The Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, has played a crucial role in the lives of women and families since its original passage in 1994.  We have seen both a sharp increase in the reporting of domestic violence, and significant decrease in the number of people harmed by an intimate partner.  Additionally, an increase in legal services has helped women who are victims of domestic violence, and VAWA has resulted in billions... 

Have you or someone you know been quoted in the media about his or her social work skills? NASW members are highlighted in each issue of the NASW News about the ways they help people overcome challenges and the important contributions they make to society. NASW News welcomes submissions for the “Social Work in the Public” Eye section. Send any news links and details to naswnews@naswdc.org.  Read More →

Political Climate Now that the calendar has turned to 2012, the upcoming election cycle has begun to gain steam.  The Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary are behind us, Republican candidates are looking down the road at the South Carolina primary.  Pieces will begin falling into place as the President continues fundraising, the Republicans move closer to declaring a nominee, and both parties determine their... 

NASW’s Social Work Ethics and Law Institute (SWELI) publishes twice-weekly legal and ethics updates for social workers on Facebook.com/socialworkethicslaw, such as:  Did you know?  The U.S. Dept. of Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is piloting a program to perform 150 audits of health care entities to assess compliance with HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules and Breach Notification standards from... 

By Maren Dale, Special to the NEWS Credit: John Michael Yanson Social workers need to be business savvy. Among the 10 imperatives for the next decade of the profession adopted by participants of the Social Work Congress in 2010 is “infusing models of sustainable business and management practice in social work education and practice.” Fortunately, there are social work entrepreneurs who have blazed the trail... 

Thirty-nine years ago today, January 22, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a women’s right to chose is protected and guaranteed by the Constitution.   Despite efforts from some state legislatures to introduce and even pass a number of abortion restriction bills, Roe v. Wade remains the law of the land.   Based on the principles of self-determination, human rights and social justice, NASW has long advocated... 

NASW News exclusive: By Paul R. Pace, News Staff As the age of communication possibilities continues to expand, maintaining client confidentiality for social workers is a paramount concern. Protection of clients’ confidential information is not only a social work cornerstone, it is also a legal obligation, according to the latest NASW General Counsel Law Note, Client Confidentiality and Privileged Communications, recently... 

Richard Jones, center, former president and CEO of Chicago-based Metropolitan Family Services, stands outside one of the organization’s campus buildings, which was recently named in his honor to recognize 13 years of leadership for the organization that serves the critical needs of families in the metropolitan area. Jones is joined by his mother, Wilhelmina Manns, right, a retired social work professor at Howard University;... 

Medicare and Inpatient Services: Coverage, Rights & Resources During Care Transitions Thursday, February 23, 2012 Exclusively for NASW Members 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET Credit Hours: 1 CEU(s) Social workers play a key role in helping clients access inpatient medical and rehabilitative care under original Medicare and private Medicare Advantage plans. Such assistance is critical as Medicare beneficiaries transition... 

According to an article published by United Press International on UPI.com, Minnesota researchers have said that more than half of the residents who stay in battered women’s shelters across the United States are children. Jeffrey Edelson Jeffrey Edelson, professor of social work at the University of Minnesota, stated in the story that an online platform can serve as a tool to give a voice to children and allow social...