News Source: Google News

DIANE STAFFORD: Time to take control
San Luis Obispo Tribune - San Luis Obispo, CA
He has a law degree and she is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in ecopsychology. The Edwardses were pioneers of a sort in writing their first …

Black, Native American kids more often in foster care
Seattle Post Intelligencer
… vice chair of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and Marian Harris, associate professor of social work at the University of Washington. …

Rutgers University Receives $200000 Grant From the Verizon …
Earthtimes (press release) - London, UK
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ , June 25 — Rutgers University’s School of Social Work and its Center on Violence Against Women & Children received a $200000 grant from …

New mothers getting some support
Connecticut Post - Bridgeport, CT
Portnay is a licensed clinical social worker, and Weinstein said between the two of them they’re able to cover the whole spectrum of family life. …

Ah Summertime! A Time To Recharge Our Batteries.
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Newark, NJ
by Maureen P. Tillman, LCSW When the days get warm, the flowers bloom and the aromas of grills are in the air, my memories flash back to summers when I was …

Social work council accredits MSU school
News-Leader.com - Springfield, MO
The School of Social Work at Missouri State University has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education after making progress on reorganization …

News Source: Google News

Sahara stands up against domestic violence
IndiaPost.com - Union City,CA,USA
Founding board member LCSW Sheela Mehta is still on the Sahara board and continues her dedicated efforts with a focus on client empowerment and mental …

UB School of Social Work Students Receive Awards
UB News Center - Buffalo,NY,USA
Rebecca Green of Buffalo, the Terese M. Eusanio Memorial Scholarship recognizing and supporting a continuing part-time MSW student who demonstrates an …

A PORTRAIT OF CHANGE
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Newark,NJ,USA
Two social workers showed up at the Hightstown apartment, and later returned with two carloads of shopping bags filled with canned tuna, cereal, tea, …

Families get gift when seniors accept help to handle grief
BurlingtonFreePress.com - Burlington,VT,USA
According to Rebecca Brooks, a licensed clinical social worker with Networks and a hospice social worker for the VNA, “Losing a partner can be difficult due …

Keep pop cool and safe this summer
Daily News Tribune - Waltham,MA,USA
By Debbie Gitner, LCSW, and Linda Sullivan, RN Q: My father does not drink a lot of liquids and I am worried with the warm weather that he will become …

NASW Foundation celebrates Karl’s achievements at June 24 reception

Washington – The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is proud to present James Karls, PhD, LCSW, co-developer of the person in environment social work evaluation system, with the 2008 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.

The International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award is given to an individual, group, or organization that has significantly advanced the public image of professional social work. This monetary prize is made possible from an endowment fund established by a generous contribution in 1996 from distinguished social worker Rhoda G. Sarnat, LCSW and Bernard Sarnat, MD.

“Dr. Karls’ legacy of creating the first assessment system based on a social worker’s education and expertise is a legacy of pride for the social work profession,” says Elizabeth Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, president of the NASW Foundation.� “Long after his retirement from social work, Dr. Karls is giving back to the profession in profound ways.”

After serving in World War II, Dr. Karls began his outstanding 30 year career in public mental health services at the local and state level.� He started the first mental health clinics in California’s Central Valley before becoming a director of many mental health programs in California and in the California State Department of Mental Health.

Perhaps what best defines Dr. Karls’ contribution to the public image of social work is his development of the “person in the environment” (PIE) assessment system along with Dr. Karin Wandrei, which allowed social workers to distinguish themselves from other mental health professions.� PIE is built on the social work theory that the environment affects the person, and social workers can affect the environment to make situations better for individuals, families and communities.

The NASW Press published Dr. Karls’ books and CDs on PIE, which have been translated into numerous languages.� Dr. Karls has traveled extensively around the world teaching international social workers about the PIE assessment system.

Dr. Karls has served as the NASW California Chapter President and the President of the Santa Barbara Mental Health Association.� He founded the California Hall of Distinction that honors past and present great social workers in California and was inducted in 2008.

The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is extremely honored to recognize James Karls, PhD, LCSW with the 2008 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.

For more information about the NASW Foundation or awards, please contact NASWF via e-mail at naswfoundation@naswdc.org.

Tuesday, June 24th at 9 PM est, Guess the Diagnosis!

Despite a social work concern with labeling generally, many of us are called upon to diagnose, especially for insurance purposes. Join your social work colleagues on Tuesday, June 24th at 9 PM est for a fun chat about diagnosing. We call it “Guess the Diagnosis” and we bring case illustrations for you to ponder with us. Through a discussion of the symptoms and struggles a client brings, we learn more about the diagnostic criteria. Bring cases you may be struggling with as well! (Remember, no identifying information about clients allowed). Mila Tecala will lead the discussion. Susan Mankita, MSW, LCSW is the forum moderator.

Here are some useful links for DSM diagnosing

http://www. dsmivtr. org/2-1faqs. cfm is the DSM’s official site and includes FAQS, coding issues, a summary of the practice relevant changes and some information about the upcoming DSM V.

Jonathon Singer’s social work podcast has a free mp3 lecture available on diagnosing…
http://socialworkpodcast. com/2007/01/dsm-diagnosis-for-social-workers. html

Finally, Psyweb has a review of the multiaxial system and general information about each dx. http://psyweb. com/Mdisord/DSM_IV/jsp/dsm_iv. jsp

Also coming up in the near future in our chat room
Sunday, June 29th - End of Life Choices with Guest Expert, Roger Barnes
Tuesday, July 1st - Shame and Anger with Guest Expert, Brock Hansen

SocialWorkChat. org is co-sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers and the New Social Worker Online

NASW Iowa Chapter is the Recipient of the 2008-2009 Ruth Fizdale Program Grant

Presented by the National Association of Social Workers Foundation

Des Moines – The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to announce the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Iowa Chapter as the recipient of the 2008-2009 Ruth Fizdale Program Grant.� The Ruth Fizdale Program Grant underwrites research projects that link practice and policy issues with relevant social issues, with the goal of facilitating effective service delivery. The program provides opportunities for NASW chapters to conduct pilot research projects targeted to specific emerging issues.

Iowa social workers are facing a set of unique challenges with the growing need for social work services and the potentially decreased social work workforce available to serve the citizens of Iowa.� Approximately 28% of licensed social workers in Iowa are age 55 or older.� Iowa, like many other states, is facing a shortage of mental health professionals, which is particularly exacerbated in certain rural areas.� Additionally, as the state’s population ages, there is a growing need for skilled geriatric social workers.� With the recent flood devastation in Iowa, residents will have increased need for social work services that will help them put their lives back together.

Because of the convergence of all of these issues, NASW Iowa will research and analyze the challenges faced by the social work profession and the citizens of Iowa.� This research will provide insight into how the social work profession can build up a robust workforce in Iowa to address the needs of the citizens.� Through a greater understanding of the profession, social workers will be able to address the need for positive outcomes for Iowans.

According to Kelli Soyer, MSW, executive director of the NASW Iowa Chapter: “By researching the social work profession and providing answers to how we can bring more social workers to the profession, we will be better able to meet the needs of everyone in Iowa who needs the services of a social worker.”

For more information, please contact Kelli Soyer at 515-277-1117 or nasw@iowanasw.org.

News Source: Google News

University trains social workers to meet challenges of elder care
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Sarasota, FL
The University of South Florida at Sarasota-Manatee’s School of Social Work is actively involved in numerous efforts to better meet the comprehensive health …

Seeking a few good men
Baltimore Sun
Boys are quite influenced by having a male figure around, said Richard Barth, a professor and dean at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. …

PU Social Work students present anti-dowry skits
Daily Times - Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab University Social Work (PUSW) students presented different skits against dowry and illiteracy at the annual dinner of the department on …

Stress remains long after disasters
Indianapolis Star
“It’s been eerie quiet,” said Roger Brinkman, a licensed clinical social worker in Columbus who has been visiting shelters there. …

Ending cycle of crime: Ex-cons get helping hand
Arizona Republic - Phoenix, AZ
Parole officers team up with state social workers, working out of the same offices, to make it easier for former inmates and their families to get services …

Summer Harassment
Bangor Daily News - Bangor, ME
Dr. Fineran, who teaches in USM’s School of Social Work, has researched peer-to-peer sexual harassment in schools and decided to extend her inquiries into … (more…)

News Source: Google News

Survey Finds Children Of “Sandwich” Generation Caregivers Take On …
North American Press Syndicate - New York, NY
(NAPSI)-A new survey finds that children of “sandwich” generation caregivers are actively participating in caregiving responsibilities for loved ones with …

Social Workers and Human Resource Managers in High Demand as Weak …
Biloxi Sun Herald - MS
The Counseling/Social Work profession cracked the Top 25 for the first time since Jobfox began tracking job trends in March 2008. “For about a year now, …

Georgia: Life after the war zone
Chattanooga Times Free Press - Chattanooga, TN
Such problems are common among troops returning from a war zone, according to Connie Robinson, a licensed clinical social worker in North Chattanooga who …

Pitt’s SSW dean contributes to encyclopedia
New Pittsburgh Courier - Pittsburgh
As societal conditions and policies have changed dramatically throughout the world in recent years, so has the standard reference publication of social work …

Daughters thankful for their single dad’s love, hard work
Jackson Sun - Jackson, TN
Jim Jones, a licensed clinical social worker with Pathways Behavioral Health Services in Jackson, thinks society focuses more on single motherhood than …

Social Workers Congratulate the Supreme Court for Decision to Support Human Rights and Social Justice for Detainees

NASW filed Amicus Brief with other human rights organizations

Washington – Upholding the profession of social work’s commitment to human rights and social justice, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) congratulates the Supreme Court on their decision to allow Guantanamo detainees the ability to challenge their detention through our Constitutional system of government checks and balances.

The appellate court decisions in Boumediene v. Bush and Al Odah v. U.S., represented a clear violation of the rights of these detainees to gain timely access to the courts and to question the legality of their detention through the writ of habeas corpus.� In a 5-4 decision the Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals and struck down the Military Commissions Act of 2006 as unconstitutional, stating, “Liberty and security can be reconciled; and in our system they are reconciled within the framework of the law.� The Framers decided that habeas corpus, a right of first importance, must be a part of that framework, a part of that law.”� The cases did not directly address the innocence or guilt of the detainees, but rather the circumstances in which they are being held and their access to independent judicial review.

”Social workers are very pleased that the key tenets of the profession – social justice and human rights – are being upheld in these cases by the highest court taking a stand against the unchecked use of power by the executive branch,” said Dr. Elvira Craig de Silva, NASW president.� “This decision solidifies that everyone may have access to justice and basic legal rights under our Constitutional system of government.”

The NASW Code of Ethics notes that one of the core values of the profession is social justice.� To achieve social justice, governments must be able to guarantee access to due process of law.

The amicus brief was filed by The Constitution Project, Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch and The Rutherford Institute through the efforts of a pro bono legal team from Fulbright & Jaworski in Washington, DC.� NASW, along with a coalition of other non-governmental organizations, signed on to the brief, which was filed in August 2007.

For more information about this and other briefs that NASW files on behalf of the social work profession, please visit the NASW Legal Defense Fund.

Senate floor consideration of Medicare legislation has begun and crucial votes affecting social workers are expected through next Tuesday. Due to strong White House opposition to the bill, many GOP Senators are reluctant to support this important legislation. Grassroots contacts to your Senators are needed now, urging them to support including S.1212 in the Baucus/Snowe Medicare Bill (S. 3101) and support the final bill on final passage.

CLICK HERE to send the letter below to your Senators to support including S.1212 in S.3101 and final cloture and passage of the Baucus-Snowe Medicare bill.

I am writing as a constituent, professional social worker, and member of the National Association of Social Workers. I urge you to support including S.1212 in S.3101 on the floor and support cloture and passage of the Baucus-Snowe Medicare Bill (S.3101).

The Baucus bill (S.3101) includes much-needed adjustments to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have access to high-quality mental health care. However, a critical provision for clinical social workers must be added, known as the Clinical Social Work Medicare Equity Act (S.1212). This bill allows clinical social workers to bill Medicare directly for the mental health services they provide in Skilled Nursing Facilities, as they were able to do before the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Please support adding S.1212 to the Baucus bill and vote for cloture to the final Baucus-Snowe Medicare Bill. This bill (S. 1212) is scored by CBO at “no cost” and it will make a real difference for consumers like those I serve.

Background:

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has released his bi-partisan Medicare bill (Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, S. 3101), that includes important provisions for clinical social work services, including a rate increase for clinical social work services cut in 2007 by a 5-year review. The Committee’s very broad Medicare package, which is cosponsored by GOP Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), would increase rates for psychotherapy and related services by 5% ($45 million) for 18 months from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. Given strong pressure from the White House to narrow the bill, this is a huge victory for clinical social workers and psychologists who have worked to restore psychotherapy rates in Medicare. Very importantly, the Baucus bill also contains the Medicare coinsurance parity provision, reducing beneficiaries’ copayments by 5% per year from 50% in 2009 to 20% in 2014 – at full parity with medical and surgical benefits. This is a legislative goal long sought by NASW and we are strongly supportive of this provision.

This year’s Senate Medicare package is designed primarily to halt the scheduled 10.6% cut in all provider payment rates under Medicare Part B outpatient services. Senator Baucus’s bill would postpone the cut for 18 months starting July 1, 2008 and increase payments for all providers by 1.1% for 2009, including clinical social workers participating in Part B. Social workers would receive an increase of 5% above those of other providers if this bill passes.

A Piece is Missing:

Unfortunately, the bill does not include language sought by NASW to permit clinical social workers to bill separately for services to Medicare Part A nursing home residents (Clinical Social Work Medicare Equity Act, S.1212). This provision was included in the House Medicare package (HR. 3162) and NASW is fighting to get Senator Baucus to add it to his bill on the floor.
Your Senators need to hear from you TODAY to add the Mikulski bill (S.1212) to S.3102 on the floor and to end the filibuster and support passage of the Baucus-Snowe Medicare bill (S. 3101).

For background on legislative activity last year, see NASW’s website: NASW Medicare Alert.

Social workers advocate for creating homes for all children in foster care

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) supports a child welfare policy designed to provide the best care for all children in need of foster care and adoption services. Presently, there are more than 500,000 children in foster care and a disproportionate number of these children are African-American. Every child has the right to a permanent, continuous, and nurturing relationship with adults who convey to the child an enduring sense of love and care. Children should be able to perceive themselves as valued family members. The paramount concern of social workers is the health and safety of the child and determining the child’s best interest. NASW supports laws and policies that facilitate the fostering and adoption of children through kinship care when feasible, with adequate financial support so that children may remain within their family of origin.

When the extended family is unable to care for a child, social workers take a proactive role in providing appropriate and adequate information regarding available resources, rights and responsibilities to all parties involved in foster care and adoption proceedings. Active and continuous recruitment of adoptive parents from diverse racial and ethnic groups should be aggressively pursued. Placement decisions should reflect a child’s need for continuity, safeguarding the child’s right to consistent care and to service arrangements. NASW recognizes the need for respect of the integrity of each child’s ethnicity and cultural heritage. NASW recommends the provision of training for foster and adoptive families in the area of cultural sensitivity, heritage and identity to provide support for issues involving cultural competency and understanding the dynamics of race and ethnicity in a child’s life. NASW seeks to promote cultural and linguistic competence so that there may be effective cross-cultural communication. Racial and ethnic identities should be valued and respected; they should never be a barrier in adoption. Receiving training related to transracial adoption is important assistance to prospective parents.

Special attention should be given to children with special needs, including children of racial and ethnic groups, children who are older, children with disabilities, children who have been subjected to sexual abuse and other trauma, children who are HIV positive or medically fragile, and members of sibling groups, to ensure protection of their right to a caring environment. This care extends to the recruitment of appropriate families and provision of professional services throughout the adoption process and beyond legalization. Barriers that prevent children from being placed in permanent homes must be removed and legislation must address adequate financial support for adoptive and fostering families.

Social workers have the unique training and education to guide children and families through the challenges that foster care and adoption present and to work with families to provide a caring, nurturing environment where a child can thrive.

Contact:
Marlena Edwards
medwards@naswdc.org