Hello, I am Tammie Haywood, and I decided at an early age that I would use my natural compassion for others and passion to set others up for success as my profession, because as the saying goes, when you do what you love you will never work a day in your life.  Being faced with many personal adversities and finding a glimmer of light in a dark space has transformed me into an empathetic well rounded vessel of support. Being a disabled veteran of the United States Air Force has also embedded integrity, service before self, and excellence in all that I do in my morals and in my mission to advocate, and promote self-determination in oppressed populations.

The practice of Forensic Social work coincides with my mission as a social worker.  Forensic social workers provide a focus on the connecting of human services and the legal system (MASCHI, BRADLEY, & WARD, 2009).  This type of profession may include populations such as Juvenile offenders, child sex offenders and victims, domestic violence victims and offenders, child abuse victims, as well as other populations (MASCHI et al., 2009).  Working with these populations can be challenging for many.  The responsibility of a Forensic social worker is to conduct a thorough self evaluation to recognize personal beliefs, values and opinions and prevent counter transference on the client population.  This social worker should maintain awareness of possible biases, utilize the personal knowledge base, based on empirically based evidence, and use these to exhibit the proper skills to assist clients in needed services (Sue & Sue, 2013).  Upholding the Dignity and worth of a person is an ethical importance in social work practice ("Code of Ethics," 1996).  This is especially important when working with populations that have been shut out by society.