2010 FRIEND OF SSW AWARDED TO BABARA DEMPSEY
Barbara is currently employed as a Specialist in the Student Assignment Department at Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Kentucky. In this position she is responsible for consulting and collaborating with school personnel to gather information and establish a plan to resolve student and parent concerns.
She makes presentations to parent groups regarding the school enrollment process for all students and also provides information and assistance to parents regarding school assignments. She is very involved in the transfer and appeal process which involves research, investigation and resolution.
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Barbara has a strong social work background and has also been very supportive of KASSW. She has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work and a Bachelors in
Social Work from Northern KY University. Barbara has worked for the Cabinet for Human Services and was a Family Resource Center Coordinator and a School Social Worker for JCPS. She was a Board member on
the KY Association for School Social Work and served as Treasurer on the Board during our 2004 Midwest Conference hosted by KY.
Barbara Dempsey was chosen to receive the Friend of School Social Work Award because she offers opportunities for social workers to be involved in her department assisting with the parent appeal process. She
understands the strengths of school social workers and the resources they can provide. She believed social workers would be great listeners, skilled at de-escalating situations and committed advocates for parents in trying to resolve their transfer requests and other issues that may arise.
We thank Barbara for being an advocate for social workers as she works on a daily basis with administrative level educators who may not be aware of our education, skills and talent. She has kept the true heart of a social worker in her position and has shared opportunities with her former social work colleagues. We think if it had not been for Barbara sharing what we can offer, we may not have had such an opportunity to show our expertise.
On a personal note, Barbara has been happily married to her ‘wonderful, supportive’ husband Wally for 31 years! They have four adult children. Their son Ryan and his lovely wife live in Indianapolis, daughter Kelly lives in Cincinnati and her twin sons Colin and Matt are seniors at the University of Kentucky. Barbara and Wally are now empty nesters and are enjoying this phase of their lives. Barbara enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and tailgating at the University of Kentucky football games. She is also learning to play golf.
Kentucky Association for School Social Work
