Governor Chris Christie and Legislature Reach Agreement on Bill that Would Help Prevent Drug Overdose Deaths
eNews Park Forest
The two bills are supported by a long list of public health organizations, treatment providers and advocacy groups, including the National Association of Social Workers.

Compiling an international picture of the state of social work
The Guardian
The creativity and determination of social workers in the face of funding cuts, salary reductions and the growing stigmatisation of poor and disabled people was evident at the biennial conference of the European Network for Social Action in Istanbul earlier this month.

California Social Welfare Archives Recognizes Wong for Work with Traumatized Children
USCSocialWork
For the last four decades, Marleen Wong has dedicated herself to the mental health of traumatized children. Whether that has meant responding to the shootings at Columbine High or Sandy Hook Elementary schools, or the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, or the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Wong has seen a lot of pain.

Balancing Personal Values and Social Work Organization Ethics When They …
LocalPutnam
Every social worker is expected to follow the National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics. Have you thoroughly examined the code? If not, it’s time that you do. Having a deeper understanding of the historical context of the NASW Code of Ethics may help you gain an appreciation for ideals that vary from your own. There are core elements that are included in the code that have a basis in history and are put in place for a very real purpose.

Human Trafficking & PTSD: Is there a connection?
Washington Times
Many believe that PTSD is a disorder that exclusively affects war veterans; however, professionals like Licensed Master Social Worker, Margaret Howard, have learned that many survivors of human trafficking have undiagnosed PTSD symptoms.

Teacher Hopes to Erase Social Cruelty with Get.A.Voice Foundation
Patch.com
Debbi Rakowsky, a social worker and DASA coordinator at Murphy Junior High who works with Mendel by doing Get.A.Voice training in other schools, said the value of such a program is tremendous. “It basically helps kids stand up for themselves and others,” she said. “We’re trying to teach kids to find their own voice or help stand up for someone else when they see any kind of social cruelty.”

Mentally disabled turkey plant workers awarded $240M for years of abuse
NBCNews.com
Jurors awarded each of the men $7.5 million apiece after a weeklong trial that featured emotional testimony from social workers who described the physical and verbal abuse they suffered. That includes $5.5 million apiece in compensatory damages for their pain and suffering and $2 million apiece to punish the company for knowingly violating the law.

[Video] Texas parents attack social worker
WCSH-TV
A Texas Child Protective Services case worker remains hospitalized after she was attacked Tuesday while investigating a report of an abused baby. According to Houston Police the baby’s parents and a friend beat and choked the 23 year old woman until she lost consciousness. Case worker Stephanie Zera went to the Somerset Apartments around 5 p.m. Tuesday to check on the well-being of a one year old infant.

West Virginia Governor Backs Medicaid Expansion for Poor
Bloomberg
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said for the first time that he will expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health-care law. About 91,500 low-income residents will be added to Medicaid, the Democrat told reporters today in Charleston. The governor has the power to expand the program without approval from the legislature, Amy Goodwin, a Tomblin spokeswoman, said in an e-mail.

Medicaid expansion is a game-changer in WV, says expert
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
“Healthcare reform and Medicaid expansion today are part of a continuing process of policy development and evolution in the United States and in our state of West Virginia,” says Dr. Christopher Plein, interim director of the School of Social Work at West Virginia University.

VA offers hope, help to suicidal veterans
Youngstown Vindicator
There are a wide range of physical and emotional issues, many of which are specific to veterans — especially those who saw combat, said Sung R. Do, licensed clinical social worker at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. “You would be hard-pressed to find a person who doesn’t know a veteran who hasn’t been impacted by suicide. On average, 18 veterans commit suicide every day,” said Do, suicide- prevention coordinator for the Youngstown, Warren and East Liverpool/Calcutta VA outpatient clinics.