This message was sent to ##Email## January 9, 2020     Home  |   About  |   Membership  |   Advocacy  |   Practice    Archive  |   Advertise    TOP STORIES New Assessment of Iowa Labor Force Gives Better Understanding of Why Some Organizations Don't Hire Social Workers The NASW Iowa Chapter (NASW-IA) worked with the NASW Foundation and the University of Iowa School of Social Work in 2018-2019 to assess the Iowa social work labor force. The initiative was funded by a $50,000 grant from the Telligen Community Initiative. Denise Rathman, NASW-IA Executive Director, credits the initiative for helping to gather information in a “concise and organized way” that allows justification for more professional social workers in Iowa. One of the findings from focus groups and interviews with employers is that employers look for people with work experience with the population served by their organization, but some employers don’t count field placement as work experience. Another finding from focus groups, interviews, and the survey of employers is that the value of a social work degree is not the same for everyone. NASW Supports Long-Term Care Equality Index, Urges Facilities to Participate NASW has endorsed the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI), which promotes inclusive, welcoming services for LGBTQ older adults. The association encourages long-term care communities to participate in the LEI, a joint effort of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and SAGE: Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders. Check out the video to learn more. Related Resource NASW LGBT Resources Webpage Progress Made Toward Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization NASW applauds both chambers of Congress for their efforts to advance OAA reauthorization this past fall. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Dignity in Aging Act (H.R. 4334) unanimously in late October, and the bipartisan Modernization of the Older Americans Act Amendments (S. 3057) was introduced in mid-December. NASW will update members when grassroots advocacy for OAA reauthorization is needed. Visit NASW’s Older Americans Act advocacy page for background information on the OAA and why OAA funding is necessary; read NASW-approved consensus recommendations on OAA reauthorization.    AROUND THE PROFESSION New Health and Aging Policy Fellows Include Social Workers; Applications Open for 2020-2021 Cohort The 2019-2020 cohort of the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program includes two social workers: Nancy Kusmaul, a member of the NASW Maryland Chapter, and Laural Traylor. Learn about the projects of these social workers and other cohort members; apply for the 2020-2021 cohort by April 15. This program, which is unaffiliated with NASW, is supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies, the John A. Hartford Foundation, and West Health.    SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by The University of Utah A Decade in Retrospect at the University of Utah College of Social Work Kids of the Cocaine Epidemic: Coming to a More Complete and Complex Understanding Disproportionate Minority Contact: It's Tricky Life Stigmatized: Does Internalized Stigma Affect Minority Groups Over Time? Dr. Robin Arnold-Williams: Fulfilling a Dream      RECOMMENDED WEBINAR Suicide Among Older Adults: A Durkheimian Perspective Thursday, January 30, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET | REGISTER Stephen M. Marson, PhD, ACSW, Professor Emeritus CE Category: 1.5 Cross-Cultural Contact Hours FREE for SPS Members | NASW Members: $30 | Non-Members: $40 Address the application of Durkheim’s theory of suicide to the contemporary older adult population. Learn how this theory can be used to identify high suicide potential, develop and apply an intervention strategy, and address the social problems that are propelling the older persons toward suicide. .  PRODUCT SHOWCASE The Institute for Clinical Social Work Master's and PhD Programs with a Clinical Focus Accepting Applications for Fall 2019! MORE www.jimcolemanstore.com/sw “Social Workers: Generations Strong” Social Work Month 2020 Gain momentum now for the 2020 Social Work Month celebrations and public education. This year’s “Social Workers: Generations Strong” campaign honors the heroic contributions of social workers across generations. BROWSE Social Work Month merchandise now. .  SPONSORED VIDEO MSW Online Program at WKU Promoted by Western Kentucky University The Western Kentucky University MSW program offers a unique concentration: advanced direct practice in rural settings and can be completed in person in Bowling Green, Kentucky as well as an online format. Both Advanced Standing and Traditional options are available in a full time or part time format. Apply Today! EMAIL TIP Make Sure MemberLink Doesn't Get Junked Sometimes, an email message that you wish to receive is incorrectly judged as spam by your ISP or email program and sent to your junk folder. To ensure that MemberLink arrives safely in your inbox, add nasw@multibriefs.com (the sending email address) to your email program's safe sender list. If MemberLink is being sent to your work email address, ask your organization's Information Technology department to whitelist nasw@multibriefs.com. Learn how to add nasw@multibriefs.com to your safe sender list so MemberLink emails get to your inbox.    MYNASW MEMBER COMMUNITY — HOT TOPICS Peers Encroaching on Social Work Profession? ASWB Test Travel Avoidance/Fear Resources The MyNASW online community is open to NASW members only and is free to join. Ask your colleagues questions, find mentors, exchange useful resources, and rally around your passion — social work. .  PRODUCT SHOWCASE Earn Your MSW With UNE Online! Elevate your career with the University of New England by earning your Master of Social Work with our 100% online, CSWE-accredited MSW program! Learn more.    NASW RESEARCH LIBRARY Quickly search by key words to find evidence-based research and client education, assessment tools, practice guidelines, and more at the NASW Research Library. Filter your results by type of source (academic journals, books, conference materials, reports, etc.), name of publication, publisher, university, language, and more. Use your NASW username and password to log in to the library. Keyword Search: “self-care” Document: Self-care and the social worker: Taking our place in the code Authors: Willis, Nicole Gail; Molina, Veronica Source: Social Work. January 2019, Vol. 64 Issue 1, p83-86. Document: Examining self-care among individuals employed in social work capacities Authors: Miller, J. Jay; Lianekhammy, Joann; Grise-Owens, Erlene Source: Advances in Social Work. January 2019, Vol. 18 Issue 4, p1250-1266. Document: Perceptions of self-care among MSW students: Implications for social work education Authors: Diebold, Josal; Kim, Wooksoo; Elze, Diane Source: Journal of Social Work Education. December 2018, Vol. 54 Issue 4, p657-667. Document: Being intentional about self-care for social workers Author: Bent-Goodley, Tricia B. Source: Social Work. January 2018, Vol. 63 Issue 1, p5-6. Access Documents: Log in to the NASW Research Library and enter the title of the article or key words in the NASW Research Library search box.    ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS March Social Work Month March is Social Work Month. This year’s theme, "Social Workers: Generations Strong," honors the many generations of social workers championing social justice, social welfare, and individual well-being. Access the 2020 Social Work Month toolkit for ideas on ways to honor and educate about our profession. Celebrate the month with specialty merchandise proudly displaying the 2020 theme. March 18 Private Practice Q&A Call-in Session – Are You Ready for An Audit? Tips to Prepare Call-in session is free, available to NASW members only, and starts at 12 p.m. ET. No registration is required. .  SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT    NASW NATIONAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPENS SOON 2020 NASW National Conference June 14-17, 2020, Washington, DC Join more than 2,000 social workers, like-minded professionals, and social work thought leaders for four days of unparalleled opportunities for professional development, continuing education, networking, and thought-provoking conversations tackling the most pressing issues facing the social work profession across the world. Learn more at socialworkers.org/2020conference.    GRAND CHALLENGES FOR SOCIAL WORK Six Tools to Help Social Workers Respond to the Grand Challenges The Grand Challenges for Social Work, led by the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare (AASWSW), is a groundbreaking initiative to champion social progress powered by science. NASW’s CEO, Angelo McClain, PhD, LICSW, is proud to serve on the Grand Challenges Leadership Board, and to ensure NASW provides social workers with tools and resources to respond to the Grand Challenges for Social Work. NASW is a powerhouse of social work innovation, advocacy, and progress—and your membership makes this possible. Thank you! Grand Challenges Resources 1. Legislative Alerts – Quickly search and take action on legislation affecting social workers and the populations we serve, such as legislation to protect immigrant children, enhance social worker safety, end gun violence, expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to mental health services, and increase the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social workers. 2. Voter Participation – Recognize and overcome voting barriers for low-income people, ethnic minorities, senior citizens, current and formerly incarcerated men and women, and college students. 3. Child Migrant Protection Toolkit – Find resources to advocate for and help immigrant families. 4. Social Justice Briefs – Get an overview of topics, such as cash bail, gun violence, and racial profiling, along with research and recommendations. 5. Social Work Online CE Institute – Update your knowledge and skills. Put research to practice. Recommended Webinar Special Grand Challenges Webinar – Making Research Useful to Policy Makers 6. NASW Press – Gain new insights and improve your practice. Recommended Book Grand Challenges for Society: Evidence-Based Social Work Practice Find more tools and resources at www.socialworkers.org. .  PRODUCT SHOWCASE UTArlington School of Social Work The School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington is nationally ranked in the top 14% of social work programs. With internationally renowned faculty members conducting research and clinical practice, we prepare our students to be leaders addressing the challenges of a 21st century world. Celebrating 50 years and with a strong reputation, our more than 10,000 alumni are leaders in government, military, community and private organizations around the world helping to create a just society. Read more University of North Carolina Wilmington Students in undergraduate, graduate, advanced standing, certificate and credentialing programs practice skills that advance the empowerment and well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities as they explore policies and programs to ensure social welfare and quality practice. Read more    GROUP DISCOUNTS Your NASW membership helps us negotiate better pricing with our partners on products and services that help you save time and money and increase your satisfaction in your professional and personal lives. Visit the Member Discounts page to learn about the NASW Visa® Rewards credit card, Taxbot Business Expense Tracker, Savi Student Loan Tool/Student Debt Help, Office Depot/OfficeMax discounts, Lenovo technology and computer savings, Ticket Monster entertainment discounts, and other ways to save. STUDENT DEBT HELP Savi Student Loan Tool NASW’s partnership with Savi, an innovative student loan technology company, helps our members tackle student debt. Through our partnership, you have free access to Savi's Student Loan Tool, which helps you analyze repayment and forgiveness programs to determine the best solution for you, and helps you enroll in appropriate programs that could lower your monthly payments. If you elect to sign up for Savi’s “Essential” premium service, which includes application monitoring, auto-enrollment paperwork, and unlimited access to 1-1 support with Savi student loan experts, you will receive a 70% discount on that service as an NASW member. Start your free Savi account to see how your current student loans compare to other repayment options. Access additional resources to help you understand and manage your student loans.    SOCIAL WORK ISSUES IN THE NEWS New DHS Data Shows the Changing Face of US Immigration Boundless The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics closed out 2019 by publishing a swathe of new immigration data that offers an important portrait of new arrivals to the United States — and gives a preliminary snapshot of some of the ways that President Donald Trump’s policies are changing the face of U.S. immigration.  READ MORE Michigan Social Workers Push Back on Medicaid, SNAP Work Requirements WDET-FM If you need Medicaid in Michigan, you’ll have to work ... or get a waiver. New regulations pushed through by the state’s Republican Legislature and signed by then-governor Rick Snyder in 2018 went into effect Jan. 1.  READ MORE New California Ballot Measure Would Create Special Court for Homeless Crimes Curbed San Francisco Former California Assemblymember Mike Gatto wants to get tough on “quality-of-life” crimes while still being gentle with the people — often the homeless — most likely to be charged with them, with a new voter initiative that he hopes will land on the November ballot. His plan, which he calls “California’s Compassionate Intervention Act,” would prosecute crimes like vehicle break-ins, public intoxication, or panhandling, but offer holistic sentencing instead of jail or other punitive measures.  READ MORE NASW MemberLink Connect with NASW Recent Issues | Unsubscribe | Advertise | Web Version  To subscribe, contact NASW Member Services at 800.742.4089 Monday-Friday, 9 am - 9 pm ET or email membership@socialworkers.org. 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