Disciplinary Actions against Social Workers

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Marina
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Disciplinary Actions against Social Workers

Postby Marina » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:16 pm

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Disciplinary Actions against Social Workers

DISCIPLINARY TERMINOLOGY (California)
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/consumer/discipli ... ions.shtml
Revocation, or revoked -
Suspension -.
Stayed -
Probation -
Voluntary Surrender / Surrender of License -
Effective Decision Date -
Public Reprimand -.
Writ of Mandate -
Stay -

Types of Disciplinary Actions (Texas)
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/plc/plc_discipl.shtm

Revocation -
Denial -
Surrender -
Suspension -
Probated suspension -
Reprimand -
Settlement agreement with stipulations -
Administrative penalty -
Settlement agreement with administrative penalty -
Probated suspension with administrative penalty -



Articles
http://antonovich.co.la.ca.us/pressrel/11/dcfs19.htm

States

Alabama
http://abswe.state.al.us/discipline.htm
unprofessional conduct,
unethical conduct
falsification of records

Alaska (will email data)
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pcsw.htm

Arizona - Adverse Actions
http://www.bbhe.state.az.us/adverse%20actions.htm
conflict of interest
failure to maintain adequate client records
history of drug and alcohol abuse
DUI
Failure to safely and competently practice
Failure to disclose arrests, charges
Pattern of not treating staff with respect
Anger management issues
Pattern of cumulative and consistent problems
Violating client confidentiality
Disclosed client information and maintained contact with former clients
Engages in sexual behavior
Dual relationship with client
Pattern of poor judgement and employment performance
Pattern of misrepresentations, inconsistent statements, and failure to disclose information
Professional gave client a hug and kiss on the cheek
Falsified progress notes by writing notes for individual counseling sessions that did not occur.
Consistent inability to provide behavioral health services professionally and competently
Failed to maintain adequate records
Did not take responsible precautions to protect the security of client files
Recommended that mother give alcohol to a minor.
Created hostile threatening work environment due to angry, hostile behavior, verbal abuse and intimadation.
Sexual relationship with client.
Failed to maintain adequate client records. Records for minor clients did not include consent to treatment forms, assessment documentation, treatment plans or complete progress notes.
Failed to provide client records when properly requested.
Diagnosis regarding someone not a client.
Client record did not contain adequate consent to treatment and treatment planning documentation.
Compromised clients confidentiality by leaving written information in public.
Lack of skills to fulfill job's requirements and presented a danger to the health, safety and welfare of clients.
Engaged in deceit.
Breached confidentiality by disclosing information despite express written request that the information not be disclosed.
Failed to maintain adequate clinical records.
Wrote a letter to the court opining that the minor client's father should have supervised visitation when the professional never attempted to obtain information from the father.
Disobeyed employer's policy when he provided a letter to the court, pursuant to the father's request, recommending custody of the child.
The professional supervised another licensee and authorized him to provide therapy services .







Arkansas
http://www.accessarkansas.org/swlb/pdfs ... action.pdf

http://www.state.ar.us/swlb/pdfs/discip ... action.pdf

California - upon request
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/consumer/discipli ... ions.shtml
Enforcement Statistical Overview
http://www.bbs.ca.gov/consumer/enfstats.shtml

Colorado - (complicated)
http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental-heal ... tm#actions

Connecticut (search by licensee)
http://www.dph.state.ct.us/scripts/hlthprof.asp

Delaware ( fee)
http://www.dpr.delaware.gov/agency/rost ... nsts.shtml

District of Columbia - FOI
http://app.dc.gov/apps/about.asp?page=f ... av=|30663|

Florida
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/enforcem ... ports.html


Idaho
http://ibol.idaho.gov/SWO/General/Disci ... Action.htm

Iowa

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/c ... lement.pdf
page 3
Respondent shall consult a licensed, Board approved mental health
practitioner on a monthly basis to address issues relative to professional boundaries,
dual relationships, transference, counter-transference, appropriate record keeping,
appropriate interactions with clients, and any other relevant ethical issues raised by the
Respondent’s review of the standards listed in paragraph 11(a).

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/c ... greemt.pdf
page 4
d. Respondent shall attend ten (10) hours of continuing education in the area
of record keeping and ten (10) hours of continuing education in the area of ethics within
the period of probation.

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/licensure/c ... lement.pdf
page 3
12. Respondent may apply for reinstatement of his license when the following
conditions have been satisfied:
a. Respondent submits to a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluation by
Dr. Gary Schoener, 2421 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404,
telephone (612) 870-0565. Respondent is responsible for all costs associated with this
evaluation.
b. Prior to the evaluation, the facility shall be provided with the Statement of
Charges, the Settlement Agreement, and the investigative file in this contested case.
c. The facility shall forward directly to the Board an evaluation report and initial
treatment plan. The evaluation report shall include a recommendation as to whether
Respondent is safe to return to the practice of social work and additional
recommendations or restrictions as indicated. The initial treatment plan shall be subject
to the approval of the Board.
d. The Respondent shall comply with the recommendations of the facility and
shall undergo treatment pursuant to such approved plan.
e. The Respondent shall sign a release which (a) will enable the Board to
freely communicate with all individuals involved in Respondent's evaluation and
treatment, (b) provide for full access by the Board to all records maintained with respect
to such evaluation and treatment, and (c) provide for monthly reports on Respondent's
progress to be submitted directly to the Board. It is the Respondent's responsibility to
ensure that such monthly progress reports are provided to the Board.
f. Upon compliance with the above provisions, Respondent may submit an
application for reinstatement to the Board pursuant to 645 Iowa Administrative Code
11.31. Respondent’s license shall not be reinstated except upon a showing that
Respondent has complied with the terms of this Settlement Agreement, that the basis
for the suspension no longer exists, and that it would be in the public interest for the
license to be reinstated. The burden of proof to establish such facts shall be on the
Respondent.

http://www.ketv.com/news/11405245/detail.html
Social Worker Accused Of Having Child Porn, Inappropriate Acts
1. Man's License To Be Revoked
POSTED: 2:06 pm CDT March 27, 2007
UPDATED: 2:41 pm CDT March 27, 2007
DES MOINES, Iowa -- An Ottumwa social worker will have his license revoked by the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners as part of a settlement reached on March 23.
1. Joseph Curtis, of Ottumwa, is accused of possessing pornography of boys on his home computer as well as photos of him in appropriate acts with his dog, according to board records released Tuesday.
The state's records show that Curtis told children that he was a therapist who works with children who have emotional problems and had archived computer conversations with children about sadomasochistic activities.
Under the agreement with the board, Curtis is not allowed to provide social work services to minors from March 19 to April 23 and his license will be revoked on April 23.
If Curtis seeks to get his license back, he is subject to board review and applicable laws, the settlement says.

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007 ... 3c707e.txt


Kansas
http://www.ksbsrb.org/pdf/Actions_Not_Concluded.pdf

Louisiana
http://www.labswe.org/news0108.htm#ACTIONS


Maine
http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionalli ... ipline.htm

Michigan
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-1 ... Cl,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-1 ... Cl,00.html
http://www.allbusiness.com/government/3 ... 23-3606761


Missouri
http://www.ago.mo.gov/newsreleases/2003/020603b.htm
February 6, 2003
1. Judge revokes probation of Rolla social worker who pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud; sends her to prison for five years
Waynesville, Mo. —A Rolla licensed clinical social worker who pleaded guilty last year to felony charges related to defrauding the Missouri Medicaid program was sent to prison today for five years by a Pulaski County judge after she violated the terms of her probation.
Associate Circuit Judge David G. Warren revoked the probation of Gloria Bell-Wisdom (DOB 7/27/48) at the request of Attorney General Jay Nixon's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit after Bell-Wisdom violated the probation terms, including failing to make any payments on $77,984 in restitution and failing to cooperate with her probation officer.
Bell-Wisdom pleaded guilty in January 2002 to one count of stealing and four counts of making a false statement in order to obtain a Medicaid payment. The charges against her were brought in 1999 by Nixon and former Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Michael V. Headrick.
Bell-Wisdom, who practiced in Pulaski County, admitted in her guilty plea that she lied to the state Medicaid program by representing that she provided individual and family psychological counseling to patients in order to receive payments from the program. At her original sentencing, Judge Warren also ordered her to surrender her professional license and repay the state $1,000 for investigative costs.
At today's revocation hearing, Judge Warren reserved the right to release Bell-Wisdom within 120 days of incarceration.
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General's Office, formed by Nixon in 1994, has authority under state law to investigate and prosecute, both civilly and criminally, allegations of fraud against Missouri's Medicaid program.

www.oa.mo.gov/ahc/case/Spencer00-0736SW.SMB.doc

Nebraska
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/711 ... index.html


New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/press/essjudge.htm

http://www.state.nj.us/oag/ca/press/glosoc.htm
Gloucester County Social Worker's License Suspended for Inappropriate Behavior
1. NEWARK - The New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners has suspended the license of a Gloucester County social worker and ordered her to pay investigative costs of nearly $26,000 to resolve allegations that she had sexual relations with a client, Attorney General John J. Farmer, Jr. and Division of Consumer Affairs Director Mark Herr announced today.
Katherine A. Cooper, of Pitman, agreed to the suspension of her license for five years, retroactive to April 5, 2000, when her license was temporarily suspended. Her license will be actively suspended for two years. The remaining three years of the suspension will be stayed and served as a period of probation upon full compliance with other terms of the agreement.
Following a review of the allegations levied against her by her client, Cooper admitted to having authored a journal, letters, cards and other correspondence to her client. She also admitted to traveling to his home and spending an evening with him alone on his patio. However, she denied all allegations of engaging in a sexual relationship with her client or encouraging her client to have sex with a minor male child who was also her client.
"State licensed professionals are held to prescribed standards of conduct and are expected to adhere to the rules that govern their practice at all times," said Attorney General Farmer. "When they fail to meet those standards and violate the public's trust, we must act to ensure the public is adequately protected."
"We are always concerned when we learn that those in the business of helping people who may be vulnerable are taking advantage of these people," said Herr. "This is a lesson to everyone that we won't tolerate this unprofessional behavior in New Jersey."
A review of the case by the Board of Social Work Examiners found that Cooper's relationship with her client violated standards governing therapist/client relationships and that Cooper's objectivity and professional judgement were compromised.
When her license was temporarily suspended in April 2000, Cooper was ordered to facilitate the referral of her clients to other therapists, return her New Jersey license to the board and refrain from holding herself out as a social worker practicing social work in the state of New Jersey. Cooper filed a denial of the charges at that time, but earlier this month chose to resolve the matter without formal proceedings.
In addition to the suspension of her license, Cooper agreed the following terms:
Cooper must engage in weekly psychotherapy for a year with a therapist approved by the board. After the completion of the weekly sessions, additional therapy may be required.

During the period of active suspension, Cooper must enroll in and successfully complete 20 hours of continuing education courses in ethics and boundary violations approved by the board. This is in addition to requisite continuing education that routinely accompanies license and certification renewal.

Before resuming practice, Cooper must undergo a comprehensive psychological evaluation performed by a board approved therapist.

During the probationary period, Cooper must practice under the supervision of a board approved supervisor. Her client base will be limited during this time period.

Cooper must pay $25,909.08 for the costs of investigation into this matter.


http://www.state.nj.us/oag/newsreleases ... 0619b.html


North Carolina

Disciplinary action NC
http://www.12stepforums.net/hipexposed/whealton2.html
http://home.ec.rr.com/spiritofaa/savebruce.html
http://www.12stepforums.net/hipexposed/whealton.html

Ohio
http://www.cleveland.com/socialworker/plaindealer/
http://www.cleveland.com/ohio/plaindeal ... 2#continue


Oregon
http://egov.oregon.gov/BCSW/pdfs/Specif ... Report.pdf

Tennessee
http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/PDFs/April_2007.pdf

http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/PDFs/April_2007.pdf
page 2 & 3
Disciplinary Action of 9 people: Placed on Abuse Registry

Texas
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw_enforce.shtm

https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw_cmp.shtm

Virginia
http://www.dhp.state.va.us/enforcement/ ... sp?board=9

White, Karen: Related to engaging in conduct that may discredit the profession, exploiting a patient for financial gain, and engaging in emotionally abusive behavior towards a client.

Washington
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2004_news/04-092.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2006_news/06-068.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2002_News/02-38.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2005_news/05-072.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2006_news/06-043.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2001_News/01-104.html
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2006_news/06-032.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2001_News/01-71.html
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2005_news/05-062.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-003.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-057.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-029.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-067.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2000_News/00-83.html
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2005_news/05-109.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2000_News/00-115.html
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2001_News/01-89.html
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-006.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2005_news/05-035.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2005_news/05-088.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2006_news/06-183.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2005_news/05-046.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2005_news/05-119.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2006_news/06-168.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2005_news/05-161.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2006_news/06-015.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-016.htm
http://www.doh.wa.gov/publicat/2000_News/00-42.html


Wisconsin
http://members.fortunecity.com/borgy1/workers.htm
http://drl.wi.gov/dept/pressreleases/20020700.pdf

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Marina
Moderator
Posts: 5496
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2006 3:06 pm

Postby Marina » Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:48 pm

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http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/loca ... 93926.html

EXACTLY HOW DID THE STATE FAIL IN THE LEWIS CASE?

The full case review is posted at www.thenewstribune.com, but here are some of the findings and recommendations, edited to cut through government jargon:

THE FINDINGS

FINDINGS - LEGAL • A court-appointed advocate for the girl never met the child or filed any reports about her welfare as required, and state social workers didn’t communicate with the advocate.

• The advocate was discharged when the girl turned 12, in keeping with standard court procedure. An attorney was assigned to keep an eye on the girl’s welfare, but never investigated her situation or status.

• The court didn’t ask about the child’s progress, the quality of her care or the status of her foster care plan.

• State workers didn’t tell the court about the abuse and licensing complaints against Lewis.

RECOMMENDATIONS - LEGAL • The court should expect reports from child advocates, and follow up if none is filed.

• State workers should tell advocates about reports of abuse or neglect.

• Discharge of an advocate when a child turns 12 shouldn’t be automatic – individual circumstances should dictate the decision.

• Courts should regularly request information regarding a child’s well-being and progress.

FINDINGS - SERVICES • State workers relied on Chornice Lewis for information about the girl’s well-being, didn’t get medical records and believed Lewis’ characterizations of the girl’s behavior problems.

• Workers noted that Lewis was defensive and difficult to work with.

• Workers gathered little information from the girl, who often was interviewed in Lewis’ presence.

• Lewis faced no consequences for licensing violations, including moving the girl from school to school without notice, and changing addresses without notice.

RECOMMENDATIONS - SERVICES • State workers should get medical records to document a child’s well-being.

• State workers shouldn’t rely solely on foster parents for information about a child’s health care and progress in school.

• State workers should interview children without the foster parents present.

• State workers should contact a child’s school to verify attendance and academic progress.

• If foster parents report behavior problems, the state should verify them independently.

• State rules (the Washington Administrative Code) should be changed to require foster parents to comply with court orders regarding a child’s care.

FINDINGS - INVESTIGATIONS AND COMPLAINTS • The state never verified that Lewis and the girl were related.

• Medical follow-ups on the girl’s reported injuries were incomplete.

• State workers didn’t always collaborate with law enforcement when abuse complaints surfaced.

• Complaints of abuse and neglect were not thoroughly and objectively investigated – state workers didn’t analyze the history and patterns of complaints.

• Lewis said the girl behaved badly at home, but educators saw no evidence of it at school.

• Lewis was defensive and intimidated social workers and educators, accusing them of racism.

• State workers didn’t recognize typical patterns of child abuse.

• The girl’s injuries got worse when the state investigated abuse complaints.

• The girl’s denials of abuse were questionable.

• The girl didn’t go to school in fall 2005 – state workers didn’t notice.

• Lewis and her mother, Rose Johnson, had a history of generating complaints of abuse and neglect.

• State workers minimized educators’ concerns about abuse and neglect.

• State workers wrongly relied on the girl to report abuse.

RECOMMENDATIONS - INVESTIGATIONS AND COMPLAINTS • The state should verify claims of family ties to foster children.

• Social workers should be trained to deal with difficult clients.

• Social workers need training to recognize patterns of child abuse.

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bout_it2013
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:12 am

Re: Disciplinary Actions against Social Workers

Postby bout_it2013 » Wed Mar 27, 2013 3:45 pm

oregons link no longer works


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