Steven Kassof Receives MSW Field Supervisor Award

UMD's Department of Social Work named Steven Stranberg Kassof, MSW, LICSW, the recipient of this year's "Outstanding MSW Field Supervisor and Civic Engagement Award." This award recognizes a field supervisor who has demonstrated outstanding personal and professional civic engagement. Civic engagement includes providing quality supervision to students completing their field placements and encouraging students' involvement in their communities, both in their fieldwork and outside of field activities. UMD's MSW Department seeks to recognize field supervisors who go "above and beyond" in their work with MSW students and in their communities.

Steven is a clinical social worker providing psychotherapy to children and adolescents in his work with the North Lakes Community Clinic in Ashland and Iron River, Wisc. He will accept the award at the 6th annual Department of Social Work Fall Field Supervisor Training Luncheon on September 28, 2015 at Woodland Hills in Duluth, Minn.

Steven was nominated by Lisa Stark, assistant director for Indian Child Welfare for the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwa in Hayward, Wisc. Steven served as the MSW field supervisor for Lisa’s field placement with the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa. In her nomination Lisa notes, “Steve demonstrated his high level of concern, compassion, and ethics during our weekly meetings and in his guidance during my internship. I can without a doubt state that I am a stronger social worker and advocate due to his supervision and mentorship.”  She also emphasized his involvement in his community working with the schools to help them better address the mental health needs of children. Additionally, he worked with the local hospital to better serve LGBTQ patients. He clearly demonstrated outstanding commitment in his role as an MSW field supervisor as well as in his work with the larger community.