Lifeline in a sea of bureaucracy

Journalist:  Anna Bawden         

Date:  April 22, 2009

Summary:  This article reports on a pending task force report that will soon be released to the public in the UK.  It is anticipated that the report will address low staff morale, poor supervision, high caseloads and inadequate social work training.  The taskforce has not recommended abandoning the current child protection system.  This report follows the deaths of Baby P and Victoria Climbie in the UK.    

Relevance:  Social workers provide a variety of child protection services to at risk children and their families.  Social workers are also employed by child protection agencies.

Questions:

1) Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in child protection social work in the UK with the US.  Locate a similar article describing child protection social work in the US.
2) According to the article, how can an effective child care system be achieved?  Do you agree or disagree?
3) What steps do you think could be taken to improve the image of social work in both the UK and US?

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Frugal social worker gave away $1.4 million at death

Journalist:  David Hunn       

Date:  April 25, 2009

Summary:  This article summarizes the life of a social worker who passed away and gave away $1.4 million upon her death.  The article describes her social work career and how she accumulated her estate.    

Relevance:  This article about a social worker describes how she gave in life and upon her death.

Questions:

1) Summarize a description of the organizations where the social worker gave donations?
2) Briefly summarize the social workers life including how she might have accumulated her estate. 
3) What are your thoughts regarding her starting social work salary?

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Events set in Rhode Island for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Journalist:  Unknown        

Date:  April 26, 2009

Summary:  This article describes planned events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).  These events coincide with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

Relevance:  Social workers provide a variety of services to crime victims.

Questions:

1) What does the VOCA provide?
2) What would it be like for crime victims without the VOCA?
3) Summarize the events describe in the article.
4) Are events planned to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the VOCA in your community or state?
5) What are your thoughts about having a special bill for crime victims?
6) How can you learn more about the VOCA?

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Missing teens put pressure on police time

Journalist:  Unknown        

Date:  April 20, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the impact that missing teens place on police resources in the UK.  The guidelines for dealing with missing youth are reported.

Relevance:  Missing teens and their reasons for becoming missing often require social work intervention.

Questions:

1) Do you know the procedures for missing teens within your community?
2) Do you think that the experiences described in the UK are similar to those within your community?
3) What are some of the reasons why teens become missing?
4) How do you think that missing teens should be handled considering the underlying issues why they run away?

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Extend foster care to age 21

Journalist:  The Monitor’s Editorial Board         

Date:  April 20, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the Fostering Connections Act of 2008 which provides states with $3 billion to extend certain services to foster children until they reach age 21.  Prior to the Act, foster children “aged out” and were ineligible for certain services after age 18.

Relevance:  Social workers provide a variety of services to foster children and their families.  It is important to know about this extension in services.

Questions:

1) What services does the Act extend for foster children?
2) Describe how foster children qualify to participate in the program.
3) Describe some of the problems that some foster children experience when they “age out” of the foster care system.
4) How might the economic recession impact implementation of the Fostering Connections Act of 2008?
5) Summarize the results from the multiyear study of foster youth in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

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Former county probation official surrenders social work license

Journalist:  Michael Sisak        

Date:  April 20, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the events surrounding a probation official who pleaded guilty to altering a juvenile court file.  The conviction resulted in the official voluntarily and permanently surrendered a state social work license.  A link is provided that contains stories, documents and videos of the court corruption probe.

Relevance:  State boards regulate the practice of social work and impose sanctions if necessary.

Questions:

1) What was the felony charge? How did the probation official plead?
2) How does conviction of a felony affect the practice of licensed social work in this state? Does you state have similar guidelines?
3) Can you locate your state social work board on-line? State the link to the site.
4) Did the links with the stories, documents and videos of the court corruption probe increase your understanding of this case? Why or why not?

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Stimulus funds go to veterans’ services, kids’ health

Journalist:  Unknown       

Date:  April 13, 2009

Summary:  This article describes how one state plans to spend federal stimulus funds.  The funds will be used for projects that assist veterans and children’s health, and also create development specialist and therapy jobs.

Relevance:  Federal stimulus funds are being used for a variety of projects.  Some of these projects involve social work.

Questions:

1) Summarize the total amount of federal stimulus spending described in the article, the funding source, and indicate what the funds will be used for.
2) How will the federal stimulus spending benefit social workers and their clients?

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Social worker shortage forces UK to recruit in Australia

Journalist:  Nick Mcdermott      

Date:  April 13, 2009

Summary:  This article describes a shortage of social workers within a British county.  Due to the shortage the county has been advertising the social work positions in Australia and New Zealand. It is anticipated that social workers from these countries will fill the 50 social work vacancies.

Relevance:  This article describes issues facing British-based social work.

Questions:

1) What incentives are being offered to attract social workers from Australia and New Zealand?
2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of recruiting social workers from Australia and New Zealand to work in Britain?
3) Do you think that cultural differences impact social workers when they practice in another country? Why or why not?

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Family ties provide protection against young adult suicidal behavior

Journalist:  Joel Schwarz     

Date:  April 14, 2009

Summary:  This press release describes the results of a research study which found that among adolescents and young adults having strong family support, not peer support, was a protective factor for reducing future suicidal behavior following experiences of depression or having previous suicide attempts.

Relevance:  Social workers provide services to adolescents and young adults, and their families.

Questions:

1) Summarize the major findings of the research study described in the press release.
2) Describe the relationship between older adolescents and suicidal thinking.
3) Why is it suggested that peer support does not provide the same safety net as family members or intimate partners?
4) Where was data for the research obtained?
5) Why is collecting information regarding suicidal behavior in minors difficult?

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As economy sinks, more Sacramento schools doing social work

Journalist:  Robert Faturechi    

Date:  March 31, 2009

Summary:  As a result of the economic recession families are being impacted in a variety of ways.  Schools have assumed the roles of calming family’s anxieties, counseling parents and assisting families with locating places to live.

Relevance:  The economic recession has had an impact on high school students and their families.  Social workers provide services to students and their families inside and outside of school settings.

Questions:

1) How much do you know about school social work? Are social workers employed within schools in your community?

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