From the Director A few weeks ago I made a trip to Alaska to attend a meeting. There wasn't much free time, but we decided to fit in a boat tour to see the Portage Glacier. I had been to Alaska two years ago and had visited the glacier then. I was shocked to see how much the glacier had shrunk in such a short period of time. It was a tangible reality check — visible evidence of the effects of global warming. It somehow felt personal. I realized that future generations — my grandchildren among them — might never get to see the natural beauty of a glacier. We have been hearing the message, and the debate, about global warmin...

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Advocates for NASW’s Social Work Reinvestment Initiative celebrated several achievements that took place during the summer. From left, Gary Bailey, Robin Mama, Michael Bird, Rene Bergeron, and the Rev. Sarah Wells, were among the social workers who testified before a U.S. House Subcommittee in July. On July 29, the U.S. House Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities held the first-ever congressional hearing on the state of the profession entitled, “Caring for the Vulnerable: The State of Social Work in America.” U.S. Representative and social worker Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) is a member of the subcommittee. G...

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The Touro College Graduate School of Social Work held its first commencement in June. The ceremony saluted an inaugural class of 43 students receiving MSWs. Robert Schachter, executive director of NASW’s New York City chapter, delivered the keynote address. “Because we have a diverse student body that is ready and eager to enter the workforce, Dr. Schachter’s interest in urban and global social work issues is especially significant for our graduates,” noted Steven Huberman, dean of the graduate school. “He inspired and encouraged our students, their families and the entire college community.” In recognit...

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— Lyn Stoesen, News Staff   NASW has published two new practice updates for clinical social workers. The documents are posted on NASW’s Website. The Clinical Social Work Practice update “2008 Medicare Bonus Incentive Program for Clinical Social Workers” provides details about the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, which allows for bonus incentive payments for clinical social workers who report quality measures on claims and correctly file those claims for reimbursement. Participation in the program is optional at this time. The practice update explains the six quality measures for use by clinical social w...

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NASW is endorsing Democratic candidate Barack Obama for president, calling him an ally to social workers and the clients they serve. The association’s Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Board of Trustees approved the endorsement recently and the NASW Board of Directors enthusiastically confirmed the decision during its June meeting, said NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark. Obama has vowed to strengthen the Medicare system. PACE is the political action arm of NASW. As a political action committee, PACE endorses and financially contributes to federal candidates from any party who support NASW’s policy agen...

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NASW recently announced its annual national awards program recipients. Among those selected by the NASW Board of Directors and the Awards Committee are a social work professor whose extra efforts continue to help those in the Latino community; a retired director of a youth association who has received national recognition for a model program; a retired U.S. Marine who is striving to support the rights of gay and lesbian citizens serving in the Armed Forces; and a civic leader who utilizes her social work skills to ensure that those in need receive vital government services. National Social Worker of the Year Elvia Krajewski-Jaime is a soci...

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Supporters of NASW’s advocacy efforts celebrated a milestone victory in July when the U.S. Senate and House overrode President Bush’s veto of Medicare legislation, H.R. 6331, that restores funding for clinical social work payments cut in 2007. NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark said she wanted to thank the thousands of NASW members who took the time to contact their senators and representatives to support passage of the bill vital to clinical social workers. “NASW is thrilled that mental health services are finally receiving full recognition by this Congress,” Clark said. The bill, known as the Medicare Impr...

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— Lyn Stoesen, News Staff   NASW hailed a June decision from the United States Supreme Court that held that the imposition of the death penalty for child rape violates the Eight Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. The association also lauded a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that found that a strip search of a 13-year-old girl was unconstitutional. NASW had filed briefs in both cases. Death penalty NASW and its Louisiana Chapter filed two amicus curiae briefs in the case, Kennedy v. Louisiana. One brief urged the court to accept the case for review; the second addressed the merits of the ...

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NASW Social Work Pioneer® Warren C. Lamson passed away at his residence in Solomons, Md., on May 5, 2008. He was 93. Lamson graduated from Wayne State College in 1938 with a bachelor’s degree in education and from the University of Nebraska Graduate School of Social Work in 1942 with an MSW. He taught in Nebraska public schools prior to attending graduate school. Lamson served in the Adjutant Generals Department of the Army as a first lieutenant in World War II. He specialized in clinical psychology and psychiatric social work. Following his discharge from the Army, Lamson became chief of the Social Work Branch of the Denver Regio...

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— Lyn Stoesen, News Staff   The NASW Foundation in June presented its International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award to James Karls, who developed the person-in-environment (PIE) social work evaluation system. Karls died due to complications related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on June 29, days after the award presentation. He was 80. “Dr. Karls’ legacy of creating the first assessment system based on a social worker’s education and expertise is a legacy of pride for the social work profession,” said NASW Foundation President and NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark. “Long after his retirement...

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