CMHA police to get help from program that links at-risk youth and families with social workers

Journalist:  Mark Puente 

Date:  May 18, 2009

Summary:  This article describes a partnership formed between two universities and a community agency aimed at training police officers to be more effective when working with at-risk youth.  Police officers deal with the same social problems as social workers and in many instances see individuals before they see a social worker.

Relevance:   Opportunities for partnership exist between police officers and social workers since both professions deal with the same social problems.

Questions:

1) Describe the similarities and differences between police work and social work when dealing with social problems.  
2) What search techniques would you use to learn more about police social work?

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Washington Township social worker help vets battle stress disorder by working with horses

Journalist:  Phil Garber 

Date:  May 15, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the use of equine assisted psychotherapy to help veterans who experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Project Safe Horse was developed for veterans who found that traditional psychotherapy was stigmatizing.  The program involves five horses.

Relevance:   Social workers seek methods to engage clients who may perceive psychotherapy as stigmatizing.

Questions:

1) Summarize the tasks involved in Project Safe Horse.
2) Summarize the findings from the RAND report.
3) What are your thoughts about Project Safe Horse? What are your thoughts about Project Safe Horse given considering the implications for evidence based practice? 

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Obituary photos suggest growing bias against aging faces

Journalist:  Adapted from materials provide by Ohio State University

Date:  May 18, 2009

Summary:  This article describes a study that examined obituary photographs in the largest circulating newspaper in Ohio.  The study found that obituary photographs submitted to the newspaper for women were twice as likely as a man’s to have been taken when they were younger. 

Relevance:   Social workers can apply research methods to understand research findings.

Questions:

1) Describe the research methods and procedures that were used in the study.  Summarize the methods used to assess the accuracy of an individual’s age within photographs.
2) Summarize the study findings.  In particular what was found between the years of 1967 and 1997?
3) What are your thoughts about using a sample of one newspaper?
4) What are the limitations of this study for suggesting bias among Americans toward a youthful appearance?
5) What are some reasons why family members might submit a youthful obituary photograph? Does the study consider these reasons?

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Economic downturn fuels up tick in domestic violence

Journalist:  Viji Sundaram and Carolyn Goossen            

Date:  April 29, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the impact of the economic recession on domestic violence and victims’ services.  Program directors describe how both victims and services have been impacted.  A victim of domestic violence also describes her situation.

Relevance:   Social workers provide a variety of services to victims of family violence.  Social workers should be aware of the relationship between the economic recession, domestic violence and victims’ services.

Questions:

1) What types of services are seeing an increase demand?
2) What is the percentage increase in calls to one agency prior to the economic recession and presently?
3)  Compare and contrast the experiences of donations-dependent shelters prior to the economic recession and presently.                          
4) Summarize the experiences of the undocumented victim of domestic violence described in the article. What factors compound experiences of domestic violence among immigrants?

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Social workers under fire as ‘urchins’ retuned to parents

Journalist:  Sue Gyford           

Date:  May 8, 2009

Summary:  This article summarizes some events of a case in Scotland where four children were returned to their parents amid concerns about their home living situation.  The children were removed from the home for one week before they were retuned.  The children’s return to their parents has been criticized.

Relevance:   Social workers provide a variety of services to at-risk children and their families. 

Questions:

1) Briefly summarize the case described in the article.
2) How comfortable would you be making a decision, either individually or as part of a team, to return the children to their family? Why?  Based on the information provided in the article what decision would you make?
3) Do you think that any details of this case that remain confidential can justify the return of the children to their parents? What additional information would you need in order to understand why the children were returned?
4) Do you think that such decisions are difficult or straightforward for social workers to make?  Why or why not?

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Grads’ job options varied

Journalist:  Jason Morton          

Date:  May 10, 2009

Summary:  This article describes the experiences of new college graduates with finding full-time employment during the economic recession.  Social work majors are also experiencing difficulty finding full-time employment within their fields of study. 

Relevance:  Many social work students are graduating and seeking employment. 

Questions:

1)  Do you know about the employment outlook in your field of study?  
2)  Do you anticipate experiencing difficulty obtaining employment within your field of study?
3) What are your thoughts/experiences regarding obtaining employment using the Internet? What do you think is the best method(s) to seek employment opportunities within your field?
4) Are you willing to relocate to obtain a social work position?

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Critical Baby P clue was missing

Journalist:  BBC News         

Date:  May 3, 2009

Summary:  This article describes details that were not reported to police regarding the home situation of Baby P prior to his death. 

Relevance:  Social workers provide a variety of services to at risk children and their families.

Questions:

1) What details were not reported to police regarding the home situation of Baby P prior to his death? What impact might these details have had on the outcome of this case? Why? 
2) Summarize this case based on events described in the article.
3) Why was Solution Focused Brief Therapy considered inappropriate for the family? What steps would you take to learn more about the principles of Solution Focused Brief Therapy?
4) Why do you think that the position of the police was at variance with the position of social services?

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Program for social workers takes a hit

Journalist:  Mary Vorsino          

Date:  May 4, 2009

Summary:  This article describes a social work training program that was recently eliminated to reduce state spending on mental health programs.  The article also describes other state mental health spending that has been eliminated.

Relevance:   Many municipalities are cutting their budgets.  These cuts may include services to clients seen by social workers as well as programs that hire or train social workers.

Questions:

1) What are your thoughts regarding municipalities cutting their budgets when these cuts impact social workers and their clients? Do you agree or disagree with such cuts?
2) Summarize the entire budget cuts described in the article.
3) What is the total amount of state mental health spending that will be eliminated described in the article? What are your thoughts regarding both the dollar amount and the types of services/programs that will be eliminated in this state?

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SLO County social work supervisor settles wrongful termination suit for $45,000

Journalist:  Bob Cuddy         

Date:  May 1, 2009

Summary:  This article reports the settlement awarded to a social worker who sued a county for wrongful termination in a sexual harassment case. 

Relevance:  Social workers are involved in litigation with clients as well as co-workers.

Questions:

1) What damages did the social workers seek in the suit?
2) What were the terms of the settlement?
3) What do you think of the settlement based on information provided in the article?
4) Do you feel that the article provides sufficient details to inform you about the suit and settlement? If not, what additional information would you need?
 
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