Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW?

Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW

Social Work

650 N Carriage Pkwy, Ste 135 Wichita KS, 67208 Show map

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Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW is a top Social Work in Wichita, KS. With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW is a prime example of a true leader in health care. As a leader and expert in their field, Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Wichita, KS, Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.

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Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW

Mr. James Todd Hawkins, BFA, LMSW's Expert Contributions

My Answers

How do I help a child I adopted with speech delays?
First, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician or PCP, talk about your concerns and ask if they can recommend a speech pathologist that specializes in working with children her age. READ MORE
Do social workers work with police on domestic abuse investigations?
In some states I believe they do. In KS, law enforcement and social workers work together on child abuse cases. From my experience, they don't initially, that's up to law enforcement with domestic abuse cases, but do later on after the violator has been charged with DV. The violator with be required to attend anger management classes, submit to UA's at their expense, and pay fines to the court and report to a P.O., also at their own expense. READ MORE
Is there an increase in spousal violence during the pandemic?
From what I have seen, the answer is yes. I'm not in law enforcement though. I suspect that there are far more cases of unreported abuse than we are currently seeing, and not just spousal violence, but child abuse as well. READ MORE
How does seeing domestic violence affect children?
It is trauma and trauma has been shown to stunt the growth of the developing brain in children. So, learning can be affected. Trauma can affect a child's sleep schedule, cause night terrors, bed wetting, and hyper vigilance. They will often display protecting behaviors such as sleeping with the light on, checking doors and windows, making or collecting weapons. Trust issues arise, too, not only against the violator, but also with adults and their proxies that they feel failed to protect them. READ MORE
When should a social worker be called?
I would call as soon as you can. You can remain anonymous when making the report. You can also call the police and have them do a welfare check on the child, that is a quick way to get the child help. READ MORE
How do social workers realize when a child is in danger?
Anytime that we suspect that a child might be in danger, neglected or abused we are mandated by law to report our suspicions to the authorities. We look for clues that something might be happening that is harming a child, physical signs, unusual marks, cuts or bruises, flinching, fear responses or sexual acting out behaviors, hoarding food, emotional outbursts or aggression. Any behavior that might be outside the normal behaviors and any sudden changes in them. READ MORE
Can a child's speech delay be caused by adoption?
I would start by getting him to see a speech therapist. it may have a medical reason as well. It certainly would not hurt to do some form of therapy as well, such as Filial or play therapy. READ MORE
My daughter says one of her friends is being hit by her parents. What should I do?
Yes, I think that you should report it. They might seem like lovely people in public but you never know what others are like behind closed doors. In Kansas, all residents are mandated reporters, not just those that work with children. You can report this and remain anonymous in the report. Think of it this way too: this might be what this family needs, a wake up call. CPS can help them get into parenting classes and gain the skills that they need to be better at parenting. I would suggest "love and Logic" by Jim Faye. READ MORE
How do social workers handle the job?
My old professor used to say that in order to take care of others, first you have to take care of yourself. so spending time with my own kids, being the best dad that I can be. Eating, sleeping and exercising help. Talking to a therapist myself helps. utilizing your supervisor to "debrief" after a traumatic encounter. these things all help. it saddens me too, but I use that emotion to fuel myself for the fight to help children. Changing their horrible situation to one of peace and happiness, kinda feels amazing too. READ MORE
Are conversations between student and social worker confidential?
Yes the conversations are confidential, unless, your child reveals intention to harm himself or others. There is reason to believe that there is child abuse, neglect or exploitation happening. these are reasons that a social worker can break confidentiality. that said, most school social workers will call parents if they think that this is a neighborhood issue and happening outside of school. I would often ask the student if they mind if I called their parents to get their help, and 9 times out of 10 they would say yes. rarely did I have a student that said no. I would then go into the reasons why with the student. some times they felt that they could handle it on their own and just needed to tell someone about it. READ MORE
How do you handle the stress of being a social worker?
Well there are certainly a lot of ways a person could go about handling the stress. Many people succumb to negative ways, I have fallen into that category more than once when starting out. Now that I'm in my 50's, I find that the best ways to deal with stress are practicing good self care. plenty of sleep, eat properly, and exercise. Along with that I meditate/pray. Stress can build up on you like a residue, it will weigh you down and get you feeling depressed. so the number one thing to do to reduce the stress is talk, talk to a therapist yourself, or a member of the clergy or a friend. Keep things with your client base confidential, but talk about why the cases make you feel stress, process your own feelings. A professor once said that me, first and foremost take care of your self. if you cant take care of yourself, you cant take care of others. READ MORE
How to help a child we recently adopted?
I would definitely get him an intake with a speech pathologist. Many school districts offer an early childhood screening program to begin addressing issues before the child gets to school age. Also, it wouldn't hear to have his hearing checked, many speech issues can be directly related to hearing ones. READ MORE
What emotions do you deal with as a social worker?
My short and silly answer is, all of them. But I deal often with anxiety and depression more so than just about anything else. At least those are the most commonly diagnosed. READ MORE
What are the types of social work degrees?
Hello, To start, there is a bachelor level social work degree. In the state of Kansas, a BSW can gain a license, or a LBSW post-graduation. With this degree, a social worker can work as a case manager in fields like child welfare, assistance programs, etc. With a Masters in Social Work, a social worker can gain a license and become an LMSW, and this opens up more opportunities for employment and at a better pay scale. An LMSW can work towards gaining a clinical license post graduation and can go into private practice and bill most insurances, if they should so desire. A doctorate in social work is also available. With a doctorate, a social worker can teach social work classes on the college level as well as do the jobs of lessor degrees if they so should want to. Within most college programs, you also have certifications and specialties that you gain, certifications such as school social worker, hospital social worker, or geriatrics. I hope that this answers your questions. READ MORE
How much choice do you have with work assignments?
Most of the agencies that I have worked for, you are just assigned cases and don't have much choice. In private practice, I have been able to better pick and choose the types of clients I want to see. READ MORE
What is a typical work day for a social worker?
There is never a typical work day. It's one of the best aspects of the job. I never know what the day is going to hold. Some days are very boring and slow, whereas others are hectic and stressful. READ MORE
Why does the adoption process take months or even years?
That's a good question. When I worked in child welfare, the best answer I ever heard is that you have to give the birth parents every opportunity to do what the court orders are and make changes so that they can be reintegrated with their children. READ MORE
Are there social workers for veterans?
You local VA should have social workers. I have applied for positions at the VA here in Wichita KS in the past and have known social workers who were employed there. They might even have case managers who would assist in helping him find employment. READ MORE
Will I get my daughter's child if she goes to jail?
This one is hard to answer. CPS will look at all possible kinship placements before placing a child into an adoption situation. You can request that you be considered for such a placement. I advise you to do whatever you can to prepare home, take parenting classes, set up whatever you need for a possible placement. READ MORE
How likely do fathers get full custody of their children?
Depending on the state in which you reside. some states are conservative on their approach to the question of where the children reside and typically with place the minors with the mother. if she has had issues in the past of neglect and has legal issues regarding this, it can be taken into consideration. I would bring any relevant information you think can support your case with you when you meet with your lawyer. Good luck. READ MORE