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Message from NASW-DE Executive Director John Shuford

The Fall seems to be a busy time for trainings. Several dates to keep in mind:

Hospice Delaware is offering “Expressions of Grief, exploring Grief Styles by Culture, Faith and Gender. “ This 6.0 CEU workshop will be held on October 29 at the Hospice Center in Milford. For more information
contact Vicki Costa, LCSW at Vcosta@delawarehospice.org or call 302-478-5707 ext. 1129.

The Delaware Rehabilitation Association, the Statewide Employment Specialist Team and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is presenting a training on “Employment for Ex-Offenders" on October 13 and 14 in
Newark. The presenter is Maria Anderson, a national trainer and keynote speaker. For more information, contact Sandra Miller at 302-761-8278.

The last training opportunity is a collaboration between NASW and the Vet Center at the VA. This is a clinical training presenting three different modalities for treating trauma. The date will be November 5th and the
location will be the Claymont Community Center. I will have more information in the next newSWire. Contact the NASW office for more information.

The Delaware Psychological Association is having its annual convention October 15 and 16 in Rehoboth Beach. The topic is a presentation by Robert A. Neimeyer on Strategies of Grief Therapy; A Meaning Reconstruction Approach. The two days are 8.75 CEU’s for social workers. For more information, click here for the flier.

Beginning January 1, 2011, the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) social work licensure examinations used in the United States and Canada will undergo several changes, ranging from the reorganization of  test content to the use of new testing sites. The first half of the year will also feature a program that will qualify some test-takers for a free Advanced Generalist examination as part of a data-gathering project. One of the developments that may be of particular interest to you is the release of the entire set of ASWB Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) statements. These statements are the lists of competencies that may be assessed within the more broad content areas of the social work licensing examinations. The KSA lists now available will be the ones used to create test questions that will appear on Bachelors, Masters, and Clinical examinations appearing beginning January 1, 2011. Changed content for the Advanced Generalist test will not appear until January 1, 2012.

The attached release [http://www.naswde.org/ASWBexam.pdf] contains more details, and includes links to ASWB website and other resources. If you need more information or have additional questions, please contact Troy Elliott, Communications Director at ASWB at: telliott@aswb.org.

I would like to welcome our new members:
Katie Cooley, Miesha Daniels, Catherine Daramola,
Beatrice Rose-Laure Delima, Shelatia Dennis, Sandra Diaz,
Amy L. Donovan, Michael Ferracci, Elisheva Gibson, Christopher Love, Ashley Newsome, Nicole Outten, Lori Prjtcbett, Dionna Reeves,
Kenneth Roach, Deanna Rosseel, Gayle Scherer, Kristin Stonesifer, Stefanie Streets, Marie Treml, Christina Watson, Sarah Wessells, Louvania Wiggins and Angela Williams. 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                             John

NASW School Social Work Update

School social workers face a multitude of challenges in their work. They often have high referrals and caseloads, limiting their time. This limited time, accompanied by the many obstacles to receiving consistent supervision, such as, multiple locations, limited funding and complex schedules, promotes an environment where regular supervision may fall by the wayside.

Creativity and flexibility are two key factors that may help social workers reposition supervision as an important part of their professional development. The use of technology, such as mobile phones and email can help overcome some of the barriers created by differing locations, limited time and crowded schedules. Finding creative ways to receive supervision may be just as important to carving out dedicated time for the supervisee and supervisor to meet.

Click here to read an NASW school social work update on the challenges of school social work.

More Americans Living in Poverty

The Census Bureau reported that the percentage of Americans struggling below the poverty line in 2009 was the highest it has been in 15 years. Four million additional Americans found themselves in poverty in 2009, with the total reaching 44 million, or one in seven residents. Millions more were surviving only because of expanded unemployment insurance and other assistance. MORE

NASW celebrates Affordable Care Act anniversary

NASW applauds passage of the historic health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and recognizes the 6 month anniversary since the bill was signed into law. Enactment of the Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010 was an important step forward in the fight to secure health care for all Americans especially, the most vulnerable populations.

Provisions in the health care reform law – including expansion of Medicaid, increased funding for prevention, the creation of state-based health insurance exchanges, as well as the enactment of numerous regulatory checks on the insurance industry – will improve access to care for all Americans.

Specifically for the professions of social work, the Affordable Care Act:

• Commits to a stronger health care workforce that includes social workers,
• Establishes a national commission tasked with reviewing health care workforce and projected workforce needs;
• Establishes social work professional education and training grants,
• Creates geriatric education and training grants and career awards;
• Establishes State health care workforce development grants,
• Impacts SW Practice/Payments and delivery systems reform;
• Establishes health and behavioral health workforce loan repayment programs,
• Expands health insurance coverage to 32 million Americans and guarantees that 95 percent of Americans will be covered;
• Prohibits exclusions of coverage for pre-existing conditions;
• Creates a high-risk pool to provide immediate assistance to those currently uninsured; and
• Allows young adults to stay on their parents’ health care plan until age 26.

Click here for more information on the Affordable Care Act.

New HHS Spanish language health care website

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new website, CuidadodeSalud.gov, as a partner site to HealthCare.gov. The new site is the first of its kind in Spanish "to help consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable health care coverage."

The website provides information about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act as well as other health care resources. They also connect consumers to quality rankings for local providers of health care, including preventive services.

Click here to visit HealthCare.gov or here to visit the new Spanish healthcare website.

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.

National Depression Screening Day - October 7th

FYI: National Depression Screening Day is October 7, 2010.

Held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week in October, NDSD raises awareness and screens people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders.

NDSD is the nation’s oldest voluntary, community-based screening program that provides referral information for treatment. More than half a million people each year have been screened for depression since 1991.

Click here for more information.

Americans still not tolerant of mentally ill

While more and more Americans regard mental illness as a disease rooted in the brain, that doesn't mean they are getting more tolerant of those who suffer from it. That's according to a new report comparing national surveys from 1996 and 2006. In recent decades, both the government and the medical community have tried to reduce the social stigma shrouding psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and depression -- in large part by stressing their biological underpinnings. MORE

The unemployed & military vets more likely to commit suicide

As government funds for mental health help have dried up, Americans are in greater danger of becoming depressed and suicidal -- because of unemployment and the recession. Add in returning war veterans and you've got a potential mental health crisis.

According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, people who are unemployed and military veterans are at higher risk of suicide. Unemployed people are four times more likely to report symptoms of mental illness than those who have jobs. And male military veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to civilians. MORE

News from DE and Beyond...

Click on an article's heading for the link

The Problem of Women's Self-Expression: A Scientific Perspective
Huffington Post (blog)

"I spoke recently on this topic with Marcy Cole, Ph.D., a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in Los Angeles. Marcy is also the Executive Director of First Tuesday USA, a women's group dedicated to creating a community of extraordinary women through social connectivity, professional networking and social service."

Teachers Forced to Fill Role of School Social Workers
Public News Service

National Association of Social Workers-Michigan Chapter Executive Director Maxine Thome says the added responsibility comes at a time when the economy is causing more stress within families.

Healing of students all in a day's work
Albany Times Union

The job of the school psychologist, social worker and guidance counselor has grown more demanding as student needs have changed.

Do It Anyway: The Top Ten Ways that the Next Generation is Shifting Activism
Huffington Post (blog)

Whether social worker, political strategist, social issue filmmaker, or community organizer, we are all re-humanizers.

Celebrations as Hull House Museum reopens
ABC7Chicago.com

It marks the grand opening of a building that was once Jane Addams' home and is now a tribute to her pioneering social work.

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