News & Information

Court employee's dedication to profession is 'PDI'

Congratulations to Dana Yawn, Guardianship Monitor (Sarasota), who is adding to her growing list of accomplishments. Dana recently passed the clinical social work examination and will soon add more initials after her name.

Dana holds a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) and a master’s degree in social work (MSW). Early in the pandemic, she became a certified public manager (CPM). When she entered the licensure/internship program to become a clinical social worker, she earned the title “registered clinical social work intern” (RCSWI). Once she receives her license in the mail, she will add LCSW to her signature line.

PDI, we say! That’s “pretty dang impressive.”

Dana said she sought licensure to obtain more experience and education, and to increase her skills and competence in the social work profession.

After she completed her typical 40-hour workweek, Dana spent hundreds of hours in a classroom, studying or practicing her profession in the field.

• Completed at least 100 hours under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker
• Attended bi-weekly supervision sessions (1-2 hours in length)
• Participated in 3,780 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients (to become licensed the requirement is to complete 1,500)
• Passed the national clinical level examination developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
• Completed a course on Florida laws and rules
• Completed a course on HIV/AIDS
• Completed a course on domestic violence
• Completed 210 hours of post-master’s supervision with a LCSW in St. Petersburg (after normal work hours)

The licensure test was about four hours in length, Dana said. Subject areas included human development, diversity and behavior in the environment; assessment diagnosis and treatment planning; psychotherapy, clinical interventions and case management; professional values and ethics.

Considering how much she had on her plate, Dana could have easily become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the work, compounded by the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus (cancelled tests, courses, etc.). “Time management, self-care and support from family members, supervisors and friends,” helped her manage the added stressors, she said.

Dana will have the ability to offer direct clinical practice to those we serve in the justice system using clinical assessments and/or evaluations, providing clinical and evidence-based therapies and interventions, and providing education on certain medical diagnoses, mental health, and substance use disorders.

Her advanced training, dedication to her profession and personal determination are tools Dana can use to better assist the wards to whom she is appointed, the community and the Court. “I’m proud whenever our employees have the initiative to better themselves by furthering their education or pursuing certifications, because our court community and the citizens of our circuit always benefit,” said Kim Miller, Trial Court Administrator. “For Dana to pursue her LCSW while also working on her CPM and holding down a full-time job during the pandemic is downright impressive.”