Jane Addams, known as “The Mother of Social Work,” founded the U.S. Settlement House Movement in Chicago in the late 1800s. Addams and other social workers after her have led the way in developing social safety net programs. Today, social workers are part of the fabric of our nation, leading the march toward social justice, bringing our nation’s social problems to the public’s attention and serving in nearly every sector. Yet it was not long ago that many of the freedoms and rights Americans have today did not exist—and they would not exist—without the help of social workers advocating for them. Civi...

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In the wake of the Women’s March on Washington, the federal court ruling delaying President Trump’s executive order on immigration, and tremendous turnout at ACA town hall meetings, there is quite a bit of excitement across social work regarding efforts to preserve our democracy and advance social justice. There is a growing sense of hope (and empowerment) that the social justice progress made over the last half century will not be swiftly eroded with the stroke of a pen or through a series of ill-fated Cabinet appointments. The lyrics to “We Shall Overcome,” the spiritual that became the anthem for the 1960s civil...

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More members only content in this month's edition: Social Workers Stand Up: Social work students prepare to rally on the Hill HEALS program awards yearlong policy fellowship Social work leadership in times of historic change USC's virtual field practicum offers students a test run NASW working to produce National Academies report NASW advocacy updates Film aims to raise awareness of mental issues veterans face Washington State Chapter focuses on school social work, 'Band the Box' act The 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work Social Work Journal: Civil rights and social justice: A social work imperative Members Extra: Upcoming Webinars, Chats, ...

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Geurts Local voters in Wisconsin’s Dane County were still in a state of shock from Republican nominee Donald Trump’s surprise win in the presidential election. In the politically active county, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton took 70 percent of the votes over Trump. Most people who didn’t expect the election results were overwhelmed mentally, according to a Madison.com article that quoted several mental health professionals. NASW member Meagan Geurts, a licensed clinical social worker in Madison, Wis., said many of her clients are feeling anxious about the president-elect’s plans based upon his campaign rhetoric...

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As of September, there have been 12 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States. This represents the second-highest total number of events surpassing the 11 events observed in 2012. The record number of events in one year (since 1980) is 16, as observed in 2011. Social workers are working on a Grand Challenge to create social responses to a changing environment. They say climate change and disaster events like these take a toll on human well-being, especially on those in marginalized communities. (Infographic source: NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.) When Samant...

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More members only content in this month's edition: Social Workers Stand Up: Protection social work title will be main focus NASW vows to uphold the Code of Ethics under the Trump administration New initiative outlines social justice priorities Challenge aims to advance long, productive lives NASW will hold first stand-alone virtual conference this summer Pioneer event explores relevant social themes First Virtual Grad Fair receives positive feedback HEALS students learn multiple 'languages' International District provides support for those abroad NYS Chapter ED says lobbying is gratifying work Members Extra: Upcoming Webinars, Chats, Private...

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Courtney NASW member Dana Courtney was profiled in The Times-News in Burlington, N.C., about her leading the Alamance NAACP’s voter registration efforts in preparation for the 2016 primary and general elections. Courtney, a retired social worker, helped inspire her group to stay focused on enabling as many eligible voters as possible to cast a ballot this year, the article says. In less than a year, the group registered 1,400 people. Courtney, chairwoman of the organization’s political action committee, told the newspaper, “I’ve always believed you don’t not vote for one party or another just because you don...

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Social workers who work with people with disabilities do so in many different capacities, from direct clinician-patient relationships to research and advocacy. (Thinkstock/Getty Images.) Lisa Primm admittedly has a soft spot in her heart for children. As a disability rights social worker, Primm had as a client a young boy with severe diabetes. He received a dog that was trained to be responsive to the sugar levels in his saliva, and would alert his parents at home—even if they were asleep—and his teachers at school. Primm “The school initially was resistant to having a dog at school,” Primm said. “So...

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The 2016 election exposed and exacerbated divisions between class, race, sex, gender, and ideology in the United States. It accentuated the gap between left and right, between Democrats and Republicans, between “elites” and the rest of the population. Many things that we believed were cherished by all Americans turned out to be significantly less valued by almost half of the voting public: a free, objective press; respect for women; respect for the Constitution; civility. So it’s not surprising that many people are appalled that Donald J. Trump won the presidency. During these difficult and unsettling times, the social ...

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