Kristina M. Whiton-O'Brien, LICSW, and Steve Catizone of Sanctum Sound Studios. NASW-Massachusetts records its podcasts at the studio.

SocialWorkersSpeak.org recently did a feature on the University at Buffalo School of Social Work podcasts. We soon found out they were not the only social workers using podcasts to inform and educate others about the profession.

 The staff of the National Association of Social Workers — Massachusetts Chapter contacted us to let us know they have offered a podcast series for continuing education, or CE credits, since 2008. Social workers around the nation can listen.  Most states approve the use of podcasts for CE credit. 

 “Clinical and some macro topics are covered,” said Elizabeth Melo, LCSW, a social work staff associate at the chapter. “All states are different in terms of (CE) requirements. But social workers should be able to use them depending on their state requirements.”

 Podcasts are audio files that can be played on a computer, laptop or digital music player such as an iPod or burned onto a CD.  As a result, anyone can use podcasts to listen to lectures anytime and as often as they wish.

 “We have a high quality, technologically advanced product for social workers to utilize,” said Kristina M. Whiton-O’Brien, LICSW, director of continuing education and clinical issues at the Massachusetts chapter. “It’s an innovative method of learning made available through a unique partnership with Sanctum Sound Studios.”

 The NASW-Massachusetts Chapter podcasts offer social workers training on how to help clients handle a variety of issues — including community planning and organizing, Aspergers Syndrome and bullying at school. The lectures are done by some leading names in social work and psychology, including Gary Bailey, president of the International Federation of Social Workers, past president of the National Association of Social Workers, and an associate professor at the Simmons College School of Social Work in Boston, and Randy Frost, a professor at  the Smith College psychology department who has authored books on compulsive hoarding.

 Using audio to educate social workers is nothing new for the NASW — Massachusetts Chapter. The chapter has provided HomEd Audio Home Study Program audio cassette tapes since 1998. The chapter then expanded this program to include podcasts.

 The NASW — Massachusetts Chapter podcasts are made through a partnership with Sanctum Sound Studios, a production and recording studio with facilities in Boston and Los Angeles. The studio’s clients have included Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, U2 and Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton.

 NASW-Massachusetts Chapter says it is the only chapter that goes in studio to record CE programs.

  “This unconventional partnership between NASW and a recording studio creates a hip, new, transportable product,” Whiton-O’Brien said.