Source: Google News

Americans gloomier, for now
USA Today
Her husband is making 5% to 10% more than last year and her new degree in social work should have meant a job soon, but hasn’t. …

Social worker creates travel matching site
Reading Eagle - Reading, PA
By Jenee Osterheldt They share their secrets, the ups and downs of their days. And over the years, she has heard a recurring sentiment from some of her …

The great circus workout
KING5.com - Seattle, WA
You’re turning your body upside down in space, and you’re having to engage your core,” said Carrie Heller, MSW,Director of the Circus Arts Institute. …

Message on the move: MSU students take out
Indian Express - New Delhi, India
In an attempt to create awareness on social issues in the slum areas of the city, more than 100 students from MS University (MSU) Faculty of Social Work …

Bethany Student Obtains $5000 Social Work Grant
KSAL, KS
A grant obtained by a student at Bethany College will help the school’s Social Work Department. According to the school, senior social work student Kelsey …

Fla. social workers dig into own pockets for needy clients
Scripps News, DC
The National Society of Social Workers has a strict code of ethics that discourages workers from giving personal money to clients. ..

It’s time for the givers to receive

By Daphne McClellan and Elizabeth Clark - The Baltimore Sun - 8/19/2008

Several times a week, Anita Mentzer encounters people who are struggling to keep an elderly family member safely at home. As a clinical social worker with Johns Hopkins Community Physicians in Baltimore, she is on the front lines of a profession facing huge challenges - including low pay, an aging work force, cuts to social service budgets and a proliferation of societal problems.

We assume people like Ms. Mentzer will always be there to serve many of Maryland’s 480,000 veterans. We expect they will reach out to the more than 9 percent of Marylanders who live at or below the poverty level, and provide services for many of our nearly 500,000 residents enrolled in Medicaid. In short, Maryland social workers will do what they have always done best: help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges.

We may not know it, or recognize it, but we badly need the help and support that professional social workers provide. But today, it is social workers themselves who need our help.

The numbers help tell the story: At the University of Maryland School of Social Work, both the number of applicants (712) and the number enrolled (356) last fall were the second-lowest since 1991. Maryland’s approximately 12,000 licensed social workers simply cannot adequately serve a state with more than 5.6 million people.

It’s no wonder the profession is having a difficult time persuading young people to pursue a social work career. Social service budgets in Maryland and elsewhere are in peril. Salaries are 11 percent lower overall than they are for comparable professions, and social workers frequently encounter dangerous situations. Young people graduating from schools of social work, most with master’s degrees, are often burdened by student loans and debt. Many of our best social workers are getting older, retiring in greater numbers and switching professions. And while our social problems multiply, the level of research into these problems has remained static, or declined.

Fortunately, Congress has an opportunity to help. The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act, introduced by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland - herself a trained social worker - calls for programs designed to keep the profession healthy for years to come, and to ensure that those who most need our help continue to receive it. The act would authorize spending $25 million to $43.5 million over five years on grants for such things as workplace improvements, research, education and training and community-based programs. These initiatives would be aimed at recruiting, retaining and retraining qualified professionals, as well as researching how social work can help address society’s problems. The law would also create a Social Work Reinvestment Commission to study the profession, its future and its needs, as has been done for other key service professions, such as nursing.

Judith Schagrin, assistant director of children’s services for the Baltimore County Department of Social Services, and past president of the Maryland chapter of National Association of Social Workers, says, “There’s nothing more powerful than the experience of knowing you have touched another’s life in a transformative way. We need a way of communicating this to young people and supporting their education to enter the field.” She added, “Child welfare research is increasingly identifying the importance of a professionally trained and supervised work force to good outcomes for our most vulnerable families and children. Not surprisingly, social work education and training are found to be the best preparation for the work.”

On the other end of the spectrum, (more…)

For Immediate Release
July 28, 2008Contact:
NASW Government Relations
Elizabeth Franklin
202-408-8600 x537
efranklin@naswdc.org

NASW Communications
Gail Woods Waller
202-336-8236
gwaller@naswdc.org

Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee hearing on July 29 to examine how the nation’s social workers can best meet the changing needs of American families

Washington—A Congressional hearing, “Caring for the Vulnerable: The State of Social Work in America,” is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 at 3:00 EST in the Committee Hearing Room of the 2175 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. The hearing is convened by the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee, and is chaired by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4)

Several social work leaders will give Subcommittee Members an overview of the profession’s history, services, clients, research and education. Speakers include: Gary Bailey, MSW, ACSW, Associate Professor, Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work, Boston, MA; Michael Bird, MSW, Public Health Consultant, Albuquerque, NM; Rene Bergeron, PhD, Associate Professor of Social Work, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH; Adina Fuller, LGSW, Social Worker, Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, Washington, DC; and Robin Mama, PhD, Dean of the School of Social Work, Monmouth University, Monmouth, NJ. In addition, Rev. Sarah Wells, the Executive Director of Good Samaritan Ministries in Johnson City, TN will provide testimony about the growing need for social services in her community.

Selected Remarks:

Gary Bailey: “Social workers have long been society’s safety net for a broad range of issues, including child welfare, mental and behavioral health, aging, corrections, health, and military and veterans services. The public will suffer from a lack of critical services, especially in the areas of aging and child welfare, if schools of social work cannot recruit young professionals and if we do not retain experienced social workers.”

Robin Mama: “Recruitment is the biggest challenge facing undergraduate social work programs. Many people, especially parents, are under the impression that social workers only help the poor and take abused children away from their families—and that social workers do not make livable salaries. All academic social work programs work hard to change these perceptions, but continued public education about the profession is essential.

Michael Bird: “Social workers have an ethical responsibility to pursue social change, particularly with, and on behalf of, vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers believe that strengths can be found in every culture, and that building on these strengths is the best way to help clients reach their full potential. There is great value in reflecting the populations we serve in our profession as well. When every voice is present at the table, more informed decisions can be made and the community can be more fully served.”

Rene Bergeron: “Knowing what changes in behavior and social factors contribute to the effective functioning of clients and the efficiency of programs that serve them is paramount. Social work researchers conduct outcome studies to determine if practice approaches are as efficient and effective as they should or could be. Practice must inform research, and research similarly informs practice. Social work research has and must continue to help develop programs that improve the daily lives of citizens from all social classes.”

### (more…)

Please take a moment to view an important video message from NASW Executive Director Betsy Clark regarding the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLaGCXjBC7g

Send a letter to your U.S. Representative in support of H.R. 5447 by visiting http://capwiz.com/socialworkers/issues/bills/?bill=11030061

Send a letter to your Senators in support of S. 2858 by visiting http://capwiz.com/socialworkers/issues/bills/?bill=11274081

For more information about the Social Work Reinvestment Initiative, visit http://www.socialworkreinvestment.org

Clinical Social Work Practice Update

Mirean Coleman, LICSW, CT
Senior Policy Associate
June 2008

A quality reporting system for Medicare providers was established by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA). The program is known as the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and was first implemented during the period of July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

The final rule of the 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule continues the PQRI for 2008 and includes a 1.5 per cent bonus incentive payment of total allowed charges for Medicare covered services. To receive the bonus payment, providers must report quality measures on claims and correctly file these claims for reimbursement. Participation in the PQRI is optional at this time for clinical social workers and other Medicare providers. Since Medicare is moving towards a pay-for-performance system, all Medicare providers may eventually be expected to report quality measures to receive payment.

For 2008, there are a total of 119 measures available for use by Medicare providers. Six of these quality measures are for use by clinical social workers. Three of the six new measures were developed by Quality Insights (QI) of Pennsylvania, a Medicare contractor, in consultation with NASW and the American Psychological Association. NASW members participated in alpha and beta testing to validate the appropriateness of the measures in social work practice. The three measures are:

• screening of depression
• screening of cognitive impairment
• co-development of treatment plan.

An additional three measures were developed through the American Medical Association Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (PCPI) and the American Psychiatric Association. They are:

• patients who have major depression disorder who meet the DSM-IV criteria
• patients with major depression disorder who are assessed by suicide risks
• antidepressant medication during acute phase for patients with new episode of major depression.

Reporting for the 2008 Medicare bonus incentive program has been simplified through the development of reporting tools which have been designed by the AMA and several other groups including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). There are three reporting tools for each of the six quality measures to assist clinical social workers in successfully reporting the measures for reimbursement. (more…)

News Source: Google News

Series on child abuse was excellent, but portrayed social worke
Post-Bulletin - Rochester, MN
When child sexual abuse was torn out of the dark corners because a few brave women told their stories, social workers responded to the challenge and found …

Not optimistic? Actions a gateway to happiness
The Coloradoan - Fort Collins, CO
Marcia McConnell Ranch, LCSW, is an intentional optimist who takes delight in promoting positive change in individuals and organizations. …

Social-worker shortage strains department
abc7.com - Los Angeles, CA
Especially acute is the need for bilingual social workers. Click in the Eyewitness News Story Window above to watch the accompanying video to this story. …

Campbell’s longest-serving social worker retires
Lynchburg News and Advance - Lynchburg, VA
So social workers would file pre-trial motions and cases would be heard in the general court, King said. The department was housed in four small rooms …

Making Peace with Your College Student
Newswise (press release)
“Often when young adults come home for their first extended leave from college, there can be some conflict in the family,” says Heather Stewart, LCSW, …

What addict’s spouse should do … or
Lancaster Newspapers - Lancaster, PA
“They have a hard time telling someone about it, so the woman is isolated,” said Carol Emerson, a licensed clinical social worker with Samaritan Counseling …

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

News Source: Google News

Former Winnetka principal shares lessons learned from 1988 school …
Chicago Tribune - United States
Jennifer Dietzler, now a social worker, was a 3rd grader at Hubbard Woods the day of the shooting. She remembered that Streedain entered her classroom, …

The Healing Power of Exercise: Four Workouts to let go of Sadness …
HealthNewsDigest.com - New York,NY,USA
By Bob Livingstone LCSW (HealthNewsDigest.com) - You may be feeling despondent, angry or hopeless. You may want to look inside to discover why you are …

Joseph N. Feinstein, 74; innovative LA teacher and host of ‘Teen Talk’
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
“When I look back on it, it’s one of the main reasons I went into social work.” Feinstein, who taught at Grant High School in Van Nuys for more than 30 …

With ‘lights out,’ the job begins
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - Wilkes Barre,PA,USA
She has a bachelor’s degree in social work. Carter recently began the overnight child care aide position. The 20-year-old says he enjoys taking care of …

Cheers and Jeers
MPNnow.com - Rochester,NY,USA
A CHEER … to the Monroe County Federation of Social Workers, for raising $500 to benefit Crime Stoppers during a Memorial Day concert. …

Choosing happiness - and success
Philadelphia Inquirer - Philadelphia,PA,USA
Left quadriplegic by an accident at age 7, Rebecca Dewar now plans on a career in social work. By Ed Mahon In high school, everyone could see Rebecca …

Navigators Help Patients Overcome Barriers to Treatment
Nurse.com - Falls Church,VA,USA
“I provide information and help patients organize and put first things first,” says Lillian Coleman, LCSW, one of two ACS navigators at John H. Stroger Jr. …

Speaking with the new speaker
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
We need more social workers. Every time there’s a mistake, a death or some tragedy, we beat up on the social workers. But the social workers, their caseload …

News Source:Google News

School social workers help needy families
Tampa Bay’s 10 - St. Petersburg, FL
School social workers go shopping at OASIS (Outreach Assisting Students In Schools), a program that offers the basics for free. Volunteers help sort donated …

Thousands of kids saved from drug environments
San Diego Union Tribune
By Kristina Davis These are scenes that social workers like Norma Rincon frequently encounter after police raid a drug-infested home. …

Too Old for a Blankie?
Mom Logic - Burbank, CA
Luckily, momlogic friend and parent educator Jill Spivack, LCSW had some reassuring advice. First of all, she says, never forcibly remove a blanket or other …

Striking social workers air grievances at Knesset meeting
Jerusalem Post - Israel
Perry said that the average social worker is currently responsible for the well-being of 100-120 children - and 100-200 case files - and this overload had …

Study of ‘94 Adoption Law Finds Little Benefit to Blacks
Washington Post
Because the law forbids discussion of race during the adoption process, it prevents social workers from preparing white parents for the challenge of raising …

New director finds helping others ‘very satisfying’
South Bend Tribune - South Bend, IN
By ROBIN TOEPP PLYMOUTH — Social work is an umbrella category for a career encompassing a lot of different roles, and not one that Indiana native Connie …