Families unaccustomed to gatherings

Journalist:  Unknown                                

Date:  December 25, 2007

Summary:  Many American families spend more time engaged in individual activities and become more involved in joint activities during the holiday season which increases stress.  Because large family gathering tend to occur more often during the holiday season they are less familiar to individuals who attend them.  Positive family interactions that occur during this time can increase an individual’s well-being.

Relevance:   This article provides basic tips that families can use to keep holiday celebrations positive. Social workers may recommend these tips to families.

Questions:

1.  Why do you think that many American families spend more time engaged in individual activities rather than joint activities?

2.  Why is it important to keep positive interaction going after the holiday season?

3.  Can you think of other tips that families can use to keep interactions positive during the holiday season?

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Kwanzaa’s reflective side

Journalist:  Lisa Coryell                                

Date:  December 27, 2007

Summary:  This article describes the creation of the Kwanzaa holiday, the dates of the holiday, its purpose and seven principles.

Relevance:   According to a professor of social work the celebration of Kwanzaa has become more integrated into individuals’ normal activities. 

Questions:

1.  When and why was Kwanzaa created?

2.  How long does Kwanzaa last and what are the dates of the holiday?

3.  What do celebrants do on each day of the holiday?

4.  How many principles are associated with the holiday?

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Star of Queens

Journalist:  Jessica Lyons                                 

Date:  December 27, 2007

Summary:  This article describes the community involvement activities, professional and personal interests, and employment position of a master’s degree social work graduate.  The social worker is involved in many professional organizations related to her professional interests that include: the National Association of Social Workers, the American Society of Aging, the New York Mental Health Association and the Latino Alzheimer’s’ Coalition of New York.

Relevance:   Social workers can be the focus of articles that highlight their professional social work activities and personal interests.  Social workers also join professional societies to further their professional goals.

 Questions:

1.  What is a post-graduate certificate?

2.   What type of post-graduate certificate does the social worker hold?

3.   How can social work skills be used to address the social worker’s biggest challenge?

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Tibetan meditation and post-traumatic stress disorder

Journalist:  Unknown                                

Date:  December 17, 2007

Summary:  This article describes a research team’s efforts to evaluate the efficacy of Tibetan meditation among victims of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Women who are diagnosed with PSD and live in a residential treatment facility for alcohol and drug addiction will comprise the sample.  Participants will be guided in the meditation techniques for a six week period.

Relevance:   Evidence-based practice approaches have received much attention in the social work field.  Western treatments have largely been the focus of these research based approaches.  This article describes how non-Western treatment approaches can be studied for efficacy.

 Questions:

1.      How could the results of this study be used?

2.      Should treatments that have not shown research effectiveness be provided to clients?

3.      What does the NASW Code of Ethics state in this regard?

4.      Describe what is known about the Tibetan approach to treating PTSD? Compare and contrast the Western approach with the Tibetan approach.

5.      Should the differences in approaches be explained to those seeking treatment so that they can make an informed choice? Why or why not?

 

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Pain of social work sex slur family

Journalist:  Julie McCaffrey                               

Date:  December 15, 2007

Summary:  This article describes the experiences of a family who were wrongly accused by a social services department of sexually abusing one of their children.  Their three children were removed from the home for approximately two years.   The allegations of abuse were rejected and the children were returned to their parents.  Since returning home the children have shown symptoms of anxiety around their parents leaving them again.  A report has criticized the City Council, the Healthcare Trust, and the police.

Relevance:   Social workers often investigate or asset in the investigation of allegations of child abuse, neglect and maltreatment.  Recognizing the indicators of abuse is an important aspect of this work.

Questions: 

1.      How many recommendations were contained in the report indicating that the parents were falsely accused?

2.      What are your thoughts about keeping the contents of the full report confidential?

3.      What are your thoughts regarding this case? Should such mistakes be remedied? How?

4.      Should treatment be provided to the family to assist them with reunification? Why or why not?

5.      What do child reporting laws suggest regarding social workers and others who make reports that are later unfounded?

6.      Should there be consequences for the agencies involved in this case? Why or why not? What could be possible consequences?

 

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Standing in for prison dads, moms

Journalist:  Unknown                                

Date:  December 18, 2007

Summary:  This article describes a unique program that trains volunteers in organizations such as churches and other religious institutions to match adults with children of inmates.  A 2000 congressional report indicated that nearly 70% of the children of incarcerated parents are likely to become incarcerated themselves.  The national program, Amachi, has been established in 48 states and 210 cities, servicing 60,000 children of inmates.  The program has been evaluated by the Big Brother Big Sisters program as well as an internal evaluation.

Relevance:   Programs such as Amachi are valuable resources for social work referrals for children of incarcerated parents, and social workers may also decide to volunteer to participate in such programs.  

Questions:

1.      In 1995, approximately how many children had a parent who was incarcerated?

2.      Where did the Amachi program begin?

3.      Does the program fit with the White House’s emphasis on providing federal funding for faith groups that provide social work services?

4.      What are your thoughts about faith-based government funding?

5.      Why does the program experience a longer waiting period for boys to receive male mentors than girls to receive women mentors?

6.      How would you design an evaluation of this program? How would you conduct sampling? What methods would you use? How would you analyze the data?

 

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Expansion of prison likely to create jobs

Journalist:  Kirk Swauger                               

Date:  December 8, 2007

Summary:  This article describes the expansion of a local prison to increase its capacity to incarcerate an increase in non-violent offenders.  These offenders have been charged with drug and property crimes, and parole violations.  The expansion will create 50 to 100 jobs that are well paying with good benefits.

Relevance:   Social workers provide correctional services, and also work with individuals who are receiving parole supervision and experience substance abuse problems.

Questions: 

1.      Based on the nature of the convictions, what types of services do you think should be provided for these inmates?

2.      Should social work services be provided to inmates?

3.      What role can social workers have in prisoner advocacy?

4.  What are your thoughts regarding rehabilitation? Can you locate and summarize literature that examines the pros and cons of rehabilitation?

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Silent scream for help

Journalist:  Yip Yoke Teng                              

Date:  December 10, 2007

Summary:  This article describes the work of a social worker who provides assistance to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.  The article describes why the social worker chose the profession, the types of assistance provided to clients, a summary of individuals who were provided assistance, and the World Health Organization estimates that indicate nearly one million individuals commit suicide yearly and within the last 45 years worldwide suicide rates increased by 60%.   

Relevance:   Social workers provide assistance to individuals considering suicide.

Questions:

1.      Do reliable and valid measures exist to assess suicidal ideation? If so, can you locate these measures?

2.      Would you use measures to assess suicidal ideation? How would you assess suicidal ideation?

3.      What other problems might an individual with suicidal thoughts experience?

4.      According to the article, should all suicidal individuals be helped in the same way?

 

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Lack of light causes SAD reaction in some

Journalist:  Libby Keeling                             

Date:  December 10, 2007

Summary:  This article examines the theoretical causes of SAD (seasonal affective disorder), symptoms, and treatment.  It also examines the differences between “the winter blues” and SAD.

Relevance:   Social workers are among the mental health professionals who provide treatment for SAD.  It is important for clinicians to be able to accurately identify and treat SAD.

 Questions:

1.      What is SAD?

2.      What are the symptoms of SAD?

3.      What does it mean to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? What are your thoughts regarding providing a treatment that has not been FDA approved?

4.      How can you set up a simple experimental design to test the effectiveness of light therapy?

5.      What are the current theories that explain SAD?

6.      What is the difference between “the winter blues” and SAD?

7.      How can SAD be prevented?

8.      What is reverse seasonal affective disorder?

 

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World AIDS Day

Journalist:  Jacob Olson                             

Date:  November 30, 2007

Summary:  This article describes the activities of an event titled “Yesterday: A World AIDS Day Benefit” that was held to increase awareness regarding HIV and AIDS.  The events focused on HIV globally and emphasized prevention and education.  The article ends with a statement regarding why some individuals would question whether such an event actually has an impact.

Relevance:   Social workers often work with clients who are at risk of HIV and AIDS and should be aware of current prevention, education and intervention efforts.

 Questions:

1.      Why are HIV and AIDS considered a global epidemic?

2.      Are a social work and public health degree an asset in the area of HIV and AIDS? Why or why not?

3.  How can the impact of an event such as “Yesterday” be assessed? What outcome measures would you use?

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