Pope Francis’ visit to the United States in September provided an opportunity for Americans to hear his views on ideals important to social work, particularly in the area of advancing social, economic and environmental justice worldwide. NASW Social Justice and Human Rights Manager Mel Wilson posted an overview of the pope’s comments on NASW’s advocacy blog. Regarding racial equality, Wilson noted the pope referenced Martin Luther King’s Promissory Note speech to point to America’s commitment to overcome racial injustice. His speech before Congress continued the theme. On the issue of immigration, the pope s...

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U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (photo right), second from left, meets with, from left, NASW Deputy Director of Programs Heidi McIntosh, NASW CEO Angelo McClain and Julie Shroyer, senior policy adviser at Polsinelli PC, soon after introducing “The Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2015” in the Senate. Congressional social work champions introduced legislation on Oct. 8 that will improve older Americans’ access to mental health services by updating the way the Medicare program reimburses clinical social workers. The Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2015 (H.R. 3712; S. 2173) was introduced by Sen. Debbie Stabenow,...

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Campaign aims to engage social work students and young professionals in promoting the value of the profession. The Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy, or CRISP, has launched its own student advisory council and is using the slogan and hashtag “YSocialWork” in its campaign to engage social work students and young professionals in promoting the value of the profession. The Student Advisory Council aims to be a bridge among students, young professionals, the CRISP board of directors and the Congressional Social Work Caucus. It plans to create opportunities for young professionals to engage with legislator...

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More members only content in this month's edition: Grand Challenges meeting focuses on policy NASW joins Rock the Vote initiative SLA group discusses progress and future of training program NASW Board takes action - September 2016 Triennial Delegate Assembly process under way Social workers help reduce human trafficking Court orders CMS to continue Jimmo education The News conducts two reader surveys Maine Chapter ED had passion for policy, advocacy Members Extra: Social Workers Stand Up! Social Work in Action NASW members, read the full digital edition of the November 2016 NASW News.

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Men are socialized to be manly and tough, and take the pain, said NASW member David Bingaman, a licensed clinical social worker in Rock Falls, Ill. “We don’t go to the doctor unless we’re bleeding to death, or our wives or girlfriends make an appointment,” he said in a story published on SaukValley.com. Bingaman wants to change that trend by launching a men’s only group. It is hoped such a group will help participants identify physical and psychological problems early on, when they’re most easily treated and have the greatest opportunity for improvement. The meeting will be like a psycho-educational prog...

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As the gap between the haves and the have-nots grows, social workers are increasing efforts in the struggle for economic justice. (Thinkstock/Getty Images.) Social worker Reeta Wolfsohn received a message from a client she had worked with well over a decade ago. Back then, “she was a college graduate, an expert in working with the deaf,” Wolfsohn said. “The only work she could get was shadowing a high school student. She had no money, no money even for food, and she was finally at the point of putting together all of her debt.” The young woman had student debt and credit card debt and had not figured out the total a...

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The past two months have been busy to say the least, and, for me, fully exhilarating. Our association and members have been engaged on so many fronts in key issues facing the profession, our clients and the communities in which we serve. The pace has been rapid and at times daunting, but together we have made so much progress. The significance of our collective impact is being manifested in more ways than I could possibly capture in this column. I will highlight a few, but, more importantly, I celebrate the many untold narratives and professional actions that contribute to the strength of our profession. The political season has been an ...

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More members only content in this month's edition: Association leaders discuss collaboration NASW endorses Hillary Clinton for president Voice Awards focus on family's role in recovery Foundation inducts 12 new social work pioneers Rural social workers study U.S.-Mexico border Circle of Life Awards recognize innovative programs NASW Foundation awards Fizdale grants FAQs: NASW Modernization NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings Social Work in Action NASW members, read the full digital edition of the October 2016 NASW News.

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The Atlantic magazine offered an in-depth interview with NASW member Judith Schagrin to explain how the foster care system works and to help clarify misconceptions. Schagrin, who is the assistant director of children’s services for the Baltimore County Department of Social Services in Maryland, said she started in social work in 1979 and has been at the same agency in different capacities for the last 33 years. The article notes that she oversees the county’s foster care and adoptions program, which includes the approval process for foster parents and ensuring that children don’t linger in the foster-care system. “P...

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Officer Jackelyn Burgos interacts with children at a public school in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo courtesy of Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority) A 15-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder became lost in Naperville, Ill., in July. Her parents had been working with her, and she had successfully been going outside alone, walking up and down the block where she lives. She had done well with that and wanted to walk around the block by herself. She either took a wrong turn or walked farther than she had planned, but she did not come back, and a missing-child call came in to the Naperville Police Department, said Police Social Work...

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