Meet Jocelyn Sailor | LCSW, School Social Work Coach and Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jocelyn Sailor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jocelyn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My business is School Social Work Solutions LLC. My thought process behind beginning my business was to uplift, empower, educate and inspire other school social workers to position themselves to be the mental health expert in their school. School social workers are the unsung heroes in education, yet are at the forefront of the school mental health crisis, even more now as we live through the pandemic. When I first entered school social work there was no playbook or resource that explained what the role of the school social worker is from a systems perspective, assisted in setting professional boundaries and modeled ways to practice self care to combat burnout. My premier product, The School Social Work Solutions Academic Resource Planner, does just that. Not only is it a 12 month undated planner with monthly and weekly spreads, monthly self care wellness assessments and journal prompts but it also has ICD Codes, psychotropic medications, tips to run successful groups, monthly affirmations, social justice resources, definitions and examples of the role of the school social worker, how to create SMART goals and so much more. The School Social Work Solutions Instagram page, @schoolsocialworksolutions, is the platform where mental health, wellness and education intersect. I go live every Wednesday interviewing social workers and professionals that share knowledge, tips and resources that allow school social workers to sharpen their expertise and be of even more value to their school community. 
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I began my career as a social worker with child protective services. I was simultaneously getting my MSW at Springfield College in their part time weekend program. Altho working full-time, going to school part time and also working a part time internship was hard, it was worth it. While working full time at DCF I learned how to plan treatment, intervene compassionately in high risk situations, assess safety risk quickly and efficiently, write court reports, build rapport with families, and develop relationships with community stakeholders. My internships were with the Emergency Mobile Crisis and a girls detention center. After obtaining my MSW and master’s level social work license, I went into medical social work. I worked in a hospital for 9 months and then solidified a job with a local school district as a school social worker. I also do part time private practice therapy with my family’s therapy practice. Once I landed in school social work I found the niche that I love and thrived in. I hit the ground running learning all that I could about school social work from evidence based interventions, how to write effective behavior intervention plans, how to engage transient families and more. As the years went by my passion grew more and then birthed the School Social Work Solutions LLC to uplift, education and empower school social workers through workshops, speaking engagements, social media content and the only planner created for specifically for school social workers and social work students, The School Social Work Solutions Academic Resource Planner. The planner is released annually before the new school year begins. The next release is July 2022. Pre-Orders open June 2022.

The lessons I have learned through the years are:

* Surround yourself with like minded individuals and get a mentor. Mentors can be a key to your next level of success because they have already been there and can give guidance and support that you did not know you needed.

* My clients’ success and failures are not my own. As long as I show up authentically and clinically sound, the work is done by the client with only my guidance.

* Be a lifelong learner, having years of experience while not continuing to read relevant books and articles, attend professional development and learn in this ever-changing field is doing a disservice to yourself and your clients. You owe it to yourself to show up!

* Don’t share your dreams and plans with everyone. Others may not see your vision and try to talk you out of walking in your purpose due to their own limiting beliefs about themselves (and that has nothing to do with you!). Execute and don’t worry about what anyone else has to say.

 
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Bloomfield, CT so I would say Brunch at The Russell, a local Caribbean restaurant with live music, tasty food and cocktails. We would get mani pedis at Z Luxury Nails, a premier boutique nail shop with the best all natural products and unmatched vibes and interior decor. We would then attend a spa day at Mohegan Sun Casino Spa, then have dinner at Micheal Jordan’s Restaurant.

 
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this shot out to my father, Arthur E Cash, LISCW, Owner and Lead Therapist of The Practice of Arthur E. Cash, LISCW and Associates. My father has had a major influence on my career and passion for helping others. Growing up I knew my Dad was a social worker but I was not really sure exactly what that meant besides helping people. It was not until I graduated from undergrad and was exploring going back to school for an advanced degree that we really connected about social work. I wanted a versatile degree that was within the mental health field and my Dad explained all the career options with a Masters in Social Work. I then reflected on his prestigious career of running mental health facilities, managing programs for the Veterans Administration, working at a private practice, opening a solo practice and then growing his business into a group practice. My father has encouraged me to start my business School Social Work Solutions LLC and has always encouraged me to be a lifelong learner, reading and sharpening my skills through professional learning. I joke and say social work runs through my blood because I’m walking in his footsteps and also working alongside him as a part time therapist in his private practice. Dad, thank you for always believing in me and being my inspiration!

Website: www.schoolswsolutions.com

Instagram: @schoolsocialworksolutions

Linkedin: Jocelyn Sailor, LCSW

Image Credits
Lenny Underwood Kris Anthony Photography