NASW News

From the President Since assuming my role as NASW president on July 1, I have been involved in some exciting opportunities and experiences. One of these was attending my first meeting of the International Federation of Social Work (IFSW) executive committee held in Basel, Switzerland. For those who are not familiar with IFSW, it is a global organization formed in 1956 that strives for social justice, human rights and social development through the promotion of social work, best-practice models and the facilitation of international cooperation. The organization consists of representatives from more than 126 countries in five reg...

Read More

More members only content in this month's edition: Symposium examines HIV strategies Briefing to focus on NICU infants Programs help homeless, foster LGBTQ youth SLA training grads share insight into program Social worker says self-care is ethical responsibility NASW Foundation video PSAs tell social work stories Indiana Chapter helps craft licensure legislation Kentucky Chapter developing modules to teach cultural change Spotlight Social Work Journal Social Work in Action Member Extra NASW members, read the full digital edition of the July 2017 NASW News.

Read More

An article published by the Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York News highlighted NASW member Rosalie (Rose) Russo Gleicher, who was among four recipients selected to receive the school’s Distinguished Teaching Award for 2017. Gleicher is an adjunct professor of Human Services in the Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department at BMCC. While four faculty members were selected, Gleicher was the only adjunct winner. She said it was an honor to be picked for the award, especially considering that there were 130 applications. There are 544 full-time and 952 part-time faculty member...

Read More

Kathy Byers, left, and Dianne Stewart, hold framed pictures of their fathers, who both served as president of NASW. Byers’ father, Howard F. Gustafson, was elected NASW president in 1964. Stewart’s father, Robert P. Stewart, was president of NASW from 1983 to1985. Byers and Stewart also are social workers, and examples of social work as a family tradition. — Photo by Paul Pace, NASW News When Maura Nsonwu was a teenager and her mother, Mary Anne Busch, was working on her master’s degree in social work, her mother called the children into the room to try out a family therapy technique: family sculpture. It calls for...

Read More

From the President As I write this first column as the incoming president of NASW, I am reflecting on those social workers and social work educators I have admired and regarded as role models and sources of inspiration. I feel privileged and honored to serve as a volunteer leader of the organization that exists to communicate the importance of our profession and advocate for policies and practices dedicated to realizing the potential of individuals, families, organizations and communities. I am also grateful to three past presidents whose support, advice and counsel during my time as a national board member have been invaluable. I extend ...

Read More

NASW member Chastity Wells-Armstrong, a former board member for the NASW Illinois Chapter, was highlighted in the Kankakee Daily Journal for defeating the two-term Republican mayor and being elected the city of Kankakee’s first black mayor. Wells-Armstrong, a first-term 5th Ward alderwoman, defeated two-term Republican Mayor Nina Epstein by 215 votes in a three-way race, the story notes. She is the city’s first Democratic mayor since 1993, the newspaper added. The article says Wells-Armstrong told her supporters, “This is a movement. We are tired of the status quo. This is our win. This does not stop tonight.” Asked ab...

Read More

Social Work Grand Challenge A year ago Heidi L. Allen’s sister died. “She lived in Idaho, which did not expand Medicaid under the ACA” (Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare), said Allen, an associate professor of social work at Columbia University in New York whose focus is low-income, uninsured adults. “Here I study health insurance, and I have a 44-year-old sister dying of cancer who doesn’t have health insurance,” she said. “I felt so helpless to be an expert in this particular area and not be able to help my family. It was horrible. I’ve seen firsthand the consequences people have t...

Read More

As I pen my last column as NASW president, it is with great pleasure and pride that I take this time to thank the thousands of NASW members who have deepened their commitment to the association through engagements at local, national and international levels. The capacity of our professional association is only strengthened when our members take a sincere interest in all aspects of our One Association. At times, these interactions seem to be based on divergent and oppositional agendas. However, over the past three years as president, I have come to realize, appreciate and welcome the need for the plurality of perspectives to help make our ...

Read More

More members only content in this month's edition: Experts examine social work ethics and political action Aging Through the Social Work Lens: Session to focus on social work's evolving roles with older adults Summit explores ways to maximize policy impact NASW Board Takes Action — April 2017 NASW staff, members attend Social Work Day at U.N. Initiative aims to enhances understanding of elder abuse Montana Chapter focuses on suicide prevention, rural issues 2017 NASW Virtual Grad Fair Grant advances services for Holocaust survivors Bridge Model changes lead to better care coordination Members Extra: Upcoming Webinars, Chats, Private Pr...

Read More

More members only content in this month's edition: Aging Through the Social Work Lens: Plenary session to explore trauma Social Workers Stand Up: Social workers 'Stand Up' in March Iowa Chapter opposes state attempt to deregulate licensing The China Association of Social Workers visits NASW Members Extra: Upcoming Webinars, Chats, Private Practice Q&A Social Work in Action NASW members, read the full digital edition of the May 2017 NASW News.

Read More