Numerous studies have acknowledged that the well-being of the nation hinges on the health of its people. This research also shows growing disparities in health outcomes for children.  In a special issue of Health and Social Work Journal from the NASW Press, authors Virginia Rondero Hernandez, Salvador Montana and Kris Clarke explore ways to reduce such disparities in “Child Health Inequality: Framing a Social Work... 

Thursday, December 23, 2010 Friends - As we close 2010, I wanted to take a few moments to look back at the last 12 months of what we have accomplished – we began a robust implementation of health insurance reform; we ended combat operations in Iraq; we passed a landmark Wall Street Reform bill that will hold Wall Street accoundtable and protect consumers; we repealed the discriminatory... 

NASW has long urged Congress to repeal the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, as we’ve noted in previous blog updates.  We are pleased to note that Congress passed a bill to end the 17-year old policy on Saturday, December 18.  NASW greatly appreciates everything our members did to support these efforts, such as responding to an action alert we sent out in the spring.  Read More →

On December 15, 2010 President Barack Obama signed a bill naming the post office located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, DC in honor of the late Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who was a social work pioneer and civil rights icon. She died earlier this year. The signature legislation of the social work profession, the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act was named for Dr. Height.... 

House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) have introduced a bill seeking to end the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.  The bill’s language is similar to the DADT repeal that was stripped out of the National Defense Authorization Act earlier this year.  A vote is expected to occur on Wednesday, and we will update the blog accordingly.  Read More →

Due to the holidays and the anticipated adjournment of Congress, News from the Hill will publish only one edition in December. Congress Approves CAPTA Reauthorization Bill The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2010, S. 3817, passed the final legislative hurdle on December 10 when the Senate, by unanimous consent, agreed to the few minor amendments made in the bill passed by the House... 

Ending Homelessness among Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care Thursday, December 16, 2010 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET Credit Hours: 1 CE(s) Too often, young people who leave foster care face housing needs upon discharge. Social workers can explore a range of housing options for youth. This webinar will provide social workers with a broad landscape of what young people aging out of foster care are facing and how they... 

Excerpts below are from the NASW Specialty Practice Sections (SPS) live webinar on elder abuse. SPS members can download the on demand audio recording or read the transcript by visiting the NASW Section page for details. CE credit is also available. Q: …Minimum age for elder abuse? A: In Ohio for example it is age 60, but other states have it at 65 or even as far down as 55. So it varies by state. Q: Is there a correlation... 

Background On December 10 the world will celebrate Human Rights Day.  Every year, Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. This year the day recognizes the work of human rights defenders worldwide who act to end discrimination. The Role of Social Workers Social work is fundamentally a human rights profession. ... 

THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2010 Statement by the President on the House Voting to Approve the DREAM Act I congratulate the House of Representatives, Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Berman, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other congressional leaders for taking the historic step of passing the DREAM Act today with a bipartisan vote. This vote is not only the right...