News Items – June 13, 2011
City police chief focuses on black-on-black crime
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Chief Harper spoke Thursday at a news conference on black male gun violence at the Center on Race and Social Problems in the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. A 2010 report from the Violence Policy Center found that Pennsylvania has more black-on-black homicides than any other state, with a black homicide rate of 36.36 per 100,000.
Riley’s ‘code lavender’ eases stress of caring for very ill kids
Indianapolis Star
The past year has been tough for the social work department at Riley Hospital for Children. Trauma cases have been more acute, child deaths even more heartbreaking. Then, the department experienced a “code lavender” — part coffee klatch, part employee appreciation and all compassionate presence.
Some of those hurt most by the Great Recession spend time helping others
San Jose Mercury News
“I’m sitting here with a master’s degree in social work and not using my skills. I wanted to keep them sharp.” The sharpening stone she was seeking turned out to be the homeless drop-in center on San Jose’s Commercial Street, tucked in among plumbing-supply stores and electrician shops.
Matt Noel’s family unprepared for his sudden death, but fond …
Altoona Mirror
“There is a special component when an identical twin dies,” Paula Pimentel, a licensed clinical social worker with a practice in Altoona, said. “It’s like a telepathic connection when they’re identical. The surviving twin feels there’s a piece of them missing.”
Grand Jury to CPS: Missed cases should trigger policy review
The Union of Grass Valley
In a report released on its website, Nevada County’s Grand Jury reported a Child Protective Services social worker failed to enter in one case of alleged child abuse into a state computer system, and subsequently failed to do a follow-up investigation on the case.
Hear from our social workers
Idaho Press-Tribune
As a school social worker in Blaine County, I find that people sometimes feel like my position is a luxury. Unfortunately, our county frequently has the highest rates in the state for teen drug and alcohol abuse and suicide attempts. One of my primary roles is working with families and community organizations to prevent or reduce these negative outcomes for our youth.
Lost in Cyber Space: Does Your Teen Prefer Cyber Reality to Real Life?
Patch.com
Toni Nagel-Smith, a Katonah-based licensed clinical social worker at Courtyard Nutrition & Therapy Associates, said this issue surfaces again and again with her clients. “I see this (heightened attachment to electronics) to some extent with every child I see,” Nagel-Smith said.
Foster Care Gets an Overhaul
Wall Street Journal
On the heels of hiring about 50 social workers and opening a new community center last month, Alameda is preparing a job-placement program for some of its foster-care kids who have become too old for the system. The new program is part of an expansion that began in 2007 when the county started to overhaul the operation by questioning established ways foster care operates.
Department ‘crippled’ by staff shortage: DA
Times LIVE
“There are 303 vacancies for social workers out of 1 115 posts (27%) and 46 nurse vacancies (31%) out of 147 nursing posts,” Democratic Alliance social development spokeswoman Rika Kruger said in a statement. “This is resulting in severely negative consequences for the children and the elderly who are dependent on state support.”
The stakes in school budget cuts
Ct Post
In this plan, the district will cut 20 social workers. This will affect students who receive individualized education plans, special education services, and behavior plans, as well as those who have other social and emotional needs (including bullying!).
The human touch
University of Texas at Austin News
Helena Harvie has one more year before she receives her master’s degree in social work. While living in San Diego, she became close to several US Navy families and has wanted to work with the military ever since. She believes a social worker can help in every aspect of a veteran’s life — from physical to emotional needs.
Pain of program cuts felt at school board finance hearings
Ct Post
The level of frustration felt by school employees upon hearing the damage $18 million in program cuts will have on the school district next year can probably best be summed up by Susan Smith, director of social work. “There will be 1,800 students not seen,” Smith said. Despite whatever issues they face on a daily basis at home, they and their parents are simply going to have to suck it up, she said, adding she felt like crying.
New commission will review juvenile facilities
West Virginia Record
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret Workman announced Monday the creation of the Adjudicated Juvenile Rehabilitation Review Commission to investigate juvenile justice facilities and procedures in the state. The commission was established to look into the Feb. 23, 2009 death of Benjamin Hill at the Industrial Home for Youth in Salem, the state’s only maximum security correctional facility for juveniles, and the Honey Rubenstein Center in Davis.
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