Social Work Breaks Barriers: Part One

This National Social Work Month, we highlight the stories of several standout social workers at Cornerstones of Care. The 2023 theme, “Social Work Breaks Barriers,” is provided by the National Association of Social Workers. It invites our selected interviewees to explore how they break barriers that prevent people and communities from thriving. In these mini-profiles, we meet Kaitlyn, Ikeshia, and Ben, and ask them about their entry into the social work field, how they manage challenging client cases and systemic challenges, and much more.

 

Kaitlyn McLaughlin, LMSW

PMTO Therapist

From Burger King to Cornerstones of Care, Kaitlyn McLaughlin has been breaking barriers, going against the norm, and impacting the lives of those around her.

At age 15, Kaitlyn’s first job was at Burger King in Olathe, Kansas. While at work, she learned that one of the other employees got injured on the job. Because this team member was from a different country, they weren’t eligible to receive workman’s comp. Kaitlyn was outraged by the system’s unfairness and how she would be treated differently in the same situation just because she was a U.S. citizen.

“I kinda threw a tantrum,” said Kaitlyn.

In the end, Kaitlyn was able to help the injured employee get medical care and paid time off to ensure she was okay. Even at a young age, the situation sparked an interest in advocacy and helping others, leading Kaitlyn to pursue a career in social work.

In 2019, Kaitlyn was among the first to be hired on the foster care case management team when Cornerstones of Care began their contract in Kansas. Like other foster care providers in the state, Kaitlyn uses Parent Management Training Oregon (PMTO) in therapy sessions with her clients.

“It’s a therapeutic parenting modality that partners with the parents to utilize their strengths to build a closer attachment with the child,” explained Kaitlyn, the only Cornerstones of Care team member fully certified in the modality. Much of her work is done in client’s homes. 

“I really like PMTO because it’s a good balance – I work with adults and my little kiddos.”

Over time, Kaitlyn noticed that some kids in the foster care system bounce from placement to placement, sometimes without a place to stay at night. In January, Cornerstones of Care opened an emergency shelter at the Ozanam Campus.

“To me, the need is that these kids aren’t in a stable placement, so they’re not receiving stable services, and they might not have anyone to talk to,” said Kaitlyn. 

To respond to this need, Kaitlyn started what she calls “The Therapy Clinic” at the Ozanam Campus to provide therapy and emotional support to temporarily housed kids at the shelter. Since February, she has spent four hours each Wednesday hanging out with the kids and meeting with them one-on-one as needed.

“It’s a place to vent or practice mindfulness or whatever they need it to be like.”

Kaitlyn is pleased so far with the response to the clinic and hopes that it will grow to include more therapists, more daytime meeting options, and more services for the youth.

“I see so much potential with it,” said Kaitlyn.

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Ikeshia Miller, BSW

Lead Foster Care Case Manager

While studying to become a social worker, Ikeshia Miller learned that a close friend was planning to take her life by jumping off the Kingshighway Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri.

At the time, Ikeshia was taking an introductory social work class and was six hours from her friend in distress.

“I read something that said, ‘If someone is trying to do that, ‘keep them on the phone,’” said Ikeshia.

So, she stayed on the phone, and Ikeshia and several others drove to that spot on the bridge to be with their friend. They surrounded and hugged her, and the girl decided not to jump off the bridge that day.

“After that, I dove into social justice,” said Ikeshia.

A Wyandotte County native, Ikeshia has worked with kids in various settings since she was 16. From a Girl Scouts Troop Leader to a Case Coordinator at KVC, Ikeshia has kept her roots in the Kansas City area and has little intention of leaving.

“The Wyandotte community is so special,” she said. “I chose WyCo because I was a child here that DCF (Department of Children and Families) was coming to get.” At a young age, Ikeshia was taken in by her aunt and uncle, who supported her through college and beyond.

In August 2022, she accepted a job as a Youth Behavioral Specialist at Cornerstones of Care. By January, she had been promoted twice to Lead Foster Care Case Manager.

“In my role, I assist my supervisor to make sure my team feels supported,” said Ikeshia. “I also help him create permanency for the kids through the case managers and lead lots of training.”

In February 2023, Ikeshia achieved her first permanency and helped two girls in western Kansas get adopted.

“Their adoption was handled by the person that got their mother adopted,” said Ikeshia. “This was the first in-person adoption in Olathe since COVID, and it was awesome to participate in.”

Throughout the year, the Kansas foster care team works with many high-need cases involving kids who have been in the system for a long time. When not working or caring for her two-year-old daughter, Cenovia, Ikeshia likes to spend time with her sorority and motorcycle club.

“The work-life balance is hard. But I always tell myself, ‘If I don’t do it, who else is going to do it?’”

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Ben Feuer, LMSW

Therapist I, Eastern Missouri

When Ben Feuer was an undergraduate at the University of Cincinnati, he had trouble deciding between a degree in journalism or social work.

“I had an interest in people and people’s stories and where people come from and an interest in social justice issues,” said Ben.

Once he took an introductory social work course, the decision became more apparent. He learned how diverse the field of social work was and all that was possible with one degree. He also met an influential professor, Xan Boone, who worked with Child Protective Services in Ohio as a trainer.

“She introduced me to the child welfare field, and that’s where I got my passion for doing it. She was an expert in her craft and was able to help me develop a lot of skills.”

Directly out of graduate school, Ben joined the Cornerstones of Care team as an Intensive In-Home Services Specialist, providing short-term case management to families in St. Louis. His long-term goal was to become a therapist, but he first wanted to gain valuable experience in the field.

In 2022, following a short hiatus from Cornerstones of Care, Ben saw a job opening as a therapist and decided that now was the time to jump in.

For Ben, one of the personal hurdles he had to overcome was addressing his own mental health so that he could fully show up in the therapy room and relate to his clients.

“There’s a lot of stigma around going to therapy for males, and anyone really,” said Ben. “Being vulnerable in my personal life has really helped me as a therapist.”

On a professional level, Ben had to learn how to rely on his team for support during tough times.

“Since I work with younger kids and many difficult cases, I depend on collaboration with other professionals,” said Ben. “That’s why social work is so important. We have case management skills and can get other people involved – counselors, parents, teachers, and other professionals.”

In addition to case management, Ben also believes that social work plays a vital role in advocating for clients’ needs.

“There’s a lot of marginalized groups that are under attack right now,” said Ben. “And the job of social workers is to advocate and give people a voice who don’t have a voice.”