Testimonials

As the social worker at our small school, Adrienne Otkins worked with hundreds of students over the seven years we were open. Located in a high poverty area, many of our families had several needs. Adrienne’s services were always welcoming and professional. Students met with her throughout the day and after school and interacted with her during lunch periods. When students were off their meds or could not afford them, Adrienne would find resources and work with the students, families, and the assigned psychologists to solve the issues. Adrienne was always seeking ways to engage students for social, emotional support inside and outside the classroom. She would set up activities for students to participate in during the lunch periods and use the interactions to build positive social relationships within the school community. Adrienne was a cornerstone of our school.

B. Walker-Jones M.Ed., Cofounder, V.0.I.C.E Academy High School

I have known Adrienne Otkins for approximately four years. We met while working in the Illinois Early Intervention program, which offers a variety of therapeutic and support services to eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. As Licensed Clinical Social Workers, we collaborate and support each other in our work with families. She impresses me as a talented, hardworking, mature, and reliable person who has a passion for her chosen area of work.

What I would most like to communicate is that Adrienne is refreshingly open about her biases and has always impressed me with her ability to avoid projecting those judgments onto her clients and their families. She demonstrates incredible cultural competence when working with clients, colleagues, and the communities at large. Most importantly, though, she is a person of character who I trust to work with our client population.

Marlene Abiodun, LCSW, Early lntervention Social Worker, Children and Families Support Services (Chicago, IL)

I have known Adrienne as a School Social Worker for over twenty years. As her colleague, I have observed Adrienne to have a thirst for continued knowledge and training in the field of Social Work, where she has obtained additional training as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Specialist in Early Intervention to provide ongoing home-based social work services to young children who have developmental delays and their families. Seven years later, Adrienne received additional training and credentials to become an Evaluator for the State of Illinois’ El program.

Adrienne has long been an advocate of community-based services and maintains an active role in various committees and supports within the Austin community and greater West Side of Chicago. As a colleague, I often will gain clinical insight into clinical diagnostic information from her continued training and self-development. She is a strong advocate for professional development, networking with others, and she desires to provide trauma-informed care to her clients.

Renee Green, LCSW, CSSW