Name : Anthony Scott
Degree : MSW
Year Graduated : 2004
Email : ascott@floridainnocence.org

The Innocence Project of Florida is a non-profit organization providing no-cost legal services for wrongfully convicted people whose innocence can be factually proven using modern procedures for analysis of forensic nuclear and mitochondrial DNA evidence. I perform as Director of Social Services and oversee the assessment of exoneree needs, and the development of a program to meet those needs.  I like what I do because it involves empowering survivors of catastrophic injustice and oppression.

Every bit of the social work training I received at FAU has been invaluable to me in performing my work in a competent manner coinciding with NASW ethical core values and principles.  My work involves keeping my “eye on the prize” while collaborating within a diverse network of professionals having different ethical obligations.  Experiences with community assessment, researching and writing, giving class presentations, applying cultural sensitivity and conflict resolution techniques within a wide range of theoretical approaches during both internships, were essential in preparing me for working effectively on behalf of clients.

My future plans are to obtain clinical licensure (LCSW), and to advocate on exoneree compensation and services issues by preparing and presenting testimony to state legislative committees, about the devastating impact wrongful imprisonment has on innocents and their families.  Other plans include exploring the practice of yoga as another therapeutic option for clients desiring to incorporate a spiritual component to their treatment, in addition to using more traditional cognitive therapies.  My life approach is based on simple things I internalized from my parents and grandparents, like “make each day count”; “be kind to others”; and “laughter is the best medicine.”