NASW News

Elvia Krajewski, second from right, received the NASW Social Worker of the Year Award, presented by NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark, center. Also pictured are Barry Saltman, second from left, and David J. H. Garvin, far right, recipients of Michigan Chapter awards. Maxine Thome, far left, is executive director of the chapter.

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— Heidi Sfiligoj, News Staff   A new member voluntary benefit program offered by NASW's insurance arm, NASW Assurance Services, Inc. (ASI), now permits NASW members to save money on their auto, homeowners, condo and renters insurance with programs available through Liberty Mutual. "NASW Assurance Services chose Liberty Mutual to provide NASW members auto, home, and renters insurance because they offer high-quality, competitively priced programs at a discount to NASW members, along with an emergency roadside assistance service, that can add to personal safety and security," said Tony Benedetto, executive vice president for NASW A...

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Rhonda Germany was quoted in Ozarks First in Springfield, Mo., in a story about whether social-networking Web sites are good for relationships. The story noted how many people have used Facebook to discover and make new contact with former lovers - and in some cases rekindle the relationship. For those already in a relationship, however, such scenarios can carry a hefty price, the story said. Germany, a licensed clinical social worker, was quoted as saying, "It's a problem. And I'm running into it all the time in marriage counseling." She said many couples are now citing social networking sites as a problem in their own relationship. A big...

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From the President As my presidency continues, I am privileged to attend events across the country and speak to many social workers. Each time, I reflect on the vital importance of the work that you are doing and your persistence in the face of difficult work and shrinking budgets. I am also struck by the challenges that lie ahead for our profession. Social workers have always served individuals, families, and communities, with particular attention to the vulnerable and oppressed. Our current economic turmoil is creating a need for social work services that many of us have not experienced in our lifetimes. Our economy shed 651,000 jobs in F...

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Heidi Sfiligoj, News Staff   The Whitney Young Film and Leadership Development Project was introduced at The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) conference, held March 18-22 in Phoenix, Ariz. NASW partnered with BPD to promote the 2009 conference. The conference theme was "BPD: Generalist Practice: The Future is Now," and NASW co-hosted a special plenary session on the project. The plenary session reviewed the life of Whitney Young, including his use of social work skills in providing leadership not only to the National Urban League, but also to his profession and to the nation. The Whitney Young Film and...

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Promoting university/agency partnerships to boost child welfare outcomes is the focus of a new report and toolkit. The report, Strengthening University/Agency Partnerships to Enhance Child Welfare Outcomes: A Toolkit for Building Research Partnerships, was produced by the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR) and supported by Casey Family Programs (CFP). Based in Seattle, CFP is a national operating foundation that serves children, youth and families in the child welfare system through direct services as well as by child-welfare practice and policy. Joan Levy Zlotnik, executive director of IASWR, said the project was...

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Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) reintroduced the bill in March. On March 5, during National Social Work Month, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) reintroduced the Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act (S. 538, formerly S. 3364). The bill will establish a school social work workforce that is more prepared and better trained to deal with psychosocial and emotional issues that can hinder educational performance. It addresses the projected shortage of qualified school-employed professionals. "Each day, teachers in our schools are tasked not only with addressing the academic needs of students, but also the behavioral, social, ...

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— Heidi Sfiligoj, News Staff   NASW has recently filed an amicus brief in a case that has now reached the Supreme Court. On April 1, NASW and the NASW Arizona Chapter filed a brief in the Supreme Court of the United States in the Safford Unified School District #1 v. Redding case. The case involves Savana Redding, who was strip-searched at her middle school when she was 13 years old after school officials received an uncorroborated tip from another student that she may have an unauthorized ibuprofen in her possession. Redding's mother was not notified and no pills were found on the girl. Redding, an honors student without a disc...

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The size and cost of America's prison system has skyrocketed in the past 30 years. Yet, according to reports by the Pew Center on the States, recidivism rates remain high. After decades of building more jails and prisons, the U.S. Department of Justice along with lawmakers are putting new faith behind programs that help prisoners successfully reenter society. NASW was a supporter of the Second Chance Act that was passed into law in 2008. While the measure was approved, putting money behind the first-of-its-kind legislation was the next hurdle. NASW joined more than 250 organizations nationwide in sending letters to lawmakers this year to en...

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Things are about to change for the only state in the nation that does not offer master's level training in social work education. Thanks to a grassroots effort started by the NASW South Dakota Chapter, state lawmakers in March approved funding for the creation of an MSW social work curriculum at the University of South Dakota. The program could start as early as fall 2010. South Dakota has been the only state in the nation not to offer an MSW either by a private or a public university, said NASW South Dakota Chapter Executive Director Joan McMillin. "I can't tell you how many people have come up to me and said they would stay here if they c...

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