Take Action Now!

Read about this bill

Background
On Feb. 3, 2009 Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Military Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response Act (H.R.840). The bill seeks to reduce violence against military personnel and their families by enhancing programs of prevention and deterrence, improving victim services, and strengthening provisions for prosecution of assailants.

Women who courageously serve in our armed forces must deal with the possibility of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape during their service.  One study noted that sexual assault in the military is three to ten times more prevalent than in the general population. Nearly one-third of a nationwide sample of female veterans who sought health care through the VA said they experienced rape or attempted rape during their service.

This legislation is not specific to women, as men also risk sexual assault in the military.  Every service member deserves full rights and protections from abuse, and this legislation ensures that this occurs.

Specifically the legislation will:
-Establish an Office of Victims Advocate (OVA) within the Department of Defense, bring the Family Advocacy Program under OVA, and create a Director of OVA to oversee and coordinate efforts to prevent and respond to cases of family violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.-Codify rights, restitution policies, treatment and other services for victims within the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), including creating comprehensive confidentiality protocols to protect the rights of victims within military law

-Strengthen policies for reporting, prosecuting and treating perpetrators of violence

-Create counseling and treatment programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs

Action Requested
Contact your Representative today and ask them to become a cosponsor of H.R. 840 and to actively work for its passage. If your Representative is already a cosponsor, you can send them a thank you note.

Two-thirds of college graduates leave school nearly $20,000 in debt, according to the National Postsecondary Student Aid study. With mounting job losses and unemployment at a 25-year high, those considering changing careers and pursuing passions must weigh the risk of a pay cut.

But now some students can reduce – or even wipe out their debt – just by following their calling. More liberal loan forgiveness programs are adding a financial incentive to working in traditionally low-paying fields

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/15/news/economy/loan_forgiveness/index.htm

Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795/S. 686) reintroduced in both chambers of Congress

The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795/ S. 686) was recently reintroduced in both chambers by Rep. Towns and Senator Mikulski. The legislation retains the same focus, however we worked with the National Association of Black Social Workers, Clinical Social Work Association, and Dr. Height to implement several changes to strengthen the bill. These included an enhanced Social Work Reinvestment Commission to complete an expanded study, inclusive demonstration programs to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions, and a broader diversity component. The legislation continues to address the future of the profession through the Social Work Reinvestment Commission and the “on-the-ground” realities experienced by professional social workers through demonstration programs. Now that both bills have been reintroduced, it is critical for social workers and allies across this nation to show their support for their profession. Contact your Representative and Senators today to make this bill a reality.

Military and Veterans Issues

Give an Hour

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is increasing its leadership regarding the complex and changing face of the nation’s military and veterans and as such, increasing organizational advocacy on behalf of those who are serving and who have served our nation in a military capacity. An important first step occurred through NASW’s endorsement of Give an Hour, a nonprofit organization that is developing a national network of volunteers to collaborate with military and veterans service systems to assist members of the military, veterans and their families in receiving behavioral health counseling and information services. In addition to direct counseling, volunteers give presentations, provide consultation, teach skills, offer support, and demystify mental health care for those who serve as well as those who seek to support our troops.” NASW is asking our members who are licensed clinicians and licensed clinical social workers nationwide to participate in this important effort

NASW is also advocating for the following federal legislation, which honors and protects our service men and women:

Post Deployment Health Assessment Act of 2009 (S. 711)

The mental health needs of the 1.64 million troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to make headlines. Over 18 percent of troops who have served in these areas, nearly 300,000 troops, have symptoms of post traumatic stress (PTSD) or major depression. Another 19 percent have experienced a possible traumatic brain injury. Further, only 53 percent of service members with PTSD or depression sought help over the past year. The suicide rate among our military is at its highest point in 26 years, and our male veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide as civilians. Additionally, the stigma long present in the military creates a situation where mental health needs are not adequately tended to by professionals. (more…)

Yesterday, I visited Dr. Height at her office at the National Council for Negro Women, which is the only minority-owned building on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol. I dropped in to deliver a card celebrating her 97th birthday and a NASW lifetime membership certificate honoring her lifetime of service to the profession of social work and to the civil rights community. Dr. Height was extremely pleased and responded that she would treasure the certificate.

She inquired about the status of her bill, the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795/S.686) and I let her know that the bill was reintroduced by Rep. Towns on February 3 and by Senator Mikulski on March 24. I assured her that NASW was galvanizing our membership and the full social work community to support the bill and ensure its passage during the 111th Congress. Dr. Height said that she had just been at the White House and asked everyone to support her bill. She is an amazing advocate for her profession and lobbies for her bill wherever she goes. Dr. Height is an inspiration to all of us and a role model for social workers across the country to navigate the difficult challenges ahead.

Honor Dr. Height’s lifetime of work and stand up for your profession. Send a letter of support to your Representative and Senators today!

- E. Franklin

On Friday, April 3, NASW participated in a conference call with White House staff Melody Barnes, Director, Domestic Policy Counsel, Tina Chen, Director, Public Liaison, and Joshua Dubois, Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, by their invitation, to discuss the administration’s priorities to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortions, and family support for maternal and childhood health and adoptions. Many of these priorities fit with the work already underway by social workers and we will continue to partner with the White House on these important issues.