March is Social Work Month! In recognition of the inspiring and often challenging work that social workers do, we would like to introduce and recognize some of the special social workers in our KVC family. These posts were originally shared on our Facebook page, and we’re recapping them here so that everyone knows how much KVC West Virginia appreciates its social workers!

Marsha Messer

Marsha Messer is a native of Mingo County, WV. She attended Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College and Marshall University and graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree. Marsha began her social work career as a Case Manager providing in-home family preservation services in Mingo County. Currently, Marsha is a Home Finder serving families in the Logan, Mingo and Boone Counties. She has been a Licensed Social Worker in the State of West Virginia since 1998. Marsha has a big heart and lots of life experiences. Thank you Marsha for your years of dedication to WV children and families!

Susan Greathouse

Susan Greathouse currently serves as the primary therapist for the Roane County KVC office (which also serves Calhoun, Gilmer, and Clay Counties). After receiving her bachelor’s degree in social work from Glenville State College and her master’s degree in social work from WVU, she has worked as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker since 1986. Susan is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. She has provided social work supervision to temporary licensees, and enjoys mentoring new clinicians in the field of social work. She has served as an expert witness in numerous child abuse/neglect cases, and is a strong advocate for her clients. She enjoys gardening, exercising, and being outdoors. She has two adult children and resides in rural Roane County with her husband, Jackson. Thank you, Susan, for the wonderful work you do to help WV children and families!

Kristi Cavins

Kristi Cavins works in our Wayne office and has been a veteran of the field of social work for 20 years. She graduated from Marshall University and began her career as a Licensed Social Worker. She has been a superstar in the Wayne office, often taking on tasks in order to help her team. Like a true social worker, she currently wears several hats as a case manager for children in foster care, facilitator of treatment planning, and adoption worker. Kristi is a major cog in the Wayne KVC machine and without her our team wouldn’t run as smoothly as it does. Thank you, Kristi, for everything you do for WV children and families and for KVC!

Kathy Baird

Kathy Baird is the Adoption Specialist for KVC West Virginia. Kathy has been with KVC since 2012 and has completed well over 100 adoptions for the agency herself. She has a passion for helping children find forever families, putting her heart and soul into her job. Kathy often says she has “the best job in the world.” She completes adoptions all over the state and is not fearful of traveling in order to help children reach permanency. Kathy received her undergraduate degree from the University of Charleston, master’s in counseling from Marshall University, and her Ph.D in psychology from California Coast University. She is an LCSW in the state of West Virginia as well. Kathy is a fantastic advocate for children and asset to KVC. Thank you, Kathy, for all you do!

Erin Osborne

Erin Osborne is the Director of the Wayne and Logan KVC offices, supervising a large team of therapists and case managers. She received her bachelors degree in psychology and sociology from Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH in 1999 and her master’s in social work from New York University in 2006. Before taking the director position, Erin also worked as a case manager, a supervisor in a group home, and in a residential treatment facility for teen girls. She is highly valued by her KVC team, as well as by clients and families. Her clinical judgment, genuine concern for the wellbeing of youth, creative problem-solving, and sense of humor are invaluable contributions to KVC. She is always willing to lend a hand, and does everything she can to support and acknowledge the good work that team members are doing every day. Thank you, Erin, for all that you do to empower employees and help strengthen all of KVC’s programs.

Check back weekly for new updates on our fantastic staff.  Thank you, staff, for all that you do!