Destinee Moore is a member:
The Nexus Between Sleep, Dreams and Mental Health
Thrive Global
Precious Dreams Foundation (PDF), a non-profit co-founded in New York City by Nicole Russell, has teamed up with visual artist Brandon Breaux to redesign its logo and bring attention to its goal of empowering at-risk youth to self-comfort—so they can sleep and dream. Breaux, a native of Chicago, home to PDF’s newest chapter, is known for his iconic album covers, including those designed for Chance the Rapper.… Breaux and social worker Destinee Moore LCSW hosted the event, which provided a writing activity and strategies for the group to foster their capacity for resilience. Brandon was a living example for the participants.

Tiffany Juarez is a member:
Homeless outreach pilot program recommended for expansion
KSAT (San Antonio, TX)
For Tiffany Juarez, getting someone off the street and into housing might be the ultimate goal, but it’s not the most immediate one. “Our measurement of success is that someone is saying ‘yes’ to something,” Juarez said. Juarez, a licensed clinical social worker, is the heart of a homeless outreach pilot program that could be set for expansion. As a family support coordinator for the city’s Department of Human Services, Juarez has been going out with SAPD SAFFE North officers since June to visit homeless encampments in District 10.

Gov. Beshear stresses need for more Kentucky social workers
WLKY
The governor of Kentucky believes social workers are increasingly becoming burned out, creating more risks for vulnerable children and families. Gov. Andy Beshear stopped in Louisville on Friday morning to meet with employees of the Department of Community-Based Services (DCBS) and highlight his multimillion-dollar proposal for 350 additional state social workers. “They fully support the families that they’re working with, it’s time that the state fully supports our social workers,” Beshear said.

Following Launch of Online DSW, Dean Miller Honored at UK Basketball Game
University of Kentucky
With the well-being of Kentuckians in mind, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work launched an online Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program. The first of its kind in the state, the program will successfully prepare students for advanced social work practice, clinical research, administrative leadership and executive roles. Additionally, the robust coursework will creatively address society’s most complex social issues. During the Saturday, Feb. 15, men’s basketball game at Rupp Arena, UK honored College of Social Work Dean Jay Miller.

Both sides of Bible courses bill heard at House public hearing
Metro News (KY)
Sam Hickman, Executive Director of WV Chapter of National Association of Social Workers said the bill is the opposite of diversity in schools. He believes it would be a step backward. “HB 4780 does nothing but help a dominant belief system impose those beliefs on others. The study of comparative religions is already allowed in our schools,” he said.

Michael Ian Rothenberg is a member:
5 Reasons Queer People Are Better at Being Friends With Benefits
Logo
Making a friends-with-benefits situation work well for everyone involved can be tricky, but rewarding when done well. So, how does one do it well? For one thing, it turns out cishets could learn a thing or two, or five, from LGBTQ people, who do it better. That is, according to Michael Ian Rothenberg, Ph.D., LCSW, a psychotherapist and sex and relationship counselor. He spoke with NewNowNext to give us insights into how to make this kind of pairing successful, as well as some clues to why queer people seem to pull it off more easily than their straight, cisgender counterparts.

Lynn Shyman is a member:
How do I talk to my kids about antisemitism?
Jewish United Fund News
“Children are reassured when parents lead and protect them through the daily structure of their life,” said Lynn Shyman, LCSW, Director of Adult, Child, and Family Services at JCFS Chicago. “When daily news brings us details of school shootings, antisemitic vandalism, or violence in Israel, we struggle to find age-appropriate explanations or words of comfort.… Kids need brief, factual, honest information,” she said.

Illinois Adopts Stricter Rules Against Secluding and Physically Restraining Students in Schools
ProPublica
The rules now go to the state Joint Committee on Administrative Rules for a second notice, then approval. Separately, state lawmakers are considering a full ban on seclusion, as well as other measures that could override ISBE’s rules. “While the final rules are a step forward from where the state was a year ago, the General Assembly should still act to protect children in this state by banning involuntary isolation,” said Kyle Hillman, director of legislative affairs for the National Association of Social Workers.

Duncan Nichols is a member:
Duncan Nichols: Lessons from the Flood of ’27
VTDigger
Let’s look to the time of the Great Flood of 1927 for inspiration. Republican Gov. John E. Weeks called a special session to deal with the disaster which in just two days brought over eight inches of rainfall to already saturated soils, immersing the valleys in a brown flood. A state of emergency was declared in 10 Vermont counties. In that crisis, 84 Vermonters died and over 1,200 bridges were destroyed. In his State of the State address, Weeks reported — and generally accurately — “Through sheer force of determination, Vermont energetically accepted the challenge of the elements and in the face of real discouragement commenced the work of reconstruction.”

Joyce Dixson-Haskett is a member:
‘I do not apologize for living’: Michigan woman finds new purpose after killing her human trafficker
Click On Detroit
Her hard work and support would pay off, “after 17 years and a 120 days,” Joyce was about to do the unthinkable. After a lawyer found evidence entered into her original trial, which should have been inadmissible, it happened, “I was freed after 17 years and got out of prison. Stood in the sunlight. Well no belly chains, no leg irons, no handcuffs, 17 years. I was free and I went right into the school of social work. University of Michigan, finished my masters. Everything else is history, haven’t looked back since.”

Jim Struve is a member:
Utah therapists move forward after ‘conversion therapy’ ban
Salt Lake Tribune
Jim Struve, clinical social worker and therapist, moved to Salt Lake City in 2003 and opened up a private practice. Within a year, he had helped found the LGBTQ-Affirmative Psychotherapist Guild of Utah, assembling a network of mental health providers and students in clinical training. “We were trying to be interdisciplinary and open to all therapists, gay or straight,” Struve recalls. “We wanted to create a kind of ‘chamber of commerce’ for therapists to work on these issues.”