Northwestern Social Work Chair Speaks at State Social Workers Board Meeting

October 8, 2024

Social Work Students from Northwestern Oklahoma State Oklahoma University, Oral Roberts University, and the University of Oklahoma attend the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers Board meeting in September.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University social work students recently attended an Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers (OSBLSW) board meeting held at the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office in Oklahoma City.

During the board meeting, Dr. Kylene Rehder, chair of the department of social work and professor of social work, presented research and proposed to change the bachelor’s level social work licensure title from a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA) to Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW).

The motion passed and a committee will begin drafting language for the creation of a bill to revise the Oklahoma Social Work Practice Act.

Dr. Kylene Rehder presents research and a proposal to the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers to change the Licensed Social Work Associate licensure title to Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker.

The practice of social work in the state of Oklahoma is declared a professional practice and is subject to regulation by the OSBLSW under the Oklahoma Social Work Practice Act (O.S. Title 59). The purpose of Oklahoma’s Social Work Practice Act serves to promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety and welfare by and through the effective control and regulation of the practice of social work and the licensure of social workers.

“Since social workers at the bachelor’s level can obtain a professional license to practice it is imperative students understand the standards of the profession and high levels of accountability associated with it,” Rehder said. “I am grateful to executive director James Marks and the board members for their willingness to welcome students, provide them with the rules and regulations of the profession and offer insights into the board’s role and functions.”

Social Work students from Northwestern attending the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers Board meeting in September are Hunter McMillin, Alyssa Arambula, Makenzie Hoskins, Yasmin Vargas, Harlie Altland, Tori (Mahawa) Tyler, Amanda Houldsworth, Kimberly Ruf and Samuel Felton.

The OSBLSW board consists of Beverly Coon, board chair; Angela Workman Dickson, vice chair; Clark Grothe, secretary; and board members April Courouleau, Melanie McKinley, and David Spencer.

For more information on the OSBLSW visit https://oklahoma.gov/socialworkers.html.

For more information about the Northwestern Department of Social Work, visit https://www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/social-work or contact Rehder at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135.

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CONTACT FOR RELEASE:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
sjdoherty@nwosu.edu | 580-327-8480