Case worker Mr. Adams on South Park. Screen capture courtesy of South Park Studios.

The latest episode of the irreverent adult cartoon “South Park” has raised concerns about the use of the social work title.

In the Nov. 17 episode that aired on Comedy Central, authorities take Kenny and his siblings away from his dysfunctional parents and put them in foster care.

The children are interviewed by Mr. Adams, a case worker who wants to be a comedian and uses the session to practice his routine and poke fun at the Penn State sex abuse scandal.

“Now I have been looking over your file and I see you kids have been horribly, physically and emotionally abused,” Adams said.  ”Oh, whoops. That isn’t your case file. It’s the Penn State University Gazette! Hah hah! I’m joking. That’s just a joke. We like to have fun here. It is your case file!”

Adams never refers to himself as a social worker.

Still, news organizations that follow the entertainment industry such as Entertainment Weekly, AOL TV and The Inquisitr  released stories  that said “South Park” used a social worker character to joke about Penn State.

Casework is a job that may not require a degree in social work. Social work is a profession that requires years of specialized education and training. Although some social workers practice casework the two should not be confused.

Marian Hatcher counsels a woman arrested for prostitution. Image courtesy of Oprah Winfrey Network.

Marian Hatcher says if she can become a drug addict and prostitute, anyone can.

 Hatcher, 49, had a finance degree from Loyola University, a good job in accounting supervising a staff of 25 at a dialysis company, and was married and the mother of five children.

 However, underlying depression and physical and mental abuse from her husband prompted her to turn to crack cocaine for comfort.

She disappeared on the streets of Chicago for two years, supporting her drug habit through prostitution. Some of the men she picked up beat, raped and kidnapped her. Eventually Hatcher ended up in jail.

However, her story has a happy ending. Hatcher turned her life around after being incarcerated and now works for the Cook County Jail in the Sheriff’s Women’s Justice Programs, helping to rescue other women from prostitution and human traffickers. This program will get nationwide attention in a 90-minute Oprah Winfrey Network documentary, Prostitution: Leaving the Life, scheduled to air August 18 at 9 p.m. Eastern.

“Someone helped me. Someone gave me a chance,” Hatcher told SocialWorkersSpeak.org. “(Prostitution) has always been a problem but now it’s getting the press, the notice.”

In the program, peer coordinators such as Hatcher who were former prostitutes provide women with counseling, job and housing support and other services they need to not slip back into prostitution.

Hatcher wears a lot of hats in the program. Although she was a peer coordinator and continues to sometimes do this job she was recently promoted to special projects assistant. Hatcher also takes calls on a human trafficking hotline and provides services to women soon after they are arrested for prostitution.

Women in the Cook County Sheriff's Women's Justice Programs. Image courtesy of Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Hatcher said the prostitution program uses an integrated treatment model and is evidence and researched based. Besides peer coordinators the program also has counselors, mental health professionals and social work interns on staff, she said.

Hatcher will celebrate seven years of sobriety on July 29. She comes from a close knit family and says her relationship with her children is improving. Her work is also fulfilling but can be emotionally draining.

“Some of the women I was on the street with and some women I was incarcerated with are in the program,” she said. “Some come multiple times but we have had to learn how to be strong and be able not be harsh or hard but accept the reality that not everyone gets it at the same time.”

 OWN gave the National Association of Social Workers an advance copy of Prostitution: Leaving the Life. Social workers in Washington, D.C. and Illinois are reviewing it and we will post their comments soon.

Social workers also help women overcome challenges that could lead to prostitution, including domestic violence, human trafficking and addictions. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers Peace and Social Justice Web pages, which include a section on human trafficking, by clicking here; the NASW “Help Starts Here” Web pages on domestic violence by clicking here; and the “Help Starts Here” Addictions Web page by clicking here.

Mark Lilly (third from left) and the toher main characters of "Ugly Americans."

David Stern, executive producer of “Ugly Americans,” is son of former National Association of Social Workers assistant executive director Leonard Stern. Leonard Stern is the inspiration for two of the main characters in the series, which is entering its second season.

One of those characters is earnest Department of Integration social worker Mark Lilly (voiced by actor Matt Oberg) who is trying to help “normal” people and assorted goblins and ghouls adjust to life in the big city. The second is his colleague Leonard Powers (actor Randy Pearlstein), a 500-year-old wizard who tries to do as little work as possible.

You can watch the premiere of the new episodes of ”Ugly Americans” on Comedy Central at 10:30 p.m. Eastern on June 30.

In the premiere, the head demons at the Department of Integration will try to infiltrate a compound where Leonard is training his new apprentice To do so they must create a summer camp where Mark will be head counselor. Watch it and let us know what you think.

You can read more about “Ugly Americans” on SocialWorkersSpeak.org. Click here and click here for interviews with David Stern and click here to read about Matt Oberg, the actor who is the voice of social worker Mark Lilly.

Dr. Phil Stark (actor Peter MacNicol) urges staff to call social workers to investigate the child of a woman with Alzheimber's. Photo courtesy of Hulu.com.

In the Feb. 24 episode of  ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, “Not Responsible,” social workers get mentioned but not necessarily in a positive light.

Dr. Phil Stark (actor Peter MacNicol) asks hospital staff to report a family to social workers at Child Protective Services. The mother has early onset Alzheimer’s disease and the frazzled father is too busy to take his son to the hospital to get a possibly life-threatening tumor removed from his throat.

Staff are against calling in a social worker, saying removing the child from the home would be traumatic. The son is also a primary caregiver for his mother.

Social workers, as is often the case, are portrayed as bureaucratic “baby stealers.” However, Dr. Stark defends social workers, saying they are not as cold-hearted as pediatric surgeons such as himself.

“Social workers on the other hand are bleeding hearts,” he says. “ They are earning peanuts. They’re doing  this thankless work and then they get painted for being homewreckers. For simply stepping in when children are being harmed.”

You can watch the full episode on Hulu.com by clicking here.

Q: Do you think Dr. Stark’s positive comments about social workers will help offset the stereotype of social workers breaking up families?

They are:

Photo courtesy of CBS.

Mike & Molly  (Premieres Sept. 20 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS): This sitcom follows the romance of overweight policeman Mike (Billy Gardell) and school teacher Molly (Melissa McCarthy).

Why social workers might like it: Social workers often help clients live healthier lifestyles. Mike & Molly offers a more realistic take on overweight people. It will be interesting to see what social workers have to say about this program.

Raising Hope (Premieres September 21 at 9 p.m. Eastern on Fox): This comedy follows four generations of a working class family struggling to live together under one roof and make ends meet.

Why social workers might like it: Americans are struggling in this tough economy but many television programs focus on the rich and famous. Raising Hope may offer a more realistic picture of what many Americans are experiencing. Plus it features veteran comedic actress Cloris Leachman (Remember her manic portrayal of Frau Blucher in “Young Frankenstein”?)

No Ordinary Family (Premieres September 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC): A family gains super human powers after their plane crashes in toxic waters.

Why social workers might like it: The premise is a bit far-fetched but could allow the writers to explore real-life issues that social workers help families overcome.

My Generation (Premieres September 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC): This fictional docu-drama follows the lives of nine Austin High School students over 10 years.

Why social workers might like it:  The teenage and early adult years are some of most stressful times in a person’s life. And social workers often deal with clients in this age group and may relate to the some of the issues My Generation addresses.

Outlaw (Premieres September 15 at 10 p.m. Eastern on NBC): Jimmy Smits stars as a Supreme Court Justice who resigns from the bench and becomes an advocate for justice on issues including gay marriage and the death penalty.

Why social workers might like it: Any program that pairs a topnotch actor such as Jimmy Smits with serious social issues is sure to attract social workers.

School Pride (Premieres October 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC): In this show a team goes to troubled schools and gives them extreme makeovers by installing fancy new electronic equipment or even exterminating rats.

Why social workers might like it: School social workers work every day in schools, helping students get the services and counseling they need to thrive and learn. And they often have to do this job amidst budget cuts and the threat of layoffs.

TV Watching Tip: If you don’t have time to view a new show or do not have a digital video recorder you can often catch full episodes on the network TV Web sites or Web sites such as HULU.com. Television shows can also be download from iTunes.

QUESTION: Social workers, what new fall television programs do you plan to watch this fall? And are any social workers interested in reviewing these and other shows for SocialWorkersSpeak.org, the Web site designed to get social workers talking about and influencing how they and issues they care about are portrayed in media?

Aracely Neeley (inset) gets to show off her social work skills on "Keeping Up with the Joneses."

Tune in to Centric’s new reality television series “Keeping Up with the Joneses,” but not just to follow the trials and tribulations of up-and-coming magazine editor Tracey Ferguson.

The program also features real-life sessions between Ferguson and National Association of Social Workers member Aracely Neeley, LCSW, who has a thriving practice in Houston. Neeley provided grief counseling for Ferguson.

“We did actual taping in our office — there was no script,” Neeley said in this November interview with SocialWorkersSpeak.org. “They said this is what we need for you guys to cover and we want it to happen organically.”

Neeley and Tracey Ferguson on the last day of shooting at Neely's Office.

“Keeping Up With the Joneses” premieres Thursday April 8 at 8 p.m. on Centric. To learn more about the show click here.

Photo of Amanda Davis courtesy of the Kansas City Star.

Move over Shay Sorrells of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” Another National Association of Social Workers member is losing weight on television.

Amanda Davis, 25, a social worker at North Kansas City Hospital, was shopping at Marshall’s when a producer from the The Dr. Oz Show invited her to do a 60-day weight loss challenge.

Davis, who was approaching 300 pounds, decided to take the show up on the challenge and has lost 66 pounds so far.

“I looked unhealthy. I looked unhappy,” Davis said. “But I was in denial.”

To read the full Kansas City Star article on Davis click here.

Setara's infamous scarf incident on "Afghan Star." Photo courtesy of HBO.

“Afghan Star” is Afganistan’s wildly popular version of “American Idol.”

Men and women are allowed to compete in the competition. However, women in Afghanistan’s conservative, 99-percent Muslim culture court danger by showing off their singing skills.

Even a wiggle onstage can cause trouble for women in a nation that until recently was dominated by the Taliban political movement that severely restricted women’s rights.

Watch HBO’s new documentary “Afghan Star” premiering March 18 at 8 p.m. Eastern time to find out more about the danger.

Setara, one of the female contestants, sang a farewell song after being eliminated. Her scarf slipped from her head. That slip of modesty raised a huge public outcry, with some saying she “deserves to be killed.”

The National Association of Social Workers is committed to improving women’s rights in the United States and around the globe. To learn more, read the NASW’s position on United Nations International Women’s Day by clicking here. NASW’s Human Rights and International Affairs division also has a gender equity Web page that includes information on international issues related to women. To read that click here.

Q: Is it realistic to think social workers can help reverse attitudes toward women in some foreign countries that are considered discriminatory in the West but accepted for religious and cultural reasons in these nations?

Photo courtesy of HITN.

National Association of Social Workers member Brenda Shepherd-Vernon, LICSW, will appear on HITN public television tonight to discuss childhood obesity in the Latino community.

She will be a guest on “Destination Casa Blanca,”  a weekly panel discussion hosted by Ray Suarez. HITN is the first public television network for Latinos in the United States.

The discussion will air on HITN tonight at 9 p.m. and midnight Eastern Time. It will be rebroadcast on Sunday March 14 at 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Time. You can also click here for video highlights.

Childhood obesity is a major problem in the United States and First Lady Michelle Obama is spearheading a campaign to combat it. The NASW supports these efforts. In fact, the association monitored a recent Senate hearing on the issue. To learn more click here.

"Jersey Shore" cast. Photo courtesy of MTV.

Dell computers, American Family Insurance, and Domino’s Pizza have pulled advertisements from MTV’s popular “Jersey Shore,” (MTV on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET) over concerns the reality television program denigrates Italian Americans, according to news reports.

One thing that has folks fuming is the liberal use of the word ”guido” to describe some of the eight housemates spending a summer on the New Jersey shore. Many Italian Americans consider that term offensive.

“Girls just love guidos…I know girls that just go for that,” said Mike, one of the program participants. “You can hate on me all you want to but what can you possibly say to someone who looks Rambo pretty much with his shirt off.”

All the advertising fuss is not turning off viewers. Ratings for the show climbed to 2.5 million viewers on Thursday night, according to TV Guide. The program has a 1.4 rating amoung adults aged 18-49, TV Guide said.

Treating people of different races and cultures professionally and with respect is a key goal of the National Association of Social Workers. To learn more, read “Indicators for the Achievement of the NASW Standards for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice” and visit NASW’s “Diversity and Equity” Web page.

One of them is social worker Gary Wolfe, who racked up 204,738 miles on his slightly battered blue Chevy pickup.

“On the days we help someone  move from the shelter to permanent housing, those are the best days,” Wolfe says.

Q: We couldn’t find Gary Wolfe in our records. Do you know if he is still a social worker and where he practices?

Ice skater Dorothy Hamill

The National Association of Social Workers supports Kaleidoscope, a television variety show designed to raise awareness of women cancer issues and empower women to take control of their health. The program features celebrity cancer survivors singer Olivia Newton-John and skaters Dorothy Hamill and Scott Hamilton, who will return to the ice.

The program is taping at 7 p.m. today at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. and airs Thanksgiving Day Nov. 26 on Fox television from 4 to 5:30 p.m. EST.

In related news the NASW is hosting a lunchtime series on Nov. 17, “Strengthening the Cancer Knowledge and Skills of the Social Work Labor Force.” For more information and to register for that event click here.

And to get more information on how social workers help cancer patients and their families visit NASW’s “Help Starts Here” Web site section on cancer by clicking here.

“Sesame Street”

We want to get a social worker perspective, so please leave your comments below.

And if you want NASW’s position on early childhood development click here to visit the “Help Starts Here” Web site.