Message from NASW-DE Executive Director John Shuford
Dear Colleagues:
There are several new developments and opportunities in our chapter. Our PACE committee is being revitalized by Frances Horzempa and Linda Mayer. It has been inactive for a while and this is a most welcomed effort.
 PACE is very important for the profession of social work and the areas social workers work in. PACE keeps track of legislation impacting us and organizes our efforts to make needed changes. Their first meeting is July 22 at 6:00 in the Claymont Community Center, Room 356. Not only will we talk about what we need to be involved in and aware of, but Mark Brunswick will be speaking to us about lobbying in Delaware. Mark has given many talks to groups about lobbying and is highly respected. This meeting should not only be energizing, but very informative. Even if lobbying is not a top priority for you, please come to support the efforts of our chapter.
As we begin redesigning our Web site, please let me know what you would like to have on it. I plan on having old newsletters available, resource documents, interest areas, current events and issues, etc. We will be establishing a Web site committee to advise me on the Web site. If you have any interest in this, please let me know.
As I said in the last newSWire, I cannot do it alone and our committees will be critical to the reinvigorating of our chapter. Other committees forming will be Membership and Continuing Education. With our partnership with the New Jersey Chapter, we will have access to hundreds of continuing education courses, both on line and live. We need to decide which we want to have in Delaware, and the Continuing Education Committee will be instrumental in that decision making process.
An area of particular interest to me is social work in corrections and what little impact social workers have been allowed to have. We all know that very little is done for our incarcerated citizens to prepare them for life in the community when they return. Improvements are being made on reentry services, but the fact remains that very little is being done to prepare these individuals, especially in the social/emotional realm, which is critical for success.
One opportunity for social workers is to mentor the men and women as they are released. One hour a week can, and usually does make the difference of a lifetime. If you, or anyone you know, has any interest in finding out more about this richly rewarding experience, contact Nicole Jones at A Center for Relational Living, 302-428-3850.
I very much want feedback on the articles included in the e-newSWire, including areas you would like to see included.
John
Ban Corporal Punishment in Schools: Support HR 5628
Click Here to Take Action!
Legislation to Ban Corporal Punishment in Schools
 New York Representative Carolyn McCarthy recently introduced a bill "To end the use of corporal punishment in schools, and for other purposes" (H. R. 5628), which has 17 cosponsors. Upon being passed, this bill will prohibit the use of corporal punishment by teachers and administrators in public, private and charter schools throughout the United States and its territories that receive federal services. Though there is no evidence that corporal punishment has any beneficial effect on children's behavior, 20 states still allow it.
A congressional committee recently held a hearing about the subject and found that as many as 10,000-20,000 children sought medical treatment as a result of being physically disciplined in schools. NASW has a long established policy against corporal punishment in schools and we will continue to advocate against this practice. To read about NASW's policy statement on this and other school social work issues, go to http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/school/default.asp
Action Needed
Please contact your Representative today and urge them to co-sponsor this important legislation. If your Representative has already signed on as a co-sponsor, a thank you message will be sent. Click here or on the Take Action button above.
NASW-DE PACE Committee Meeting
Where
7/22/10 - 6:00PM
Claymont Community Center
Room 356
3301 Green Street
Claymont, DE
Agenda
Introduction of Pace Committee Chairs & overview of PACE Committee and agenda - Frances Horzempa & Linda Mayer
Introduction of NASW-DE Executive Director - John Shuford
Presentation by Mark Brunswick
Mark Brunswick has been a registered lobbyist in the Delaware General Assembly for eight years. He is an Organizer who has worked with organized labor, political campaigns and communities. Mr. Brunswick began his lobbying work representing the A. Philip Randolph Institute of Delaware (APRIDE).
APRIDE, a community coalition based in Organized Labor and built on the principles of A. Philip Randolph, became well known for the effectiveness of its grass roots based lobbying. APRIDE played a principal role in the amendment to the Delaware constitution to restore the voting rights of felons, Sunday bus service and expanding dialogue on health, economic and justice system issues.
Mr. Brunswick co-leads an annual lobbying workshop with John Flaherty.
Mr. Brunswick currently contributes to research on community policing in a research project directed by Dr James Nolan of West Virginia University. He has recently begun work on issues concerning the regulation of guns in public housing policy.
Outline of Presentation
Developing a Program for NASW Delaware
- Political Committees
- Legislative Committees
Working with a Lobbyist
- Legislative Agenda
- Legislative Strategies
- Lobbying
Questions
Concerns of Social Workers in Delaware
- Title Protection (use of the title “Social Worker” only for those with a BSW or MSW)
- Lack of MSW level jobs in the Delaware State system and compatible salary scales
- Multi-tier licensing
Plans for follow-Up
What’s Happening?
 Catholic Charities is trying to identify routine outpatient therapists with an interest and/or expertise in providing mental health treatment children and youth with developmental delays and/or mental retardation, when they step-down from IOP especially in New Castle County.
If you know someone, please contact Valleree Roach, LCSW, IOP Clinical Supervisor @ 674-1600 EXT 16 (office) or 242-3563 (cell).
New Practice Update: Part II: Advocating for Change in Home Health Care
Here's the link for a copy of a new practice update, Part II: Advocating for Change in Home Health Care. Click here.
This practice update clarifies reimbursement for mental health services rendered by a clinical social worker when a patient is receiving home health care services. Please feel free to use the practice update in your print and online media products. If you have any questions, contact Mirean Coleman at mcoleman@naswdc.org or ext. 265.
Early Childhood Visiting Programs – Federal Funding Opportunity
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Administration on Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have jointly issued the first Funding Opportunity Announcement of 2010 for the new Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program created as part of health care reform enacted through provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. The stated goal of the program is “an early childhood service system in every state that supports high-quality, evidence-based practice” to provide critical health, early learning, child abuse and neglect prevention and support services for families who live in at-risk communities. See the attached document for information about grant opportunities – due in July.
Family Caregivers of Older Adults Standards – Comments Welcomed
NASW is developing Standards for Social Work Practice with Family Caregivers of Older Adults, and we welcome member input in the process. Please visit www.socialworkers.org/practice/aging/standards/ or click here to read the draft standards and submit comments. The public comment period closes August 8, 2010. If you have questions contact Chris Herman at cherman@naswdc.org.
NASW Annual Practice Conference
NASW’s Annual Practice Conference, Social Work’s Critical Role in End of Life Care, will be held August 3-4, 2010 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston, MA. The Massachusetts Chapter is a co-sponsor of the conference and our presenting sponsor is NASW Assurance Services, Inc. Our program is being held in conjunction with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Continuum of Care conference. The following link will provide information on the conference including the opportunity to register online. http://www.socialworkers.org/conference
PACE Meeting 7/22.
The first PACE meeting of the year will be July 22 at 6:00 in Room 356 of the Claymont Community Center 3301 Green Street. Mark Brunswick will speak on lobbying in Delaware and how to organize and be effective. The Claymont Community Center is located off of Harvey Road [95 North exit at Harvey Road and turn right and then about ¼ mile to Green Street turn left – there is a sign for the center on Harvey Road] – then it is past the 3rd stop sign on the left.
Managed Care - What You Should Know
Feds propose stronger patient privacy rights
by Sandra Yin
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new federal healthcare information privacy rule yesterday that would expand patients' rights to access their information and restrict certain types of disclosures of protected health information to health plans, according to InformationWeek. The proposed rule is part of the Obama administration's plan for every citizen to have an electronic medical record by 2014.
The changes are also a response to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which requires HHS to change the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) rules by strengthening the privacy and security protections for health information.
The proposed rule would strengthen and expand HIPAA privacy, security and enforcement rules by:
- Expanding individuals' rights to access their information and to restrict certain kinds of disclosures of protected health information to health plans;
- Requiring business associates of HIPAA-covered entities to follow most of the same rules as the covered entities;
- Setting new limitations on the use and disclosure of protected health information for marketing and fund raising; and
- Prohibiting the sale of protected health information without patient authorization.
HHS also unveiled a Health Data Privacy and Security Resources Web site where you can learn about HHS privacy policies.
To learn more:
- read the proposed rule issued by HHS on July 8
When Good Parents Have Bad Children
 An intelligent, articulate woman in her early 40s saw her therapist for depression and anxiety. In discussing her stresses, it was clear that her teenage son had been front and center for many years. A very difficult child when he was growing up, he fought frequently with other children, had few close friends, and had a reputation for being mean. She hoped he would change, but now that he was almost 17, she didn't think he would. More...
Classified
The Delaware State University Social Work Department is seeking MSWs and LCSWs that are interested in being Field Instructors to BSW and MSW students. CEUs and professional development are provided. If you or your agency is interested please contact Ms Dottin at 857-6778 or cdottin@desu.edu.
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