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Message from NASW-DE Executive Director John Shuford

This time of year colors are changing, temperatures are dropping, holidays are approaching, and elections are right around the corner. This is especially true in Delaware, where our election has generated national attention. Because of what we learned from the Republican primary it is extremely important for us to promote our candidates and get out to vote.

Election 2010

As a political action committee, NASW PACE and NASW-DE PACE endorse and financially contribute to candidates from any party who support NASW’s policy agenda. The Delaware PACE Board of Trustees endorses and contributes to local candidates running for State Assembly and Senate seats. National PACE decides on national U.S. Congressional races.

Our NASW-DE PACE compiles voting records for state elected officials, makes endorsements, and mobilizes members to get out the vote in targeted races. Our DE PACE encourages you as social workers to be politically active in order to shape the policies that affect clients and represent the profession’s interests. PACE gives our members a strong voice in shaping progressive policies that help those we serve. Increasingly, local, state, and federal policy-making and legislation involves social service issues.

Please consider voting for both of these candidates. Most important, VOTE, and encourage others to do the same. As we know from previous elections, every vote counts!
                                                                                                                             John

NASW-DE PACE Endorsed Candidate for U.S. Senate
Chris Coons (D) (website)
NASW-DE PACE Endorsed Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
John Carney (D) (website)

New Workforce Study: Criminal Justice Social Work in the United States

The NASW Center for Workforce Studies & Social Work Practice has published a new study. This publication provides a comparative analysis of criminal justice social work (CJSW) as practiced in Scotland and in the United States.

The document also describes the current transformation and reforms in the American criminal justice system, and how the social work profession can (and should) assert its role in as a major part of the American criminal justice workforce. Contact Mel Wilson with questions at mwilson@naswdc.org.

Low Income Phone Access: Information from the Federal Communications Commission

In these times with so many struggling to get by, it is important that everyone understand all of the assistance that is available to help people stay afloat. “Lifeline" and "Link-Up" are programs that ensure that all Americans can get basic telephone service by providing limited discounts to consumers who might not otherwise be able to afford service.

Lifeline involves discounts on the cost of monthly telephone service, and Link-Up involves a discount on the cost of initiating telephone service. The discount is available for the primary residential telephone, even if that phone is wireless.

The programs have been in place since the 1980s, administered by the federal government and the state public utility commissions, but, nationally, only about a third of low-income consumers who are eligible for the programs participate. To find out about how the discount works in your state and how to apply, go to http://www.lifelinesupport.org.

Several outreach tools to assist you are available at http://www.naruc.org/lifeline/default.cfm.

For more information, please contact the Federal Communications Commission at 1-888-CALL-FCC or TTY 1-888-TELL-FCC.

U.S. Health Insurance Coverage Declines

Last month the U.S. Census Bureau released an annual report presenting data on United States income, poverty, and health insurance coverage based on information collected in 2010 and earlier. The report describes discouraging rates of lost health care coverage and other indicators of increased economic distress in the nation. Among the key findings on health insurance were the following:

The percentage of people without health insurance increased to 16.7 percent in 2009 from 15.4 percent in 2008. The number of uninsured people increased to 50.7 million in 2009 up from 46.3 million in 2008. This is the first year that the number of people with health insurance has decreased since 1987, the first year that comparable health insurance data were collected. The number of people covered by private health insurance decreased to 194.5 million in 2009 from 201.0 million in 2008. The number of people covered by government health insurance increased to 93.2 million in 2009 from 87.4 million in 2008.

The percentage of people covered by employment-based health insurance is the lowest since 1987, and the percentage of people covered by government health insurance programs increased to 30.6 percent in 2009, from 29.0 percent in 2008. This is the highest percentage of people covered by government health insurance programs since 1987.

For a copy of the complete data, see the U. S. Census Bureau report.

For more details: Six Months of the Affordable Care Act: HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Legislation Necessary to Again Halt Medicare Fee Cuts

Medicare legislation enacted earlier this year that postponed a cut in the so-called “physician fee” formula or Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) will expire again on November 30, and without an extension, payments to clinical social workers and all independent Medicare outpatient providers will decrease by 23 percent on December 1. Extending current Medicare payment rates is one of just a few “must pass” bills Congress left on its plate when it recessed in late September. When Congress returns for a lame duck session the week of November 15 an extender bill must be passed to avoid disruptive cuts to Medicare providers.

Senate leaders are said to be considering a temporary one-month patch for the looming rate cut, which will buy time to work out a longer-term bill during December.

Additionally, there are looming deadlines for a number of other Medicare rate issues, including extension of current rates for psychotherapy services to clinical social workers and psychologists. Physician groups are lobbying for at least a 13-month extension of current SGR rates, while groups with related extenders, such as clinical social workers, are working to include their provisions in the larger Medicare legislation. Physicians groups argue a 23 percent rate cut may force many providers to limit the number of Medicare patients they can accept.

New "Be a Social Worker" website

There's a new website in town, called Be A Social Worker. The site covers an array of information about a choosing a career in social work, and provides inspiring stories and ways to connect with real social workers.

Developed by NASW in collaboration with the nation’s schools of social work, this website was created to educate prospective social workers about the scope and vitality of the profession. By highlighting real stories accomplished social workers, the site provides an up close and personal look at the profession’s diverse people, opportunities and contributions. In addition to the social worker profiles, there is a range of helpful information and resources for making an informed career choice.

You can find the new site at: http://www.beasocialworker.org.

News from DE and Beyond...

Click on an article's heading for the link

Teach empathy to ward off bullying
CNN International

By Catherine Pearlman, Special to CNN—Editor's note: Catherine Pearlman is a social worker who also works as an adjunct professor at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University where she is a doctoral candidate. She's founder of The Family Coach, a business that specializes in helping families resolve everyday problems.

Fall brings darkness for seasonal affective disorder patients
Wisconsin Rapids Tribune

"It's a real diagnosis," said Melissa Skrzypchak, a licensed clinical social worker with Aspirus Behavioral Medicine Clinic in Wausau.

When Dangers Emerge–Digital and Emotional
Patch

Maureen Tillman, an NJ clinical social worker and writer for The Huffington Post, who specializes in teen suicide prevention and works with high schools, colleges, parents, students and others, says it's not always easy to spot teens who may take their own lives.

New ADHD study shows disorder is genetic
Today's THV

Don Caserta did not take part in the study but is a clinical social worker at Cleveland Clinic, specializing in ADHD. 

Social worker is her own success story
Press Herald

As a social worker, Thea Day has seen poor people fall through the cracks of Maine's welfare system.  She has seen people take advantage of that system, too.

Cancer Support Community: a place to heal
Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Laurel Healy, a licensed social worker and clinical specialist, coordinates networking and caregiving groups.

Classified

LCSW – in state of DE needed for innovative practice in lower Delaware. Great hours and reimbursement. Please fax resumes to 302-292-1349. Exp with children preferred. Must be licensed in state of DE.