Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key organizational and systemic factors that contribute to the emotional toll experienced by Black social workers.
2. Apply principles of Liberatory Leadership to promote psychological safety, equity, and workforce sustainability.
3. Analyze how leadership practices influence burnout, retention, and service outcomes in social service organizations.

 

Presenter Bio

Alicia Williamson, MSW, LSW, is a Doctoral Candidate in Social Work with 28 years of experience in direct practice, systems leadership, and policy advocacy. She currently serves as Senior Director of Survivor Services at the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN), where she oversees statewide housing, legal, relocation, and supportive service programs for survivors of domestic violence and their families. Williamson also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Youngstown State University, contributing to the education and preparation of future social work professionals.

Her professional background includes work in legal aid supporting individuals and families experiencing poverty, with a focus on family law matters, as well as leadership roles advancing trauma-responsive, survivor-centered systems. Across her career, Williamson has worked at the intersection of practice, policy, and organizational change to improve access, equity, and outcomes for marginalized communities.

Williamson’s research interests center on the emotional toll experienced by Black social workers serving clients who face similar systemic barriers. Her Capstone Project examines how equity-centered leadership and trauma-responsive organizational practices can reduce emotional fatigue, strengthen workforce sustainability, and promote psychologically safe work environments. She has received a Distinction of Honor from Congresswoman Emilia Sykes in recognition of her leadership and contributions to improving outcomes for survivors of domestic violence.

Williamson has presented at statewide and national conferences and contributes to applied scholarship focused on social work leadership, equity, and systems transformation.

 

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.

Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.