State could model homeless count

Journalist:  Linda Leicht                                         

Date:  March 21, 2008

Summary:  This article describes the efforts of several communities to count the number of homeless individuals.  Counties count the numbers of homeless individuals in order to fulfill federal grant requirements, and are required to conduct a count one day in January.  The counties discussed in this article have conducted a count during the summer over a one week period that has yielded more accurate numbers.  This project also conducts interviews with homeless individuals that allow them to tell their stories, and has provided demographic information regarding the homeless population within these counties.  This project could become a model for the state.

Relevance:  Social workers often work with clients who are homeless.  In some counties social workers and social work students have participated in homeless counts.

Questions: 

1.      What type of demographic data was collected during the count?

2.      Why do counts of the homeless miscount some homeless individuals?

3.      What is the most significant gap in service for homeless individuals?

4.      How has qualitative data been useful in the homeless count?

5.      How can the results obtained from the homeless count be used to obtain more funding for programs that address homelessness?

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Considering universal healthcare

Journalist:  Dakia Davis                                        

Date:  March 18, 2008

Summary:  This letter to the editor was written by a social worker.  The article suggests that universal health care coverage is needed because many individuals are uninsured or underinsured either because they do not qualify for public assistance, or can not afford private health care insurance.

Relevance:  Social workers often work with clients who are uninsured or underinsured.  Social workers also advocate for health care services for clients.  Consequently information regarding universal health care will be helpful for social workers to better understand the debates regarding universal health care in the U.S.

Questions: 

1.      What is universal health care?

2.      Which industrialized country(s) does not have universal health care?

3.      What are some of the advantages of implementing universal health care in the U.S.?

4.      What are some of the disadvantages of implementing universal health care in the U.S.?

5.      What is the impact on individuals who do not have primary health care or health care coverage?

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Heighten social work standards

Journalist:  Tiffany McCormick                                        

Date:  March 18, 2008

Summary:  This letter to the editor was written by a client of social work services who is also a social worker.  The article suggests that the strength-based approach taught in social work programs could be useful for workers who are employed by the Department of Social Services, and suggests that those workers who perform intake and eligibility services are engaging in social work practice; therefore they should be trained as professional social workers. 

Relevance:  Social workers are employed in a wide variety of civil service positions that often require a social work or related academic degree for some human service positions.  These academic requirements are based on civil service regulations.  This article raises the issue that Department of Social Services workers who perform intake and eligibility services be professionally trained social workers.

Questions: 

1.      Do you think that Department of Social Services workers who perform intake and eligibility services are engaging in social work practice?

2.      Do you think that Department of Social Services workers who perform intake and eligibility services should hold social work degrees?

3.      What are your thoughts regarding civil service regulations that often require a social work or related academic degree for some human service positions?

4.      What are some of the advantages of requiring that Department of Social Services workers hold social work degrees?

5.      What are some of the disadvantages of requiring that Department of Social Services workers hold social work degrees?

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Distance caring services help relatives arrange needed services for elderly

Journalist:  Jonathan Peterson                                       

Date:  March 16, 2008

Summary:  This article reports that more adults are arranging for the care of their elderly relatives who live a long distance away.  This has resulted in an industry developing around caring for distant relatives.  A new web site has been devoted to the caring of relatives from a distance.

Relevance:  Social workers are involved in assessment and the provision of services to the elderly.  This innovative practice form is an important resource that social workers can add to their knowledge.

Questions: 

1.      According to the National Institute on Aging, what age group represents the fastest growing segment of the population?

2.      What type of issues can overwhelm a relative when attempting to care for a relative long distance?

3.      What is the social work role in the care management of older individuals?

4.      What are some the signs that an older individual may be experiencing a decline in functioning?

5.      What are some of the psychosocial effects of a decline in functioning on an older individual and their family members?

6.      What is the role of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers?

7.      What are your thoughts regarding the emergence of care management for the elderly as an industry?

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Are your kids bubble wrapped?

Journalist:  Tracy Sherlock                                      

Date:  March 14, 2008

Summary:  A social work professor describes modern parenting as “bubble wrapping” – a situation where parents protect their children to the point where they are reducing the resiliency of their children and their ability to survive on their own.  Schools have also become more cautious regarding children which has resulted rules that restricts certain types of play.

Relevance:  Social workers often work with clients who are parents.  Information about parenting can help social workers to remain current regarding up-to-date parenting debates.

Questions:

1.      What are you thoughts about “bubble wrapping”? Do you agree or disagree that this phenomenon is occurring? Why or why not?

2.      What types of examples are provided to describe “bubble wrapping”?

3.      What is the definition of “helicopter parents”?

4.      Do you think that parents today are overly cautious?

5.      What type of behaviors results when schools are too cautious?

6.      What are your thoughts about the statement that children learn from their mistakes?

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RCMP see ‘breakthrough’ from policing reforms

Journalist:  Jeff Nagel                                       

Date:  March 14, 2008

Summary:  This article describes a new crime strategy that has been implemented throughout B.C., Canada.  The strategy is being pilot tested and has shown promising results in terms of a reduction in property crimes.  The strategy involves the police identifying repeat criminals, detaining them, and working together with offender management teams to provide a variety of services for offenders.  Services provided include housing and ensuring that offenders keep social service and other necessary appointments.

Relevance:  This article has implications for police-social work collaboration with criminal offenders.

Questions:

1.      Over a three year period, how much did property crimes decrease at the pilot sites?

2.      How are crime patterns identified in the new crime strategy?

3.      What are some of the faults of the new crime strategy?

4.      Why has crime reduction so far occurred due to policing alone?

5.      How do police officers view the new crime strategy?

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Cause of depression and anxiety unknown not chemical

Journalist:  Unknown                                        

Date:  March 4, 2008

Summary:  This article reports that in news articles reporters who wrote about depression and indicated that depression was caused by a chemical imbalance or lack of serotonin in the brain did not provide scientific evidence that supports these explanations.  These explanations are described as “the chemical imbalance theory”.  Daily news articles were examined for one year between late 2006 and 2007.  Authors who wrote articles that contained statements regarding a chemical imbalance or lack of serotonin in the brain were contacted and asked to provide scientific evidence that supports these explanations. 

Relevance:  Social workers often learn about neurology content and the brain in the human behavior course.  It is important for student to understand how biology and environment influence behavior and to have up-to-date information regarding the cause of depression and treatment.

Questions: 

1.      How are depression and anxiety defined according to DSM-IV criteria?

2.      Are there other definitions of depression and anxiety?

3.      What is “the chemical imbalance theory”? When was it developed?

4.      What does the DSM-IV indicate regarding the cause of depression and anxiety?

5.      How can information regarding the cause of depression impact client’s decisions regarding treatment?

6.      Did the authors of the news reports provide supporting evidence to the researchers?

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Reaching out

Journalist:  Wong Li Za                                      

Date:  March 6, 2008

Summary:  This article describes the early history of the development of social work education and practice in Malaysia.  Malaysia has established the Malaysian Association of Social Workers (MASW).  National competency standards for social work practice and education have also been established in Malaysia.  Most social workers in Malaysia are employed by Department of Social Welfare.

Relevance:  This article examines social work practice in Malaysia.  It informs social workers of the similarities between social work practice in Malaysia and the U.S.

Questions:

1.      Can you identify the differences and similarities been social work practice in Malaysia and the U.S.?

2.      Why are national social work associations necessary?

3.      What are the biggest challenges that social workers face when working with clients at the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia?

4.      Are the myths regarding social work practice the same or different in Malaysia and the U.S.?

5.      Are the statements made in the article regarding social work principles, guidelines and ethics different from the issues that social workers face in the U.S.?

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School of social work offers students internship opportunities with senators

Journalist:  Amy Hewes-Piper                                     

Date:  March 3, 2008

Summary:  This article describes opportunities provided by a School of Social Work for students to participate in internships in legislator’s offices.  The article describes the roles that social work interns hold, and tasks that interns perform. 

Relevance:  This article suggests that participating in internships in legislator’s offices is a “non-traditional” practice setting for social workers.   Social workers should be knowledgeable about micro and macro levels practice settings.

Questions:

1.      What are the differences between micro and macro levels of social work practice?

2.      What activities do social workers engage in while interning in legislator’s offices?

3.      Why are these internships considered to be “non-traditional” social work practice settings?

4.      What do social work interns learn while interning in legislator’s offices?

5.      Can you identify other “non-traditional” social work practice settings?

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Celebrate Social Work Month – March 2008

Journalist:  National Association of Social Workers                                     

Date:  Retrieved March 3, 2008

Summary:  This article reports that March is National Professional Work Month.  The focus for this year’s Month is building on strengths.  The article reports that the propose of the Month is to reflect on the history of social work, emphasize the importance of social work practice, and maintain a positive outlook for the future of individuals, families and communities.

Relevance:  Social workers should be aware that March is National Professional Work Month and the theme and goals for this year’s Month.  This article provides links to the 2008 Social Work Month Toolkit.

Questions:

1.      What is the theme of this year’s National Professional Work Month?

2.      What is the “strengths perspective”?

3.      What is the meaning of the Social Work Month 2008 logo?

4.      What are the four goals of Social Work Month?

5.      What is the content that is included in the online 2008 Social Work Month Toolkit?

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