On July 27, 2010 NASW attended a workshop on “Jobs for the Future” hosted by N.D.N. and chaired by the United States Ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Karen Kornbluh.  Ambassador Kornbluh, previously served for then Senator Barack Obama as his policy director and as Deputy Chief of Staff at the United States Treasury Department.  The Ambassador discussed current research on youth unemployment and what the U.S. is doing at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to address the proliferation of youth unemployment triggered by America’s recession.

It was revealed that across the vast majority of industrialized nations, youth unemployment is greater than unemployment within the general population.  The O.E.C.D. reports that in 2009 youth unemployment dropped more than employment for low-skilled workers and, according to a Pew study released in February 2010, 37% of the American millennial generation, those 18-29 years old, are unemployed or out of the workforce.  The Pew report further notes that this rate of youth unemployment is “the highest share among this age group in more than three decades”.  NASW will continue to examine strategies that will engender prosperity for America and its most vulnerable populations.

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

Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, opens 6th International Conference on Health and Mental Health. During her address she noted that social workers are the outreach to areas of vulnerability. She used an Irish saying to describe social work — “Two shortens the road.” For many people who are struggling, social workers are companions and navigators on life’s journey.

She spoke about the resilience of social workers and how important that resilency is for these difficult economic and social times. She noted that there is an increased need for problem solvers in society and encouraged participants to use the conference as an opportunity for cross-fertilization of ideas and solutions.

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

The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) released their Policy on Health, and Paul Bywaters, a consultant to IFSW presented “Worldwide Challenges for Practice and for Policy-Making” at the 6th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health in Dublin.

The IFSW Policy on Health includes 7 key points:

1. Health is a key aspect of all social work practice, education, research, and ploicy making and in all settings.

2. Health is not merely the absence of disease, it emcompasses physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing.

3. Health is a central dimension of people’s lives.

4. Health is an issue of fundamental human rights.

5. Health status is primarily determined by social, economic, environmental, and political conditions and is an issue of social equality and justice.

6. Securing and sustaining health depends on local, national and global health and social policies and practices.

7. Securing and sustaining health depends on the concerted actions of intenational institutions, governments, civil society and peoples.

The IFSW policy is a starting point for discussion.  Can we create conditions for action?

The IFSW Policy on Health is available at www.ifsw.org/p38000081.html

At the recent 2010 Joint World Congress on Social Work and Social Development, one of NASW’s presentations focused on successful international collaborations to build social work capacity.  The Congress was held in Hong Kong.  A presentation and poster session were made available to attendees.  The example of the Best Practices in Psychosocial Oncology Exchange between Hungary and the United States of America was used to communicate important foundations and principles for such collaborations.  The Hungary project was undertaken as part of the NASW Foundation’s Social Workers Across Nations (SWAN) initiatives.

At the poster session, social workers from Croatia, Serbia and Thailand expressed interest in the project.  They noted the need for similar projects and resources regarding cancer, palliative and end-of-life care in their countries.  They were  interested in materials that could be made available for translation to help social workers in their communities.

NASW is participating in additional international social work capacity-building collaborations through SWAN, including projects on the continent of Africa.

For more information about NASW’s work in this area, visit http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/intl/default.asp

June 16, 2010

Gary Bailey gave his inaugeral address to the General Assembly of the International Federation of Social Workers this week in Hong Kong. IFSW represents social workers from 90 countries around the globe.

Gary began his remarks by noting that IFSW is a global community of friends who show mutual respect for each other and for the profession of social work around the world Gary emphasized that he stands on the shoulders of giants and outstanding social work leaders like Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr.

Gary said he felt quite humbled to be given such a leadership opportunity, and he quoted Civil Rights legend Whitney Young when he assumed his new role: “The truth is that there is nothing noble in being superior to someone else.. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self.”

A Past-President of NASW, Gary is the first African-American president of IFSW. He said he is used to “firsts” and described his heritage as a major factor in his achievements. He noted that as the great-grandson of slaves, and as the son of parents who worked under very difficult and harsh conditions in the south, Gary learned both the need and the obligation to help others. He ended his address with his favorite quote by Tagore: “I dreamt of joy. I acted and behold, service was my joy.”

Two previous NASW leaders held the office of IFSW President. Chauncey Alexander, an Executive Director of NASW, and Susan Dworak Peck, a former President of NASW, both played pivitol roles in the development and advancement of international social work. Sue Peck is the lifetime Ambassador to IFSW, and she was present at the meeting. Current NASW President Jim Kelly and NASW Executive Director Betsy Clark also attended the event.

NASW congratulates Gary on this wonderful achievement.

For more information about IFSW, please visit www.ifsw.org.

Elizabeth Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH
NASW Executive Director

The World Congress of Social Work, which was held in Hong Kong, has concluded. The three sponsoring organizations — the International Federation of Social Workers, (IFSW),  International Association of School Social Workers (IASSW) and International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) — are now meeting individually. NASW-USA is a member of the IFSW.

The World Congress started the collective process for setting a common global agenda to unite all those in social work and social development. The four major themes of the agenda will be:

• Social and economic inequalities
• Dignity and worth of the individual
• Environmental sustainability
• Importance of human relationships across the lifespan

There will be continuing discussion and strategy development. The next major action point will occur during World Social Work Day on Match 15, 2011.

For more information visit www.ifsw.org

Social workers, nurses and other health care personnel manage significant “ethical stress” when caring for ill persons and discharging patients from the nation’s complex health system.

On April 15 at 2:00 p.m., please join Professionals for the Public Interest (PftPI) for an in-depth discussion on professional responses to financial and political pressures within the healthcare system.

XM Satellite radio show host Bob Edwards will moderate an insightful public discussion with ethics experts from the National Association of Social Workers, the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing in New York, and the Prince George’s Hospital Center in Maryland.

The PftPI is an alliance of 20 professional organizations and unions. It kicks off its new public forum series on Thursday, April 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the Washington Court Hotel; Springwood Conference Room; 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington DC.

For more information on the panelists, online registration for the free public forum and profiles of the organizations in the alliance: www.pftpi.org.

Celebrate Social Work Month – March 2010

The 2010 Social Work Month theme is “Social Workers Inspire Community Action”

Since its inception, the social work profession has worked to improve life for millions every day. Social workers operate from values that recognize each person as relevant to society and believe that, when needed, society should help each person achieve his or her fullest potential.

No Limitations. People choose careers in the social work profession because they believe they can make a significant impact in the lives of others through individual and group assistance.  But they also recognize that effective social work practice with individuals, families and communities is affected by institutions, customs and laws that may limit the success of many.

Our Legacy. A commitment to fairness, and an intense interest in seeing others succeed by removing personal and public barriers, distinguishes social workers from other like-minded helping professionals.  These values—coupled with tangible social science skills—have led social workers in history to create essential safety net programs such as unemployment insurance, health insurance, income assistance and child protection services, and to fight for a range of human and civil rights in the United States.

Our Impact. Social workers are close to the critical events that shape the quality of American life. We are on the frontlines, developing, advocating and delivering social programs that are responsive to such human needs as homelessness, poverty, family break-up, mental illness, disability, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and many other issues.  Social workers help people live more rewarding lives.

This year’s Social Work Month celebration showcases the expertise and dedication of professional social workers in helping to improve community life.  We will promote the chosen theme “Social Workers Inspire Community Action” through three core strategies of the ongoing National Social Work Public Education Campaign:

• Consumer Education
• Entertainment Outreach
• Student Recruitment

While social workers are integral parts of all communities, the general public’s understanding of these contributions and services is still limited.  Using this toolkit and related campaign materials you can help ensure that more people are exposed to positive and actionable information about the social work profession.  Every social worker has a role to play, so we hope this online toolkit helps you identify and implement promotional activities that best suit your skills and interests.

SWM 2010 Toolkit Materials:

SWM 2010 Overview

• Key Messages for SWM 2010
• Community Action Hero Nomination Form

Consumer Education Overview

• 10 Things You Can Do to Educate Consumers
• Visitor’s Guide to the HelpStartsHere.org Web Site

Entertainment Outreach Overview

• 10 Things You Can Do to Change Social Work Media Portrayals
• Visitor’s Guide to the SocialWorkersSpeak.org Web Site

Student Recruitment Overview

• 10 Things You Can Do to Introduce Students to Social Work
• Visitor’s Guide to BeASocialWorker.org Web Site

Resources

• History of Social Work Month
• Who Are Social Workers? Handout

If you have any questions about Social Work Month 2010, please contact NASW Communications at 202-336-8212.

On October 22, NASW participated in an advance screening panel for a powerful new movie called Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire.  This film chronicles the harrowing journey of an obese, abused and illiterate teenager in New York City who seeks a better life for herself and her two children. Lee Daniels directed an all-star cast including comedienne Mo’Nique, rising star Paula Patton, and rocker Lenny Kravitz, and introducing Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe as Precious. In a surprising twist, pop diva Mariah Carey plays a no-nonsense social worker, Mrs. Weiss, who confronts Precious’ mother about incest and other physical and emotional abuse of her daughter. Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry served as executive producers for this gripping story of personal triumph over family violence and social isolation.

During the discussion portion of the screening–coordinated by Liquid Soul Media in partnership with Lionsgate Productions–more than 300 Baltimore and Washington area residents discussed issues that included:

• Education as the pathway from poverty and despair
• Value of community networks and service coordination
• Impact of untreated mental illness on families
• Risk-taking and courage when reporting abuse
• Increased and sustained funding for prevention programs
• Reducing isolation among vulnerable children and teens

Questions for social workers: Do you plan to see the movie?  Do you have any expectations about how the social worker character will be portrayed?  Leave a comment below.

NEW: Join a discussion of this movie and others, current TV shows and news coverage…from a social work perspective.  Visit our new social media driven site,  SocialWorkersSpeak.org today!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Credit Hours: 0 CEU(s)

Click Here to Register Now!

Kyrsten Sinema, MSW, JD is Arizona’s Assistant House Democratic Leader. She will discuss how lessons learned in Arizona apply to health reform nationally. Sinema is one of 32 state legislators nationwide — the only state lawmaker from Arizona — selected for President Obama’s White House Health Reform Task Force. She is providing best practices and lessons learned from Arizona, which will help shape national health reform this year. Join us for this informational session.*

Presenter: Kyrsten Sinema, MSW, JD

Moderator: Rebecca Myers, LSW , NASW

Social workers are reminded to check with their state licensing boards to confirm that distance learning and/or home study education is accepted for continuing education credit.

The Lunchtime Series teleconferences are open to all NASW members. These hour long live teleconferences highlight the latest social work issues addressed by NASW. Besides a live teleconference, online features include the ability to post a question for the speaker; read teleconference transcripts; listen to an audio/podcast at your convenience; and earn CEU credit.