USD's Department of Social Work Names 'Inspiring Social Worker of the Year' at Inaugural Mental Health Conference
Kelly Bass, D.S.W., chair of the USD Department of Social Work, presented the Inspiring Social Worker of the Year Award to Julie Aune, MSW, director of social work at the South Dakota Human Services Center in Yankton, South Dakota. This award recognizes master-level practitioners in South Dakota whose professional dedication has inspired others to care and contribute to professional practice within the Community Mental Health System.
“Julie truly embodies the ethics and values of the social work practice and leads the profession to inspire others to service,” said her nominator. “Julie’s commitment as a social worker is evident in her interactions with individual patients, their families, community supports and other stakeholders. In addition, Julie’s leadership to other social workers provides great insight into her commitment and caring to the broader work of the profession of publicly funded care.”
Aune received a certificate and $2,500 stipend.
The South Dakota Mental Health Services Conference, held in Oacoma, South Dakota, addressed behavioral health needs in rural and underserved areas for children, adolescents and youth. Conference sessions included “Crisis Response and Involuntary Committals,” “Shifting the Mental Health Paradigm to a Mind-Body Healing Practice” and “Utilizing TBRI within Inpatient and Treatment Settings.”
The USD Department of Social work will host next year’s mental health conference in May 2025.
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