By Lynasi Gapelu 

Reporter

Who is Dwila Funk?

Dwila Funk is Blue Springs South’s fulltime social worker. Funk has worked at both Blue Springs and Blue Springs South. Now she’s at South 24/7, due to the employment of new social workers in the district. She has worked in the district for 21 years.

What does she do?

Dwila’s background is in mental health and she deals with life issues. If kids are struggling with depression, anxiety, grief issues, and family issues she offers a safe place to talk and vent. She also refers kids to support groups and outside counseling.

Groups

A Comprehensive Mental Health worker offers support groups and Funk can coordinate you to get signed up. She also cosponsors Breakfast Club along with Monte Davis, which offers social knowledge and support of mental health. They meet every Thursday after school in Davis’ room 406. New student groups are also offered for new kids that are here to assist connecting and adjusting to South. In addition, Dwila works with students who have been hospitalized or absent due to mental health. Overall, she offers support on an individual and group setting to create comfort for students.

Where can you find her?

Her office is located in the counseling center. You can also contact her email [email protected].

More about Dwila Funk

Social work background: In high school she had always wanted to become a therapist. She got her bachelor’s in counseling but soon realized that the best way to do what she wanted was to get her master’s in social work. Eventually she achieved her goal and attended MU to receive her master’s.

Family: She has three furry rescue puppies.

Hobbies: Involved with her church, going for walks, loves nature, and enjoys being artistic.