AIMS social workers assist patients with nonmedical needs that impact care A new grant will aid the study of a social work intervention with clients in primary care settings. Current literature is lacking in studies that show differential impact of social work interventions on quality of life, health and health care outcomes, said NASW member Victoria Rizzo, co-principal investigator of the Ambulatory Integration of Medical and Social model, which was developed at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. A new $350,000 grant from the Commonwealth Fund will further aid in the study of the AIMS model, which assesses the needs of patients...

Read More

According to an article in Maryland’s Herald-Mail, some people may feel cooking for one is a waste of time, especially if they’re used to cooking larger meals for a family. NASW member Maggie Terry, a bereavement counselor for Hospice of Washington County, in Maryland, says in the article this is a comment she frequently hears. But there’s nothing wrong with making meal planning all about you, she says. Terry occasionally leads workshops on cooking for one at the hospice, and says they are typically attended by those recently single as a result of a loved one’s death, or because their children have left the nest. ...

Read More

November 1955 A month after NASW was formed on Oct. 1 , 1955, the association launched a newspaper to serve as “the first official printed communication to the entire family.” The first issue of NASW News in November 1955 outlines its purpose, which continues today. The following excerpt from the first issue was written by Joseph P. Anderson, NASW’s first executive director. This first issue of the NASW News represents a significant milestone for the social work profession. It has as its purpose to keep the membership informed about organizational and program developments within NASW, and important happenings in the w...

Read More

October marks the culmination of NASW’s commemoration of its 60th anniversary year. Throughout the year, and extending back to 2013, leaders across NASW have engaged in a deliberative process to examine our association’s current structure and to determine ways to better position NASW for maximum influence and impact for our members and the social work profession. This includes strengthening our collective commitment to achieve social justice for our clients and communities. The board of directors decided in June to take action to modernize and revitalize our association structure. Its vision includes: Realigning resour...

Read More

NASW celebrated the majority decisions on several historic cases announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in June. The high court’s 5-4 ruling in Obergerfell v. Hodges cleared the way for every state in the nation to adhere to marriage equality. “Today’s ruling will benefit thousands of same-sex couples living in states currently denying equal access to marriage for same-sex couples,” NASW stated on its advocacy blog shortly after the opinion was released by the court. “The decision offers them and their families the same recognition and benefits as married heterosexual couples.” NASW, through its Legal D...

Read More

A school social worker is generally employed to help students academically and behaviorally, so they can succeed in the classroom and beyond. But the role goes beyond that, as school social workers can wear many hats, said Sharon Dietsche, a senior practice associate at NASW. “A school social worker in this position may help a student with everything from buying alarm clocks so the student can get to class on time, dealing with issues of adequate housing, talking to a student’s family, and having one-on-one sessions,” she said. “The role is not always clearly defined, but it’s vital when it comes to a student...

Read More

NASW national board member Shirley Otis-Green was appointed as clinical director of Consulting Services for the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California. Otis-Green joins CCCC to expand upon the success of ACP Integration Services — a national consulting service that designs customized advance care planning and palliative care solutions for health care providers. CCCC is a nonprofit that promotes high-quality, compassionate care for all who are seriously ill or nearing the end of life. As the voice of palliative care in California, CCCC incubates and disseminates models and ideas to improve access to quality care for all people...

Read More

While the migrations of unaccompanied minors to the United States from the Northern Triangle is not new, NASW’s New York City Chapter says there has been a surge of minors entering the U.S. from this area in the past year — more than double compared with previous years. The Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as Child Health Plus in New York, offers a comprehensive coverage option for all children who reside in the state, regardless of income or immigration status. The chapter says with the current opportunity for children in New York to access insurance for needed health care, the state is well-positioned to ...

Read More

NASW encouraged its members in May to sign up for the Social Work SmartBrief, a daily e-newsletter that contains social work-related information from a variety of news sources, career tips and NASW announcements. Since the launch of the newsletter, more than 15,000 people have subscribed to get SmartBrief sent to their inboxes, said Richard Loomis, manager of NASW’s conference and event planning. “Over 15,000 members and nonmembers are receiving NASW’s Social Work SmartBrief e-newsletter on a daily basis,” Loomis said. “This number has certainly exceeded our expectations for the launch and we’re looking ...

Read More

NASW has joined a multidisciplinary group of health care leaders, legal experts and consumer advocates charged with improving access to care for Medicare beneficiaries as a result of the 2013 Jimmo v. Sebelius settlement. The Jimmo Implementation Council, convened by the Center for Medicare Advocacy with support from the John A. Hartford Foundation, held its inaugural meeting in June on Capitol Hill. At that meeting, council participants discussed challenges to and recommendations for implementation of the settlement, which invalidates the false but pervasive perception that Medicare beneficiaries must show improvement in order to obtain c...

Read More