CELEBRATE NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH—MARCH Change Your Profile Picture to Social Work Month Logo for March You can help raise awareness of the profession by changing your online profile picture to the Social Work Month logo during March. You also can tweet, text, and post short messages and videos about how you’ve helped people in your community. NASW’s Social Work Month Toolkit outlines many other ways you can celebrate and increase public awareness of the profession. Access the toolkit and download your copy of the 2011 Social Work Month logo here.
NASW Member Services Open 9:00 am to 9:00 pm EST NASW Member Services is now open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm EST. You can reach us at 800.742.4089 or membership@naswdc.org . We look forward to hearing from you.
“How are social workers important to our nation’s future?” with a personalized photo message. Visit the Social Work Month 2011 Photo Campaign page for details and photo submission information. Photos will be featured on NASW’s Flickr Photostream, Flickr group and the Social Work Month 2011 page . Each year, NASW submits a video to the International Federation of Social Workers in honor of World Social Work Day. The photos received will be considered for inclusion in this video.Social Work Month Merchandise Available Online Click here to start shopping. Merchandise with past Social Work Month themes is also available.
A symbol of the profession and cornerstone of the
National Social Work Public Education Campaign , the Social Worker Pin celebrates the unique education, experience, and ethics of the professional social worker. You will receive a complimentary professional social worker pin with your tax-deductible donation of $25, $50, or more to the Campaign. Your
support of the Campaign helps NASW educate the media, policymakers, employers, students, and the public about the importance of the social work profession. To learn more about the National Social Work Public Education Campaign and how you can get involved,
click here .
TRAINING AND FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Take Part in HFA’s Annual Living with Grief ® Program. Earn CE Credits
Educate yourself, your colleagues, and your clients about spirituality and end-of-life care by participating in the Hospice Foundation of America’s (HFA’s) 18th annual teleconference , presented in cooperation with NASW. This year’s panel discussion, which includes two social workers , will be available in two formats: by webcast on April 13 and by DVD, which may be shown April 13 or on a subsequent date chosen by the host site. Three bonus webinars addressing specific topics related to spirituality and end-of-life care will be available in May, June, and July and, similarly, may be presented on dates selected by each host site. Learn about how to register as a host site or find a site at which you can participate in the program.
[top]
Policy Fellowship Available for Social Workers in Aging and Health. Applications Due May 2011
If you’re working in aging and health care and wish to apply your practice experience to policy making, the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program may be for you. This program, unaffiliated with NASW, offers practical experience and professional mentoring in health policy development and implementation on behalf of older adults. Participants may work in their own communities, at state agencies, or in Washington, DC. Visit the program Web site or read this journal article for additional information.
[top]
PRACTICE ADVANCES AND SUPPORT
New Practice Perspectives—Adolescent Depression, Family Caregivers, Healthy People 2020
Adolescent Depression and Suicide Risk: How Social Workers Can Make a Difference Practice Perspective reviews statistics, symptoms, and risk factors related to these issues, including bullying. It also outlines what social workers can do to help parents, school personnel, and young people.
[top]
Support for Family Caregivers: The National Landscape and the Social Work Role NASW Standards for Social Work Practice with Family Caregivers of Older Adults (2010)
[top]
Healthy People 2020: Social Work Values in a Public Health Roadmap Healthy People has functioned as the public health roadmap for the nation. Healthy People 2020, released by the Department of Health and Human Services in December 2010, offers many opportunities for social work action in support of health and wellness for children and adults.
[top]
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/CE CREDIT
Upcoming Webinars At-a-Glance
[top]
[top]
RISK MANAGEMENT
A risk management hotline is available to all NASW members, as well as professional liability insurance policyholders. The hotline specializes in risk management information to help members avoid licensing board complaints and malpractice lawsuits. Call 800.897.0033 for more information.
[top]
The ASI Education Center offers risk management workshops, sponsored by NASW Assurance Services and co-sponsored by NASW Chapters and other hosts. Workshop presenters are social workers, who are also former board members, trained in the latest malpractice risk management techniques. Protect yourself and your ability to practice social work by participating in a local risk management workshop (3.0 CE credits) .
[top]
www.naswwebed.org to take these free courses:
[top]
If you are facing an ethical dilemma on the job, call the NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review (OEPR) at 800.638.8799 ext. 231 or 202.336.8231 to set up a free consultation. NASW’s OEPR provides free ethics consultations for current NASW members. Hours: Tuesdays: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm; Thursdays: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
[top]
LEGAL RESOURCES
Confidentiality of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Records
Review the latest guidance from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) on how to maintain confidentiality when using an electronic recordkeeping vendor. In Confidentiality of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Records , NASW’s Legal Defense Fund reports on the latest federal interpretation of the drug and alcohol abuse confidentiality regulations, including consent requirements for treatment of minors.
[top]
As an NASW member, you can schedule consultations on social-work-related legal matters with the legal staff based on availability. For more information and to set up a consultation, call 800.638.8799 ext. 290 or 202.408.8600 ext. 290.
[top]
Get a social work perspective on a legal issue. The NASW Legal Defense Fund’s Amicus Brief Database offers almost 200 “friend of the court” briefs filed with the courts by, or on behalf of, NASW during the past 30 years. These briefs ensure that a social work perspective is represented in cases of interest to our profession and help in understanding aspects of issues that may not be addressed fully by the parties to the litigation. Access the database here. You will need your NASW username and password.
[top]
LEADERSHIP
NASW is seeking individuals who are interested in serving at the national level on committees, boards, and task forces. Build and apply leadership skills. Participate in decision making. Be a voice for the profession. If you are interested, please contact the Office of Governance at governance@naswdc.org or 202.408.8600. For a listing of our committees, click here .
[top]
Be ready to vote in the upcoming national election. Voting begins in early March. You will be notified by email when the election site is up and ready. To vote electronically, you must be an NASW member in good standing as of February 18, 2011 and your email address must be current. Update your email address here.
[top]
WRITING OPPORTUNITIES
Write Newsletter Articles for the NASW Specialty Practice Sections
As a top resource in the profession for social workers in specialty practice, the Specialty Practice Sections welcomes useful, relevant, up-to-date articles in any of the 11 specialty practice areas offered. Write about your case study, new clinical research, or practice modality. Click here for more information on author guidelines. All articles should be submitted to sections@naswdc.org .
[top]
INFORMATION FOR CLIENTS
Observe National Healthcare Decisions Day by encouraging your clients to consider, discuss, and document their goals for their health care—and by preparing or reviewing your own advance directives. NASW is proud to support this observance , scheduled for April 16, 2011. Visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org to find educational materials and learn how you can get involved in your community.
[top]
An important component of the Affordable Care Act can provide immediate coverage for individuals with pre-existing health care conditions. The Federal Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) is a transitional program that will be in effect until 2014, when the new Health Insurance Exchanges become operational. PCIP offers comprehensive benefits, including physician’s services, hospital care, inpatient and outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment, home care, hospice, and prescription drug coverage. Premiums and deductibles vary by state. For more information and eligibility, visit www.pcip.gov or call the toll-free line at 1.866.717.5826 (TTY 1.866.561.1604). The Call Center is open 8 am - 11 pm ET.
[top]
NEW PUBLICATIONS
NASW 2009 Compensation and Benefits Study
[top]
NASW NEWS
NASW NEWS are available online 24/7 . All you need to access these issues is your NASW username and password. Click here to read these articles from the March 2011 issue: From the Director: The Political is Personal Tucson Tragedy Exposes Weaknesses in Mental Health System NASW Takes Part in Crafting Healthy People 2020 Objectives Healthy People 2020 objectives, which were released in a final report in December. The efforts of NASW and others in the geriatric health community resulted in a new topic area being added to the final version: Dementias, Including Alzheimer’s Disease.Supreme Court Ruling a Victory for Workers’ Rights
[top]
PUBLICATION DISCOUNTS
NASW Press scholarly journals, books, and reference works. Refer to member discount code MBEN10 when ordering. For information on other member discounts, click here .
[top]
Stay current on resources in your practice area. NASW members receive a 30% discount on the following Dorland Health Directories: Case Management Resource Guide, The National Directory of Adult & Senior Services, The National Directory of Children, Youth & Families Services, and The National Directory of Mental Health & Addiction Services . Make your search for essential resources effortless by using these “go to” sources. For more information and member discount codes, click here .
[top]
SUPPORT OF THE PROFESSION
Social workers change the lives of millions of people every day. Your contribution to the NASW Foundation can make a difference, too. Each year, the NASW Foundation supports educational and charitable projects that serve:
The practitioner by enhancing social workers’ knowledge and skills;
The profession by supporting and honoring past, current, and future social workers; and
The public by educating community leaders, decision makers, and the public about social work issues and services to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
The Foundation is funded entirely through grants and donations. Your gift will help bring social work resources to the public, scholarships to future social workers, research and training to current social workers, and recognition to social work leaders. Visit NASW Foundation online and consider making your gift today. Click here to donate .
[top]
INSURANCE OPTIONS
New NASW Annual Renewal Notice click here to renew online today to ensure you receive continued access to the invaluable services we offer our members. For questions about membership, contact Member Services at 800.742.4089 Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm EST.
NASW Assurance Services today.[top] NASW Assurance Services is pleased to announce a comprehensive new long-term care insurance program for NASW members. As the population of America is aging, NASW Assurance Services believes the need for long-term care insurance is growing with it and that long-term care insurance can provide a meaningful new NASW member benefit offering assurance and security for certain members and their families. Learn more here.
[top]
Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth? MemberLink, the Association’s e-newsletter; electronic access to Social Work , the leading journal of the profession; and other important email alerts. Log on to the NASW Member Center at www.socialworkers.org/membercenter . Under “Modify/Change Your Profile,” click on “Email Address.” Or, call Member Services at 800.742.4089 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm EST to speak with a representative. Email Tip nasw@naswdc.org to your address book to continue receiving our emails in your mailbox. Also, if you have a work address on file with us, please ask your Information Technology department to add nasw@naswdc.org to your organization’s list of preferred recipients.
Change Your Profile Picture to Social Work Month Logo for March
Help us celebrate our profession in March by answering the question “How are social workers important to our nation’s future?” with a personalized photo message. Visit the Social Work Month 2011 Photo Campaign page for details and photo submission information. Photos will be featured on NASW’s Flickr Photostream, Flickr group and the Social Work Month 2011 page. Each year, NASW submits a video to the International Federation of Social Workers in honor of World Social Work Day. The photos received will be considered for inclusion in this video.
Social Work Month Merchandise Available Online
A symbol of the profession and cornerstone of the National Social Work Public Education Campaign, the Social Worker Pin celebrates the unique education, experience, and ethics of the professional social worker. You will receive a complimentary professional social worker pin with your tax-deductible donation of $25, $50, or more to the Campaign. Your support of the Campaign helps NASW educate the media, policymakers, employers, students, and the public about the importance of the social work profession. To learn more about the National Social Work Public Education Campaign and how you can get involved, click here.