Time-saving technology to aid welfare caseworkers: Child-welfare workers soon will have hand-held computers to help track their cases and reduce paperwork

Journalist:  Carol Marbin Miller                                

Date:  February 22, 2008

Summary:  This article reports that child welfare caseworkers will begin to use hand held computers similar to those used by UPS delivery workers.  These computers will have the capability to store information, provide maps and positions, and take pictures.

Relevance:  Technology can be used to enhance to services that are provided to children and families.

Questions:

1.      How much will the hand held computers cost to use statewide?

2.      What is the most significant hurdle to using the had held computers statewide?

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Authorities say NIU gunman took steps to ‘thwart any investigation’: Police question some statements girlfriend made to CNN

Journalist:  Unknown                                  

Date:  February 20, 2008

Summary:  This article reports the information that was available at the time of writing regarding a social work student prior to committing homicide and suicide.  This article suggests that the student attempted conceal the homicide and suicide plan from others.  The article also suggests that the student’s former girlfriend has provided conflicting reports to police and new reporters.  Police were informed that his behavior became erratic whereas reporters were informed that his behavior did not become erratic.

Relevance:  When individuals commit homicide in schools and universities there may or may not be signs and symptoms beforehand.  While this incident has relevance for social work as a helping profession, this article is also relevant because the student who committed the homicides and suicide was also a social work major.  

Questions:

1.      Why might conflicting reports appear in the news regarding this story?

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Position widens safety net for children

Journalist:  Mike Christopherson                                

Date:  February 25, 2008

Summary:  This article describes a collaboration between a mental health center and two schools.  The social worker is employed by the mental health center and contracted to the two schools.  The contract follows a 12 month calendar year instead of the 9 month teacher calendar, therefore services are provided year round. 

Relevance:  While social workers work within schools and are employed by school districts, other models exist where the social worker is employed by a mental health agency and contracted to work in schools.

Questions: 

1.      How many children received services during the 2007-08 school year?

2.      What activities has the social worker done to provide services to children and their families?

3.      What activities has the social worker done to raise the profile of children who need services?

4.      What groups have played a key role in identifying children who need services?

5.      Why are home visits an important component of the services that are provided to children?

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University shooter’s girlfriend: ‘I can’t believe it’

Journalist:  Abbie Boudreau and Scott Zamost with contributions from Todd Schwarzschild                              

Date:  February 18, 2008

Summary:  This article reports the information that was available at the time of writing regarding a social work student prior to committing homicide and suicide.  This article describes the reactions of the student’s former girlfriend.  She reports that he was not erratic or delusional prior to the incident, nor did he show any self-destructive behavior during their time together.  She notes that he was “normal” and that she had been living with him at the time of the incident. 

Relevance:  When individuals commit homicide in schools and universities there may or may not be signs and symptoms beforehand.  While this incident has relevance for social work as a helping profession, this article is also relevant because the student who committed the homicides and suicide was also a social work major.   

 Questions:

1.      Why do you think that it is difficult to detect signs and symptoms among individuals involved in school and university shootings prior to the incident?

2.      When a close friend or family member commits such a tragic incident, how might friends and family members feel about their loved one and the incident?

3.   What are some options that individuals have if taking their medication makes them “feel like a zombie”?

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NUI shooter was UI graduate in social work

Journalist:  Mary Schenk and The Associated Press                                           

Date:  February 15 2008

Summary:  This article reports the information that was available at the time of writing regarding a social work student prior to committing homicide and suicide.  The article states that the student was also employed in the School of Social Work.  Two of the weapons used were purchased legally while the origins of the others are still being traced.

Relevance:  When individuals commit homicide in schools and universities there may or may not be signs and symptoms beforehand.  While this incident has relevance for social work as a helping profession, this article is also relevant because the student who committed the homicides and suicide was also a social work major.   

Questions:

1.      What does the U.S. Constitution state regarding gun ownership?

2.      What are your thoughts regarding the purchasing of guns by individuals?

3.      Are individuals in your community screened for mental health or other risk factors prior to purchasing a gun?

4.      What changes do you think can be made in schools and universities to prevent such tragedies from happening?

5.      Can such tragedies be prevented in schools and universities? How? Why or Why not?

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Anxiety drugs scrutinsed after Northern Illinois uni shooting

Journalist:  Robert Lusetich                                           

Date:  February 18, 2008

Summary:  This article reports the information that was available at the time of writing regarding a social work student prior to committing homicide and suicide.  The article identifies the experiences that this student had in common with most individuals who committed homicides in schools over the last 20 years.  The article reports that the student stopped taking anti-anxiety medications prior to the shooting.  The article also quotes a source who reports that drug companies may be hiding the risks associated with taking psychotropic medications.  

Relevance:  When individuals commit homicide in schools and universities there may or may not be signs and symptoms beforehand.  While this incident has relevance for social work as a helping profession, this article is also relevant because the student who committed the homicides and suicide was also a social work major.   

Questions:

1.      What did the social work student have in common with most school shooters over the past 20 years?

2.      What are the withdrawal symptoms associated with anti-anxiety medications?

3.      What are “serious side effects” associated with beginning to take or withdrawal from anti-anxiety medications?

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Study says juvenile sex offenders shouldn’t be treated like adults

Journalist:  Erin Frustaci                                          

Date:  February 10, 2008

Summary:  A study analyzed existing research that examined the effects of providing different treatments to juveniles ages 14-17 who committed sexual offenses.  Preliminary findings show that juvenile sex offenders re-offend less as adults, and even lesser if they receive treatment.  

Relevance:  Social workers provide treatment to juvenile sex offenders.

Questions:

1.      Before the 1990s why did juvenile sex offenders receive little attention? 

2.      Why has awareness increased about juveniles sex offenders in the past 15 years?   

3.      What are the two types of juveniles sex offenders identified in research studies?

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Getting to the truth

Journalist:  Michael Glover                                          

Date:  February 10, 2008

Summary:  This article reports that children sometimes make up or lie about sexual abuse victimization.  Although there are more true sexual allegations that false allegations, the actual numbers of false allegations are not known due to inconsistent statistics.  The article provides numerous reasons why both children and teenagers might lie about sexual abuse.  The most common reason why children or teenagers might lie has not been identified to insufficient research.

Relevance:  Lying about sexual abuse allegations has resulted in innocent men going to prison, and makes the defense and prosecution process more difficult.

Questions: 

1.      What reasons are given regarding why children might make up sexual abuse allegations?

2.      Is there a single sign or cluster of symptoms which indicate that a child has been sexually abused?

3.      Are the reasons for lying the same among children and teenagers?

4.      What is “suggestibility”?

5.      When children and teens report sexual abuse victimization to parents, why do parents sometimes not believe them?

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National Association of Social Workers celebrates National Professional Social Work Month in March 2008

Journalist:  Unknown                                           

Date:  February 8, 2008

Summary:  The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has announced National Social Work Month scheduled for March 2008.  The theme for this year is “Building on Strengths: Help Starts Here” that will focus on using the strengths of individuals, families and communities to enhance well-being. 

Relevance:  Social work month provides an opportunity for social workers to emphasize and highlight the key role that they have in addressing social problems.

Questions:

1.      What is the strengths perspective?

2.      How many social workers are members of NASW? 

3.      Are all social workers members of NASW?

4.      What are the goals of NASW?

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Bully prevention effort in Denver schools effective

Journalist:  Unknown                                           

Date:  January 31, 2008

Summary:  A study was conducted that examined 1,100 fourth and fifth grade public school students in 28 elementary schools in Denver to assess the efficacy of a bullying prevention program.  Results showed that the program was effective for reducing bullying.  The program is curriculum-based.

Relevance:  School social workers sometimes address bullying and knowing about effective programs that address bullying are important for school social workers.

Questions:

1.      How is bullying defined?  

2.      How much of a decrease in bullying was found?

3.      What skills were taught in the intervention?

4.      What was the goal of the intervention?

5.      What is self-report data? What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-report data?

6.      Which group received the intervention? The control group or the intervention group?

7.      How would you classify the research design used in this study? Experimental? Quasi-experimental? Pre-experimental?

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