Officials outline veterans’ options

Journalist:   Tess Hill   

Date:  March 28, 2009

Summary:  This article describes one community’s efforts to expand services to veterans as part of a nationwide goal focused on improving the quality of care for veterans. 

Relevance:  Veterans require primary care, specialized care and medication services that can be provided in one agency.

Questions:

1) Why does the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) contract out services?
2) What does it mean to contract out services?
3) What does it mean to provide all services in-house?
4) Why is it important to have a current state license to provide services?

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Oakland grapples with grief, a divided community following the officers killing

Journalist:   Kristin Bender and Kamika Dunlap  

Date:  March 29, 2009

Summary:  This article describes events that occurred in a community which experiences violence and racial tensions as the community attempts to improve the quality of life.  The events described primarily focus tensions between some portions of the community and the police.  Various efforts are underway to solve these community problems.

Relevance:  Social workers engage in community organizing focused on specific community problems.

Questions:

1) Summarize recent community events that have involved the police.
2) Summarize why some community residents are angry at the police.                         
3) Summarize some of the community interventions that are taking place within this community.
4) Can you identify community interventions that can be used in response these community events?

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Student homelessness on rise

Journalist:   Nicole Strittmater 

Date:  March 30, 2009

Summary:  This article describes an increase in the number of homeless students within a community public school district and a statewide increase in the percentage of students living in poverty.  More students are living in shelters, motels or with relatives.  An eight page document that focuses on the economic recession provides school districts with useful links to community and internet resources that can be used to help students and their families.  This document has also been distributed to social workers.

Relevance:  Social workers in schools and other settings may be seeing more homeless students and a resource guide can be useful for helping students and their families.

Questions:

1) What department distributed the document to school districts and social workers, among other professionals?
2) Do you know of similar documents that have been distributed in your community that provide resources for students and their families?
3) How was the percentage of students living in poverty measured? Describe the rates of students living in poverty during the 2007-2008 school years and the 2003-2004 school years.

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Social workers get support

Journalist:  Cassie Tarpley

Date:  March 21, 2009

Summary:  This article recounts statements made during an annual Social Worker Luncheon.  The issues that clients face during this recession as well as the impact that difficult times have on social workers both personally and professional were addressed. 

Relevance:  Social workers need to aware of the personal and professional impact of their work during difficult times such as the recession.

Questions:

1) According to the article why is celebrating National Social Work Month important?
2) Describe the types of situations and cases that social workers address.
3) What is authentic feedback? Can you think of other examples? Why is it important to provide authentic feedback to social workers?

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‘Move managers’ ease transition for seniors

Journalist:  Unknown

Date:  March 22, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the issues that seniors face when they move into a smaller residence and the role of the senior-move specialist.  The variety of available housing opportunities and suggestions for planning a move are discussed. 

Relevance:  Seniors move to smaller residences for a variety of reasons and social workers should be aware of the issues that seniors face related to moving.

Questions:

1) Why can it be traumatic when seniors move to a smaller residence?
2) Describe one key issue involved in moving down.
3) Describe the types of housing choices that are available for seniors.
4) Describe the role of a senior-move specialist.

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Drug court participants set to graduate

Journalist:   Staff report

Date:  March 24, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the outcomes of drug court programs.

Relevance:  Drug courts have been established in numerous communities.

Questions:

1) What is the purpose of a drug court program?
2) Summarize the outcome data obtained from the drug courts.
3) Does a drug court program exist in your community?

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World Social Work Day is Tuesday

Title of Article:  World Social Work Day is Tuesday

Journalist:  Unknown

Date:  March 13, 2009

Summary:  This press release describes the efforts of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers to join more than 80 other professional social work associations around the world to celebrate this year’s World Social Work Day.  World Social Work Day is Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

Relevance:  World Social Work Day is celebrated each year.

Questions:

1) How many years has World Social Work Day been held officially?
2) What is the three area theme for this year’s World Social Work Day?
3) What are some similar challenges that social workers must confront globally?
4) Do you know of any activities that are being held to celebrate World Social Work Day?

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Jury convicts former social worker of defrauding the Department of Veterans Affairs and obstructing justice

Journalist:  Staff

Date:  March 14, 2009

Summary:  A former social worker has been convicted by a jury on four counts of honest services mail fraud, violating the criminal conflict of interest statute and making a false statement to agency officials.  The former social worker faces a maximum sentence of 26 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, and $23,400 in restoration.  A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

Relevance:  Social workers face consequences when engaging in unethical and illegal behavior.

Questions:

1) What do you think about the social worker’s behavior?
2) Describe the specific activities that led to the conviction.
3) In addition to the four counts described in the article, can you identify any violations in the NASW Code of Ethics based on the information provided in the article?

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Social Work Career Center

Powered by:  The National Association of Social Workers       

Date:  March 13, 2009

Summary:  The Social Work Career Center web site provides information for finding a job, exploring the social work profession, professional development and training, and also contains an area for employers.  Visitors to the site can learn about social work career options, licensing, malpractice risk, and credentials and certifications, among other relevant information.

Relevance:  An on-line social work career center is essential for the social work profession.

Questions:

1) What are your thoughts about an on-line social work career?
2) Visit the web site and explore the various areas. Did you find the site useful? Why or why not?
3) Do you think that you will use this site again the future? Why or why not?
4) Is there additional information or content that you would like to see added to the site?

Click here to access the web site

Urgent call for social workers amid fears Baby P case has caused exodus

Journalist:  Patrick Butler      

Date:  March 3, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the implementation of a campaign in the UK to persuade retired social workers to seek employment in child protection.  Following the controversial Baby P case negative media coverage of social work has cased social workers to leave child protection positions thereby placing vulnerable children at risk.  

Relevance:  This article suggests how negative media coverage can impact the social work profession.

Questions:

1) Approximately how many social workers are retired in the UK?
2) Why is this campaign targeting retired social workers?
3) Summarize the report published by the Local Government Association (LGA).
4) Do you feel that negative media coverage impacts your social work career?  Why or why not?

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