Vets who repress traumatic memories may not be worse off

Journalist: June 19, 2009

Date: Alan Mozes  

Summary: This article summarizes the results of a research study which found that veterans who experience post-traumatic stress disorder may not experience poor health and shortened lives if they repress their combat experiences. 

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

Questions:
1) Why do the study findings go “against the grain”? Be sure to discuss suppression as a risk factor.
2) What techniques were used to test the validity of the findings? Who comprised the sample?
3) What data collected between 1985 and 2000 were used? What are your thoughts about using this data and the validity techniques to test the findings and assumptions of the study?
4) Why is caution suggested when interpreting the results of the study?

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More help is needed for those dealing with mental illness

Journalist: June 22, 2009

Date: Pamela Cowan  

Summary: This article argues that Saskatchewan once led the world in providing mental health services and presents a historical overview of mental health service provision in Saskatchewan.

Relevance: Mental health services are impacted by budget, de-institutionalization and other factors.

Questions:
1) Why did Saskatchewan lead the world in providing mental health services six decades ago? Do you think that the model that was used six decades ago can be replicated today? Why or why not?
2) Describe the issues that patients experience before and after de-institutionalization.  Be sure to address how patients’ needs were met.
3) Why is it difficult to determine how much money is spent on mental health services only?
4) Trace the history of mental health care in Saskatchewan from 1914 through the 1990s.

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WMU social work course raises sweatshop awareness

Journalist: June 22, 2009

Date: Megan Muzzell 

Summary: This article describes a social work class project in which students focused on raising awareness about sweatshops.  The class addressed community organizing and the project will cover two semesters. 

Relevance: Social work students complete class projects that focus on real world social problems.

Questions:
1) How was the class topic selected?
2) Describe the class activities and assignments.
3) Why has the campaign to raise awareness about sweatshops been difficult for the students?
4) Did you know that sweatshops existed in the U.S.?

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Human trafficking underground in Utah communities

Journalist: Chelsea Warren

Date: June 14, 2009

Summary: This article describes the emerging issue of human trafficking facing Utah communities.  A definition of human trafficking is provided as well as who is likely to be impacted and interventions to address the problem.

Relevance: Social workers may fill a variety of roles, including policy roles, to address the problem of human trafficking.

Questions:
1) Define human trafficking. Also discuss its relationship to other activities in the criminal industry.
2) Who is likely to be involved in human trafficking?
3) Summarize the estimates describing the number of minors impacted by human trafficking.
4) What is the role of the Trafficking and Protection Act passed in 2000?

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Staying out of jail – and in upper Manhattan

Journalist: Khadijah Rentas

Date: June 8, 2009

Summary: This article describes issues facing individuals returning from New York State jails and prisons as they return to the community to live in upper Manhattan.  Obstacles in employment and housing are discussed.

Relevance: Social workers provide a variety of services to the reentering population.

Questions:
1) Of the parolees released within New York State, what percent return to reside in upper Manhattan? What percent of those arrested in upper Manhattan have prior convictions?
2) More than 45% of families living in an upper Manhattan neighborhood have an income of $35,000. Is this above or below the poverty line for a family of four?
3) What types of services are provided in New York State jails and prisons?
4) Describe the recidivism rate and why individuals return to jail or prison.
5) Applying a biopsychosocial approach, why do you think that upper Manhattan has a problem with incarceration and reentry?

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On the eve of the 100th anniversary of Father’s Day: Book highlights the struggle

Journalist: Chandra McQueen

Date: June 15, 2009

Summary: This article describes a new book “When the tear won’t fall” that covers the 47 year personal journey of the author as he grew up in a single mother household. The book suggests that society does not embrace the importance of fatherhood.

Relevance: Social workers provide a variety of services to single mother families.

Questions:
1) According to the article how many children live without their biological father in the home?
2) What is the intergenerational impact of fatherlessness?
3) What do studies show regarding children without involved fathers?  Do you agree or disagree with these studies?  Why or why not?
4) The article suggests that with no intervention fatherlessness can become and inter-generational cycle with negative consequences.  Do you agree or disagree with these studies?  Why or why not?

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Human service agencies fear cuts from local, state governments could mean reduction in services

Journalist: Kate Schott

Date: June 5, 2009

Summary: This article provides examples of how cuts in local and state funding will impact human service agencies.  State social services agencies that receive funding from the Department of Health and Human Services have been informed that they can anticipate a 50% cut in their funding over the next fiscal year.  The city has also been under pressure to balance the city budget.

Relevance: During the economic recession cuts in state and local funding may impact social service agencies that employ social workers, as well clients who receive services.

Questions:
1) What are your thoughts about balancing state and local budgets by cutting funding to human service agencies?
2) Describe the services that may be cut at both the state and local levels.
3) What impact do you think that service cuts will have on clients?
4) How can social workers advocate to lessen the impact of the budget cuts? 

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Study confirms that Public Defender Reentry Program saves money and lives

Journalist: Lea Villegas

Date: June 5, 2009

Summary:  This article presents the results of the first study to asses the impact of the San Francisco Public Defender’s reentry social work program.  The results show that the California state prison system saved more than $5,000,000 and San Francisco County saved more than $1,000,000.  The article also described the types of services provided by the reentry unit and the social problems that clients experience.

Relevance: Social workers provide a variety of services to the reentry population.

Questions:
1) Describe the types of programs and services provided by the San Francisco Public Defender’s reentry unit. 
2) Describe the methods used to conduct the evaluation of the unit. What data were used?
3) Summarize three of the major findings contained in the evaluation report.

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Striking the balance

Journalist: Unknown

Date: Unknown

Summary: This article describes some similarities and differences between social work, and prison and probation.  The question is raised about where to strike the balance between punishment and support when clients may not be truthful.  Readers are also asked to consider how to be helpful to clients while suspicious at the same time.

Relevance: Social workers are employed in correctional and probation settings, and those who are not are likely to provide services to similar clients.

Questions:
1) According to the article what is the most common complaint about prisons and probation?  Do you think that this complaint also describes the state of U.S. prisons and probation? Why or why not?
2) What are your thoughts about the statement “social work appears to have had enough money, just not enough people to do the work”?  Consider what you know about the U.S. system in your answer.
3) What do you think are some of the difficulties involved in striking a balance between punishment and support?
4) Do you feel that the system is a poor fit for human relations? Why or why not? What are your thoughts about placing more criminal justice in communities?  Do you think that such an approach will solve some of the issues discussed in the article? Why or why not?

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Treating gum disease helps rheumatoid arthritis sufferers with pain, swelling, stiffness

Journalist:  Unknown 

Date:  May 28, 2009

Summary:  This article describes a link between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis among seniors.  Several researchers have reported this relationship.  When seniors resolve their dental problems they are like to reduce arthritic pain, swollen joints and morning stiffness.

Relevance:  Social workers practice in the field of gerontology and should be aware of the relationship between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis among seniors.

Questions:

1) Why does the link between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis provide a new intervention?
2) Summarize the study described in the article. What was the sample size? Summarize the results.
3) What are your thoughts about this study and the implications for interventions among seniors?

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