tips: Brainstorming by PSCSW Members