By Paul R. Pace Social workers and teachers need cultural competencies to help end the school-to-prison pipeline for students of color, says Shawntelle L. Fisher, MSW, MDiv, LCSW. “This has to be centered around the idea of being culturally competent,” Fisher says. “I know sometimes it has become a cliché; we all want to be culturally competent. But we have ... Read More »
By Sue Coyle, MSW Every year, more than 20,000 young adults age out of the foster care system. They are between the ages of 18 and 21, some having chosen to voluntarily remain in care after 18. Their transition from the child welfare system to adulthood is often difficult as they tackle education, employment, housing, relationships and, simply, next steps. ... Read More »
By Dawn Ellis-Murray, NASW Alabama Chapter Executive Director Greetings social workers and social work advocates. It’s done. HB56, the bill allowing clinical social workers to diagnose within their scope of practice, passed in the Alabama Senate. It is now ready to be signed into law. Finally, we see momentum and a sense of solidarity in the field of social work ... Read More »
By Paul R. Pace Carol Sobelson, MS, said she was inspired to enter social work because, “I recognized I was a good listener.” “That led me down a clinical path for training so I could be even a better listener in understating and helping people,” says Sobelson, president of the NASW New Hampshire Chapter. “It’s interesting how my whole professional ... Read More »
By Alison Laurio Eighty-eight years ago what was called “The Great Labor Day Hurricane of 1935” hit Florida on August 29. With winds of up to 185 mph, its pressure was the most intense of any Atlantic hurricane to make landfall on record. The Lauderdale Daily News on Sept. 3, 1935, wrote the category 5 storm killed 408 people, and ... Read More »
By Paul R. Pace “The world is going through a challenging time in regard to women’s health and rights, and as a social worker we have a crucial role to play to ensure women have access to proper care and health,” says Yasoda Sharma, PhD, MSW, director of Region IV for NASW’s national board of directors. “My inspiration to serve ... Read More »
By Alison Laurio Will Francis, LMSW, said he “saw the writing on the wall” after new laws were implemented in Texas and took action to inform NASW Texas Chapter members about how to stay safe while doing their jobs. “Freedom of Social Work: How the First Amendment Supports Safe Spaces” — his presentation at the state conference — is an ... Read More »
By Alison Laurio Managing student debt; concerns about risk and liability; how to begin a job search; what is a social work license, and why is or isn’t it important?; and landing your dream social work job are topics many social work students and recent graduates are eager to find out more about. Now they can, thanks to a free ... Read More »
The belief that dementia is a normal part of the aging process is familiar. But it is not true. “It is a common misconception in society that it is something we should all expect and something that happens to almost everybody,” says Natalia Shtompel, PhD, MSW. “But it’s not the case.” Dementia is not a normal part of aging, she ... Read More »
When Robin Arndt was a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he met with a social work professor. After a one-hour conversation where Arndt discussed his interests and aspirations, he said he left knowing he was going to be a social worker. “I gained a mentor from that meeting who would help me navigate my undergraduate experience and shape ... Read More »
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