• 
• Social Work Month 2012
  • Social Work Month 2012 Toolkit Homepage
  • Social Work Month 2012 Press Releases
  • Social Work Month 2012 Multimedia
  • Social Work Month 2012 Key Messages
  • Social Work Month Activity Overview
  • Social Work Month 2012 Logos
  • Social Work Month 2012 Photo Project
  • Social Work Month 2012 Merchandise
  • Social Work Month 2012 Proclamation Template
  • The History of Social Work Month
  • Questions: socialworkmonth@naswdc.org

  Social Work Month 2011
  Social Workers Change Futures - Targeted outreach and promotional ideas, including tips for securing endorsements, hosting events, publishing articles and marketing your private practice.

  Social Work Month 2010
  Social Workers Inspire Community Action - Visual guides to three social work public education websites, profiles of inspiring social workers, and tips for promoting the profession.

  Social Work Month 2009
  Social Work: Purpose and Possibility - Information and tools for social work student recruitment, sample consumer radio PSAs, and specific tips for working with the media.

Military Home

Trends in Social Work

Social Work in VA: Meeting the Needs of the Newest Generation of Veterans (2012 | pdf)

NASW Supports Joining Forces Initiative
March 2012 NASW News

In January 2012, NASW was invited to attend a conference at the White House in January supporting Joining Forces, a national initiative that assists U.S. service members, veterans and their families. The focus of the January meeting was to discuss how service members are affected by traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. Joining Forces is led by first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden’s wife. The initiative mobilizes all sectors of society to give U.S. military service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned.

Armed Forces See Need for Social Workers
January 2012 NASW News

Judith Ward Dekle, social worker and senior program analyst within the Office of Family Policy for Children/Youth for the Department of Defense, met with NASW staff to discuss ways NASW and DoD can link social workers to the military and provide career direction to recent graduates and newcomers to the field.  She stressed the importance of help being accessible to those living with the challenges of a military lifestyle, even in peace time, and the valuable knowledge and expertise social workers can expect to acquire from working with military members and their families.

	Finding New Ways to Serve Military, Families November 2009 NASW News The U.S. military and organizations that offer mental health care to veterans have made tremendous strides over the years in how they recognize and treat mental stress during times of war.  Today, every branch of the U.S. military recognizes the critical importance of mental health and strives to offer appropriate care for soldiers, both in the U.S. and those who are deployed. Additionally, mental health services for veterans and their families, such as those offered through organizations and agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs — from family counseling to inpatient treatment to education programs and beyond — can be accessed at sites across the nation.
	Veterans Aided With Transition Struggle February 2007 NASW News The stress of combat can carry over into civilian life. Military combat has always taken a toll on service members. Being vigilant, stoic and protective of fellow soldiers are invaluable, life-saving traits during war. But the stress of remaining on high alert has physiological and psychological effects that can make life outside of combat difficult for those returning and challenging for their families.Â
	Reforming Care for Afflicted Soldiers October 2007 Newspaper articles have highlighted an overburdened VA system that appeared ill-equipped in some cases to treat an ever increasing number of wounded soldiers in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Several stories recounted how soldiers afflicted with serious cases of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD symptoms and brain-injury trauma faced frustration in getting their needs met. Red tape, lost records and lack of communication, timely services and transitions of care were some of the issues wounded personnel said they faced.