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News Items – March 4, 2015

469722987Kyle Marie Carney is a member:
Snow anxiety hitting home for many
The Boston Globe
Kyle Marie Carney, a clinical social worker at the Mount Auburn Counseling Center, says she sees nearly 40 patients a week, and not only does every single session start with a tale about snow, some of her patients have e-mailed her photos of the house leaks that are the source of their angst. “It’s the loss of control,” Carney said. “They feel like they are barely staying afloat — getting the kids to school or child care, managing jobs, dealing with longer commutes, endless shoveling, and now they’re faced with water pouring in, and they worry the whole house is going to collapse.” Carney listens to patients’ fears, goes over “worst case scenarios,” and then walks it back from there, outlining steps they can take, from putting down buckets and towels to filing insurance claims. “They fear the unknown,” she said. She also points out that many people around the state have it worse, and that they are surviving. “It usually calms people down.”

Barbara Mikulski is a member:
Veteran Democratic Sen. Mikulski won’t seek re-election
WTOP
Sen. Barbara Mikulski, a tough and dogged daughter of working-class Baltimore who rose to become the longest-serving woman in the history of Congress, said she had one question as she weighed seeking a sixth term: “Do I spend my time raising money, or do I spend my time raising hell?” The 78-year-old Maryland Democrat, who led the powerful Appropriations Committee, announced Monday that she’d decided on the latter approach and would not seek re-election next year when her fifth term ends.

Dave Romano is a member:
[ Video] Duluth social worker to bike America for mental health
NorthlandsNewsCenter.com
A Duluth social worker who has battled mental illness is about to embark on a cross country journey. On April 2nd, Dave Romano plans to bicycle from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. to spread awareness about mental health. The 22-year-old works at Amberwing, where he helps youth who are struggling with mental health issues.

Cheryl Heitmann is a member:
City of Ventura honors local social workers in city proclamation ceremony
Ventura County Star (CA)
Cheryl Heitmann, L.C.S.W and Mayor of the City of Ventura honors local social work professionals with a proclamation recognizing the National Association of Social Workers’ 60 years of commitment to the social work profession and bringing positive change to our local community. The proclamation takes place March 16th at 6:00pm in Council Chambers at 501 Poli Street Ventura, CA 93002. In recognition of the numerous contributions made by local social workers, please join us and the City of Ventura in celebration and support of the Social Work profession by attending this special event. The general public and social work professionals in all fields are encouraged to attend.

The writer, Holly Noonan, serves on the Legislative Action Committee for NASW-ME:
[Opinion] Children with dyslexia best helped early
CentralMaine.com
The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on Thursday will consider a bill that aspires to change how our schools deal with children who have dyslexia. The bill includes provisions for training teachers and improving the screening, identification and treatment of dyslexia. It also calls for the appointment of a dyslexia consultant for the Department of Education to oversee the implementation of improved systems and to train educators and administrators in each school district.

Rebecca Parsons is a member:
Palliative care team focuses on patient comfort
The Union (Nevada City, CA)
Patients diagnosed with a serious illness, who feel they might benefit from this program, are encouraged to discuss palliative care with their physicians, [Laura] Swinney said. The team’s work begins with an in-hospital evaluation of the patient, which is covered by Medicare and other insurances. The SNMH Palliative Care Team includes: Dr. Kronland; Swinney; Rebecca Parsons, LCSW; Erin Thomas-Rose, LCSW; Donna Brown, RN, Hospice of the Foothills; Carol Richey, interim chaplain at the hospital; and representatives of other disciplines as needed.

Social Work Members of Congress Launch Social Work Day on the Hill
Social Justice Solutions
Spearheaded by former Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns and joined by former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums and current Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA13), Tuesday March 17, 2015 has been declared Social Work Day on the Hill.  The event’s theme is Engaging Congress in the Pursuit of Social Justice. More than two dozen social work organizations and schools are collaborating to create the event in conjunction with the Congressional Social Work Caucus, founded by Mr. Towns in 2010 during the 111th Congress. Congresswoman Lee chairs the Social Work Caucus.  A focal point of the day will be stepping up efforts to pass the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act.

Abbey Westphal is a member:
Animal Assisted Therapy in Lakewood uses pets in counseling work
The Denver Post
Abbey Westphal is pursuing a graduate degree in social work at the University of Denver and has an internship at the nonprofit. She said incorporating animals into therapy sessions helps build trust with her clients. “Some kids with (attention deficit disorder) you’re not going to sit in a room and do traditional talk therapy,” Westphal said. “So having a client laugh, giggle and throw a ball in water to watch a dog jump after it, it opens a lot up so they’re able to talk more directly with me.”

Barnes leads push to expand telehealth services, make Medicaid more efficient
News-Tribune (Jefferson City, MO)
A Missouri House bill would allow Medicaid patients to telecommute with specialists, saving them the cost of travel. With the advancement of medicine, specialists have become increasingly concentrated in cities, Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, said.… The measure would also add clinical social workers and health care providers practicing in rural health clinics to the list of eligible health care providers. MO HealthNet is a state program that purchases and monitors health care for low income and vulnerable citizens.

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