Gary Hammons: Explaining social work for social justice
State Journal-Register
The National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office of Social Justice—Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, titled “Social Work for Social Justice,” gives the following 10 principles and explanations.

Department of Children and Family Services aims to better prepare next generation of social workers
Los Angeles Daily News
Trainer Beth Minor looks on as LA County social worker Angela Poole participates in a mock home visit in the simulation lab at CalState LA on Feb. 14, 2014. The L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services is changing the way it provides services to the county’s most vulnerable. It’s not only increasing staff so that social workers have more time to spend with their wards, but also overhauling their training. Social workers must now undergo 52 weeks of training, including mock situations in this simulation lab at the university.

Simmons School of Social Work, the First School of Social Work in the Nation, Launches Online Master’s Program
broadwayworld.com
Simmons College School of Social Work, the nation’s first school of social work, continues its 110 year tradition of innovation with its announcement today that it will offer its Master of Social Work (MSW) degree online. The new program, SocialWork@Simmons, will offer aspiring social workers from around the country the opportunity to earn a graduate social work degree from a nationally accredited institution that is a pioneer in clinical social work education, without relocating to Boston.

Rye YMCA Hosts Panel On Issues Facing Teens
Rye Daily Voice
Peter Green, a social worker at Rye Middle School, said “teens feel responsible for academic success,” but are experiencing new pressure thanks to increased testing, according to a release. Green suggested parents be realistic in their expectations.

[Video] Enjoying the Nice & Sunny Weather For A Change
WITN-TV (Greenville, NC)
Clinical therapists call that depressed winter doldrum experienced during the cold season seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Clinical therapist Sean Pumphrey says, “The last couple of weeks with the lows coming in bringing in some difficult weather, no sunshine, people feel the effects.” Pumphrey says symptoms of the disorder include changes in mood, sleep, appetite and an overall lethargic feeling. He says a possible solution to the groggy, depressed feeling this time of the year, can be as easy as stepping outside.

Watson to offer another option for mental health services
Canton Daily Ledger
Erin Watson, a Canton native, is providing a new outreach for mental health and wellness in Canton through the Watson Center for Wellness, a private practice that will serve as a resource for therapy and counseling in the community.

Clinic is 1-stop shop for PTSD, many other issues
Fort Hood Sentinel
The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s Embedded Behavioral Health Clinic helps the brigade’s Soldiers with all of their behavioral health needs within the 3rd BCT footprint. “The embedded aspect is the best part of the clinic,” said Cynthia Brown, a licensed clinical social worker at the clinic. “Being able to provide the Soldiers our services close to where they work helps us get them back to their mission.”

Facebook bullying case disturbs school officials
The Leaf Chronicle
But clearly, cyberbullying can be harmful, said Mandy Grella, a licensed clinical social worker at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent. “Substance use, resistance to going to school, maybe some health problems,” Grella said. “Lower self-esteem, lower grades.” After looking at the page, Grella found it hard to describe the posts. “They’re awful,” she said.

Book Review: Sowing My Quaker Oats by Armin L. Saeger Jr., MSW
Social Justice Solutions
As a social worker myself, I always wonder what leads an individual to become a social worker. Armin L. Saeger, Jr. was raised during difficult times and faced the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II.