NASW News

Retired Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers, CEO of Physicians For Peace, visited NASW’s National Office recently to give NASW a plaque for raising donations to assist PFP’s Walking Free Program in Haiti, which helps those injured by the massive earthquake there in January. The NASW Foundation, through its Social Work Disaster Assistance Fund, raised the donations from donors. Pictured from left are Amy Bess, NASW senior practice associate; Luisa Lopez, NASW director of practice, human rights and international affairs; Sconyers; Elizabeth J. Clark, NASW executive director; Robert Arnold, director of the NASW Foundation; and Evelyn Tomaszewski...

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NASW Past-President Gary Bailey was elected to lead the International Federation of Social Workers at its general meeting on June 15 in Hong Kong. IFSW is a coalition of social workers from 90 nations. Bailey, who was elected to a four-year term, is the federation’s first African-American president. Bailey is an associate professor at Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work in Boston. Two previous NASW leaders held the office of IFSW president. Chauncey Alexander, former executive director, and Susan Dworak Peck, a former president, both played pivitol roles in the development and advancement of international social work. Pe...

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The Eastern New Mexico Youth Connection Advisory Team meets to discuss gang intervention initiatives. From left: Corey Adams, juvenile probation and parole officer; Benny Adams, organizational development specialist; Amelia Sandoval, Clovis Schools social worker and chair of the Eastern New Mexico Youth Connection; Steve Reshetar, executive director of The Hope Center; and Christina Martinez, assistant director of United Way New Mexico. The power of social work is playing out in several New Mexico communities trying to address the growing problem of gang recruitment among youth. NASW’s New Mexico Chapter has been hosting a successfu...

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“We promote a fair system that keeps society safe, but also works to reduce recidivism,” said NASW’s Melvin Wilson. NASW is urging support of the National Criminal Justice Commission Act, which calls for the creation of a bipartisan commission charged with a comprehensive review of the nation’s criminal justice system. If approved, it will study all areas of the criminal justice system, including federal, state, local and tribal governments’ criminal justice costs, practices and policies. After the review, the commission would make recommendations for changes in — or continuation of oversight of &mdash...

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In a strongly worded statement, NASW denounced legislation recently enacted in Arizona that allows state and local police to stop anyone they suspect is unlawfully present in the U.S. The association also called upon members to voice their opposition. “This legislation is of great concern to all social workers committed to the profession’s core values of human rights and social justice,” the statement said. “As social work professionals, we are called upon by our code of ethics to actively prevent and eliminate discrimination against any person, group, or class” on the basis of characteristics including race, et...

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Judy Hicks is the third social worker from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to be named the Social Worker of the Year by the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers, according to a PR Newswire release. The award recognizes Hicks’ contributions to children and families affected by life-threatening illnesses. She accepted the award, sponsored by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, at the annual APOSW conference held in Anaheim, Calif. “Pediatric oncology social work is a specialty discipline committed to enhancing the emotional and physical well-being of children with cancer and their families,”...

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From the President As my second year as NASW president comes to an end, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to help lead this organization. I have been fortunate to meet many extraordinary social workers, connect with colleagues from my past and work to expand my knowledge base of the social work profession through the wonderful work that you, our members, are doing. My presidency has thus far been exciting, rewarding and active, to say the least. At the beginning of my term in 2008, one of my duties was to launch the first-ever virtual Delegate Assembly. We achieved a milestone in utilizing technology to connect social worker...

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NASW’s new Lunchtime and Specialty Practice Sections teleconferences will include a webinar format to expand the experience for those listening to a live teleconference. “We are always looking for better ways to enhance our products and services and this will add new, interactive elements to our teleconferences,” said Yvette Mulkey, manager of NASW Specialty Practice Sections. Participants in live teleconferences will continue to listen to the audio presentation by telephone, Mulkey explained. They will also have the opportunity to connect to an interactive website that will display multiple elements, including a slide pre...

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The United Nations Foundation has awarded NASW grant funding to help promote awareness of the importance of access to quality reproductive health services in the U.S. and abroad. With the grant funding, NASW will develop and adapt content, messaging and resources focused on reproductive health and family planning, linking domestic and international perspectives. It also will provide a catalyst for social workers and leaders at the chapter, university and grassroots levels to raise awareness and educate others on domestic and international family planning issues. Initially, NASW will partner with Advocates for Youth, an organization dedicat...

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Four hundred social work students participated in the virtual 2010 Student Social Work Congress, part of the 2010 Social Work Congress. Among the participants was Texas Christian University social work major Heather Brown, who said students are the successors to the profession and they need a say in how it will be shaped. “We are the future,” she said. “The world is constantly changing and for me, I need to be a part of making change. I need to be mentored and be involved in order to continue the momentum of the leaders.” The students represented 16 classrooms across the country, said Elizabeth Hoffler, co-chair fo...

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