By Paul R. Pace, News staff Social workers are doing their part to help shape their states’ health insurance marketplaces, formerly known as health insurance exchanges. A key component of the Affordable Care Act, health insurance marketplaces are being constructed so individuals and small businesses can shop for coverage. As of May 2, 17 states and the District of Columbia were expected to operate state-based marketplaces,... 

NASW News’ “Social Work in the Public Eye” The Herald-Sun, in Durham, N.C., recently published a guest column by NASW member Barbara Smith titled “Early intervention in youth mental health.” Barbara Smith “Much too frequently in America, we bear witness to horrific shootings,” Smith wrote, adding that while it’s important to have stricter gun laws, the country also needs “a humane and effective... 

On April 24, 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), released the new enhanced National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care. These standards provide a framework to health care organizations for the delivery of culturally respectful and linguistically responsive care and services. In addition, these standards provide a platform for organizations... 

By Rena Malai, News staff The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a final set of regulations that address several key areas under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, which was passed in 2009, some existing HIPAA requirements were amended as the HITECH Act was implemented in phases. The... 

By Paul R. Pace, News staff As health care in America explores new territory with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, social workers need to stake a claim to their roles as part of the health care team. Ashley Varner, an oncology social worker at the DeCesaris Cancer Institute at Anne Arundel Medical Center, speaks at the Strategies for Strengthening Health Care Social Work meeting. That sentiment was consistent... 

Positive Outcomes with Evidence-Based Approaches to Preventing Teen Pregnancy: The Carrera Program’s “Above the Waist” Approach Exclusively for NASW Specialty Practice Section Members Thursday, April 4, 2013 This webinar will provide information on positive youth development outcomes through evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programming. The “Top Tier” designated Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention... 

NASW Sections Ethics Webinar Ethical and Legal Challenges in Social Work–Consistency and Conflict Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Exclusively for NASW Section Members 1 :00 PM – 3:00 PM ET Credit Hours: 2 CEU(s) Presenter: • Frederic Reamer, PhD Moderator(s): • Dawn Hobdy, MSW, LICSW Social workers frequently encounter circumstances involving ethical and legal issues. In many instances, relevant ethical and legal... 

The February 5th issue of Annals of Internal Medicine features an article that cites positive outcomes for the Baltimore-based SEEK Project (Safe Environment for Every Kid).  Sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical Center, the SEEK project integrates professional social workers into pediatric primary care clinics, to conduct child abuse identification and prevention efforts.   A randomized research trial of... 

Social work spotlight James Zabora has resigned from his position as dean of the National Catholic School of Social Service and professor of social work to assume the role of director of Life with Cancer for the Inova Health System in Northern Virginia. Zabora came to the Catholic University of America after a 20-year career at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Zabora At Johns Hopkins, he was an assistant... 

By Rena Malai, News staff The NASW Practice Perspectives series offers three new publications to educate members about social work developments that will enhance their professional practices. In addition, NASW has compiled a consumer fact sheet on health care reform, explaining important benefits of the Affordable Care Act for individuals and families. The newest Practice Perspectives — “Essential Health Benefits...