NASW News

It’s March. That means it is National Professional Social Work Month and social workers everywhere are encouraged to spread the message of this year’s theme, “Social Work Matters.” U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns, D-N.Y., will join the more than 60 members of Congressional Social Work Caucus on World Social Work Day, March 20, on Capitol Hill to celebrate the caucus’ first anniversary. Towns is chairman of the caucus, which includes all of the social workers who serve in Congress. Members continue their efforts to educate fellow legislators and their staffs about the issues that challenge the social wo...

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New cancer modules NASW collaborated with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship to produce the latest Cancer Survivor Toolbox modules, “Living With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia” and “Living With Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.” The Cancer Survival Toolbox is a free, self-learning audio program designed to offer cancer survivors vital information to help them better understand and address the challenges of their illness. Listeners can gain an understanding of their cancer diagnosis, basic treatment options, side effects and symptom management as well as tips for coping with change. There also is information f...

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Edith and Grace Abbott, born in 1876 and 1878 respectively, were sisters and pioneer social workers who shared an interest in public service as they worked closely together to tackle social problems and issues in public welfare. John Sorenson — director of the Grace Abbot Project at the University of Nebraska — said the two Grand Island, Neb., natives were known for their teamwork and collaboration as they jointly pursued careers as social workers. “They enjoyed working together,” Sorenson said. “As Edith Abbott described their relationship, they were sisters and comrades who were a powerful, effective team.&...

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Balancing act This letter is regarding your recent article on the military seeking social workers. As a social worker in the Army Reserve for eight years, military commanders value and appreciate our profession. Serving as commissioned officers we do provide care for military service personnel and their families but our primary mission is to be a “force multiplier,” to return men and women to duty. If their condition significantly inhibits their mission capability, job functioning, it is customary for removal from service through a medical board. Serving our country and caring for soldiers is a remarkable experience but does ...

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The labyrinth meditation room at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md. NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark attended a conference at the White House in January supporting Joining Forces, a national initiative that assists U.S. service members, veterans and their families. Joining Forces is led by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden’s wife. The initiative mobilizes all sectors of society to give U.S. military service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned, according to the initiative’s Web page [archived]. The focus of the January mee...

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January 2012 Board's Action Context Financial Approved Form 990 Form 990 for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2011, showed total revenue of $18.4 million. Received the financial statements as of Dec. 31, 2011 Treasurer Diana Stroud reported that as of Dec. 31, 2011, NASW’s total asset po...

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The process of downsizing can be intimidating for anyone, but especially for those transitioning into a later stage of life, according to an online article by the Associated Press/Canadian Press. Older people who must move out of their home into a more manageable living arrangement — a term the article calls “late life downsizing” – can cause stress not only for them but also their children, the article says. Social worker Tracy Greene-Mintz, who specializes in relocation stress syndrome, says in the article that this transition can take an emotional toll on an older person, causing anxiety, depression, sleeplessness ...

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From the Director NASW carefully considers slogans and campaigns to use while celebrating Social Work Month each March. Sometimes we highlight a particular practice area, such as children and families, aging or community organizing. Other times we have focused on a concept, such as ethics or social justice. This year’s theme, Social Work Matters, celebrates the profession of social work as a whole — and acknowledges the importance of our chosen work. Many social workers have gained great historical prominence. Counted among these would be Jane Addams, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, civil rights activists Dr. Dorothy I. Height and ...

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Bob and Lee Woodruff, right, and CNN’s Donna Brazile, below, are among the speakers who will be at NASW’s “Restoring Hope: The Power of Social Work” conference in July. What does hope mean to you? “Hope is the reason that the field of social work exists,” says Eric Rogers. “We believe that our efforts positively impact our world, our nation, our communities, families and individuals for the better. Hope is the fuel for the engine that drives change.” Rogers has been a soldier and a social worker, and is now the executive director of Give an Hour, a volunteer program that encourages social w...

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  Photo: TASWO members stand with NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark, center. From left are Makala, Mbilinyi, Swai and Mbise. A delegation from the Tanzania Association of Social Workers visited NASW’s national office in Washington, D.C., and its New York City chapter in November to exchange information and make site visits that will aid the annual work plan between the two associations. NASW’s Human Rights & International Affairs Division established a twinning partnership between NASW and TASWO with funding from the American International Health Alliance. The alliance is supported by the U.S. Department of...

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