In the Red: Social Workers and Educational Debt

The 2004 benchmark national study of licensed social workers provided a wealth of information about social workers’ roles and work environments. The study also raised new questions about the social work workforce that required further exploration. Although the 2004 findings pointed to a looming shortage of licensed social workers, there was still much to learn about why this was the case. In what ways did career decision points, educational debt, workplace stressors, and other factors influence the recruitment and retention of this professional workforce? The NASW Membership Workforce Study was an effort to respond to such remaining questions and to gain more insight into the social work workforce. Click here to view the study.

As the population ages, many adult children are grappling with an unprecedented social, cultural, economic, and personal revolution as they transition into the primary caregiver role for their aging parents. Produced, written, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Michael Kirk, Caring for Your Parents is a moving two-hour special that draws much-needed attention to this universal reality.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/caringforyourparents/

From ABC News - http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/ElderCare/story?id=4487229

“Millions of Americans care for both children and elderly parents, and as the baby boomers age, that number will grow. A new survey shows that this balancing act is taking a bigger toll on women and their families than they might realize. 

A study of social workers who work with the “sandwich generation” found that the vast majority of them are ill-prepared for the time, expense and emotional toll of caring for aging parents. What’s more, many of the caregivers don’t know how to get help… By 2020, one in five Americans will be older than 65, so this is a problem that’s not going away. The message the National Association of Social Workers is trying to get out is that there is help available.”

It’s time to thank the entertainment industry and mental health consumers once again for giving a voice to people with mental health problems. The Voice Awards honor writers and producers who incorporate dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals of people with mental illnesses into film and television productions, as well as mental health consumer leaders for their contributions in reducing stigma and discrimination.

If you helped create, or know of, a film or TV show that was released between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007, and depicts people with mental health problems in a dignified, respectful and accurate way, please nominate them for a 2008 Voice Award.

Similarly, if you know of a mental health consumer who has led efforts to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses, demonstrated that recovery is real and possible, and made a positive impact on their workplace, community, and/or school, please nominate them for a 2008 Voice Award. Additional consideration will be given to nominees who have made a positive impact within special populations, such as racially and ethnically diverse groups and young adults ages 18 to 24.

Nominate at www.voiceawards.samhsa.gov.

Nominations are open to anyone, are free, and there is no limit to the number an individual can submit.

Entertainment industry nominations are due Friday, January 4, 2008. Mental health consumer nominations are due Friday, January 18, 2008.

The Voice Awards will be presented at a gala ceremony in Los Angeles in May 2008.

The Voice Awards are part of the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery, a program of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, and the Ad Council. The Campaign is working to reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by young adults and others with mental illnesses. Visit www.whatadifference.org to learn more.

Below is a letter that NASW sent to the Executive Producer at Grey’s Anatomy when an incorrect statement was made about social work training and education:

December 12, 2007

Ms. Shonda Rhimes
Executive Producer – Grey’s Anatomy
4151 Prospect Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90027

Dear Ms. Rhimes:

Every day, millions of people all over the country look to television dramas to entertain them. Many take the information gleaned from a television program to be the truth and use that information in their personal lives. While it is not the goal of programs to educate viewers, popular shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” teach Americans a great deal.

On the program originally aired on December 6, 2007, disparaging remarks were made by an attending to a resident about social workers and their education. We at the National Association of Social Workers feel that by misrepresenting the educational requirements of social workers, you are doing a disservice to a profession integral to a hospital and their patients.

In a rushed conversation about updating a patient family, Dr. Erica Hahn said to Dr. Isobel Stevens: “I want you to think like surgeon. You’re thinking like a social worker. And if you want to be a social worker, you can save yourself a lot of effort because the training is two years not 12.”

Leading your viewers to believe that the training to become a social worker is two years is an error. The 12 years of education that it takes to be a surgeon includes bachelor’s and medical degrees, residency and fellowships. The minimum number of years it takes to become a social worker is six years, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees. There are also advanced degrees and training in social work that can take many more years.

Social workers are competent, well trained and educated professionals who work on interdisciplinary health care teams for the good of patients. We encourage you to portray them as such on your program.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you in developing any of your future episodes. Perhaps a storyline that includes an oncology social worker in a hospital could entertain your viewers and educate them about social work and its essential value in a hospital setting.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH
Executive Director

PS – Please visit www.HelpStartsHere.org to learn more about how social workers help millions of people every day. I have also included a copy of “On Any Given Day, Social Workers Help” for your reference.

We know social workers serve their clients and their communities on any given day.

We know we are a profession dedicated to communities, families and individuals.

We know that we need to tell more people, with pride, about the good work we do.

The National Social Work Public Education Campaign has created tools for social workers to use to educate people about the breadth and depth of the profession. We have created advertising, public relations and marketing materials that tell people about the profession. Now, we have a video that will show people that, on any given day, social workers help in so many ways.

In an October 14 column, conservative columnist George F. Will attacks the social work profession for advocating for social justice. To read the entire column, click here.

NASW responded to Mr. Will’s column with a Letter to the Editor to The Washington Post. Please click here to read the letter from Dr. Elizabeth Clark, executive director of NASW.

What do you think about this criticism of the social work profession and one of its highest standards – social justice?

Update:

NASW Responds to Attacks by George Will and the National Association of Scholars

Following the release of an Oct. 14 syndicated column by George Will in the Washington Post, the NASW national and chapter offices have worked in partnership with various schools of social work to send letters to editors across the country. The following letters have been published in response to the Will column which promoted findings from the National Association of Scholars.

If you have seen the George Will column (or a related NAS article) in your local media and have responded with your own letter to the editor or op-ed, please forward the information to media@naswdc.org. NASW and CSWE continue to work on this issue and invite feedback from the social work community and the profession’s many stakeholders.

Thank you for your assistance.

Elvira Craig de Silva, DSW, ACSW
NASW President

Washington Post
Betsy Clark letter published October 20, 2007
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/19/AR2007101902281.html

Scott Monroe letter published October 17, 2007
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/AR2007101702142.html

Buffalo News
Patrick Dexter letter published October 19, 2007
http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/everybodyscolumn/story/187472.html?imw=Y

Charlotte News & Observer
Kim Strom-Gottfried letter published October 21, 2007
http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/letters/story/744179.html

Hartford Courant
David Partyka letter published October 18, 2007
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/hc-lets1018.artoct18,0,1668607.story

Arizona Daily Star
Betty Orman letter published October 24, 2007
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/207757

The Sacramento Bee
Paul Mattiuzzi letter published October 22, 2007
http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/445911-p3.html

The Times - Picayune
Carolyn Cooper letter published October 18, 2007
http://nola.live.advance.net/news/t-p/index.ssf?/base/news-10/1192690433231370.xml&coll=1

Maine Sunday Telegram
Catherine Stakeman letter published October 22, 2007
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=141683&ac=PHedi

Times Union
Michael Hornsby letter published October 21, 2007
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=631716&category=LETTER&BCCode=OPINION&newsdate=10/22/2007

Wheeling News-Register
Samuel A. Hickman letter published October 20, 2007
http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/501186.html?nav=514

The Island Packet
Denise Friday letter published October 21, 2007
http://www.islandpacket.com/opinion/letters/story/58555.html

The News-Record
Bob Wineburg letter published October 21, 2007
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007710210302

For years the National Association of Social Workers has been striving to attain loan forgiveness for social workers. President Bush recently signed into law the College Cost Reduction and Access Act that will cut interest rates on some federal loans and will provide forgiveness for certain professions in public service.

To learn more about NASW’s efforts to obtain loan forgiveness for Social Workers, please click here.

The Wall Street Journal took particular interest in this bill, asking NASW for comment on how meaningful this bill is to social workers. Click here to read the Wall Street Journal article.

How meaningful is this bill to social workers?

Do you think this will encourage those considering social work to enter the profession?

Today’s Washington Post allowed readers to connect with school social worker Ann Brogioli. As a social worker at Hart Middle School – a school in a troubled neighborhood – she works with students to keep them in school and off the streets.

This open and honest look at the role of a school social worker in an inner-city school is an inspiration to all social workers. Her dedication to her profession is endless.

Courtland Milloy, an esteemed columnist at The Post, should be commended for his accurate and inspiring account of Ms. Brogioli and the positive influence she has over the lives of troubled teens.

To read the entire article, click here

What is special about this article is that it highlights the honest and inspiring work of social workers. Tell us about an article that portrayed social work in an honest and positive light.

National Association of Social Workers/Texas Chapter has awarded Amy Hadley from News 8 Austin the Media Award of the Year for 2007. This award recognizes outstanding contributions in print, radio, television or online publications that provide information to the general public.

Ms. Hadley has demonstrated leadership in television by

• Accurately portraying the social work profession
• Portraying issues of concern to social workers
• Increasing the understanding, awareness and value of the social work profession to the general public
• Effectively communicating the impact of policy decisions on the lives of Texas
• Using social workers as resources for articles/reports

News 8 Austin, the local 24 hour news channel, is a valued entity in the community and a critical partner to the Adoption Coalition of Texas. In February 2004, News 8 Austin, with the lead of Amy Hadley (reporter) created the franchise – Forever Families, which focuses on adoption of children in foster care. These are often older kids and members of sibling groups, kids that are harder to place. Forever Families is a unique franchise, different from well known segments such as Wednesday’s Child, because of its approach. Not only does Forever Families focus on the kids, but it alternates segments that focus on adoption oriented issues. It features families who have adopted, specialists in the field of adoption resources and other educational components that shed light on children in foster care, the system itself and issues the kids face, such as separation and loss. In many ways, the issue segments are the driving factor in the success of the franchise in helping to significantly increase adoptions.

This success is attributed to Amy Hadley, the reporter who helped conceptualize the franchise, name the franchise and who has filmed every segment, every week, for a three year period.

Tell us about a journalist who is making a difference in your community by reporting on issues important to social workers.