PRESQUE ISLE — Kim-Anne Perkins, a licensed clinical social worker, has been named director of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s new social work program.

Perkins, former director and social worker for the Aroostook Medical Center’s Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders program, will be responsible for the development of the program, undergraduate curriculum development, and the recruitment and creation of information brochures.

Perkins has two long-range goals for the program: accreditation by the Council of Social Work Education, and the development of continuing education unit courses to enable professionals to maintain certification.

“I plan to spend a lot of time making sure the program meets those needs (of community agencies as they relate to newly graduated social workers), ” said Perkins. “Because rural areas have needs different from urban areas, I hope to develop the program to answer the needs of rural social workers.”