NEWS

Western Division Chapter Enews
December 28, 2009

December Social Worker Spotlight

In her 34 years of services with Child and Family Services (CFS) of Erie County, Belle Walls Montree has greatly contributed to the social work profession. Belle holds an ACBSW, MS, and LMHC, and currently serves as Vice President for Behavioral Health Services. Overall, her position entails overseeing outpatient clinics, and developing and overseeing CFS's community- based behavioral health programs, which offer counseling and linkages to clients in the home.

Belle easily reflects on what sparked her initial interest in the field of social work, and how she sensed her drive to be in a helping role from an early age. She lived above her grandparents with her mother and siblings in the absence of her father, who passed away early in her childhood. Belle recalls her close knit family, and always advising her peers and relatives as a young girl. She describes an innate passion from as far back as she can remember to help others sort problems and improve their lives.

Upon completion of her BSW degree at Buffalo State College, Belle was fortunate to move right into a position at CFS. She had no prior experience with the agency, and had just finished her field placement with Crisis Services. Belle reflects on feelings of intimidation working among only master level social workers during this time, which empowered and motivated her to pursue her higher degree. After practicing for 8 years with a BSW, Belle moved on to graduate school to pursue a master of counseling degree at Syracuse University. This proved to be a true test of Belle's determination and drive, as she commuted to SU from Buffalo while also facing monumental challenges in her personal and family life. However, she successfully endured the struggle and completed her master's degree, all the while continuing her service with CFS.

Since joining CFS with her BSW, Belle has worked in the agency's foster care division, providing case management and counseling to biological families for reunification, as well as counseling with foster families. She has also done clinical work with children living in foster care and in residential care. Belle notes particular struggles of youth in this setting, including separation anxiety and establishing permanency when parental rights have been terminated. Recruitment, training, and certification of foster parents have also been in her experience, as well as that of adoptive parents when she moved from foster care to CFS's adoption unit. Administration with CFS was Belle's next transition, where she has been for the last 25 years. In total, Belle has practiced in 8 different positions with CFS. She feels that the length of time spent with the agency is due in large part to the flexibility she's had to explore numerous opportunities. This has been fitting for Belle, as she is constantly seeking a new challenge in her professional experiences.

Belle's other interests and endeavors have included work with the developmentally disabled population. She is a strong advocate of decreased institutionalization of individuals with disabilities and encourages independent living or other less restrictive levels of care. To this end, Belle has been involved with the development of group homes for this population, where she has counseled clients and supervised staff. As an alumnus of Buffalo State College, she has always given back through continued involvement with committees, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Buffalo State College Alumni Board. Belle also speaks publicly for United Way annual campaigns.

Recognizing the amazing contributions Belle has made to her field of social work, she has received 47 awards while in practice starting from the completion of her BSW. Most recently, she was recognized with the 2009 Outstanding Alumni of Syracuse University Award. Her words of advice for social workers, spoken to her by her grandfather, are to keep your resume updated and with you at all times, as you never know what opportunities will arise. Belle appreciates every opportunity for growth that she has had in her practice as a social worker, and encourages others to take full advantage of every possible endeavor, no matter how small it may seem.