Take Back the Night Friday to end violence against women

Journalist:  From a University of Toledo press release                               

 

Date:  April 25, 2008

 

Summary:  This press release reports the activities of an event intended to promote an end to violence against women.  The 14^th annual event of Take Back the Night is being held in communities throughout the world, and this press release describes the activities that will be held in Toledo, Ohio.  Each year the event is held in a different Toledo neighborhood to highlight the fact that violence against can occur anywhere.  This event is the largest annual antiviolence event in northwest Ohio and represents a grassroots and campus-community partnership.

 

Relevance:  Take Back the Night is a large antiviolence against women event.  Social workers often participate in this event and provide a variety of services and activities.

 

Questions:

 

1.      What is Take Back the Night?

2.      What is the Clothesline Project?

3.      What is the Silent Witness Project?

4.      How can campus-community partnerships be an asset for events such as Take Back the Night?

 

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New uses of animals in rehabilitation, therapy

Journalist:  Jessica Wasmund                                

 

Date:  April 28, 2008

 

Summary:  This article reports the results of a 2000 study which found that pets significantly reduced blood pressure levels among high-risk patients who also used medication.  Pets also helped to reduce blood pressure levels among individuals taking tests such as the SATs which emphasize math and verbal skills.  This article also provides examples of staff taking their dogs to work in hospital settings and the benefits that patients have received as a result of dogs being in the environment.

 

Relevance:  Social workers should be aware of pet therapy as a form of therapy.

 

Questions:

  

1.      What is the difference between pet therapy and pet assistance?

2.      What are the principles of pet therapy?

3.      Why has it been stated that within the next five to 10 years animal assisted therapy will be in the same arena as music and art therapy?

4.      What are the benefits of using pets with youth who experience selective mutism?

5.      What are the benefits of using pets with individuals who experience dementia?

 

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20th Edition of the Encyclopedia of Social Work Published

Journalist:  National Association of Social Workers                               

 

Date:  April 25, 2008

 

Summary:  This article reports that the 20^th edition of the Encyclopedia of Social Work has been published.  The editors are Drs. Terry Mizrahi and Larry Davis.  The Encyclopedia of Social Work was last published in 1995.  The 20^th edition contains more than 400 subject areas and 300 biographical entries, and provides more in-depth coverage of issues such as immigration, technology, managed care, and trauma and disaster.  The 20^th edition is a joint venture between the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and Oxford University Press.  

 

 

Relevance:  The Encyclopedia of Social Work is the premier reference for social workers globally and can be used for fact-finding, preparing for a licensing examination, a supplement to course materials, and to support social work practice decisions.

 

Questions:

 

 

1.      Why is the Encyclopedia of Social Work considered the core reference in the field of social work?

2.      What are some of the uses of the Encyclopedia of Social Work?

3.      What is the purpose of the Encyclopedia of Social Work?

4.      How does the Encyclopedia of Social Work serve readers in both the U.S. and abroad?

 

 

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Treating PTSD helps kids deal with loss

Journalist:  Unknown                                

 

Date:  April 21, 2008

 

Summary:  This article describes the results of a study which shows that children who experience an unexpected death of a parent following a long illness can experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  The study also shows that grief therapy provided to children following such an event is ineffective if the PTSD symptoms are not first addressed.  The study used a sample of 100 children who attended a weekend camp that provided traditional camping activities combined with therapy that addressed grief and PTSD.  The study also reports a link between grief and PTSD.  

 

Relevance:  Social workers provide a variety of services to children who have lost parents and should be aware of the latest research findings in this area.  Such findings have implications for helping children deal with grief.

 

Questions:

 

 

1.      What are the components of the camping experience for children?

2.      What are the major findings of the study?

3.      What is the relationship between grief counseling and PTSD treatment in children?

 

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U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Debbie Stabenow introduce S. 2858, The Social Work Reinvestment Act, on 2nd Annual World Social Work Day

Journalist:  Unknown                                

 

Date:  April 16, 2008

 

Summary:  This article describes the efforts of two U.S. Senators, who are also professionally trained social workers, intended to address a Social Work Reinvestment Commission to study the policy issues that are associated with recruitment, retention, research and reinvestment in the social work profession.  The legislation that they have introduced is titled S. 2858 the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act and is intended to address that nationwide shortage of social workers. The proposed bill includes a variety of initiatives such as funding grants, and research in public and private sectors as well as educational institutions.

 

Relevance:  S. 2858 the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act is intended to help the nations 600,000 social workers better serve families and communities.

 

Questions:

 

 

1.      Who are the additional co-sponsors of the bill?

2.      What will the Commission study?

3.      How can the Commissions findings improve social work practice?

4.      How will the funding that the bill provides address the shortage of social workers?

 

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Counseling trauma victims causes secondary trauma

Journalist:  Unknown                                

 

Date:  April 21, 2008

 

Summary:  This article describes a study which suggests that clinical social workers who repeatedly listen to stories from victims of trauma can develop psychological stress.  The article identifies secondary trauma and vicarious trauma, and illustrates the pathways by which these can develop in clinical social workers.  The study examined psychological stress, job burnout and secondary trauma among a sample comprised of 236 New York City clinical social workers who provided interventions after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.  The goal of the study is to examine a larger sample of health professionals and develop an assessment tool that can be used to diagnose secondary trauma.

 

Relevance:  Social workers who work with trauma victims should be aware of the impact that such work may have on their own psychological well-being.

 

Questions:

 

 

 

1.      What are some of the symptoms of secondary trauma?

2.      What is another name for secondary trauma?

3.      How can a positive work environment help to reduce secondary trauma and prevent job burnout?

4.      Why do caregivers need their own emotional support when working with trauma victims?

 

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Welcome to IFSW

Journalist:  International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)                                 

 

Date:  Retrieved April 15, 2008

 

Summary:  This website provides numerous links to information regarding World Social Work Day.

 

Relevance:  Social workers should have information regarding World Social Work Day and the numerous events that are held around the world.     

 

Questions:

 

 

1.      Using the links, what are some the events held for World Social Work Day?

2.      What is the role of IFSW?

3.      How many countries will recognize World Social Work Day?

4.      What year anniversary is the IFSW celebrating?

 

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Social workers unite for World Social Work Day!

Journalist:  Aotearoa NZ Association of Social Workers                                               

 

Date:  April 15, 2008

 

Summary:  This press release describes various activities that will be held to celebrate World Social Work Day by associations of social workers in 84 associations around the world.

 

Relevance:  Social workers should have information regarding World Social Work Day and the numerous events that are held around the world.     

 

Questions:

 

1.  When is World Social Work Day?

2.  How many associations of social workers around the world hold World Social Work Day celebrations? How many countries?

3.  Can you describe the range of activities and celebrations that various associations of social workers around the world hold on World Social Work Day?

 

 

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State senator to be keynote speaker

Journalist:  Allison Rivera                                               

 

Date:  April 5, 2008

 

Summary:  This article describes events held in Staten Island, NY to recognize World Social Day.  World Social Day was initiated by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). 

 

Relevance:  Social workers should have information regarding World Social Work Day and the numerous events that are held around the world.     

 

Questions:

 

 

                 

                   1.   What organization initiated World Social Work Day?

2.   What is the theme for this year’s World Social Work Day?

3.   Why was the speaker in Staten Island, NY selected to recognize World Social Work Day? 

 

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Former foster children bring special expertise to social work

Journalist:  Kory Loucks                                              

 

Date:  April 2, 2008

 

Summary:  This article describes the experiences of former foster children who are now social workers and the unique understanding that they bring to their work based on their backgrounds.  The social workers were recently recognized by the Governor of their state for their services to children and families.

 

Relevance:  Social workers often have a background with the social problems that their clients also experience.   

 

Questions:

 

1.      How can having a background and experience with the same social problem as their clients be an asset for social workers?

2.      How can having a background and experience with the same social problem as their clients hinder social workers?

3.      How do the social workers in the article use their background when working with clients?

 

 

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