Co-published by the National Association of Social Workers and Oxford University Press
Terry Mizrahi and Larry E. Davis, Editors

The NASW Press and Oxford University Press are proud to announce the new, completely updated, revised and expanded 20th edition of the Encyclopedia of Social Work. This new edition of the Encyclopedia includes coverage of areas that have come to the fore since the 1995 publication of the 19th edition including demographic changes from immigration, technology, the implications of managed care, faith-based assistance, evidence-based practice, gerontology, and trauma and disaster. Each thoughtful article is written and signed by a top academic or social work practitioner and includes a bibliography for further reading.

Partnering with Oxford University Press for the first time, the 20th Edition endeavors to maintain the quality of the latest edition and at the same time to include new material to keep abreast of changes in the profession and society at large.

http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/encyclopedia/

Source: Google News

Web site created as recovery resource
Red and Black, GA
Graduate students in the School of Social Work are giving back the community by helping people overcome addictions. In honor of September’s National Alcohol …

Names in the news
Baltimore Sun, MD
The University of Maryland School of Social Work has announced the addition of four new faculty members. Charlotte Lyn Bright joins the school as an …

Social workers becoming an important part of school
Fort Worth Star Telegram - Fort Worth, TX
As schools grapple with social issues such as childhood hunger, cyberbullying and teen pregnancy, the need for licensed social workers is crucial to student …

Unsung heroes of the ‘golden hour’
Pasadena Star-News - Pasadena, CA
Social workers and chaplains make contact with them, providing invaluable support. But once the trauma team and trauma surgeons have finished their …

Eastern Michigan University social work professor wins national award
The Ann Arbor News - MLive.com - Ann Arbor, MI
Leisa Thompson | The Ann Arbor NewsElvia Krajewski-Jaime, who recently won the National Association of Social Workers‘ 2008 Social Worker of the Year award, …

September 16, 2008

As I travel around the country representing the National Association of Social Workers, I meet many social workers who work with clients and communities in different capacities. Many of these social workers have dedicated their lives to serving those living in poverty, particularly children.

How do families become impoverished? We know that 13 million children live below the poverty line. We also know that another 16 million children are living in low income households. Did their parents fall victim to tough economic times? Did they lose their jobs? Were the prices of food and gas too much for their budgets to handle?

Is the cost associated with healthcare in this country more than they could afford? Were they affected by a natural disaster?

In this country, we are familiar with urban poverty. We see the pan handlers and the projects. We see the run-down schools and playgrounds. We manage to look away – we try not to see the poverty that exists in our midst.

A few months ago, I visited rural eastern Kentucky, far into Appalachia. I also recently met with a large group of social workers for an American Indian nation. I was struck by the enormous needs of the rural poor, who are nearly invisible to society because they are hidden from us. We don’t know about it, so we don’t think about it.

Yet, poverty – in all its ugliness –affects those who are the most vulnerable — children and older Americans — regardless of where they live.

Through interventions such as Social Security, Medicare, and other support programs, government has made significant investments in working toward reducing the number of older people living in poverty. But, those who have yet to find their voice – children living in poverty – need similar action taken on their behalf. Because we have not provided comparable programs to all children, the cycle of poverty continues. (more…)

Source: Google News

May I ask? Finding help for troubled young adults
Wicked Local West Roxbury - Needham, MA
“Transitions is a comprehensive therapeutic and rehabilitative service for young adults with psychiatric disabilities,” said Sara Cunningham, LICSW, …

Discuss clothing with daughter
Washington Times - Washington, DC
Redeployed, But Broke, Busted and Disgusted Vicki Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker, military spouse and mother of three, has been counseling …

Finding the calm after the storm
The Daily Advertiser - Lafayette, LA
Shelley Chaudoir, a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, has seen restlessness and poor sleep in some of her clients after hurricanes. …

“Aunt and uncle roles go beyond standard definitions”
Bend Bulletin (subscription) - Bend, OR
“They get to see their parents as human,” said Loren Gelberg-Goff, a licensed clinical social worker. She also sees the benefits of kids having “other …

Utah wilderness-therapy programs try a gentler, targeted approach
Salt Lake Tribune
Joanna Bettman, a University of Utah professor of social work, has tracked students at Aspen Achievement Academy, a Loa-based program where she first worked …

Social workers were in attendance at the RNC.

“Nita Waddell, an alternate delegate from Hope, Ark., and retired social worker, said she liked McCain’s speech but that it was Palin’s address Wednesday that finally sold her on a ticket she had some misgivings about – mostly because of McCain’s support for campaign-finance-reform measures that conservatives view as an infringement on free speech.

“Palin made the difference, baby,” she said, stomping her feet and clapping.” - CSMonitor.com

“Alternate delegate Catherine Starks of Livonia, a retired social worker, agrees that the values of the Republican Party should appeal to other African-Americans as they do to her. She switched parties 12 years ago, “because of what the Republicans stand for — life, moral standards.”" - The Detroit News

“After a life of much involvement within the Republican Party, Albert Lean Tom Schleck is getting the opportunity this week to be involved with the Republican National Convention. Working as a volunteer security member at the convention, each night he is being assigned to a specific gate to work as a supplement to the Secret Service, Schleck said.

In 2007, he retired from his position as a social worker for Freeborn County after 36 1/2 years of service. He was responsible for the county’s chemical dependency program.

He said his involvement with the Republican Party stems back as far as the 1964 presidential election when he supported Barry Goldwater. Schleck was 19 at the time.” - Albert Lea Tribune

If you are a social worker who attended the Republican National Convention and you would like to share your convention experience, please email us.

The National Association of Social Workers was outraged to hear Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, one of the nation’s vice-presidential candidates, malign in a live international broadcast the work of community organizers.

The social work profession takes great pride in its community organizing roots and lauds the contributions of its members, and other professionals, who commit their careers to helping residents of different communities organize their resources and take social action to improve life for themselves and their families. Small town reformers and urban community organizers have much in common.

The concepts of community organizing, community building and community development undergird the premise of American democracy. As a result of these efforts, institutions and officials often deliver more effective economic growth strategies, as well as mental health, health, and family services for people of all ages.

Community organizing is also the foundation of most successful political campaigns. Meeting fellow Americans in their communities and working with them to find solutions to problems that limit their potential is valuable and necessary work—with significant responsibilities.

The profession of social work was founded on the legacy of outstanding women leaders such as Nobel Laureate Jane Addams, who practiced community organizing in the Settlement Houses she created for the poor and working class immigrants of Chicago. The profession also counts Civil Rights icons such as Dr. Dorothy I. Height among its luminaries. It is fitting that both women are considered two of the most influential people in American history, and are inspirations for many of our country’s finest leaders.

During this election year, NASW encourages both parties to stay focused on issues of substance to the American people. We hope that instead of denigrating the lives and work of huge segments of the population, candidates will demonstrate how their plans for the country will protect and elevate the quality of life for all Americans.

It is difficult to put today into words. We witnessed history today and while intellectually I knew today was historic, I also know that the full impact and ramifications of today have only begun.

This morning, we attended the Democratic National Committee’s Women’s
Caucus meeting. A highlight was the visit of Michelle Obama. Our seats at the caucus included two postcards with Barack Obama on the front. There was an instruction sheet that asked us to write a suggested message on the cards. The cards would then be mailed to undecided women voters.

Next we attended The Creative Coalition event on health care reform. NASW was a gold sponsor of this event at the Hard Rock Cafe.

We quickly left this event to get a bus for Invesco Field. We were told we needed to be at the Field early in the afternoon, by 2:00pm, if possible. We were a bit concerned because we would be in the outdoors on a sunny day for quite a few hours. On previous nights, there was strict security at the Pepsi Center, with only water allowed at your seat, no food, and at times limited ability to leave the hall for hours at a time.

Our credentials were on the 300 level and we were allowed to sit anywhere in the nine sections. It turned out we were on a club level with lots of places to buy food and drinks; the ability to take food and drink to our seats. In addition, because we got there early, we were able to sit in the best section, close to the 50 yard line, right across from the stage. And we were in the shade. The weather was warm, but not too warm, and a touch of cool air from the mountains blew through the stadium.

We listened to many distinguished speakers, as well as, musical performers. Some of the best speakers were the people who told their own stories.

Another amazing thing was the technology and getting people in the stadium to connect to the campaign. Ray Rivera, Colorado State Director, came out at least 3 times to encourage us to get involved. There was a place in the stadium where you could go to make calls to voters. During some of the breaks in speakers and music, we were encouraged to text the campaign at 62262 (Obama) and provide our name, town and why we were involved in the campaign. These messages were then scrolled across the screens during the breaks. There were also times when we were asked questions about planks in Obama’s campaign with 3 possible answers. Once you sent a text with your answer, you received a prompt reply. What an incredible way to get people involved, connected and also gain some data and educate people about the campaign.

But Senator Obama’s speech was certainly the highlight of the day. Over 70,000 people in the stadium and people were clearly pulled in to the speech. The most incredible thing and poignant and moving was at the end. I had just thought about how The March on Washington had not yet been mentioned and then Senator Obama mentioned it. Everyone stood up…and the awe inspiring thing was that we never sat down for the rest of the speech. We stood and stayed standing pulled in to what was happening…pulled to our feet by the words and standing in honor of the history we knew was occurring right before our eyes.

There was quite a celebration with fireworks and music and as we walked out we purchased our last souvenirs and mementos. The security was still tight and we were not well directed to the buses, so we walked on the highway, across the bridge, back to town, pondering and talking about the history we witnessed, as well as what we needed to do in the days ahead to get Senator Barack Obama elected as President of the United States.

- Becky

The Kansas City Star reports that Barack Obama watched his wife address the Democratic National Convention Monday night at the Brookside home of social workers Jim and Alicia Girardeau.

The Girardeau family, who has a neighbor on Obama’s campaign, had 28 hours’ notice that the Obama’s visit could happen. They didn’t know for sure until Monday morning.

They unplugged their phone and kept their 10-year-old home from school so they wouldn’t tell anybody. Alicia said she didn’t have to do too much cleaning or rearranging to make room for everybody.

Jim: “I was nervous about just chatting with the possible president of the United States.”

Alicia: “It was such a privilege to be there with him while he was watching his wife give probably the most important speech of her life. You felt like you were witness to some really intimate, private moment.”

Both are or have been social workers.

Full Article

Published August 23, 2008 - From the The Baltimore Sun (Response to Aug 19 Op-Ed)

I remember the response many years ago when I told an aunt I was entering social work school: “Why do you want to spend your life giving out ‘home relief’ checks” (”It’s time for the givers to receive,” Commentary, Aug. 19)?

Social work has come a long way from the days when social workers were almost solely identified with “welfare” and the distribution of “checks.”

These days, professionally trained (and licensed) social workers are common in social services as diverse as foster care, adoption, geriatric care, substance abuse and community mental health facilities.

And anyone who has ever dealt with the myriad complications associated with establishing support services for an elderly family member about to be released from an institution (hospital, nursing home, etc.), or a home-bound relative needing assistance, to name only a few scenarios, realizes the valuable role played by social work professionals.

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski’s Social Work Reinvestment Act, which seeks to keep the social work profession strong and vibrant, will benefit not only the profession but the millions of recipients of our services.
It deserves to be funded. Howard Altstein

Baltimore

The writer is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.