THE NAPSW PERINATAL PARTNERS PROGRAM

What is the NAPSW Perinatal Partners Program?

A new program designed to facilitate the professional growth and development of perinatal social workers through informal relationships between members of NAPSW. The Perinatal Partners Coordinator, Kathy Johann, will match interested members based on interests, experience, geography, and/or availability.

NOTE: It is not the objective of this program to take the place of formal clinical supervision. The partnerships are intended to be relationships that provide support, encouragement and mentoring, NOT supervision.

Why Should I Become A Perinatal Partner?

Members will be part of a unique team where they can expand their knowledge base and skill level, while integrating practical information for their everyday practice. They will have the ongoing opportunity to bounce off ideas and share resources with a peer who is experiencing the same dilemmas. Members will also have the benefit of sustained, one-on-one support from a member of their field. Finally, it is a chance for participants to network, connect and strengthen ties within NAPSW year-round, instead of exclusively at our annual conference.

Getting Started

Interested members should contact the Perinatal Partners Coordinator, Kathy Johann. Each member will fill out a sheet that will contain information such as:

- Name, addresses, contact info.

- Current place of employment

- Current general responsibilities (i.e. NICU, management, adoptions, etc.)

- Areas of expertise/interest

- Requests for partner (i.e. geographic proximity, experience level)

The Perinatal Partners Coordinator will also discuss the member’s objectives for the program and attempt to match the social worker with another interested NAPSW member. She will contact each team after a few months, to confirm that a satisfactory match was made. Kathy will also be available in the unlikely event that mediation is needed between members. Kathy can be reached at 317-962-5311 or by email at kjohann@clarian.org.

NAPSW PERINATAL PARTNERS PROGRAM

As any social worker knows, it takes time to build a relationship! Here are a few hints to consider as you begin to work together:

1. The Basics - Decide the following parameters during the first phone call or meeting (establishing these up front will result in fewer misunderstandings down the road!):

a. How you will contact one another (phone/email, at work or at home), and whose responsibility it is to contact the other (a rotating schedule, or as needed basis, etc.);

b. How often you will meet/call (it is hoped for a frequency of at least every two months);

c. Any confidentiality restrictions (this is particularly important for those partners in close geographic proximity!)

d. How flexible is your partner to changing any of the above (i.e. would he/she

welcome a phone call if you had a situation you wanted to discuss or needed a

resource ASAP); and

e. Remind one another again that this is NOT a clinical supervisory relationship!

2. Getting to Know You - These are some good starter topics for the first few calls:

- Why did your partner want to be a member of the Perinatal Partners Program? What is he/she hoping to gain as a result of this partnership?

- How long has your partner been a member of NAPSW? Has he/she been on any committee/held office/written Forum articles?

- What is your partner’s experience level in perinatal social work? What are his/her areas of interest/expertise? What other jobs has he/she had in the past?

- What are the best cases/worst cases your partner has ever worked on?

3. Keep it Going - There really are no rules for how often you need to connect with your partner or what you need to talk about. These are a few suggestions that will help create a more comfortable atmosphere (as if social workers don’t know these already!):

a. Listen well. If you understand the question, you can give a much more effective answer. If you don’t understand the answer, ask questions until you do.

b. Be accessible.

c. You don’t have to know everything. If you don’t know, say so. Then help one another find the answers.

d. Respect reasonable confidentiality. While this is not a formal supervisory

relationship, it may be one in which struggles and case information are shared.

e. Have Fun!

NAPSW PERINATAL PARTNERS INFORMATION SHEET

Name ____________________________________________________________

Home address ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone ____________________________________________________________

Work Address ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Work Phone ____________________________________________________________

Email Address ____________________________________________________________

Where do you prefer to be contacted? ____________________________________

Current responsibilities (NICU, adoption, etc.) _________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Areas of Interest/Expertise _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Years in NAPSW ______________________________________________________

What kind of member would you like to be matched with (cite preferences for geography, level of experience, work setting, etc.)? What would you like to get out of the Perinatal Partners Program?

_____________________________________________________________

Please return this form to:

Kathy Johann

5548 Painted Maple Court

Indianapolis, Indiana 46254

kjohann@clarian.org

Fax 317-962-0274

Any questions? Contact Kathy at 317-962-5311 or kjohann@clarian.org