DSW Candidate – Jessica Sanders
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Virtual Showcase of DSW Scholars 2026 Event!
Workforce Recruitment and Retention in Rural Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
DSW Candidate – Jessica Sanders
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
2:30 PM-3:45 PM Eastern Time Zone
Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)
Description
Workforce Recruitment and Retention in Rural Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:
1. To research models of supervising behavioral health practitioners that are found in the literature and affect practice in rural SUD programs.
2. To determine the impact of various supervision methods on staff retention and job satisfaction, along with turnover intention in remote SUD treatment facilities.
3. To test the usefulness of transformational and servant leadership styles in promoting workforce sustainability in the rural behavioral health services.
4. To determine how the supervision practices can be tailored to the resource-limited and remote setting to enhance the long-term stability of the workforce and the quality of care.
Presenter Bio
Jessica Sanders, MSW, is a behavioral health leader and a social work professional. She specializes in substance use treatment and rural behavioral health workforce development. She has attained an Associate of Arts degree from Jones Community College. Additional achievements include a Master of Social Work from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Social Work from Jackson State University. Her capstone project at the University of Kentucky, where she is presently pursuing a doctorate in social work, focuses on how worker recruitment and retention influence treatment convenience. It also seeks to assess the impact on patient results and the resilience of organizations in rural drug misuse treatment facilities.
Jessica serves as the lead therapist of Baltimore Gardens residential center in Vicksburg, Mississippi. With tasks that entail overseeing program operations, multidisciplinary supervision, and clinical documentation standards, her services are essential. Additional duties include supervising the application of evidence-based procedures in residential, intensive outpatient, and sober living services. These duties include managing program operations, cross-functional supervision, and clinical record-keeping requirements. Value has been added through the role in the establishment of Baltimore Gardens in 2022, such as contributing to program design and staff development. Other contributions have included the creation of trauma-informed and culturally responsive treatment routes. In addition to her clinical leadership responsibility, Jessica is one of the founders of a sober living program and established a mental health treatment program. The program aimed to expand recovery-oriented services, especially for the rural areas and overall underserved communities. A professional accomplishment entailed the development of a structured clinical curriculum and leading community-based recovery initiatives. She is also presenting on rural behavioral health leadership and organizational resilience, as well as substance use treatment practices. Her work is a reflection of a sustained dedication to strengthening behavioral health systems. It is also a demonstration of commitment to the improvement of care quality for persons and families impacted by addiction.
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.
