Most recently Congressman Towns founded the Congressional Social Work Caucus (CSWC), which represents the interests of over 650,000 professional social workers nationwide and serves as a congressionally-approved bipartisan group of Members of Congress dedicated to maintaining and strengthening social work services in the United States. Learn more about the work of the CSWC including briefings and events held on topics of importance to the profession and to the clients served by social workers.

Additionally, the Congressman has been the House sponsor of the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act. The legislation, which has a Senate companion bill introduced by Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD), addresses the workforce challenges facing the profession such as low salaries, high educational debt, and safety concerns.

In response to his retirement, Dr. Elizabeth Clark, Executive Director of NASW said that, “Congressman Towns has been an incredible friend of and advocate for our profession. He has consistently used his social work skills and training to work in a bipartisan and effective way to achieve sustainable results. His community, the country, and the profession of social work have been left better due to his efforts.”

Send Congressman Towns a letter of appreciation today. Feel free to use the draft language below (and edit to personalize) and send your message to towns.swra@mail.house.gov. Our goal is to have members from every state send their message of appreciation to the Congressman.
Please note that although you may not receive a response from the Office of Congressman Towns, however he expresses his appreciation for your support.

Dear Congressman Towns,

As a professional social worker, I want to thank you for your lifetime of work on behalf of our profession and the clients we serve. You have been an unwavering advocate for the most vulnerable among us and our communities have been left better as a result of your work.

I appreciate that you have sponsored the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act since the 110^th Congress. It has been a groundbreaking piece of legislation for social workers and I commit to working to ensure its passage. I also want to thank you for creating and serving as Chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus. The CSWC is important to social workers nationwide, so that we can see the issues that we care about reflected in the halls of Congress, and work to bring real, sustainable change to some of society’s most pressing problems.

We wish you luck in the next steps of your career, and celebrate your legacy of social work leadership.

Sincerely,

(http://www.forbes.com/sites/rahimkanani/2012/04/20/why-do-republicans-oppose-reauthorizing-the-violence-against-women-act/)

In its role as an advocate for social justice issues, the National Association of Social Workers has sent letters to all members of the House of Representatives asking them to reauthorize VAWA in the current form as passed by the Senate, which would include expanded protections to Native Americans, undocumented Immigrants, and the LGBT community.

However, as a demonstration of the Republicans in the House of Representatives’ opposition to the Senate’s version of the VAWA reauthorization, Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL) introduced a House version of VAWA (HR4970) which strips out the protections for Native Americans, undocumented immigrants and the LGBT community. On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, the House passed the Adams version of VAWA by an essentially party-line vote of 222-205. The House version (H.R. 4970) passed by the House specifically removed LGBT protections, and eliminated protections for women and children who are victims of domestic violence on Indian reservations by abusers who are not members of a particular tribe. The House VAWA reauthorization also removes a major provision from the Senate bill that would make it easier for domestic violence victims to change subsidized housing programs in order to avoid an abuser who trying to re-contact her. Another provision dropped from the House version is the protections against violence against women that often happens on college campuses.

The next steps for reauthorizing VAWA include a presidential veto (which President Obama has promised to do), and/or an effort by the Senate and House to meet and reconcile the differences between the two versions of VAWA. Individuals who agree that the greatly watered down HR 4970 should not be allowed to become law can write or call their member of Congress to encourage them to retain the protections in the Senate version of VAWA.

National Professional Social Work Month was celebrated in March and the theme “Social Work Matters” was heralded from coast to coast.

“Social workers believe that a nation’s strength depends on the ability of the majority of its citizens to lead productive and healthy lives,” said NASW President Jeane Anastas. “Every day, social workers help people navigate life’s toughest challenges to find hope and new options for maximum social functioning.”

Something new for this year’s campaign took place over the airwaves in March. Through contributions, NASW sponsored short messages promoting the value of social work during National Public Radio’s popular shows “Morning Edition,” “The Diane Rehm Show” and “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!”

The radio spots caught the ears of 20 million daily listeners, and NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark noted that people at her March speaking engagements raved about the publicity.

“I heard from social workers across the country about how much they appreciated this outreach,” she said.

On World Social Work Day, March 20, U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns, D-N.Y., left, presents a Congressional Record to NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark, recognizing her service to the social work profession.

Millions of social workers who enrich people’s lives on a daily basis were celebrated on World Social Work Day, March 20.

On that day, members of Congress introduced a Social Work Month resolution in their respective chambers. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Md., was joined by eight co-sponsors in introducing S. 400. In the House, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., was joined by 23 co-sponsors, including social workers and U.S. Reps. Edolphus “Ed” Towns, D-N.Y.; Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill.; and Susan Davis, D-Calif., in introducing H.R. 589.

“Social workers, in all disciplines, use their collective power, every day, to strengthen our nation’s families and communities, to help individuals overcome adversity and to advance sound social policies,” Lee said.

Also on World Social Work Day, members of the Congressional Social Work Caucus held a reception on Capitol Hill to recognize and honor the nation’s social workers. The event was hosted by caucus chairman Towns. He emphasized the group’s efforts to educate fellow legislators and their staffs about the issues that challenge the social work profession and the importance of supporting the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act, H.R. 1106/S. 584.

From the May 2012 NASW News. NASW members click here for the full story.

Heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia create an environment of discrimination and bias, and can both create and sustain policies and practices that place lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons as less than equal with regard to legal rights, economic and educational opportunities, and social status across diverse societies.

In a speech recognizing International Human Rights Day, Secretary Rodham Clinton noted, “Many LGBT Americans have endured violence and harassment in their own lives, and for some, including many young people, bullying and exclusion are daily experiences. So we, like all nations, have more work to do to protect human rights”.

Social workers worldwide understand the importance of educating ourselves and others about heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia  – - and working for change and ensuring human rights for all persons.   Learn more about how to improve the health, safety, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

Don’t miss this unique professional exchange opportunity for Hospice and Palliative Care Professionals

Consider a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a custom-designed delegation on practice in hospice and palliative care traveling to Durban and Cape Town, South Africa in August 2012. Please click here for more delegation details.

People to People Citizen Ambassador Delegations are unique. For nearly 50 years, we have specialized in providing what no other professional opportunity can—by taking your career out of the office and into the world.

You can experience South Africa firsthand with your professional peers from South Africa through vibrant professional exchanges, valuable networking, and meaningful discussions tailored to your focus and interests.

On a People to People delegation, you can:

• Interact with recognized experts in the field of Hospice and Palliative Care—including your delegation leaders, Dr. Elizabeth Clark, Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and Mr. John Mastrojohn III, Executive Director, National Hospice Foundation (NHF) and Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA).
• Deepen your understanding of your profession and enhance your value to your organization.
• Make a global impact by gaining an international perspective.

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity. Join the delegation today!

Travel Summary

Women are being confronted with complex challenges including economic disparities, child and elder care responsibilities, and increased demands at work and at home. It is not uncommon that health care needs often takes a back seat to other priorities. On Monday, May 14, NASW encourages our women members to participate in National Women’s Check-up Day (part of National Women’s Health Week) by scheduling a checkup, speaking to a health care provider about what screenings and test might be needed, and/or learning which immunizations are needed and at what age.

For updated information about activities throughout the weeklong celebration follow womenshealth.gov on twitter and search #NWHW.

“Today, the national hotline for domestic violence receives more than 23,000 calls every month. “Imagine the courage it takes to call that number,” said Vice President Biden. “This bill is as relevant today as it was the day it passed.”

(http://www.forbes.com/sites/rahimkanani/2012/04/20/why-do-republicans-oppose-reauthorizing-the-violence-against-women-act/)

In its role as an advocate for social justice issues, the National Association of Social Workers has sent letters to all members of the House of Representatives asking them to reauthorize VAWA in the current form as passed by the Senate, which would include expanded protections to Native Americans, undocumented Immigrants, and the LGBT community.

As it stands now, Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL) introduced a House version of VAWA (HR4970) with 35 Republican co-sponsors. However, HR 4970 strips out the protections for Native Americans, undocumented immigrants and the LGBT community. On May 8, 2012, the House Judiciary Committee approved HR 4970 on a party-line 17-15 vote. It is expected that HR 4970 will be on the House floor for a vote on or about May 14, 2012.

NASW has long held the position that persons of same gender sexual orientation should be afforded all the same rights as persons of other-gender orientation.  The Association has worked in a variety of capacities to advance marriage equality including several amicus briefs filed by the Legal Defense Fund.  For example, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in 2002 establishing the right of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts by the highest court in the state, Jackson v. DC Board of Elections and Ethics, in 2010 challenging the proposed referendum to ban same-sex marriage in DC, and Perry v. Brown in 2011 challenging the legality of  Proposition 8 in California.

As noted in NASW’s Same-Sex Marriage Fact Sheet, there are more than 1,000 federal protections and responsibilities denied to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender families because they cannot legally marry in this country.  Without the legal right to marry, for example, members of the LGBT community:

• do not have rights to family health coverage, child custody and medical and bereavement leave,
• cannot file joint tax returns and enjoy income and estate tax benefits,
• cannot assume pension or Social Security benefits in the event of the death of a same-sex partner,
• do not have the automatic ability to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner,
• cannot petition for their same-sex partner to immigrate,
• are not entitled to leave of absence from work to care for a seriously ill partner or parent of a partner,
• can be questioned or challenged through legal means regarding parenting responsibilities of children brought into LGBT families through birth, adoption, surrogacy or other means,
• do not have the ability to purchase continued health coverage for a same-sex partner after the loss of a job.

NASW President, Dr. Jeane Anastas, states, “President Obama’s courage in allowing his political stance on same-sex marriage to evolve to endorsement of full marriage equality is to be celebrated.  My wife and I are deeply grateful that our commitments to love, care, and mutual responsibility are being recognized as equal to those of any other married couple.  President Obama’s determination to ensure fairness is an inspiration to all of us.”

For more information on NASW’s work on LGBT issues, click here.

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness on the plight of children and youth in the foster care system. There are approximately 400,000 children and youth in foster care because their own families are unable to provide for their essential well-being. In addition, approximately 30,000 young people age out of the foster care system each year with limited supports.

The National Association of Social Workers, with Casey Family Programs and other partner organizations, underscore the important work of social workers, and the increasing need for a safe, stable and nurturing environment for children and youth during National Foster Care Month.

National Foster Care Month highlights the need of children and youth who need to be in foster care until they can either safely reunite with their parents or establish other lifelong family relationships.  Social workers play a critical role in working with children, biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents and kinship care to ensure the proper placement for all children in care.

This year NASW will support National Foster Care Month through a dedicated web section for social workers committed to serving children, youth and families involved with the child welfare system.  This section highlights resources related to the critical issues that children and youth face information to support the child welfare workforce.

• Addressing the Educational Needs of Older Youth
• Engaging Young People in their Transition Planning
• Supporting the Child Welfare Workforce to Reduce Child Maltreatment
• Youth Aging Out of Foster Care: Supporting their Transition into Adulthood
• Meeting the Needs of Immigrant Children and Youth in Child Welfare
• From Poverty to Child Welfare Involvement:  The Critical Role of Housing in Family Stability
• NASW Standards for  Social Work Practice in Child Welfare
• Supervision: The Safety Net for Front-Line Child Welfare Practice
• High Caseloads: How Do they Impact Delivery of Health and Human Services
• Child Welfare Social Worker’s Attitudes Toward Mobile Technology Tools:  Is there a Generation Gap?

NASW calls on all Americans to help make a difference in the life of at least one young child or young person in foster care. Please visit the National Foster Care Month website to find out how you can make a lasting difference in the lives of America’s child welfare involved children and families.

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can become chronic, life-long infections which can lead to liver
cancer. Millions of Americans are living with chronic viral hepatitis, and many do not know they are infected.

HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis,  and other sexually transmitted infections have socially and culturally based stigmas, and as a result, barriers persist in preventive education.   Studies have documented disparities in access to care and treatment and diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and/or HCV in underserved and/or marginalized communities.

Learn more about the social work role in promoting awareness and treatment for this emerging
health issue of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis co-infection from the NASW HIV/AIDS Spectrum Project.

Find out if you should be tested by taking a 5 minute online Hepatitis Risk Assessment.