Practice and Professional Development

March 26 – 30, 2012 is LGBT Health Awareness Week.  Every day, social workers are  actively working to promote LGBT equity. Here are a few new resources: The National Workgroup to Address the Needs of Children and Youth Who Are LGBTQI2-S and Their Families, which is convened by the Child, Adolescent and Family Branch (CAFB), Center for Mental Health Services, ... Read More »

Social workers are working with and on behalf of persons affected by HIV/AIDS  – be it in hospital and mental health clinics, community based organizations and/or private practice.   Across diverse fields of practice – social worker are committed to learning more about HIV and AIDS. Social workers recognize that culturally competent HIV prevention, care and treatment requires keeping current on ... Read More »

Today  – Friday March 23rd – is the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This date is an important opportunity to reflect upon the benefits that Americans of all backgrounds are already seeing as a result of health reform. Moreover, with the Supreme Court oral arguments on the constitutionality of the health law next week, ... Read More »

From March 26 to 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Florida, et al., v. Department of Health and Human Services, et al., the challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought by the attorneys general of 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.  A ruling is expected by the end of June.  ... Read More »

Background International Women’s Day (March 8, 2012) is recognized around the globe as a day to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. International Women’s Day provides the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of women around the globe, raise awareness of women’s issues, and inspire people to continue to fight for women’s rights. The ... Read More »

The theme of the 2012 Social Work Month is Social Work Matters. Social work matters because the social work profession has been instrumental in achieving civil rights and human rights advances in the United States and across the globe for more than a century. The primary mission of social work is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic ... Read More »

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently held a Listening Session on LGBT and HIV/AIDS Issues.  The meeting, comprised of stakeholders from LGBT organizations and HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as larger membership organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), was convened by Director, Leon Rodriquez.  During the meeting, Director Rodriquez stressed the ... Read More »

Gary Bailey, the President of the International Federation of Social Workers and a Professor at Simmons College, recently took part in a television panel on global youth unemployment on Chinese television. Click here to listen. Panel Discussion: Gary Bailey, the President of the International Federation of Social Workers and a Professor at Simmons College. Ann Herbert, the Director of the ... Read More »

NASW is a member of a global Social Service Workforce Strengthening Alliance that was formed following the November 2010 Conference in Cape Town.  The Alliance advocates for and coordinates support to country level initiatives that help to develop the workforce that provides critical services to vulnerable children and families.  The Alliance is currently seeking a Senior Advisor, SWWS Alliance to further ... Read More »

In December 2011, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued a bulletin on the Essential Health Benefits (EHB), an important component of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (see 12/21/11 blog posting).   This week, NASW submitted its comments (see here) on DHHS’ proposed approach.  NASW made a strong appeal for a comprehensive, uniform set of national health benefits, ... Read More »