Audit finds CPS did not promptly respond to half of child abuse reports, left kids at risk
Charleston Gazette-Mail
Sam Hickman, executive director of the West Virginia chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, called the audit findings “dramatic,” but emphasized the report “didn’t tell the whole picture.” Investigating reports of abuse can be a dangerous job, he said. “They’re not welcomed with open arms when they show up at a door. People don’t want to be questioned,” Hickman said. “There are policies in place that suggest a case worker can ask for [law enforcement] to accompany them, but, too often, [case workers] don’t want to impose.”

Report: Opioid Crisis Hit 54 of every 1,000 Kids in WV
Public News Service
West Virginia has the nation’s largest share of children who face devastating consequences linked to the opioid crisis, according to a new report. Research by the United Hospital Fund in New York shows that 54 out of every 1,000 children in the Mountain State were impacted by opioid use in 2017. That’s at least twice the rate of the national average. Sam Hickman, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers West Virginia Chapter, says he’s not surprised by the numbers.

Ric Reamer is a member:
Professor’s Leadership Lauded by International Social Work Organization
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College School of Social Work Professor Frederic Reamer received the inaugural Contributor Award from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Reamer, a professor in the college’s graduate social work program since 1983, was chosen for the honor because of his long-standing voluntary partnership with ASWB and his leadership in the study of professional ethics.

$5 Million Will Put Social Work Interns into Schools in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties
Redheaded Blackbelt
A pair of new grants from the U.S. Department of Education will bring nearly $5 million to Humboldt and Del Norte county schools to train and place Humboldt State Master of Social Work (MSW) students as school social work interns to support youth mental health. Eureka City Schools and Del Norte County Unified School District will be the direct recipients of the U.S. Department of Education Mental Health Service Professional Development Program funds. They partnered with Humboldt State to write the two mirrored grants.

Larry Schallert is a member:
Recognizing a passion for helping others
The Signal (Santa Clarita Valley, CA)
Whether it’s making sure college students have an attentive ear or raising awareness of community resources so people feel comfortable reaching out, Larry Schallert has made a career out of assisting others. Recently, a national organization took notice of what many in the Santa Clarita Valley have known for years: Larry’s here to help. In that capacity, Larry Schallert, whose full-time role is assistant director of COC’s Student Health Center, was recognized as Social Worker of the Year in California by the National Association of Social Workers for 2019.

Lauren Graham is a member:
Powell therapist named Wyoming’s Social Worker of the Year
Powell Tribune
Through her work as a therapist, Lauren Graham hopes she’s helping to make the world a better place. While the Powell-based professional works with individuals of all ages to address a variety of issues, she specializes in treating trauma among children. Graham said she loves working with kids. They’re creative and resilient, she said, but often are unheard, mistreated or misunderstood.

Jeanné Hansen is a member:
‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Season 6 Episode 8 sees Dr Loretta Wade find purpose in saving a victim of domestic violence
meaww.com
This is also something about domestic abuse that needs to be understood better. According to Jeanné Hansen, a licensed clinical social worker with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, “With domestic violence, there’s a financial aspect a lot of time. If the abuser is a significant portion of the breadwinning team in the family, maybe the only breadwinner, there’s a lot of threat in terms of losing your kids or home.”