December 1994 • No. 1, Article 4
Because it is common for disability applicants to suffer from these serious hardships in connection with their disability claims, The Hawkins Center offers comprehensive social work services which may be helpful to you or to someone you assist. While The Hawkins Center charges attorneys fees for legal representation, the social work program provides free services to past and present clients.
The Hawkins Center social work program offers individual and group counseling, referral and advocacy. Individual counseling is appropriate for those who need to talk to someone about personal issues such as coping with a disability, relationships with family and friends or, perhaps, traumas in the past. Group counseling offers an opportunity for individuals to come together to share difficulties resulting from disabilities and to discuss feelings of chronic pain or depression. If we are unable to help you, we will try to refer you to mental health or substance abuse treatment, medical treatment, and other types of services in the community. Finally, while our legal advocacy is limited to representation on Social Security disability entitlement proceedings, we may be able to provide informal advocacy or advice on many other matters - including access to mental health services and medical treatment, entry into shelters and detox/treatment centers, or obtaining benefits or services from other social service agencies.
The Hawkins Center social work program is directed by Amy Tedesco, a
clinical social worker. She works with two supportive and talented social
work interns: Deena Strickland and Shelli Teed. If you are, or used to
be, a client of The Hawkins Center and feel you would benefit from our
support services (or you are working with such an individual), please feel
free to contact Amy at 232-6611. She is available to help in whatever way
she can. Remember -you are not alone!