Better awareness of veterans’ issues needed, organizers say

Journalist:  Michelle L. Quinn            

Date:  January 25, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the formation of a support group for veterans who return from combat by social work students seeking their masters degree, and a program offered by the Veterans Administration – the Seamless Transition program that teams up social workers and injured soldiers while the soldiers are hospitalized. 

Relevance:  Social workers provide a wide variety of services to soldiers and their families. 

Questions:

1. Describe the type of social problems that veterans are likely to experience. 
2. What percentage of homeless veterans is comprised of Vietnam veterans?
3. Compare and contrast the help for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with veterans who served in Vietnam.  Why do you think that these differences exist?
4. In what ways are veteran support groups helpful?

Click here to read article

Disabled children need state insurance

Journalist:  Unknown           

Date:  January 23, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the results of study which shows that some families raising children with disabilities do not qualify for public health insurance programs in some states because they earn too much and therefore are ineligible for the program based on state income limits. 

Relevance:  Social workers provide a variety of services to families raising children with disabilities.

Questions:

1. Do all states follow the same income guidelines for families?  Compare income guidelines for families for several states.
2. What procedures would you use to the search the databases to find the article published in the journal Children and Youth Services Review?

Click here to read article

Out-of-wedlock Iowa births rise

Journalist:  Rod Boshart          

Date:  January 25, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the rise in the number of out-of-wedlock births recorded in Iowa.  According to statistics released by the state Department of Public Health, more than one in three babies were born out-of-wedlock.  The article suggests that these numbers are likely to increase because of the change in American cultural and social norms.

Relevance:  Social workers provide numerous services to unwed parents as well as their children.

Questions:

1. In 2007 how many babies were born to unwed parents in Iowa? Compare this number to number of babies born to unwed parents in 1974.
2. Describe the age of the mothers.
3. Describe the ratio of dollars invested in family planning with public funding savings.
4. Trace the number of marriages in Iowa from 1940 to 2007.

Click here to read article

Child custody changes debated

Journalist:  Brian Duggan         

Date:  January 20, 2009

Summary:  This article describes a bill that was drafted by a state bar association task force and is now having testimony heard in a Senate committee. 

Relevance:  Social workers provide divorce mediation and other services to parents.

Questions:

1. What is the purpose of the bill?
2. What are the concerns that parents have about this bill passing?
3. What do you think about this bill?  Should it be passed? Why or why not?
4. What type of data do you think should be collected to assess whether the bill has been effective after it is passed?

Click here to read article

Drug court leader puts lives back on track

Journalist:  Jamie Belnap        

Date:  January 13, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the development and implementation of a drug court by a social worker.  The drug court began with one participant and has since expanded.  The phases of the drug court program are described.

Relevance:  Drug courts provide a variety of services to individuals who experience substance abuse and criminal justice issues.

Questions:

1. How do the success rates of the drug court program described in the article compare to the national average for court participants?
2. Describe the process of how the drug functions and participants’ experiences.
3. What are the phases of the drug court program?
4. Does your community have a drug court program?

Click here to read article

Vulnerable children fare well with relatives

Journalist:  Jennifer Beal       

Date:  January 21, 2009

Summary:  This press release reports the results of a study which found that vulnerable children who were placed with relatives do as well as or better than children who are placed in foster care when they are removed from their homes.  These results suggest that placing vulnerable children with relatives is an option and the study results may have practical policy implications regarding such placements.

Relevance:  Social workers provide a variety of services to vulnerable children, their families and relatives.

 Questions:

1. What type of placement is best for vulnerable children?
2. During the past 20 years where have the majority of vulnerable been placed outside the home? Why?
3. Summarize the trends in the U.S and England regarding the placement of vulnerable children.
4. Why are more rigorous research studies needed that show the relationship between placement and outcomes among vulnerable children?

Click here to read article

Social workers embrace goal to help clients build financial safety nets

Journalist:  David Crary      

Date:  January 11, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the efforts of social workers to become more skilled when helping individuals manage their financial problems.  Numerous approaches and programs taken by social workers are described as well as the benefits derived from these services.

Relevance:  Social workers are likely to see an increase of individuals in need and those experiencing financial problems. 

Questions:

1. What has been the traditional function of social work?
2. What are some examples of the current financial problems that
3. Describe the various approaches and programs taken by social workers to address financial issues.
4. Why do you think that so few schools of social work prepare students with financial training?

Click here to read article

Jobless numbers swell with layoffs

Journalist:  Dan McDonald     

Date:  January 10, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the recent rise in the unemployment rate and what some individuals are doing to reduce expenses.  The impact of unemployment and budget cuts on workers is also discussed.

Relevance:  Social workers and the clients served by social workers may all be impacted by current economic events.

Questions:

1. The national job market is described as the worst that it has been in how many years?
2. How did the individual feel about going to a church for help?
3. In what ways can layoffs at the municipal level have an impact on the economy of the community or state?
4. Have you been impacted by current economic events?

Click here to read article

Hub city homeless count planned

Journalist:  Unknown     

Date:  January 10, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the use of volunteers who will count the number of homeless within a community.  This represents the first time that homeless individuals will be counted within this community.  After the count the data will be analyzed, a need assessment will be conducted, and a 24-hour phone system will be developed to help individuals who are in crisis.

Relevance:  Counting the number of homeless individuals has been conducted in other communities and social workers often volunteer for such positions.

Questions:

1. Within the community described in the article what is the most common form of homelessness?
2. What methods will volunteers use to recruit homeless participants and collect data?
3. What are the long-term goals of the organization that is coordinating the homeless count?
4. Do you know of other communities where homeless counts are conducted?

Click here to read article

Three digits connect those in need

Journalist:  Erika Chavez    

Date:  December 31, 2008

Summary:  This article describes one community’s experiences with the federally mandated 211 call center that provides callers with information and access to social services.

Relevance:  The legally mandated 211 call center can be a resource for individuals in need. 

Questions:

1. How many 211 call centers exist nationwide?
2. How is the call center described in the article funded?  What costs do the funding cover?
3. Describe the types of calls that are handed by the 211 call center described in the article?
4. Do you know if your community has a 211 call center?

Click here to read article