Westchester Chapter

Events  View the upcoming and latest events from this chapter.

Welcome to the web page of the Westchester Chapter of the New York State Society for Clinical Social Work. 

The Westchester Chapter normally convenes at 29 Sterling Avenue in White Plains on the first Saturday or Sunday of the month.

Our chapter is offering Zoom and in-person CEU presentations in 2024 and 2025. See the ACE website, www.ace-foundation.net/Calendar.aspx or NYSSCSW Events for information and access. Currently chapter board meetings are also on Zoom. The chapter board meets several times a year.  If interested in attending a board meeting, please contact the President, Andrea Kocsis.

In-person meetings begin at 10am with coffee and tea and a business meeting to follow. At each meeting there is an educational workshop with a speaker. The groups and educational workshops are free to members, but there are fees for CEU credit. 

We invite you to attend our meetings, educational programs, and other activities. These events give you the opportunity to learn about the Westchester Chapter of the Society and participate in our activities. The Westchester Chapter Calendar has information about these meetings and educational programs.

 

The Westchester Chapter has two types of meetings: 

Board Meetings:

  • Education 
  • Legislative which coordinates with State legislative 
  • Membership and Program Registration 
  • Newsletter 
  • Website 

Clinical Interest Meetings:

  • Group Meetings: Experientially Based Exploration of Group Practice
  • Mentorship/Private Practice/Career
  • Peer Consultation

Contact the Chapter:

President:
Mindy Levine, LCSW
(917) 301-7192
[email protected]

Board Chairs:

Education Chairperson:
Ruthie Kalai, LCSW
(917) 848-9943
[email protected]

Recording Secretary: 
Andrea Kocsis, LCSW
(914) 494-0072
[email protected]

Treasurer:  
Patti Juliana, Ph.D., LCSW
(914) 720-6860
[email protected]

LMSW Representative:
Fenesha Blanchard, LMSW, MS, CASAC-M
914-309-0085
[email protected]

Student Representative:
Jennifer Lev, MSW
(914) 469-6671
[email protected] 

Past Presidents: 
Andrea Kocsis, LCSW
(914) 494-0072
[email protected]

Martin J. Lowery, MSW, LCSW
(914) 720-0262
[email protected]

Jacqueline Mann, MSW, LCSW
(914) 241-0726
[email protected]


Roberta Rachel Omin, MSW, LCSW
(914) 941-8179
[email protected]

Jody Porter, LCSW
(914) 737-1732
[email protected]

Rosemary Sacken
(914) 948-8182
[email protected]


Meetings and Chairpersons for Chapter Functions

Board:

The Leadership Board carries on the business of the chapter.  Composed of President, Past Presidents, Committee Chairs, Practice Group heads, and interested members, it meets several times a year after the main Chapter meeting.  For more information, please contact the President.

Registration Committee:

The Registration Meeting oversees registration for the Chapter's CEU granting events and ensures that all members who attend these events fulfill the requirements of the Advanced Clinical Education Foundation (ACE) to get CEUs.  Primary responsibilities include confirming pre-registrations by email and hands-on management of the sign-in and sign-out process for events. 

Looking for a new chair

Education Committee:

The Education Meeting plans, coordinates and implements the Chapter’s education workshops which are held after each Chapter business meeting, for which continuing education credits are offered.  You may check the Westchester Chapter Calendar for information about these programs.  For further information about, to volunteer on, offer to provide an educational workshop, or suggest a presentation topic, please contact the meeting chairperson.

Ruthie Kalai, LCSW
(917) 848-9943
[email protected]

Legislative Committee:

The chapter Legislative Committee works closely with the NYSSCSW Legislative Committee to help implement the Society's legislative agenda. For further information about this meeting, or to volunteer to serve on it, please contact the meeting chairperson.

Looking for a new chair

Membership Committee:

The Membership Meeting works to attract new members to the Society and to provide opportunities for networking among members of the Chapter. 

Looking for a new chair

Newsletter Committee:

The Newsletter Meeting gathers and edits material, produces, and is responsible for the e-mailing of the Chapter's newsletter (except for July and August).  

Looking for new editor

Clinical Interest Meetings

Group Meetings: Experientially Based Exploration of Group Practice:

The Group Therapy Peer-led Clinical Interest Meeting brings together clinical social workers who are interested in group therapy to discuss and explore issues in group therapy and to hold periodic educational workshops about group therapy.  You may check the Westchester Chapter Calendar for information about these meetings and programs.  For further information about the Group Therapy Practice or to participate in the meeting you may contact the chairperson.

Michael Altshuler, MSW, LCSW
(914) 478-7952
[email protected]

Mentorship Meeting: 

The Mentorship Meeting provides an opportunity for MSW graduates and social workers returning to the field to discuss employment – and for seasoned clinicians to begin or enhance their private practice. Members in agency practice come to discuss issues relevant to their work.

The advice, sharing and support of the Group’s members make the experience meaningful. Differences and similarities in each person’s background, work history and life experiences enhance the exchange.

Looking for a new chair

For further information about the Group or to participate you may contact the meeting's acting chairperson listed below. 

Nan Miller, Ph.D,.LCSW
(914) 260-4848
[email protected]

Peer Consultation:

The Peer Consultation Meeting provides opportunities for clinical social work practitioners to come together in a supportive, sharing and collaborative environment to network, discuss clinical practice issues and obtain consultation from their peers.  

Looking for a new chair