NASW News

NASW-California takes leadership role backing bill that bans ‘reparative therapy’ The NASW California Chapter took a leadership role in helping pass a state law that bans sexual orientation change efforts for minors. California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law S.B. 1172 on Sept. 29, making California the first state in the union to prohibit licensed mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts, or “reparative” therapies, for minors. The law goes into effect this month. Rebecca Gonzales, director of NASW California Government Relations and Political Affairs, said it was crucial that ...

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The color pink as associated with breast cancer is seen as feminizing the disease and not completely inclusive of LGBT people who have breast cancer, according to commentary written by NASW member Liz Margolies and published on Advocate. Margolies, who is the founder and executive director of the National LGBT Cancer Network, says in the piece that pink has been adopted by the entire U.S. as being representative of breast cancer treatment and awareness, with well-meaning health care workers decorating their scrubs and offices with pink ribbons. Margolies says the one-color-fits-all approach does not meet the needs of LGBT breast cancer surv...

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A short time ago, I had a week that began in Washington, D.C., included two days in North Dakota and ended in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. In North Dakota, I spoke to social workers who were trying to assist communities that were dealing with the oil boom brought about by the discovery of rich pockets of natural resources in the Bakken Shale region. Of particular note was the town of Williston, which has expanded in population size from 15,000 to almost 45,000 residents. The entire community is stressed by the sudden and unprecedented growth. Social service agencies, hospitals and schools are struggling to keep pace with the demand. Housing...

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“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” — Michael Jordan “Athletes are complex,” said Vince Lodato, a licensed clinical social worker and executive director of the National Sports Performance Institute. “The layers of complexity go beyond just being a good athlete. They have to outperform at their highest level every day.” Considering the range of issues athletes may face — from stress to substance abuse — it makes sense for social workers to be involved at all lev...

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The board of directors of the Massachusetts Public Health Association appointed Toby Fisher to serve as the organization’s new executive director. Fisher, who has 20 years of experience in health and human services, will lead the MPHA in the next phase of its work to protect and promote the well-being of all Massachusetts residents — including ensuring effective implementation of the $60 million Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund recently established as part of Massachusetts cost control legislation. Fisher previously served as executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, an organization dedic...

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Social workers believe that helping people navigate difficult environments, while respecting their innate strengths, improves lives. With that in mind, NASW announced the 2013 National Professional Social Work Month theme as Weaving Threads of Resilience and Advocacy. Celebrated each March, National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers across the country to turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions they make to society. For 2013, the theme builds on the idea that “social work is the profession of hope.” Many practitioners and students say their work is about he...

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As a former freelance journalist, Anita Doberman said she rarely read or heard the term social work used in a positive light. Journalist colleagues never brought to her attention that there could be a difference between a social worker and a government employee, she said. “It was never on the radar,” Doberman said. “Most people do know that psychologists and doctors have certain degrees. That is the assumption.” Doberman is now working toward a master’s degree in social work, and serves on the NASW national board of directors as its MSW student member. She offered her insight as a media consumer and a journa...

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Betsy Biben, right, chief of the Office of Rehabilitation and Development in the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, meets with her staff, which includes forensic social workers. In district attorneys’ offices, social workers help crime victims maneuver through complex legal processes and offer a helping hand on the road to recovery. On the other side of the scale, social workers in public defenders’ offices ensure defendants have a right to explain their story, and they promote the benefits of rehabilitation. “Society has the obligation to get this system right, and the public defender service is an ...

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NASW’s Career Center offers Leadership Ladders, a series that helps social workers navigate their careers. In the latest issue, Negotiating a Higher Salary, you'll get tips and advice from experienced social workers, inlcuding researching the job and knowing your bottom line. New Practice Perspective The latest Practice Perspective is "Social Work Services with Parents: How Attitudes and Approaches Shape the Relationship." Many parents who come into contact with social workers are compromised in their ability to parent due to drug use, trauma or emotional issues. Social workers, in their many roles, can provide pa...

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Staff and volunteers for NASW’s Political Action Committee — known as Political Action for Candidate Election, or PACE — were busy making a final push before the Nov. 6 election to promote candidates who are in line with the association’s policy agenda. At the top of NASW’s priorities was encouraging members to back the re-election of President Barack Obama. NASW CEO Elizabeth J. Clark said it’s vital to maintain the positive changes the president made in his first term, including passage of the Affordable Care Act, appointing two women to the U.S. Supreme Court and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Do...

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