Archive for the 'social work' Category

NASW Press’ Narratives of Social and Economic Justice Receives Nomination


August 17th, 2010

Last month, NASW Specialty Practice Sections (SPS) and NASW Press teamed up to present the inaugural Meet the Authors BookChat™, showcasing Narratives of Social and Economic Justice. The Webinar enjoyed an overwhelming response from NASW members. The Webinar provided participants with an online slide presentation, a short video, and a question-and-answer session with the authors. The full audiotape of this discussion is available here.

The release of Narratives of Social and Economic Justice in 2009 had been awaited with much anticipation by gerontological social workers, among whom Roberta Greene’s work in the field of resiliency is widely known and admired. Coauthored with Harriet L. Cohen, John Gonzalez, and Youjung Lee, the book is a masterful addition to Dr. Greene’s impressive oeuvre. The book answers the call from social work educators for academic resources that deal with cross-cutting issues and cover a broad spectrum of domains and specializations—gerontological social work, social policy, health, mental health, and social justice.

A companion to Dr. Greene’s earlier Resiliency: An Integrated Approach to Practice, Policy, and Research, Narratives of Social and Economic Justice thoroughly elucidates the theoretical underpinnings of resiliency-based practice and makes a compelling case for its ascendancy as a model for building strong families and communities.

Given such a warm reception, it should come as no surprise that Narratives of Social and Economic Justice has been nominated for The Professor Robert W. Hamilton Book Author Award. This coveted award is presented annually to the best book-length publication by a staff or faculty member of the University of Texas at Austin.

About the Authors

Dr. Greene is professor and Louis and Ann Wolens Centennial Chair in Gerontology at the School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin. She is the author and coauthor of numerous publications, including Foundations of Social Work Practice in the Field of Aging: A Competency-Based Approach (NASW Press, 2007), Social Work Practice: A Risk and Resilience Perspective (Brooks/Cole, 2007), Contemporary Issues of Care (Haworth Press, 2007), Resiliency: An Integrated Framework for Practice, Research, and Policy (NASW Press, 2002), and Social Work with the Aged and Their Families (Aldine de Gruyter, 2000).

Dr. Cohen is associate professor in the Department of Social Work, Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth. She has published in numerous journals and is a coauthor of Foundations of Social Work Practice in the Field of Aging: A Competency-Based Approach (NASW Press, 2007).

Dr. Gonzalez is assistant professor in the Department of Social Work, University of Texas–Pan American. A former Council on Social Work Education Minority Research Fellow, he has authored and coauthored a variety of publications on older Latinos and mental health services and older adults overcoming oppression.

Dr. Lee is visiting assistant professor, Department of Social Work, Binghamton University, State University of New York. She has published on issues of minority family caregiving and the resilience of minority older adults.

Gerontological Social Work Resources Available


July 23rd, 2010

Although the National Institute on Aging predicts 70,000 social workers will be needed by 2020, a study by the NASW Center for Workforce Studies found that only 9% of licensed social workers in the United States identify aging as their primary practice area. A 2008 report of the Institute of Medicine underscored the need for gerontological social work education and training.

The John A. Hartford Foundation responded to this shortage by developing the Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI) in 2000. GSWI uses several strategies to promote social work expertise in aging:

  • Funding and career development support for junior faculty members
  • Dissertation grants and professional development opportunities to doctoral students
  • Infusion of gerontological content in social work curricula
  • Advanced field placements for students specializing in aging

The John A. Hartford Foundation’s 2009 annual report celebrates the 10th anniversary of GSWI and is devoted solely to this social work program. Visit www.jhartfound.org/pdf%20files/JAHF_2009_Annual_Report.pdf to read the report and www.jhartfound.org/blog/?cat=34 to view the Foundation’s blog devoted to geriatric social work.

Related Links

NASW Center for Workforce Studies
National Study of Licensed Social Workers (2006)
http://workforce.socialworkers.org/studies/natstudy.asp

Institute of Medicine
Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Healthcare Workforce (2008)
http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12089

Meet the Authors Book Chat, July 20th - Narratives of Social and Economic Justice


July 13th, 2010

Meet the Authors Book Chat
Narratives of Social and Economic Justice

Join us for this informational session and chat with the authors of Narratives of Social and Economic Justice. This NASW Press book provides insight and skills that social workers need to effectively combat racial and ethnic disparities and promote optimal human development.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Free

Book excerpt

“Residences often find themselves in a double-bind—unable to access services because their homes do not meet county building codes …. Many houses have been built without indoor bathrooms or plumbing, and housing inspectors will designate these as “substandard” or “dilapidated,” so the house cannot pass inspection…(p. 137).”

Featuring:

•  Roberta Greene,PhD, MSW
•  Harriet Cohen,PhD, LCSW
•  John Gonzalez,PhD, MSW
•  Youjung Lee,PhD, MSW

This event is sponsored by NASW Specialty Practice Sections and NASW Press.

CEs will not be offered for the Meet the Authors event. *

To register please email sections@naswdc.org and provide us your name, you will be emailed a confirmation.

Phone Instructions:

· Toll free: 1-866-237-3252
Toll: 1-719-457-1018
Participant Passcode:  945159

· URL:  http://www.MyEventPartner.com/NASW26

*No CEs will be provided for this book chat.

Supporting Young People in their Transition to Adulthood


July 1st, 2010

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, the most significant child welfare reform legislation in more than a decade, has made significant improvements aimed at improving outcomes for children and youth who have spent time in foster care or at risk of child welfare involvement. A number of the Fostering Connections’ provisions are designed to promote the well-being of older youth in foster care. One of these provisions includes mandating the development of a transition plan no later than 90 days prior to the youth’s 18th birthday, or older if the state chooses to extend care beyond 18.  Do you feel prepared to develop these mandated transition plans in partnership with the young people you work with? If so, can you share some ideas on your approach?

Free NASW WebEd Course: An Advanced Course in Ethics and Malpractice Risk for Social Workers - 3 Credits


June 24th, 2010

NASW has launched a new web education course for members titled An Advanced Course in Ethics and Malpractice Risk for Social Workers. The new NASW WebEd course is free to members and offers 3.0 continuing education credits to social workers who complete and pass the test. NASW developed this course to take social workers beyond a basic understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics. This advanced course will identify steps in making ethical decisions by incorporating the application of an ethical decision-making framework and by providing information and tools for managing risks.

The NASW Assurance Services, Inc. (ASI) has funded the development of this course created by the NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review in partnership with the NASW Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and the Social Work Ethics and Law Institute, a program of the LDF. The course can be accessed at www.naswwebed.org.

NASW SPS Webinar: Addressing the Health Concerns Affecting Rural and Underserved Communities


June 11th, 2010

Addressing the Health Concerns Affecting Rural and Underserved Communities (1.0 Free CE Credit)—June 16, 2010

Specialty Practice SectionsSocial workers practicing in rural and underserved communities often see the affect that rising levels of chronic disease have on individuals and families. Learn about and get involved in community-level initiatives to address the implications of poor health in these communities. Learn more about this webinar and register hereNASW Specialty Practice Sections members only.

To learn about Sections membership, visit www.socialworkers.org/sections

NASW Requests Comments on Draft Standards for Social Work Practice with Family Caregivers of Older Adults


June 9th, 2010

Draft available for public review and comment. Family caregivers constitute the foundation of care for older adults but often provide such care at risk to their own health and well-being. Social workers across practice settings play a critical role in supporting family caregivers at the individual, family, group, community, and organizational levels.

To view the standards and submit comments, visit www.socialworkers.org/practice/aging/standards

Please consider the following questions as you review the standards:

  1. How applicable are the standards to social workers across practice levels, professional roles, and practice settings?
  2. How relevant are the standards to the experiences and needs of family caregivers of older adults?
  3. Are the standards easy to understand? Are there any concepts that need to be clarified?

Task Force on Childhood Obesity: Request for Information


March 23rd, 2010

Recently, NASW completed a Health Practice Update entitled, The Childhood Obesity Epidemic: The Social Work Response and has supported First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Initiative. Even though NASW National office will submit comments, NASW members are encouraged to submit their own comments.  Below is the summary of the Federal register notice about the Task Force on Childhood Obesity.  Comments are due by Friday, March 26.

Task Force on Childhood Obesity: Request for Information – Comments must be submitted by March 26, 2010

Across the country, childhood obesity has reached epidemic rates. On February 9, 2010, President Obama signed a Presidential Memo establishing a Task Force on Childhood Obesity that directs Federal agencies to create a comprehensive interagency national action plan to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation. The Presidential Memo directs the Task Force to focus on four pillars:

  • Ensuring access to healthy, affordable food;
  • Increasing physical activity in schools and communities;
  • Providing healthier food in schools; and
  • Empowering parents with information and tools to make good choices for themselves and their families.

This notice announces a request for public comments to assist the Task Force in making recommendations on public and private sector actions that can be taken to solve the problem.

Submit comments online by March 26, 2010.  More information…

NASW members are also welcomed to submit general feedback about childhood obesity to NASW Senior Practice Associate, Stacy Collins by e-mail at scollins@naswdc.org