November/December/January 2015-2016

l November / December / January
XXXIX
4 l The North
Carolina
Social Worker
Newsletter
2015-16 2011
XXXV
No. 3No.
Carolina
Social
Worker
Newsletter
June/July
XXXIV
No. 6 The North
The
North
Carolina
Social
Worker
Newsletter
December 2010/January
2011
Social Workers Not Getting Paid
Calling on the North Carolina Department of
Labor to Protect Workers
Modernization
of NASW
Members First:
Engaging and Advancing
Our Profession
By Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP; Associate Executive Director
I
n October 2015, the Raleigh News
and Observer (N & O) ran a series
of articles highlighting the lack of
protection for workers by the North
Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) against employers failure to pay
employees. “North Carolina has a simple requirement of employers: pay your
workers what you promise. When bosses don’t, Labor Commissioner Cherie
Berry’s team has the duty under state
law to step in and try to make it right,”
according to the series introduction.
One article highlights a social worker
who was never paid for one month’s
work for a mental health care company.
The social worker followed the correct
steps and filed a complaint with the NCDOL. During the investigation, the employer told the NCDOL he didn’t have
the money to pay his employees, so the
case was dropped and litigation was
never pursued. Under state law, failing
to pay workers carries no fine.
NASW-NC has had a number of calls
from members in the last few years regarding this very issue. “I haven’t been
paid for the last month, what can I do?”
NASW-NC sent a letter to Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry (yes, the “Elevator Lady”) asking her to do more to
protect North Carolina employees. The
weakness of wage and hour laws in
North Carolina must be improved.
“Berry has been required by state law
to point out needed improvements in
the law. But she has not lobbied for
more punishment for companies that
cheat workers out of pay,” according
to the N & O article. NASW-NC has
also insisted that the NCDOL work
with the North Carolina Department
of Health and Human Services to ensure appropriate leaders take action
against mental health employers who
refuse to pay their employees.
What can you do if you haven’t been
paid by your employer? This is where
your NASW membership kicks in!
NASW members have access to free
legal resources, professional consultation with chapter staff and an ethics consultation from the NASW-NC
Ethics Committee. We are in the process of developing a Practice Pointer
with additional resources on how to
file a claim with the NCDOL.
Email membership@naswnc.org for
more information.
News and Observer "The Reluctant
Regulator" series:
http://bit.ly/INeedToBePaid l
From the President’s Desk, Credentials Received .................. 2
New Members ........................................................................... ..4
NASW-NC ................................................................................... 6
Ethics in Practice........................................................................ 7
NASW-NC Board Minutes .......................................................... 8
Women of Achievement Award ................................................. 9
LDF
of the Month ............................................10-12
New Members.................................5
In Legal
ThisIssue
Issue
2011
Student
ATOD Awards
12
Legislative Update.......................... 6
President’s
Message........................ 2 .....................................................
Advertisements....................................................................13-15
NASW 60th Anniversary..................7
Executive Director’s Message..........3
Mark You Calendars!.................................................................16
Ethics in Practice............................ . 8
As part of NASW’s strategic
plan, the National Board of
Directors is seeking to bring
more value to our members and
modernize the organization’s
structure for the future.
Having just been approved by
the National NASW Board of
Directors, a modernization plan
which was researched, vetted
and revised over a two year period aims to revitalize the Association by improving the structure
such that we have one vibrant
association more sustainable for
the 21st Century.
Close collaboration between
Chapter and National leadership
in the coming months will continue as the Association builds an
implementation plan that meets
shared organizational objectives
and serves our members by exceeding their expectations.
To find out more, see the NASW
Members First website that outlines the Modernization and Implementation Plan:
Member Spotlight............................. 4
412 Morson Street
l
PO Box 27582
l
Raleigh, NC 27611-7582
l
919/828-9650 or 800/280-6207
http://bit.ly/naswmembersfirst
NASW-NC Chapter Updates......... ........9
Practice Resource..................... .... ........10
Professional Development....... .... .........11
Student Updates....................... .... ...12-13
l
FAX 919/828-1341
l
www.naswnc.org
2
November / December / January 2015-16
NASW-NC
Board of Directors
2015 – 2016
President
Sabrina Southern, MSW, LCSW
President Elect
Ashley Shope, LCSW, LCAS, C-SWHC
Vice President
Tanisha James, MSW, LCSW
Secretary
Ryan Estes, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
Treasurer
Carolyn Craddock, LCSW, ACSW, LCASA
CNLI Chairperson
Gloria Cook, MSW
Undergraduate Student Representative
Stephanie Straughn, AA
Graduate Student Representative
Jasmin Ahuwalia, BS
Coastal District Representatives
Logan Keziah, BSW, MSW
2nd Representative Vacant
Central District Representatives
Amber Moodie-Dyer, MSW, PhD
Ashley Staton, MSW, LCSW
Piedmont District Representatives
Lydia Long, MSW, LCSWA, CSAC
Mary E. Stephens, Ed.D, MSW, ACSW
South Piedmont District Representatives
Eric Tucker, MSW, LCSW
2nd Representative Vacant
Western District Representatives
Margaret Rose Hall, LCSWA, LCAS
Melissa Teague, BSW, MSW, LCSW
South Central District Representatives
Priscila Hilligus, MSW, LCSWA
Matthew Mitchell, LCSWA, LCASA
International District Representatives
Jakob Bakst, PhD, MSW, MS
2nd Representative Vacant
Delegates
Kerry Graves, BSW, MSW, ABD/PhD
Jessica Holton, MSW, LCSW, LCAS
Georgianna Mack, MSW, LCSW
Sonyia Richardson, MSW, LCSW
Ashley Shope, LCSW, C-SWHC
Sabrina Southern, MSW, LCSW
Elaine Wiercioch, LCSW
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
From the President
NASW Modernization
By Sabrina Southern, MSW, LCSW
T
he National office has organized a few task
forces over the last few years, which have developed and proposed a significant reorganization and restructuring of our association. There
is no succinct way to explain these changes other
than to say, the model is to nationalize the chapters
in meaningful ways. This will involve converting
all staff of the 55 chapters, to national staff. Ultimately, the National office will take over various accounts currently handled by
the individual Chapters. The plan would minimize the role of Chapter boards to
a programmatic advisory role. Chapter Boards would no longer have local fiscal
or personnel oversight. The proposal would reduce the size of the National Board
to 15 members. It would impose fees on Chapters for National services, some of
which many Chapters (EDs and boards) are not requesting. These fees are poorly
defined and, as of now, uncapped.
Since last fall, several variations of this plan have been rolled out for review by
Chapter Presidents and Executive Directors. The majority of Chapter presidents
and many Executive Directors (EDs) have objected strongly to them. We have been
in discussions with the National office who appeared responsive, but ultimately
did not incorporate much of the chapter leadership input. In June, the National
Board voted to move ahead with implementation planning on the reorganization.
In late September, the National Board of Directors approved the development of
an implementation plan based on recommendations from the Modernization &
Revitalization Implementation Plan General Design document.
The Coalition of Chapter Presidents and the Coalition of Concerned Chapter Executives and Presidents were organized in an effort to give chapters a larger voice
in this process. As the NC Chapter President ,I have been active in both groups.
The purpose was to fully understand the need for the modernization process and
then ask for a chance to participate in the development of the modernization plan.
Despite our best efforts, our groups have come to feel that the National office is
not operating in a manner consistent with Social Work values and practices. They
have failed, in response to direct requests, to provide basic information regarding
the initial motivations, or fiscal numbers, directing the need for this level of consolidation. Despite verbal assurance that our voices would be heard in all phases of
this process, the board has chosen to exclude much of the chapter volunteer leadership from participating in actively representing the members, through discussion or planning, of the implementation process. Finally, and of most concern, our
National office has severely curtailed the autonomy of chapter activities through
nationalizing staff and limiting the board to an advisory capacity. Essentially this
plan consolidates power and authority for all membership to the top 1/100% of
the association.
This information is being provided as further background to the limited information that has recently been sent from the National office. National is spelling out
a process that seems legitimate and agreed upon, but they have failed to disclose
that a large faction of leadership has voiced concerns. A petition has been sent to
the National Board of Directors to convene a special meeting of the NASW Corporation to be held by January 2016. This petition is in accordance with Article XI
of the Bylaws of NASW and is asking that the process be inclusive. The National
office is currently validating signatures.
I want to be very clear about what is in disagreement. We are not asking to
stop the modernization efforts of our association. Every organization
needs to adapt and grow in order to stay relevant. There has been a need for National to take a more prominent and focused role in speaking for the profession.
Many of the recent changes have the potential to be exceptional. However, we are
concerned about setting a precedent for which this process is occurring.
This is our professional association and there is something inherently wrong in a
process where the membership loses their voice. As your leadership, we will continue to monitor this process and have chosen to continue moving forward with
our goals by continuing to strengthen services. We will continue to represent your
needs here in North Carolina with the voice that we currently have. l
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
November / December / January 2015-16
From the
Executive Director
If It’s Not One Thing,
It’s Something Else
By Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW
A
nything that impacts our members and the
social work profession becomes an issue for
staff in our office. If you read our front page
article about the North Carolina Department of
Labor you know that social workers are being impacted by companies who are
failing to pay their employees.
You will also know that NASW-NC took multiple actions on many different levels
in order to ensure, as best as we can, that both the Department of Labor and the
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services provides follow up and
investigation in order to ensure social workers are paid and receive back wages
when not paid. I am sure that we will need to do our own follow up and our own
tracking so I encourage any member who is having payment issues with their
employer to not only contact the Department of Labor and the Department of
Health and Human Services, but to also contact and involve us.
While we work to keep our finger on payment issues we are jumping into the fray
surrounding online MSW programs, the enormous amount of tuition that online
programs charge and yet the lack of assistance many of these programs provide
when it comes to finding internships for their students. We understand that many
feel that they have to maintain full time employment and feel that they cannot quit
work while getting their social work degree. The niche and need for online degree
programs is rising. However, many of those programs charge far more in tuition
than in-state programs do.
The online student who is working full time ends up with MORE student debt
than the student who goes to school full time. The debt and tuition issues are
suddenly drawing fire and attention, beginning with the U.S. Military refusing to
pay tuition costs for those getting online degrees from the University of Phoenix.
We are having more and more student members who are getting online degrees
contacting us about assistance in getting a field placement because their online
program has few contacts and connections in North Carolina.
We are currently discussing these issues with our colleges and universities in
North Carolina, our National office and with the Council on Social Work Education
(CSWE). We will be formally requesting that CSWE take action to ensure that
students get the support they need. We will continue to keep our finger on the
pulse of this issue and then...we will be on to something else. l
3
NASW-NC
Chapter Staff
Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW
Executive Director
director@naswnc.org
Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP
Associate Executive Director
membership@naswnc.org
Kay Castillo, BSW
Director of Advocacy,
Policy & Legislation
advocacy@naswnc.org
Hope Venetta
Director of Professional Development
education@naswnc.org
Kristen Carter
Office Manager
associate@naswnc.org
Debbie Conner, MSW
Bookkeeper
Dylan Gurrera
Membership Associate
919.828.9650 l 800.280.6207
www.naswnc.org
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4
XXXIX No. 4
November / December / January 2015-16
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Member Spotlight
Leblanc Appointed to North Carolina
Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board
By Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW; Executive Director
J
oseph Leblanc, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, has been appointed to the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice (NCSAPP) Board as a deemed status
representative, representing NASW-NC and thus the
social work profession. Joe’s term of appointment began in
September and he is appointed to a 3 year term, with eligibility for a second 3 year term when his current term expires.
Joe received his Master of Social Work from East Carolina
University and is currently in private practice in Wilmington. Prior to developing his own private practice, Joe held
several different positions at Southeastern Mental Health,
as well as positions with Community Living Wilmington,
Brunswick Community Hospital and Cape Fear Group
Homes.
NASW-NC is considered a “deemed status” organization
within the statute that defines and describes the makeup of
the NCSAPP Board. This allows NASW-NC to appoint a designee as a full board member of the NCSAPP Board. Other
similar organizations such as the North Carolina Psychological Association are also in the statute as a deemed status
organization and also appoint
board members. Organizations
in the statue as deemed status
organizations are those that
have and offer substance use/
addictions credentials that are specific to their profession.
The national NASW office administers an Alcohol, Tobacco
and Other Drugs (ATOD) credential and the NCSAPP Board
recognizes this credential and provides deemed status to
those social workers holding the credential. Social workers
holding the ATOD credential have proven that they meet
the criteria for gaining the Licensed Clinical Addictions
Specialist (LCAS) license, and have only to take the required
exam in order to gain the LCAS.
Prior to Joe’s recent appointment to the NCSAPP Board,
Jessica Holton LCSW, LCAS served 6 years as the NASWNC deemed status representative. Prior to Jessica’s 2 terms
on the Board, Worth Bolton, faculty member at UNC Chapel
Hill School of Social Work served 2 terms as NASW-NC’s
representative.
Learn more about the NCSAPP Board: www.ncsappb.org l
Zingraff Honored by NC Senate
By Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP; Associate Executive Director
O
n September 22, 2015, NASW-NC 2015 Advocacy Award Winner Lauren
Zingraff, MSW was honored on the floor of the North Carolina Senate
for her “tireless work on behalf of North Carolina’s foster care children
through SaySo, Inc.” The age youth in North Carolina can remain in foster care
was raised from 18 to 21 years in the 2015-2016 State of North Carolina budget.
Lauren’s advocacy efforts helped ensure this change that will allow youth more
time before aging out of the foster care system.
Pictured left to right: Senator Tommy Tucker, Lauren Zingraff, Senator Tamara
Barringer, Lt. Governor Dan Forest. l
Social Worker
NASW-NC Social Worker
of the Year Award
Let us honor who you admire!
Nominate a social work professional that has demonstrated
commendable service and practice. Nominees must be
members of NASW and residents of North Carolina.
More information and applications are available at www.naswnc.org.
Deadline: December 15, 2015
XXXIX No. 4
November / December / January 2015-16
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
5
Membership
Welcome New Members
T
he North Carolina Chapter of NASW would like to welcome the following new members who joined during the months
of August, September, and October! They have chosen to support their profession and advocate for social work values
by joining NASW. We hope that, as new members, you will take an active role with the Association by joining a committee, attending a Board meeting, or participating in a Local Program Unit.
Coastal
District (A)
Marvis Bond
Emily Bridges
Emily Carr
Amanda Conrad
Georgiana Couden
Natalie Cross
Karen Dew
Gina DiBona
Adrienne Eure
Amber Francis
Julia Griffin
Jesse Hazel
Arianne Henry-Kroll
Byron Honore
Morgan Hudson
Erin Idehenre
Mitzi Jordan
Brooke Kester
Raqueta Lassiter
Mary Lewis
Savannah Lucas
Elizabeth McDowell
Justin Monsees
Jennifer Mussaw
Shontel Spruill
Deborah Stilley
Kaitlyn Timler
Central District (B)
Tayana Albritton
Ashley Ambrose
Jennifer Ayscue
Claire Bates
Jesse Bennett
Erica Brandon
Tierra Burkett
Brian Burton
Christopher Campau
Hector Campos
Bobby Canady
Luisa Cesar
Melvis Chineme
Marianna Chriscoe
Alison Claybon
Monique Conway
Angela Curry
Terry David
Camry Dean
Laquita Drinkard
Malika Duffy
Jack Ellerbe
Kelly Eppley
Michele Fidler
Maria Flores-Estrada
Chontia France
Sheilisha Fredrick
Sheila Gable
Jessica Germaine
Juliet Gutierrez
Kathryn Hardy
Enyonam Hargett
Ashley Harris
DeWayne Harvey-Gatewood
Michelle Helton
Lisa Hoskins
Mary Houston
Charlotte Hoy
Sonia Hsieh
Flannery Hysjulien
Lisa Jester
Vickie Jiles
LaCarrole Jones
Tonetta Jones
Daniel Jordan
Corey Jordan
Jamie Lamkin
Wendy Leedy
Lillieann Lemay
Chelsea Lindsay
Mary Linker
Sophia Lopez
Margaret Lundsgaard
TaQuan Lynch
Lara Markovits
Anita Matthews
Sharnella McCrae
Meredith McMonigle
Gabrielle Miller-McMillan
Alisia Mitchell
Chelsea Mitchell
Kayla Mize
Jennifer Morehead
Duke Nyabera
Queensly Onuzulike
Sherri Owens
Camilla Powell
Javaris Quinn
Starr Redic
Yvonne Roberts
Yazmin Rodriguez
Nyisha Rogers
Hannah Rossi
Hermione Ruffin
Crystal Russell
Julia Santiago
Sarah Schwartz Sax
Kimberly Serozi
Stephanie Smith
Ashley Smith
Betty Smith
Candace Spruill
Chantay Stanley
Imani Stover
Robert Stuckey
Latasha Surney
Lisa Taylor
Latisha Teachey
Amy Tiemann
Kada Unwin
Breana van Velzen
Andree Viho
Raneika Vinson
Anne Walker
Christopher Waller
Keisha Ward
Jamearian Wardlow
Pam Wheeler
Rachel Whetten
Judith Wilber
Brittney Wilhelm
Jacquetta Williams
Maile Williams
Melissa Williams
Shamirah Wilson-Wearing
Kristie Wimbush
Amanda Zaski
Piedmont
District (C)
Christine Anyanwu
Angel Baptist
Joel Bartz
Caroline Belmore
Amanda Blaylock
Christiana Bockari
Johanna Boobas
Jordan Brown
Lena Brown
Lynn Bryant
Shanika Bush
Katie Catton
Jacalyn Claes
Kristen Collins
Samantha Culler
Maria Cummings
Allison Dark
Ky-sha Duncan
Samantha Dunn
Ryan Ebron
Kadi Egharba
Kristin Feemster
Emilie Fetherbay
Antoine Fordham
Marissa Gagne
Tamesha Goddard
Hannah Greer
Ashley Hetrick
Lynda Hiller
Joy Holland
Caitlyn Hough
Megan Jeffries
English Johnson
Deshanna Johnson
Hannah Kaye
Andrea Liles
Kimberly Long
Alisha Lowman
Amra Marshall
Bridget Mayton
Paulisha McIntyre
Akillah Miles
Elizabeth Miller-Coble
Shauna Moore
James Moses
Michelle Nash
Rebecca Oshige
Samantha Palma
Ashley Peoples
Margaret Petree
Renee Poole
Jasmine Smith
Amber Stafford
Clint Stiles
Priscilla Sweitzer
Ileana Tol
Stepvoni Walker
Natashia Wiley
Kendace Willis
Ashley Wrenn
South Piedmont
District (D)
Meredith Allen
Petreana Anderson
Chanese Belton
Sonia Beverly
Rachelle Bridgeforth
Barbara Brown
Anita Brown
Catherine Buckner
Kenyatta Burris
Tina Carson
Amanda Collins
Sherri Davis
Juaniska Davis
Aretha Davis
Wanda Davis-Wakefield
Tamika Dawkins
Abelardo De Luna
Sarah Dicus
Allison Dunbar
Connie Eads
Melissa Elder
Cristina Elder
Felicia Elmore
Rosa Espinosa
Patty Etheridge
Khiara Ford
Monica Foster
Stephanie Gaddy
Jessica Gaston
Keisha Gatling
Chelcia Goodman
Trey Greene
Heather Hicks
Kelli Holdt
Quatisha Horne
Jennifer Kramb
Catherine Lakeman
Felicia Ledbetter
Quaneshe Liggins
Kaleia Martin
Lisa Matthews-Wigfall
Theresa McCormick-Dunlap
Willie McCoy
Bianca McGill
Emma McKinney
Eboni Moran
Emily Nesbitt
Justice Parker
Krystal Pereira
Janiece Peterson
Laura Pierce
Vernon Pinkston
Nissa Rayfield
Leah Raymond
Karen Rodriguez
Marilyn Ross
Alexandria Roy
Alexandria Ryder
Jordan Sander
Quentin Sanders
Lesley Selby
Sheriee Smith
Crystal Thomas
Ciara Thompson
Antoinette Thornton
Celia Walpole
Jenna Webber
Anna Wheeler
Acacia Wilson
Karen Wilson
Auzree’ Witherspoon
Elisha Wyre
Sara Yon
Western
District (E)
Jodi Brittain
Michael Brunson
Timofey Buzyan
Ceara Calloway
Sarah Cole
Kathy Collins
Jessie Cooley
Shaun Creech
Melissa Darcy
Jasmine Davis
Mollie Donihe
Heather Greene
Crystal Hardin
Cal Hilsman
Kelsey Jaynes
Angela Jones
Carmen Keener
Carole Kitchen
Taran Long
Martha Mabe
Venyamína MacIvèrra
Natasha Maddox
Erin Mann
Brogan O’Brien
Patricia Oliveira
Amanda Paramore
Chelsea Pedersen
Deborah Phillips
Quentin Powell
Kristen Rankin
Mary Strong
Hannah Williams
South Central
District (F)
Emily Ailinger
Asiyah Alston
Danielle Ambrose
Christina Baker
Monique Baker
Taylor Barber
Jazz Beach
Cynthia Bowers
Kerri Ann Boykin
Breanna Brandt
Frances Bridger
Jana Bryant
Erin Capps
Alyssa Caren
Lisa Chambers
Crystal Cheap
Tori Collins-Newcombe
Hannah Crom
Ashley Cutrell
Ada DelCastillo
Zebede Drake Jr.
Ashley Eldridge
Morganne Foley
Abigail Garner
Fernando Gautier
Melissa Goins
Erika Goodis-Lytle
Shanetal Graham
Ronnie Grantham
Logan Greenleaf
Shaun Grier
Leana Hall
Amy Hall
Chrishonda Ham
Leanna Hand
Carla Harper
MacKenzie Harris
Megan Heigl
Denise Hernandez
Sarah Hildreth
Carrie Hitchcock
Elvia Hitzges
Madison Holland
Lauren Hurley
Sara Jenkins
Kailyn Johnston
Chrystal Jonaus
Gina Josan
Caitlin Josey
Whitney Key
Amanda King
Nancy Kyle
Caitlin Lafferty
Aaron Langlois
Leah Lewis
Lora Locklear
Abigail Long
Desiree Louvierre
Christopher Lowe
Nicholas Manisero
Amanda Martin
Alison McGee
Christy McIntyre
MiYanna McIntyre
Shelby McKinney
Alison Miley
Sydney Milligan
Kimberly Moore
Briana Morgan
Joey Mosley
Katherine Mullaney
Amy Nash
Audresha Nevels
Sara Novicki
Mia O’Kelly Hillert
Alex Osifo
Emily Painter
Brittany Parkins
Kerri Pastor
Jaimie Patterson
Lauren Pettit
Mychael Phillips
Sarah Phillips
Courtney Pope
Michael Porter
Meghan Pruitt
Lassandra Purnell
Maricruz Ramirez
Felisha Ravello
Amy Richardson
Manuel Rivenbark
Jessica Roebuck
Temira Rountree
Portia Session
Kelly Shannon
Meghann Small
Courtney Smith
Madison Smith
LeVal Snoddy
Brittany Soles
Maria Squitieri
Sherisse Stewart
Amy Taylor
Cote Tracy
Leilani Turner
Jasmine Turner
Brittany Twitty
Sarah Welchel
Emma Werkiser
Sameon West
Ieshia West
Ashley Wilhelm
Keeneya Williams Glenn
Mary Wood
Brandy Wrenn
Larry Wright
Patricia Young
Kathryn Zietkiewicz
NASW Membership Matters
Join Today!
www.socialworkers.org/join
6
November / December / January 2015-16
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Legislative Update
Longest NC Legislative Session in a Decade
Wraps Up
By Kay Castillo, BSW; Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation, Registered Lobbyist
A
fter 135 active legislative
days and 28 NASWNC Advocacy Updates,
the 2015 Legislative Session
adjourned around 4:15 am
on Wednesday, September
30th; almost thirteen weeks
behind schedule. In their
adjournment
resolution,
legislators decided to return for the 2016 Short Session on
April 25, 2016. This early date is in hopes to wrap up session
by July 1, 2016 so those campaigning for office can get back
on the campaign trail. Per state law, legislators cannot
actively raise money during legislative session.
Among some of the biggest changes this legislative session
that impact social workers:
•• Senate Bill 676 Autism Health Insurance
Coverage. This was signed into law in early October and
develops health insurance coverage for children up to age
18 on the autism spectrum. Coverage would allow for up
to $40,000 in treatment (of any kind) a year and is inline with what is already offered by the State Health Plan.
Because of NASW-NC advocacy efforts, Licensed Clinical
Social Workers are included as providers under the bill so
long as they practice within their experience, training and
scope of practice.
•• House Bill 372 Medicaid Transformation and
Reorganization: The bill, now law as it was signed
by the Governor, allows for the development of three
Prepaid Health Plans (statewide) and up to ten ProviderLed Entities (regional and the Department of Health and
Human Services will develop six regions). The bill creates
a new Division of Health Benefits under the Department
of Health and Human Services and eliminates the Division
of Medical Assistance (currently operating Medicaid
in our state) after twelve months of the contracts being
in place. The employees under the Division of Health
Benefits would not be considered state employees. The
plan has to be approved by the federal government
and can take 18 months or longer. Additionally, the
plan requires that the current LME/MCO structure for
providing behavioral health services be excluded until
four years AFTER capitated contracts begin with Prepaid
Health Plans. Managed care providers are responsible
for all administrative functions, including grievances and
appeals. Lastly, contracts with Community Care of North
Carolina would be eliminated. NASW-NC plans to work
with the Department of Health and Human Services as
well as the Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid
and Health Choice.
•• House Bill 556 Achieving A Better Life Experience
Act: This law creates tax free savings accounts- 529
Accounts- for persons with disabilities in an attempt to
ease financial burdens such as transportation, housing,
education, health care, and more once a guardian has
passed away. It’s a great solution for families who are
worried about taking care of children with disabilities
later in life.
•• Foster Care extended to age 21 in the budget!
•• Prison mental health reform is funded in the budget. The
budget funds 66 positions at Central Prison Mental Health
Hospital to open 72 beds. Further, the budget establishes
mental health behavior treatment at eight close custody
prisons, four units are funded fiscal year 2015-2016 and
four units established the following fiscal year.
•• The budget also eliminates single stream funding from
LME/MCOs. $110M this fiscal year and $152 million next
fiscal year. This is very concerning as it will limit access
to services and provider pay and NASW-NC is planning
advocacy efforts to restore funding in the next fiscal year.
Despite a long legislative session full of ups and downs,
social workers had a few victories this session. Certainly
major support for foster care was a theme throughout the
session as well as better support for mental health prison
reform.
View legislative bills that NASW-NC followed and lobbied
for and against during the legislative session on the NASWNC website. View NASW-NC’s weekly advocacy updates
throughout the legislative session on our blog! l
Recognize Your
Favorite Advocate!
NASW-NC is seeking nominations for the 2016
Myrna Miller Wellons Advocacy Award.
This annual award is given to a North Carolinian
who has demonstrated a strong passion to
advocate for the needs of the social work
profession and/or policy issues.
A strong candidate is a social worker who has
been a champion in impacting policy both for the
social work profession and the clients served by
social workers.
More information: www.naswnc.org
Deadline: January 15, 2016
2015 Winner Lauren Zingraff
XXXIX No. 4
November / December / January 2015-16
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
7
NASW 60th Anniversary
Newly Inducted NASW Social Work Pioneers
T
he NASW Social Work Pioneer Program was created to honor members of the social work profession who have
contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. The Pioneer Program identifies and recognizes
individuals whose unique dedication, commitment and determination have improved social and human conditions.
The NASW Foundation has inducted 19 new Pioneers in 2015 and NASW-NC is pleased that two are from North Carolina!
Pioneers are role models for future generations of social workers. Their contributions are reflected in every aspect of the
profession, as well as in the establishment of social policies and human services programs. They have accomplished this
through practice, teaching, writing, research, program development, administration, advocacy, legislation, and election to
public office.
Iris Carlton-LaNey, PhD, MA
Hortense King McClinton, MSW
or 36 years, Iris Carlton-LaNey has taught in social
work programs in three North Carolina universities.
After three years as a public health social worker in
Chicago, her first position after receiving her PhD was at the
University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
After nearly 13 years at that institution, she accepted a
position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of Social Work where she has taught for 21 years. She
is widely respected as an educator and mentor, who shows
a commitment to the life-long learning of her students, and
who engages students in and outside of the classroom. Her
ability to cultivate classrooms into safe and nonjudgmental
places to learn and share ideas about very difficult topics
is uncanny and has been recognized by numerous teaching
awards. She pushes her students to be active learners and to
feel valued as contributors to their own education.
Carlton-LaNey has served as a national research mentor
and faculty scholar in the Hartford Geriatric Social Work
Program, and continues to be a member of the Health
Promotion Community Advisory Council of the John A.
Hartford Foundation. She has held numerous leadership
positions in NASW and CSWE, and has provided community
leadership to a number of social service agencies, including
the Durham County Board of Social Services, which she
chaired from 2004-2006.
Carlton-LaNey has published four books, two (African
American Leadership
in Social Work History
and Preserving and
Strengthening Small
Towns
and
Rural
Communities)
of
which were published
by
NASW
Press.
Several social work
scholars have noted
that Carlton-LaNey’s
work was essential in
teaching them how
to conduct historical
research.
CarltonLaNey’s
historical
research has provided a
framework and model
for other scholars who
have followed her lead
in the exploration
of the contributions
of African American
social work pioneers. l
ortense McClinton has lived with a remarkable
sense of determination — for 97 years. Her father’s
parents were slaves, and McClinton grew up in a
completely segregated society, the all-black town of Boley,
Oklahoma.
When she was in the 8th grade, McClinton realized her
future career path after a woman who worked for the
Children’s Bureau in Washington, D.C., came to a school
assembly to talk about social work.
McClinton left Oklahoma for Washington, D.C., in 1936 to
attend Howard University and graduated in 1939. From
there, it was on to Philadelphia where she earned her
Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1964, while working as a research supervisor at the
VA Hospital in Durham, the University of North Carolina
School of Social Work dean approached McClinton with a
job offer which she finally accepted in 1966.
McClinton was the first black professor at the University of
North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
She found herself teaching classes on social work to the
same students she had once supervised when they came to
the VA in Durham for a semester of fieldwork.
Soon after she arrived on campus, she was asked to teach
a course in institutional racism as well, and six years later,
she gave in and created and taught the course.
She retired in 1984, at a time when seeing a black faculty
member or black student on campus was no longer such a
novelty or cause for celebration.
Check out the NPR Weekend Edition story about Mrs.
McClinton: http://n.pr/1LsIm0q l
F
H
8
November / December / January 2015-16
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Ethics in Practice
Social Workers’ Right to Informed Consent
By Ravita T. Omabu Okafor, MSW, LCSW; NASW-NC Ethics Committee Chair
A
s service providers, social
workers respect clients’
right to informed consent.
Do you realize that social workers have a choice in whether to
engage in a professional relationship with a client? Do you
think a social worker can responsibly tell a client, “no?”
Cindy Garthwait (2012) defines “informed consent” as:
Permission given by a client to a social worker or agency
to provide intervention or treatment, based on full disclosure of the efficacy and risks of treatment as well as
on the client’s understanding of the intervention (p.31)
As professionals, social workers have a responsibility to
screen clients before providing services, to assess changes
as they occur, and to adjust the service plan accordingly.
According to NASW Code of Ethics (2008) Standard 1.04
(a) regarding competence:
Social workers should provide services and represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation received,
supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience.
Imagine an LCSW offering a routine therapy session to an
established client who reports that he/she had an inpatient
psychiatric placement since the last office visit. The social
worker requests the client’s consent to request the record,
and the client says, “no.” One might say the client has a
right to keep this information private. Before proceeding,
the social worker has a duty to consider the implications of
this decision. As the client’s therapist, the social worker assumes a level of responsibility for the client’s care. How can
the social worker properly identify and treat problems without access to relevant information?
This situation presents an opportunity for the social worker to explain why obtaining this information is necessary
for attending to the client’s needs. What if the client experienced an inpatient hospitalization regarding substance
abuse, and the client had previously denied substance use
to the social worker? If the social worker continues to treat
this client without addressing the substance use issue, how
can the client receive the care he/she needs from the social
worker? How can the social worker make effective treatment decisions without this information?
Review the following situations and consider the social
worker’s need for information to make a proper professional decision:
•• a client does not have his/her copay
•• a client’s insurance lapsed
•• a client has no intentions of attending scheduled
appointments regularly
•• a client who has a contagious respiratory condition
wishes to meet with the social worker
•• a client secretly takes a social worker’s picture to
facilitate sexual fantasizing at home
•• a social worker’s employee plans to continue scheduling
clients for therapy although that employee allowed his/
her clinical license to lapse
•• an agency offers employment to a social worker despite
its plans to close in one month
Based on the afore-mentioned scenarios, social workers
have the right and responsibility to receive information necessary to make sound, ethical decisions. If a client refuses
to provide information the social worker deems relevant for
providing competent care, the social worker has a right to
adjust the service agreement. According to NASW Code of
Ethics (2008) Standard 1.16 (e) regarding termination:
Social workers who anticipate the termination or interruption of services to clients should notify clients promptly and seek the transfer, referral, or continuation of services in relation to the clients’ needs and preferences.
For this standard, Reamer (2006) elaborates that:
There are legitimate and understandable reasons why social workers might terminate services to clients who still
need some form of assistance. These include planned retirement, resignation to assume a new position, evidence
that clients are not making appropriate progress or cooperating with an intervention plan, lack of expertise to assist
clients with specific needs, being threatened or sued by clients, and clients’ failure to pay an overdue balance. Social
workers who anticipate the termination or interruption of
services to clients for such reasons should work with them
to develop a plan to address their needs. (p. 102)
Recognizing a social workers’ need to avoid abandoning clients in need of services, Reamer (2006) advises social workers to seek consultation, advise clients of possible changes
as soon as possible, provide at least three referral options,
explain the risks of identified options, document discussions and plans in a follow-up letter to the client, contact
the client after termination to ensure proper transfer, provide emergency care information, and document all efforts
in the client’s record.
In Kenneth Pope’s (1993) article, “Therapists’ Anger, Hate,
Fear, and Sexual Feelings”:
National Survey of Therapist Responses, Client Characteristics, Critical Events, Formal Complaints, and Training,” he lists several situations that evoke disturbing
feelings in therapists and actions therapists have taken.
Such actions include raising one’s voice at a client, avoiding treating a client, and obtaining a weapon for protection. In other instances, therapists have refused to release
records, failed to protect a client’s confidentiality (e.g.,
when complaining of a client’s behavior to others), and
engaged in appropriate relationships with clients. Pope’s
acknowledgement that troubling feelings considered
Ethics in Practice continued on Page 9
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
November / December / January 2015-16
9
NASW-NC Chapter Updates
NASW-NC Board of Directors September Meeting
By Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW; Executive Director
T
he NASW-NC Board of Directors met on Saturday
September 26 for a regularly scheduled Board
meeting. The primary topic of discussion during
the board meeting was professional wellness. Board
members discussed not only general wellness strategies
that individuals can incorporate into their lives, but also
systemic employment issues that lead to burnout and
career distress. The Board has made a commitment to have
self-care and wellness for social work professionals be one
of their major board action items for the fiscal year and they
discussed plans to incorporate wellness throughout NASWNC events and social media outlets.
The Board also discussed the association budget and took
the following actions:
•• “I move to approve the minutes from the Chapter Board
meeting held on July 24-25, 2015.” Motion made by
Priscila Hilligus with a second by Jasmin Ahuwalia.
Motion carried.
Ethics in Practice continued from Page 8
antithetical to human services’ workers’ nature allows
us to recognize and manage these feelings effectively.
Your Chapter Ethics Committee exists to promote ethical
practice and to strengthen social workers’ ability to respond
effectively to situations that precipitated other social workers’ downfall. For further preparation, read Ofer Zur’s,
“Controversial issues & contemporary ‘hot’ topics -- Clinical issues & ethical issues” by visiting www.zurinstitute.
com/controversial_issues_clinicalupdate.html. On this
webpage, Zur responds (with ideas you will likely find surprising) to the following questions and more:
•• “I move to approve the NASW-NC Balance sheet FY 20152016 July 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015 budget as
presented.” Motion made by Logan Keziah with a second
by Eric Tucker. Motion carried.
•• “I move to appoint Priscila Hilligus to the vacant South
Central District Representative for the term ending July
2016.” Motion made by Logan Keziah with a second by
Matthew Mitchell. Motion carried.
•• “I move to accept Lisa Allred Drapers application as
a member of the NASW-NC Ethics Committee as of
9/26/2015.” Motion made by Priscila Hilligus with a
second by Logan Keziah. Motion carried.
The next NASW-NC Board meeting will be held in the
NASW-NC Chapter office on Saturday, December 5, 2015.
Board meetings are open to members and anyone wanting
to attend should email Chapter Executive Director Kathy
Boyd at director@naswnc.org. l
is free only to NASW-NC members with questions about
cases in which they have direct involvement.
Whether you have comments about this story to share
with NASW-NC’s Chapter Ethics Committee or would
like to request an ethics consultation, please email us at
naswncethics@gmail.com.
References:
Garthwait, C. (2012). Dictionary of social work. Retrieved from
http://health.umt.edu/socialwork/Master%20of%20Social%20
Work/Curriculum/SocialWorkDictionary_booklet_updated_2012_Oct23.pdf.
Can psychotherapists routinely waive insurance co-pays?
Is face-to-face superior to phone or online therapy? Must
therapists always give referrals when a client terminates
prematurely? Must all treatments be empirically supported to be considered ethical? Is it ethical to treat more
than one member of a couple, concurrently, in individual
therapy? Are risk management and ethics the same? Is it
ever permissible for a therapist to be physical or violent
with a patient, such as slapping, striking or even shooting
the patient?
National Association of Social Workers. (2008). NASW Code of
Ethics. Washington, DC: Author.
Review this content with colleagues, discuss the scenarios
presented, and formulate your own practices for responding. Study relevant sections of the NASW Code of Ethics
(2008), add the referenced resources to your library, or
borrow them from NASW-NC’s lending library for free.
Call your NASW-NC’s Chapter Ethics Committee for free,
ethics consultation, get malpractice insurance if you do not
have it, and access your carrier’s ethics/legal consultation
service whenever you have a question. Never hesitate to
ask for help. You will always appreciate knowing which actions conform with professional standards instead of making decisions impulsively and jeopardizing your career.
PLEASE NOTE: Your NASW-NC Chapter Ethics Committee continues
to offer Peer Ethical Consultation FREE to NASW-NC members. NASWNC offers consultation to assist its members in considering options for
ethical decision-making. Should you access this service, please understand
that you are fully responsible for your actions regarding your ethics question brought before NASW-NC staff and/or members of the NASW-NC
Ethics Committee. We are not responsible for any consequences that occur as a result of your actions.
To access NASW-NC’s Chapter Ethics Committee’s consultation service, please email naswncethics@gmail.com or
call 919-828-9650 ext. 300. Please note that this service
Pope, K.S. & Tabachnick, B.G. (1993). Therapists’ anger, hate, fear,
and sexual feelings: National survey of therapist responses, client
characteristics, critical events, formal complaints, and training.
Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 24 (2), 142-152.
Reamer, F.G. (2006). Ethical standards in social work: A review
of the NASW code of ethics. (2nd edition). Baltimore, MD: NASW
Press.
•• You may contact your malpractice insurance carrier for ethical and
legal consultation. If NASW Assurance Services is your carrier, you
may contact the Risk Management Helpline at 855-385-2160.
•• If your question has a legal component, you may contact NASW’s
national office attorneys at 800-742-4089.
•• Since most complainants file ethical complaints with the North
Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, consider
reviewing the Social Work Practice Act and the Administrative Code
found at www.ncswboard.org to ensure your compliance. l
10
November / December / January 2015-16
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Practice Resource
Quick Reference Guide for
Responding to a Subpoena
By Elizabeth M. Felton, JD, LICSW; NASW Associate
Counsel and Carolyn I. Polowy, JD; NASW General Counsel
T
here are a number of legal issues that play an
important role in social work practice. One of the most
common legal inquiries made by social workers to the
NASW legal office is for information about how to respond
to a subpoena request for confidential client information.
It is important that social workers know how to properly
respond to a subpoena in order to avoid breaching a client’s
confidentiality, the filing of professional complaints and
lawsuits, or HIPAA violations. This May 2015 Legal Issue
of the Month article will review basic information about a
subpoena, identify options for responding to a subpoena,
and identify additional resources that are recommended to
assist with further analysis of issues that arise as a result
of the subpoena. Although this article is primarily a quick
reference guide, a comprehensive review of subpoenas and
related issues are addressed in more detail in a number of
existing NASW Legal Defense Fund publications that are
listed as resources at the end of the article.
What is a Subpoena?
•• A subpoena is a mandate that requires documents (duces
tecum) or testimony be provided at a specific time and
location (i.e. for a hearing, trial, deposition).
•• A social worker can be personally served with a subpoena
or it can be sent through U.S. mail, depending on the rules
of the court.
What type of litigation is involved?
A social worker is usually subpoenaed to provide information
pertaining to various types of litigation their clients are
involved in, such as:
•• Child custody or visitation disputes
•• Divorce cases
•• Employment discrimination or wrongful termination
•• Disability benefits
•• Personal injury claims
•• Criminal prosecution cases
How is a subpoena issued?
•• Subpoenas may be issued by a judge, a clerk of the court,
or an attorney.
•• Do not assume that an attorney’s subpoena requesting
client records has legal authority requiring the release of
records unless it is accompanied by a court order signed
by a judge — not the judge’s clerk.
•• Do not ignore a subpoena, even if it is not signed by a
judge.
What is a Motion to Quash?
•• Acceptance of a subpoena does not mean the social worker
consents to complying with it.
•• Objections to a subpoena can be made with a “Motion to
Quash” which is a legal procedure to block or modify a
subpoena.
•• A client’s attorney or the social worker’s attorney usually
files the motion.
•• The judge reviews the legal issues involved in the subpoena
and determines if the client records or information should
be disclosed.
Legal and ethical considerations
•• NASW Code of Ethics 1.07(j) states that social workers
should protect the confidentiality of clients during legal
proceedings to the extent permitted by law.
•• Absent client consent to release records or a recognized
legal exception, social workers have a duty to claim
privilege on behalf of their clients before releasing any
information.
Options for responding to a subpoena
•• Client Consent Available – a social worker can release a
client’s confidential information in response to a subpoena
if the client gives written authorization.
•• No Client Consent and/or Client Unavailable – the
social worker can inform the attorney requesting the
information, in writing, that the information about all
clients is confidential, privileged and cannot be released
without written client authorization or a court order.
•• Client Available/Refused to Consent – suggest that
the client ask their attorney to file a “motion to quash”
the subpoena or inquire if the social worker’s attorney
(retained or through their professional liability insurance)
will file a “motion to quash”.
What to do if you receive a subpoena?
•• Do not ignore it.
•• Notify your professional liability insurance company.
•• Contact the client, let them know that you have received
a subpoena, and ask if they are willing to provide written
authorization for the information to be released.
•• Send a copy of the subpoena to the client and to his or her
attorney, if authorized by the client to do so.
•• Review the information being requested.
•• Do not release the requested information without written
authorization from the client or a court order.
•• Document all tasks/actions (i.e. phone calls, emails,
letters, consultations) pertaining to the subpoena.
Click here for over 20 helpful resources regarding this
NASW Legal Issue of the Month. l
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
November / December / January 2015-16
11
Professional Development
Niche Networking
By Hope Venetta
Director of Professional Development
D
iversity in the social work
profession is vast. Not just in
the traditional sense, but also
in practice areas as well.
Do you ever wish you had the
opportunity to “cross pollinate”
and listen to a different perspective
that could enrich your own practice? Well, in this day and
age there are so many choices to choose from. There are
YouTube videos offering sometimes sound and sometimes
questionable instruction on everything imaginable. TED
Talks give us insight from thought leaders of every stripe.
Top universities offer free lectures online. And the list goes
on. With free access to this information and these resources,
why look to NASW for connections and networking?
•• Because we speak your language.
•• Because we share your experience.
•• Because we share a code of ethical principles that we
adhere to.
•• Because we have so much to learn from each other.
•• Because there is power in personal connection.
•• And on a practical level, because it comes for free with
your membership!
The NASW-NC Practice Area Networks (PANs) give
members just like you the opportunity to network on a
niche level providing practice specific information and
resources. So, you want to discuss domestic violence against
men? How about knowing what to do if you fail the LCSW
exam? What about the opportunities for social workers
in primary care doctor’s offices? Don’t spend your time
scouring the internet looking for these resources, join the
PAN conversation on the NASW-NC website! We’ve done
the work for you. If you are more of a face-to-face kind
of networker, PANs even meet at the Clinical Social Work
Institute in May and the Fall Conference in November.
PANs are a cost effective, efficient way to drill down into
your specific area of practice for quality niche networking.
Join in the conversation! l
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~Share suite with 10 established clinicians
Please contact Ruth Hall 704-540-1880 or
ruthhall@sccanc.com for information and
please visit our website at www.sccanc.com
12
November / December / January 2015-16
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Student Updates
NASW-NC MSW Student Intern
NASW-NC BSW Representative
Lisa Jester
Stephanie Straughn
North Carolina State University
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
I
am fairly new to the field of
social work. Because my undergraduate degree is in psychology, I wanted my next degree
to have a broader focus. When I
found North Carolina State University’s Master of Social Work
program with its generalist approach, I felt it would be a great
match!
My first year in the program, I interned for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) in the Custody
Mediation program. At the NCAOC I found my passion for
macro level social work and my desire to affect change at the
policy level.
But with only a year of field experience, I discovered my
newfound passion for macro level social work was combined with an interest in learning as much about the social
work profession as possible. This combination of interests
made NASW-NC a perfect fit for my second year placement
and I was honored to be accepted by NASW-NC as their
2015-2016 MSW Student Intern.
Because NASW-NC represents the profession of social work
in all its varied forms, interning here offers an amazing opportunity to get experience and make connections that relate to a multitude of different practice areas. I am honored
to serve alongside an incredible staff and have the opportunity to address a range of issues, from ethics to event planning and everything in between! l
Apply
NOW!
ATTENTION MSW
STUDENTS!
Submit your application for the
NASW-NC PRESIDENTS’ AWARD
This $1,000 award is presented annually to an MSW
student in North Carolina who shows outstanding
leadership, high academic achievement, and
excellence of practice in the field of Social Work.
Applicants must be members of NASW who are
expected to graduate from a Master of Social
Work program in North Carolina within the current
academic year.
More information and applications are available at
www.naswnc.org or contact valerie@naswnc.org
to request an application.
Deadline: December 15, 2015
I
am
currently
a
BSW senior at the
University of North
Carolina at Wilmington
(UNCW) and the BSW
student representative on
the NASW-NC Board of
Directors.
Growing up I always
knew that I wanted a
career that impacted
the lives of others but I
never expected it to be
social work. I come from
a long line of medical professionals and from an early age
my parents prepped me for the medical field. I realized in
my teenage years that nursing and med school were not for
me but I did love psychology and the dynamics of human
interaction. I was initially a psychology major but I didn’t
feel like it was the best fit for me so I took some time off
to determine what pathway I should take. Somewhere
along the line I met some really great social workers that
encouraged me to look into the field. I loved the versatility
that social work seemed to offer so I took a leap of faith and
went back to school.
My very first day in the social work program at UNCW
confirmed that this field was for me! I have never met more
passionate and amazing individuals than the students and
faculty there. I have learned so much about myself in the
process and have really found my passion for re-entry by
working with individuals recently released from jail or
prison and assisting them in successfully transitioning back
into the community.
I became a board member with NASW-NC because I
couldn’t resist the opportunity to learn more about the
field of social work and how to better advocate not only for
my clients, but also myself and my fellow social workers. I
believe there is no better way to learn about the macro level
of social work than to get involved with NASW and it has
proven to be a rewarding experience already. I am looking
forward to many more years of involvement with NASW. l
Read the latest updates on
the Social Work profession in
North Carolina at:
ncsocialwork.org
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
November / December / January 2015-16
13
Student Updates
Conference Reflection
Increasing Graduation Rates for Blacks,
Latinos and the Underprivileged in Education
By Johnathan Brunson, MSW Student Liaison, East Carolina University
F
or the second time, I had the opportunity to present at
and attend the 13th Annual Males of Color Retention
Conference in Detroit, Michigan. The theme was
“The Completion Pipeline: A Comprehensive Blueprint for
Increasing Graduation Rates for Blacks, Latinos and the
Underprivileged in Education.”
The lead article from the October NASW-NC newsletter was
about achieving racial equity. As social workers, the issue
of poverty is often discussed. Critical questions are tossed
around within classrooms and group discussions such as:
How do we eliminate poverty? What must be done to help
individuals and families get out of poverty? We don’t often
discuss racial equity.
At the Males of Color Conference, it was empowering to
be the only African American male in a workshop titled,
“OYE guey. Para donde vas? – Una forma de tener exito en
la Universidad. (Hey. Where are you going? – A method to
succeed in college). This workshop led by Jessie Mancilla
(Academic Advisor/Recruiter, Winona State University)
highlighted personal experiences and difficulties as Latino
students going to college, where they often struggle with
identity and maturity development and societal obstacles.
I learned about Vincent Tinto’s stages of academic
integration as well as critical race theory, a theory which I do
not hear mentioned as an MSW student. I also participated
in the workshop session, “Call to Action: Stereotypes that the
Mass Media use to Portray Males of Color” which presented
the
critical
question: “Why
does the media
perpetuate
a
destructive set
of images and
stereotypes
around race?”
Racism is often explicitly condemned in the media, yet black
males continue to be underrepresented as positive forces in
the mainstream. I was empowered to hear Dr. Bush speak
about current research known as African American Male
Theory (AAMT), a theory focusing on the lives of African
American boys and men.
The conference challenged attendees to go against the
grain, speak out about issues which may make others
uncomfortable, dare to disagree, with the intent of seeking
to make positive change within the world. I was reminded
of the pledge we as social workers must all unite and uphold
if we truly want to seek to achieve racial equality. We must
be willing to respectfully debate and disagree on issues in
open dialogue which will make a profound effect on those
who we serve.
As social workers, if we lead by remaining quiet and not
speaking about the racial stereotypes and issues which
negatively affect those oppressed, that silence will continue
to oppress those which we are supposed to serve. l
Get your end of the year tax deduction?
Support the programs of the North Carolina Chapter Fund of the NASW Foundation
All gifts are appreciated and recognition of all contributions will be provided in the NASW-NC newsletter.
I want my donation to go to the following program area(s):
‡‡ Presidents’ Award - Supporting MSW students with financial awards based on leadership.
‡‡ Toby Brown Award - Supporting BSW students with financial awards based on overall excellence.
‡‡Conference Scholarship Fund - Supporting our next generation of social workers through scholarships to conferences.
‡‡ Outreach-Research-Education (ORE) - Supporting the development of professional social work materials, documents
and presentations.
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Please mail to: NASW-NC, PO Box 27582, Raleigh, NC 27611
14
November / December / January 2015-16
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
REALIZE THE
POSSIBILITIES
The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill School of Social Work
The UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work is one
of the nation’s leaders in social work research and
education, and is ranked among the top five schools
of social work in the country. We offer three MSW
Program options and a Doctoral Program:
1
1-Year Advanced Standing
MSW Program
Enables students with an accredited BSW
degree to earn an MSW degree in just 12
months. Program begins each May in
Chapel Hill.
2
2-Year and 3-Year MSW Programs
3
Ph.D. Program
Complete your MSW in Chapel Hill with
our 2-year or 3-year program. We also
have a satellite location in Winston-Salem
which offers a 3-year program.
Prepares students to become leaders in
research on innovative social intervention,
scholarship and social work education.
For information session dates,
please visit:
ssw.unc.edu/admissions
(919) 843-6284 • Email: mswadmissions@unc.edu
325 Pittsboro St. • Campus Box #3550
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550
ssw.unc.edu
Follow us on social media:
facebook.com/UNCSSW
twitter.com/UNC_SSW
Subscribe to our newsletter:
ssw.unc.edu/connect
XXXIX No. 4
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
November / December / January 2015-16
College of
Health and
Human Performance
School of Social Work
A leader in social work education and research, East Carolina University prides itself
on educating students for knowledgeable and competent practice. We encourage the
development of high standards of personal and professional achievement, and instill an
appreciation for human diversity.
Our nationally recognized faculty utilize traditional, hands-on, and experimental educational
methods to ensure that our students are challenged in and out of the classroom.
Program Highlights
Contact Us
Bachelor of social work
Master of social work
School of Social Work
Advanced standing MSW
Part-time on- and off-campus cohorts
School social work licensure
Graduate certificate in gerontology
Graduate certificate in substance abuse
224 Rivers Building
Mail Stop 505
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Phone: 252-328-5650
Fax: 252-328-1920
E-mail: socw@ecu.edu
www.ecu.edu/hhp/socw
C. S. 16-1278
15
National Assocation of Social Workers
North Carolina Chapter
P.O. Box 27582
Raleigh, NC 27611-7582
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAI D
Raleigh, NC
Permit No. 816
PHONE: 919.828.9650 or 800.280.6207
FAX:
919.828.1341
www.naswnc.org
NASW-NC
Conferences
March 29, 2016
Annual Ethics Conference
Raleigh, NC
April 2016
NASW North Carolina
2016 Annual
Ethics Conference
LCSW Exam Prep Session
Location TBD
May 2-4, 2016
Clinical Social Work
Institute
Wrightsville Beach, NC
June 6-8, 2016
Clinical Supervision
Certificate Training
Winston-Salem, NC
November 18-19, 2016
Annual Fall Conference
Asheville, NC
www.naswnc.org
March 29, 2016
Raleigh, NC