Meet Barbara Titus, Social Worker

I first met Barbara Titus many years ago at a Manchester Community Services Council meeting. A few weeks ago, I met her again while on assignment for Manchester Patch at the .

In addition to being a social worker for the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, Barbara is a Yoga instructor for the town of Manchester Recreation Department. Barbara agreed to talk about her experiences and the work that she is very much enthused about.

Timothy Becker: Barbara where did you grow up and what is you educational background?

Barbara Titus: I grew up in Stafford Springs. I studied at St. Joseph College in West Hartford and earned a Bachelor's degree. I wanted more tools to help people, so I went back to St. Joseph College for a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling.

Timothy Becker: How did you start out in Social Work?

Barbara Titus: I started in Hartford in 1982 as an eligibility worker visiting families who were applying for assistance. I just loved it, and I did that job for six years. That is when I found out that this is exactly where I need to be. I loved being with families that one one cares about. I have been in the Manchester District office for 23 years. When I first came here there were two of us and 125 families in homeless shelters. Most of the families were young people with kids.

Timothy Becker: What are you working on now?

Barbara Titus: Now I am doing the same kind of work, but there are many more programs that we administer, like the waiver program that provides hands on care to keep people in their homes who have had brain injuries. I also work in protective services for the elderly. We also deal with domestic violence issues.

Timothy Becker: How large a case load do you handle?

Barbara Titus: I handle more than 60 cases. Most are individuals. I get emergency calls all the time for no heat, a furnace breakdown, no food in the house. We try to solve the problem by having the client become a part of the problem solving process. There is an emergency number for after-hours emergencies.

Timothy Becker: What other types of cases do you handle?

Barbara Titus: I am a conservator designee for the Commissioner of Department of Social Services. I am the conservator for several people over age 60. I handle all the medical approvals for surgery and changes in medication. I do a quarterly visit and talk to the nurses and the social workers and read all the medical charts.

Timothy Becker: What type of changes have you seen in your field over the years?

Barbara Titus: The biggest changes that I am seeing is that people that had owned their own home are coming in for food stamps and help with security deposits. People who are tenants in buildings that have been foreclosed on are being evicted even though they have always paid their rent on time. The volume of people that need help is overwhelming and there are only a few social workers. There is just not enough hours in the day!

Timothy Becker: How do you turn this all off at the end of the day?

Barbara Titus: I look at solving the problem. I put the fires out, that is how I have lasted so long. I love doing it.

Timothy Becker: I saw you teaching a yoga class in the evening. What else do you teach?

Barbara Titus: I teach two Zumba classes at L.A. Fitness and two yoga classes at the Community Y.

Timothy Becker: How are the two jobs interrelated?

Barbara Titus: Yoga strengthens the body and the mind. Yoga helps me keep a positive attitude and to be successful as a social worker. There is no stopping me.

Timothy Becker: Barbara, you never sought to go into management?

Barbara Titus: Never, ever! I want no part of management. I want to be where the people are. That is my passion, helping people out!