Why did you become a social worker?
I chose to become a social worker because I wanted to have a career where I could make a difference in the lives of individuals and families who are socially and/or economically challenged.  As a social worker, I connect clients to the resources and referrals that will best serve their needs, and help them to become self-sufficient. Social work also enables me to give clients the support that they are in need of, which often gives clients a greater sense of empowerment and the motivation they need to make a positive change in their lives. When I look back, I realize that I was destined to be a social worker. It was a part of me all along, and my calling from God. Once I choose to walk into my calling, everything fell in line.

What can you assist families or individuals with?
The social work team assists families, individuals, children and elderly adults with a variety of resources and referral sources that will best serve their needs. Some of these include, but are not limited to the following:

• food pantries
• homeless and domestic violence shelters
• utility assistance, clothing and furniture
• childcare
• elderly resources
• medication assistance
• Marketplace insurance
• High School Equivalency classes

We also refer pregnant women or new moms to HealthNet’s Healthy Families Program who can assist them with car seats, cribs, baby clothes, supplies and support. The social work team also assists clients with transportation for doctor appointments through our cab and bus ticket program. We also utilize and promote other HealthNet programs, such as our Medical-Legal Partnership and Best Father Program.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?
The most satisfying part of my job is when clients follow through and utilize the resources and referrals sources that I provide them with. Another very satisfying part of my job is when I have clients who for no special reason at all ask to see me just so they can talk for a few minutes and thank me for the help and support I have showed them.

To learn more about HealthNet Social Work department, visit www.indyhealthnet.org.

Post by Lauresa Garnett

Did you know February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month? According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost 1 in 10 teens reports being physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the last year.

Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior.  A striking 33 percent of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional dating abuse and every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.  Domestic violence and teen violence are just one of the many issues we address as Social Worker’s with HealthNet.  We assist patients with getting into domestic violence shelters, as well and creating a safety plan for those who are unable to leave immediately.  We provide them with resources for their families by connecting them to community agencies.

Every year our social work team makes aware of this issue by having a question and answer contest with all of HealthNet employees.  Lauresa Garnett and Donna Richardson are two of Healthnet’s social workers who are also a part of the IU Health Domestic Violence Coalition.  An organization developed and participated by IU Health employees who are concerns about this topic of abuse; this group exists to bring better awareness of abuse to our staff and patients.

For more information about HealthNet’s Social Services Department, please visit www.indyhealthnet.org.

As 2011 draws to a close, we wanted to share a letter from HealthNet President/CEO Booker Thomas that appeared in yesterday’s e-newsletter:

Dear Friends of HealthNet,

Every year, hundreds of individuals make donations that help HealthNet fulfill its mission of caring for the community. We hope you will join them and make a gift to HealthNet this holiday season.

Consider that:

• $50 helps School-based Services provide students with a personal care hygiene kit filled with items they may not have at home.
• $100 provides 2 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy for a patient without insurance through Health Promotions.
• $200 helps a family struggling with a rent or mortgage payment through Social Services.
• $200 provides breast health education and outreach to inner-city neighborhoods in Indianapolis through Mammogram Assistance.
• $500 helps provide services through the Healthy Families Programthat teach and encourage the skills that make a family work. In an area where poverty heightens the normal stresses of parenting and making ends meet, families need a variety of support just to keep it together.
• $1000 provides tuition for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and certification for someone in the Homeless Initiative Program.

Any gift, large or small, will make a difference in our ability to put our patients’ needs first as we provide the very highest standard of care in a community-based environment. 
Please click here to make a donation online.

 I also invite you to enjoy the online edition of HealthNet’s 2010-2011 Annual Report. In this easy-to-read format, you can learn more about the expansion, innovation and growth HealthNet has experienced in the past year, as well as read some amazing stories from our patients and clients.

 On behalf of the entire HealthNet family, I thank you in advance and wish you the very best for a happy, healthy 2012!

Booker Thomas, MHA

President/CEO

HealthNet, Inc.

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