Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board
Term ends: 1/31/2030
Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:
With my MSW I have been an active leader in regulation and education for decades. I obtained my ACSW in 1988 and LCSW in 1992. I also hold the Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health endorsement and am a Certified Child and Youth Care Professional. Since 2015, I have served on the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board, serving as Chair from 2018-19 and again in 2027-28. My professional career spans executive leadership, clinical practice, higher education, research, and workforce development. Since 2012, I have served as Director of the IU Center for Translating Research Into Practice. I am also the Assoc Director of Indiana LEND at the IU School of Medicine and adjunct faculty at the IU School of Social Work since 1990, specializing in infant and early childhood mental health clinical work, research, and training. I am co-author of Tackling the Tough Stuff: A Home Visitor’s Guide to Supporting Families at Risk (2nd edition). Earlier in my career, I established the Research and Training Institute at Fairbanks Hospital, a substance use treatment facility, and was a bilingual Employment and Training Counselor for the Indiana Office of Occupational Development.
Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:
My regulatory experience is rooted in extensive leadership within ASWB and state regulation. Through my service as a Director At-Large and Nominating Committee member, I have developed a comprehensive perspective on the association’s mission, governance, and public protection role. My engagement spans participating in delegate assemblies, board member exchanges, and education meetings, as well as serving as Chair of the REAL and a member of the Bylaws and Research Committees. Since my appointment to the Indiana regulatory board, I have gained a deep appreciation for our duty to ensure public safety, and I regularly facilitate training on regulatory issues and professional ethics. Beyond regulatory governance, I bring extensive executive and fiscal experience from local, state, and national boards. I currently serve as Treasurer for Mental Health America of Indiana and previously served as Treasurer for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Additionally, I have served as President of the NASW Indiana Chapter, Indiana Family Voices, Indiana Family to Family, Infancy Onward, and the Cumberland Community Development Corporation.
Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:
Social workers are uniquely positioned to support communities through challenging times, bringing vital skills in relationship-building, advocacy, and problem-solving. As regulators, our primary responsibility is protecting the public by ensuring high-quality services from licensed and registered professionals. ASWB has made impressive strides to support jurisdictions through updated exams, pass-rate data sharing, research grants, a French language exam, compact support, and expanded member engagement. Looking ahead, ASWB faces two critical issues: increasing regulatory board scrutiny and maintaining exam defensibility while ensuring equitable entry into practice. As President-Elect, I will lead efforts to maintain exam validity and fairness, identify and address systemic barriers, and expand member engagement across the US and Canada. Furthermore, deregulation threats and shifting workforce dynamics require proactive leadership. I will foster strong strategic alignment between ASWB and partner associations across the US and Canada. Together, we can elevate social work’s professional status, advocate for unified regulatory standards, and assure public protection.