News Items – July 1, 2014
Sandra Bernabei is the President of NASW-NYC:
In NY, black families more likely to be split by foster care system
Al-Jazeera America
Critics argue that racial bias plagues the child welfare system at many levels. “Bias is everywhere,” said Sandra Bernabei, the president of New York City’s chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. “You will see disparities in all points of entry that children of color are taken in at higher numbers. They stay longer. They are placed in long-term care longer.” She said that bias exists at schools and in hospitals and is demonstrated by police, who by law must report suspected abuse or neglect of children. Social workers and judges then decide whether to remove the children from their families. “The classic [scenario] is that when a call comes in, it is already predetermined that the child will be removed, and how will we know that?” she said. “When a call comes in a white community, they will go out and investigate. If a call comes in for a community of color, they will put a car seat in the car.”
Trauma is a hidden cause of academic struggles for many in D.C., report finds
The Washington Post
If a student has an outburst, employees are trained to examine the triggers and the causes. Suspensions and expulsions are discouraged. “It changes the way we think,” said Judith Sandalow, executive director of the D.C. Children’s Law Center. “It allows teachers not to think, ‘What’s wrong with this kid?’ but ‘What’s happened to this child?’ ” The Child and Family Services Agency and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education have trained more than 440 educators in the District on trauma-specific therapies, and social workers in schools have increased the number of clinical services they provide. But the report also says there is no systemwide coordination of such training or services.
Personalizing medicine with tailored social services
marketplace.org
It may be overwhelming, and time consuming, but CareOregon believes getting to know patients so intimately lets them do a better job. The company also collects a lot of data, which has helped emphasize that not all poor patients with chronic illnesses are the same. Some are able to manage their disease and don’t cycle in and out of the hospital. Those who do find themselves at the hospital frequently are often socially isolated — patients like Joannie McVae. She’s married, but her husband is gone a lot, and she’s really sick. Her illnesses include diabetes, OCD, PTSD, panic and anxiety attacks, asthma, sleep apnea and plantar fasciitis. CareOregon tackles isolation by pairing patients with a social worker and a peer who has similar lived experiences.
Pregnant border crossers being detained more, longer
Arizona Daily Star
A clash between immigration enforcement priorities and detention policies means more pregnant women are being detained longer. That puts women and their babies at greater risk because of the added stress and sometimes inadequate medical care, say groups that work with immigrant detainees. It also boosts the burden to the nation’s taxpayers if babies in detention are born at public expense. “They have to have nutrition and medical care that tends to their particular pregnancy,” standards that can’t be met in detention, said Laurie Melrood, a local social worker and advocate who has visited with women in detention for years.
How do good social work managers promote staff wellbeing?
communitycare.co.uk
It is widely recognised that social work is an emotionally demanding and potentially stressful profession. Several studies have highlighted how important emotional resilience is to protect social workers’ wellbeing and enable high quality professional practice. Research we conducted identified a range of factors that underpin resilience – emotional literacy, appropriate empathy, social competence and support, and flexible coping skills are especially key. Although social workers need to be emotionally resilient, it is vital to be clear that the responsibility for protecting wellbeing does not lie solely with the individual. Social work managers, employers and organisations play a crucial role.
Steve Karp is ED of NASW-CT
[Audio] Avon’s Plan to Replace School Social Workers With Psychologists Draws Ire
WKPR
Steve Karp, executive director of the Connecticut chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, said there is some overlap between the two fields, but school psychologists usually focus on the student, whereas social workers look at the context that the student is in. “School psychologists and school social workers are not interchangeable parts, they complement each other, and a comprehensive mental health approach really needs both,” Karp said.
Wilma Wake is a member:
What you should know about mental illness
seacoastonline.com (Maine)
Wilma Wake, a licensed clinical social worker based in Kennebunk, said someone should never be ashamed of seeking help, but should liken it to going to a doctor for a physical ailment. Wake also said that sometimes a person’s depression can be magnified by how society can view it. “I think the more research done on the brain, we can find that there can be an imbalance in the brain the same as anywhere else,” said Wake. “Most mental illnesses can at least be brought under control if not cured.”
Al Brewster is a member:
Battle Buddies volunteers ready to just listen
Southern Maryland News
Battle Buddies cofounder Al Brewster is a Vietnam veteran who retired from the Air Force as a mental health officer, and now works as a licensed clinical social worker. He said moving successfully between the worlds of war and civilization requires a connection with someone else “who has been there and done that.”
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