3rd Annual NASW Pioneers Program and Luncheon

Over eighty NASW Pioneers and guests attended the third annual NASW Pioneers program and luncheon on October 20, 2007, at the Women’s National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C. Bernice Catherine Harper was Chair of the planning committee with members Catherine Harris, Beryl Carter Rice, Joan 0. Weiss, Kenneth S. Carpenter, Jessie Smith, Elizabeth Watkins, Steve Hornberger, Norma Gray Jones, and Barbara Soniat. The theme of the program was “Thinking Globally: Living Locally in the 21′ Century.”Ruth I. Knee brought greetings to the group as did NASW President Elvira Craig, Jessie Dowling Smith reported on NASW’s Legacy Project. She reported that approximately $7500 in donations was received during 2006-2007 for the Legacy Project, which was half of what had been received the previous year. Ruth Knee indicated that 27 Pioneers had been nominated as Pioneers during the year, 8 of whom were in attendance, including Joan Levy Zlotnik, Steve Hornberger, Patricia Martin-O’Meally, Laura Morris, David Kennedy, Samiora Beckwith, Milagros Tecala and Janet Williams. She also indicated Pioneers Del Anderson, Glenn Allison, Barbara Hodges, and Janet Sainer who died during the year.

Beryl Carter Rice introduced the speaker of the morning, Carl G. Leukefeld, DSW, Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky. Dr. Leukefeld spoke on the program theme, “Thinking Globally: Living Locally in the 21′ Century.” Joan Levy Zlotnik, PhD, was the discussant. A panel after lunch discussed “Meeting Basic Human Needs Through Practice, Research, and Professional Education”. Panelists included Douglas D. Glasgow, PhD, Helen Z. Reinherz, PhD, Honorable Tommy Wells, and N.G. (Cindy) Jones, PhD.

Pioneers traveled from California, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Virginia, New York, Boston, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to attend the meeting. Several were heard to say “I want to come back again next year” which pleased the day’s planners. Several times throughout the day those attending were encouraged to view the NASW Foundation’s Pioneer website, and to continue to send nominations for new Pioneers to the Foundation office.

Social Work Student Amy Krentzman receives Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship

NASW Foundation presents award to Case Western Reserve University studentWashington, DC – The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to announce that Amy Krentzman is the recipient of the Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship for 2007-2008. This Fellowship Program provides partial support to doctoral students who are engaged in dissertation research in health care policy and practice.

Ms. Krentzman will explore the disparity in health policy and practice that indicates that African Americans recover from alcoholism through different pathways than Caucasians. To this point, research has determined that there are different processes and interventions that enable someone to recover from alcoholism. Ms. Krentzman’s research suggests that a framework of spirituality and religion provide a different set of strengths to the African American community.

This research is particularly important because it is the intersection of several social problems – alcoholism, racism and health disparities. By understanding the roots of the recovery from alcoholism, health policy and practice can be modified to enable more to participate. Health policy related to alcoholism touches all aspects of life, employment, pregnancy, criminal justice and illness, among others.

“Ms. Krentzman’s study has promise of improving our knowledge of social supports such as spirituality/religion in the treatment of alcoholism,” says Dr. Kathleen Farkas, associate professor at Case Western Reserve University. “I have confidence that her findings will build the evidence base and contribute to policy and practice in the treatment of alcohol and other drugs.”

For more information about the NASW Foundation or the Jane B. Aron Doctoral Fellowship, please visit www.naswfoundation.org or e-mail foundation@naswdc.org.

Social Work Student Anna Zendell receives Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship

NASW Foundation presents award to University at Albany studentWashington, DC – The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to announce that Anna Zendell is the recipient of the Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship for 2007-2008.  This Fellowship Program provides partial support to social work doctoral students who are engaged in dissertation research in welfare policy and practice.

Sibling caregivers comprise a population of increasing significance in developmental disabilities policy and practice.  Ms. Zendell’s research will examine the factors associated with successful caregiving outcomes among siblings and will also determine the types of assistance these caregivers might find beneficial.  Finally, she will examine the factors that lead for a sibling to be the primary caregiver.

Ms. Zendell hopes that the knowledge gained from her research will contribute to a better understanding of how sibling caregivers come to assume care and suggest ways in which service providers and disability policymakers can better assist them.  This study will lay the groundwork for a Sibling Caregiving Tookit of information and services designed to aid siblings facing decision about care.  This toolkit will be distributed through the Center on Intellectual Disabilities at the School of Social Welfare, University at Albany.

For more information about the NASW Foundation or the Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship, please visit www.naswfoundation.org or e-mail foundation@naswdc.org.

NASW Foundation Announces Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Washington—The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) announces the 2007-2008 Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship recipients.The scholarships are awarded for one academic year to students who have demonstrated a commitment to working with, or have a special affinity to American Indian, Alaskan native, or Hispanic and Latino populations.  These candidates have also demonstrated a commitment to working with public or voluntary non-profit agencies or local grassroots organizations. They are all MSW candidates.

This year’s awardees include:

• Olivia Abeyta-Gonzalez, Colorado State University

  As a bilingual and bicultural woman, Ms. Abeyta-Gonzalez observed disparities in health and mental health services provided to the Latino community.  While pursuing her Master of Social Work, she has worked as the Coordinator of the Multicultural Services Program in Larimer County, building bridges for the Latino community.  She also hosts and produces a local radio program designed to reach monolingual Spanish speakers in the Colorado Front Range.

• Aldrin Ceballos, University of Maryland

  A Columbian immigrant, Mr. Ceballos knows first hand the struggles of immigrants to the United States.  While in Columbia, he pursued a degree in communications and also worked in Human Resources.  Upon immigrating to the United States, Ms. Ceballos knew that his calling was to work with children and families affected by contemporary problems such as immigration, drug abuse and domestic violence.  He shares first hand experience with those who have immigrated and will be an asset to their transition to becoming citizens.

• Lisa Humphrey, University of Minnesota – Duluth

  As a case worker and licensed foster parent for the Leech Lake Ojibwe Indian tribe, Ms. Humphrey has intimate knowledge of the challenges and strengths of Native American people.  She has worked in child welfare and juvenile justice disciplines of social work and hopes to continue this work upon graduation from the University of Minnesota – Duluth.  Additionally, she travels to Mexico as a member of Witness for Peace, a group that examines the effects of globalization on indigenous people in Mexico.

• Juan Ortiz, North Carolina State University

  After immigrating to the United States from Venezuela, Mr. Ortiz found his work with HIV/AIDS in minority communities inspiring.  Upon entering his Master of Social Work program at North Carolina State University, he knows his goal is to offer quality psychotherapeutic services to low-income communities.  He would also like to work with mental health providers to deliver culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate services to Spanish-speaking clients.

• Monica Paz, University of Southern California

  For the past four years, Ms. Paz has worked with children who have prenatal exposure to methamphetamines at the UCLA Medical Center.  While her primary role is research and evaluation, she has seen the enormous impact her social work skills have provided to these children and families, particularly the low-income, Latino families.  Upon completion of her degree, she would like to work in a mental health clinic that focuses on underprivileged Latino children.

• Britt Urban, University of Texas at Austin

  Ms. Urban has dedicated herself to working with immigrant populations since she was an undergraduate.  In her various jobs she has worked on behalf of farm workers, on education campaigns about the human rights abuses, and has advocated for those who have been victims of human trafficking.  She hopes to continue working on the issue of human trafficking, particularly with the vulnerable Latino community, both in micro and macro social work practice.

The Gosnell Scholarship was established through a bequest of Consuelo Gosnell, a social work practitioner who was born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and died in Texas in 1987. Gosnell was a champion of civil and human rights and worked diligently to ameliorate conditions for critically under served American Indians and Latinos in the Southwest. Gosnell practiced for many years in federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

For more information about the NASW Foundation or educational scholarships, please visit www.naswfoundation.org or e-mail at naswfoundation@naswdc.org.

Social Work Student Pamela Smith Receives Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship

NASW Foundation gives Jackson State University student awardWashington, DC – The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is proud to announce that Pamela Smith will receive the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship for the 2007-2008 for her work with African Americans.

This scholarship is awarded to MSW candidates who express an interest in or work with the African American community through practice in health or mental health services.  Scholarship recipients work in hospitals, medical clinics, and social services agencies that provide treatment and specialized services to African American patients.

Ms. Smith is in the Master of Social Work program at Jackson State University.  Throughout her education, Ms. Smith has worked in health practice, particularly with African Americans, educating the community about heart disease.  She was also a wellness intern with the Quality Education for Minorities Network in Washington, DC, where she created an adolescent obesity curriculum.

Ms. Smith has developed a deep commitment to the use of social work knowledge and skills to promote health and mental health awareness among the African American community.

For more information about the NASW Foundation or the Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial MSW Scholarship, please visit www.naswfoundation.org or e-mail foundation@naswdc.org.

Foundation News Alert: Award Deadlines extendeds

Reopening the process for accepting nominations for the 2007 Knee/Wittman Health & Mental Health Achievement Awards and the International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award. All nominations must be received by September 14, 2007

Delwin M. Anderson

Delwin M Anderson (1916 - 2007)
Click here for the Obituary
Click here for his Social Work Pioneer Biography

“Delwin M. Anderson, 91, who was director of social work programs for the Veterans Administration, died July 20 of pneumonia at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington County. He lived in Arlington.

During World War II, when Mr. Anderson was serving in the Army, he contracted hepatitis and was unable to join his unit during an offensive. When many of his comrades were killed or wounded in battle, Mr. Anderson determined that he would dedicate his life to helping veterans.

He joined the Veterans Administration (now the Department of Veterans Affairs) in 1947 as a field social worker in Duluth, Minn. He held positions with the VA in St. Paul, Minn., Detroit and Columbus, Ohio, before coming to VA’s central office in Washington in 1961.

In 1964, he became director of social work service in the VA’s Department of Medicine and Surgery. He supervised 2,600 social workers in 171 veterans hospitals and in hundreds of other facilities across the country. At the time, it was the largest social service program in the United States.

Mr. Anderson brought a new understanding of social work to the agency, emphasizing the social circumstances surrounding illness and disability. He helped design programs to enable injured or ill patients to return to their families and to productive lives in their communities.

At his retirement in 1975, he received the VA’s Distinguished Career Award. He was the first person named to the Association of VA Social Workers Hall of Fame. In 1971, he wrote the entry on veterans services in the Encyclopedia of Social Work.

Mr. Anderson was born in Escalon, Calif., and grew up mostly in small towns in Minnesota. After attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., he transferred to the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1939. He received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota in 1946.

Mr. Anderson was chairman of the Arlington County United Way’s social planning committee and served on its executive committee. He was a member of the Health and Welfare Council of the National Capital Area and various commissions on mental health and retardation. He volunteered for many other organizations and provided tax services to the elderly for 25 years through AARP.

He was a member of Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington, where he served as deacon and lay minister. He chaired the church’s Board of Social Action.

His wife of 42 years, Evelyn Anderson, died in 1984.

Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Caroline Hufford Anderson of Arlington; a daughter from his first marriage, Linda Anderson of Houston; four stepsons, Fred Hufford and Nick Hufford, both of Arlington, Steve Hufford of McLean and Mark Hufford of Hyattsville; a brother; a sister; and nine grandchildren.”

- article by Matt Schudel | www.washingtonpost.com

Tributes to Delwin M. Anderson

“Del Anderson was the personification of a great social worker.” - Jean K. Quam

“Del Anderson was a strong influence on my early VA career.” - Paul Burton

“Del was a faithful and loyal member of NASW and very involved in numerous ways.” - Elizabeth J. Clark

To read the full text of this tribute or to leave a tribute to Delwin, please click on the comments link below.

Glenn S. Allison

Glenn S. Allison (1925 - 2007)
Click here for the Obituary

Glenn S. Allison died Tuesday, April 24, 2007 in California. He was born on November 18, 1925.

Following his service during World War II as a member of a squadron in the Pacific theatre, Glenn S. Allison graduated from Olivet College in Michigan, took graduate work at the Chicago Theological Seminary, then obtained his master of social work degree at the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, in 1956. He then served as a psychiatric social worker for the Illinois Department of Mental Health, rising to the position of assistant chief of Psychiatric Social Services. From 1965 to 1968 he was consultant to the

Community Welfare Council of San Diego County and a member of the faculty of the School of Social Work at San Diego State College. During this period, Mr. Allison also served as president of what was then the San Diego Chapter of NASW.

In August 1968, Mr. Allison joined the staff of the Washington office as an associate director of public relations. For a number of years, when the NASW National Office was still in New York City, Mr. Allison headed NASW’s government relations activities from Washington, DC. A registered lobbyist, he was known as the “face of NASW” on Capitol Hill. Former NASW Executive Director Chauncey Alexander described Mr. Allison as “one of the great organizers in NASW’s history.” Mr. Allison was a founder and key figure in the development and success of ELAN, the educational legislative action network for NASW members, and served for more than 12 years on the NASW National staff. According to NASW Past President Suzanne Dworak-Peck, “Glenn was our person on the Hill and made significant inroads. He really had a presence.”

He returned to San Diego in 1981 to become executive director of Episcopal Community Services. He later became a permanent deacon in the city’s Episcopal diocese. He also received the Christianity Unity Award from San Diego’s Roman Catholic Diocesan Commission for Economic and Inter-religious Affairs. The award is presented yearly to a person who has worked for the cooperation and unification of all Christians. Mr. Allison served on numerous community boards and commissions, as well as NASW CA Chapter Committees and taskforces. He was state treasurer of the California Council of Churches and on the executive committee of the County Commission on Children, Youth, and Families. He recently served as deputy director of the Ecumenical Council of San Diego County. In addition to his wife, the Rev. Allison is survived by his daughter Lesley Allison of Sisters, Ore., son, Dr. Glenn W. Allison of Roslindale, Mass; stepdaughters Heather Crews of Baltimore, and Shannon Andrade of Alpine; two grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Tributes to Glenn S. Allison

“…Glenn had played a crucial role in establishing and leading key NASW initiatives…” - Elizabeth J. Clark

“…Glenn was a Social Worker’s Social Worker…” - Suzanne Dworak-Peck

“Glenn was a true pioneer…” Mark Battle and Ruth Knee
To read the full text of these tributes or to leave a tribute to Glenn, click on the comments link below.