December 2011 - Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers

V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
D e c e m be r 2 0 1 1
CONNECTION
INTRODUCING JAN FOOK, PhD, AcSS
Director, Dalhousie School of Social Work
NSASW Welcomes Dr. Jan Fook, who joined the Dalhousie School of Social
Work as Director on August 15, 2011.
IN THIS ISSUE
AON/CASW Scholarships Page 2
Social Justice Issues Page 3
Social Work Practice Page 7
Board of Examiners Page 12
Dr. Fook has been a social worker and academic for over 30
years. She was recently Professor of Professional Practice
Research and Director of the Interprofessional Institute at
the South West London Academic Network (Royal Holloway,
St. George’s (University of London) and Kingston University). She was born and educated in Australia where she has
worked most of her life. She has held a variety of academic
positions in Australia, the UK and Norway (including professorial positions at La Trobe University, Southampton University and Diakonhjemmet College, Oslo) but has an ongoing
interest in professional education and practice research. Over the last 15 years she
has focused on developing critical reflection, and has conducted many workshops
with professionals across Australia and in Europe, the UK, Asia and Canada. Her
model of critical reflection is currently being adopted across West London boroughs
in the UK.
Social Work Education Page 14
Professional Dev. Page 15
News and Events Page 17
2012 Award Criteria Page 18
NSASW Council
2011-12
Her research work involves the empirical research of professional practice, and developing better methods for representing the complexity of this. She has published 13
books and over 70 articles and book chapters. Her books include: Radical Casework
(Allen & Unwin); Professional Expertise (with Martin Ryan & Linette Hawkins, Whiting
& Birch); Social Work: Critical Theory and Practice (Sage), and Practising Critical
Reflection (with Fiona Gardner, Open University Press).
MESSAGE FORM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robert Shepherd, MSW, RSW
President - Kevin MacDougall
‘Tis the Season’
Vice-President - Debbie Reimer
By the time you read this, we will be at the height of “buying
season”, that time of year when everyone is bombarded
with advertising imploring us to buy more than we can afford. A new car is the “perfect gift”; a new phone/computer
gadget/game will be just right for the kids. “Help the economy. Buy! Buy! Buy!”
Treasurer - Wendy Keen
Secretary - Lorna Griffin-Fillier
Past President - Cathy Crouse
Chair, Board of Examiners - Gary
Neufeld
Exe. Dir. Robert Shepherd
(Continued on next page)
A few years ago, I went on a Christmas “strike”. I sent
small gifts to my 5 children scattered all over North America. I stayed home, alone, by
choice. I had no Christmas tree, no decorations. I opened a few small presents on
Christmas morning and then went about my day, reading and relaxing. I went “cold
turkey” on what had become, for me, an impossible, demanding, exhausting, meaning-
P age 2
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Standing Committees
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Cont’d)
Social Action/Justice -Sharon Murphy
Program - Vacant
Prof. Development. - Vacant
Standards & Ethics - Vacant
Nominating - Vacant
Private Practice - Vacant
Membership - Vacant
Public Relations - Vacant
Regional
Representatives
Cape Breton - Catherine Mae
MacDonald
Colchester - Vacant
Cumberland - Pamela Roberts
less, time of year. I no longer enjoyed the “festive season” and had to find an escape.
Since that radical departure from the norm, I have begun to build back some traditions that are meaningful to me. They are not just Christmas traditions, and not just
Christian traditions. I can’t manage to fast for the whole holy month of Ramadan,
but I do mark the first and last day with fasting and consideration of the virtues of
patience, humility, and self-restraint. I light candles on the Winter Solstice to chase
away the evils of darkness, a pagan ritual that somewhat resembles the lighting of
the Hanukkah candles. In the process, I consider the importance of “place”. And
this year I will try to take some time to consider the 7 principles of Kwanzaa, ideals
worthy of everyone’s consideration at any time of year.
This holiday season I will spend some time with three of my children, with plans
made to see the other two early in the New Year. I will celebrate the joy of family
and feasting together. I will again enjoy giving and receiving gifts. I will see hope
around me again because I will look for it. And I will be at peace.
I hope that however you celebrate this season, you will do so in the company of
those whom you love and who love you, that you will find the light that feeds your
soul, and that you will gently touch the lives of those you serve.
Fundy Shore - Vacant
Halifax Metro - Andrea Simpson &
Ezra Wexler
North Shore - Nelda Armour
South Shore - Stephen Young
Valley - Bernadette Fraser
Special Council
Representatives
CASW Board - Archie MacKinnon
Dal School of Social Work Faculty Dr. Jan Fook
Dal School of Social Work Student Vacant
Université Sainte-Anne Faculty Jacqueline Kenny
Université Sainte-Anne Student Vacant
Association of Black Social Workers Alfred Saunders
Aboriginal Member - Angeline Denny
-Sylliboy
AON/CASW Scholarships for Social Workers
This is a reminder that AON/CASW Scholarship awards are still available for this
fiscal year. For your information, below you will find the scholarship criteria and the
selection process:
• Recipient is a member in good standing of his/her provincial/territorial social work
organization .
• This scholarship will not be awarded to the same individual more than once.
• The recipient will not presently be or have been a CASW Board Member within
the past two years.
• The successful applicant will agree to write a short article for the CASW Bulletin
on the event attended.
• The CASW Executive Director will determine the number and amount of the
scholarships.
• Only in special circumstances, at the Executive Director's discretion, will there be
a scholarship exceeding $1,500.00.
• Applications will be accepted from partner organizations only and must indicate
that the candidate has actively contributed to the work of their organization within
the last five years.
The completed form for the 2011-2012 scholarships must be completed and submitted to CASW by NSASW. Interested members must contact the Executive Director, Robert Shepherd at: robert.shepherd@nsasw.org or phone: 429-7799.
P age 3
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
SOCIAL JUSTICE
OCCUPY IS ABOUT US, AND OUR CLIENTS
David P. Williams, PhD
Leveling out inequality and creating political and economic
empowerment are at the very foundation of the profession of Social
Work. One stream of social work comes from the notion of Jane Addams to go live among the poor and be their advocate. She supported
empowering immigrant women within their families, birth control,
women’s suffrage, advocacy in the public schools, direct political education, and trade unions as the direct response to political and economic oppression.
She appeared on picket lines and gave space and administrative services in her settlement house for union organizing activities.
The idea that “relationship” was the principle tool of change for social work came
both from the settlement houses and from the “casework model” of Mary Richmond.
To be in a relationship is to be “with” the client, not merely “servicing the client”.
The OCCUPY movement in its incarnation as an “encampment” furnished a
whole new generation of politically (small p) minded and solidarity minded young people an opportunity to be “with” the 99%%, including that portion of the 99% who reside in or do their living on the street.
I was a participant observer, from the third day, of the OCCUPY site on the
Grand Parade in Halifax and later when they accommodated the Mayor by moving to
Victoria Park from which they were forcibly evicted in the middle of a downpour. I
have since observed the two locations , after their eviction, and have yet to see any
use those parks are being put to that is incompatible with the presence of the OCCUPY movement.
The major effect of the OCCUPY movement on this continent and globally has
been to change the public discourse in the U.S. from Presidential birth certificates
and a future national debt “crisis” (which economists tell us has not yet arrived at a
crisis point) and in Canada from a need to increase mandatory sentences, to the effects of the economic skew on jobs, livelihoods and services and the oppressive recent rise in inequality of wealth and incomes. The personal and family debt crisis of
the middle class present in Canadian and U.S. households is revealed to be rooted in
the suppression of household incomes for 30 years and the substitution of credit expenditures for salary increases. That understanding is growing in the face of the persistent voice of the OCCUPY movement.
On a daily basis the OCCUPY movement engaged in almost hourly civic education classes. They touched on such topics as mental health and income support
reforms, The history of economic change in the Maritimes, the history of the economic crash, community organization methods, personal and spiritual growth and practices, the issues of the Mi'kmaq people, racial discrimination, oppression of women
throughout the world, planning in cities and of course healthy dance, circus skills and
play.
Next page →
P age 4
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Social Justice Issues
OCCUPY IS ABOUT US, AND OUR CLIENTS (Cont’d)
“The OCCUPY movement
in its incarnation as an
“encampment” furnished a
whole new generation of
politically (small p) minded
and solidarity minded young
people an opportunity to be
“with” the 99%%,
including that portion of the
99% who reside in or do
their living on the street.”
- David Williams
Because they were living on the street it was easy for street people to become a part of
the OCCUPY COMMUNITY. They brought with them the wary street mores that governed their lives on the periphery of the services system. They might be inclined to
stand on the outskirts of the political life of the community and to skirt demands they
might perceive as exploitative. Some continued to respond to their obsessions and
anxieties and addiction. The General assembly worked to outline which behaviors
could be dealt with within the bounds of the OCCUPY community. It is interesting that
such rules never became rigid but the line of acceptance generally worked out to be
roughly serviceable. ( continued on next page)
Although some media and ill-wishers tended to concentrate on these problems to an
extent that many people came to have objection to the whole movement on this pretext.
To me, as a professional social worker, these issues were sufficient to cause me to try
to involve social work students and professionals in maintaining a presence in the
camp, either on a camping basis or as members on a roster scheduled to augment the
services available in the camp. In the last few days at Victoria Park, two social work
students did set up a tent and were working on dubbing it “the Listening Tent”, intending to use their listening skills to de-escalate tensions among all members of the community. The cruel eviction prevented this plan from coming to full fruition. Gregg Lambert of the emergency response mental health team held a brief training session with
social workers and OCCUPIERS in which techniques for meeting mental health emergencies were discussed. And we are proceeding with further plans to involve students
of the Atlantic School of Theology and work to involve the nursing profession. If physical OCCUPATION arises again we will be ahead in the planning of mental health and addiction services.
If you belong to an organization that needs to hear the facts about the OCCUPATION
movement please let us know and we will furnish a speaker to answer your questions.
Contact David Williams at: davidwilliamsphd@yahoo.ca
SUPPORT FOR OCCUPY NOVA SCOTIA RALLY - 4/11/11
Sharon Murphy - Chair, NSASW Social Justice Committee
“We have bought into the
notion there is no money and
we feel we are lucky to at
least have a job. Overturning
this passive, defeatist attitude
is what we are doing here”.
- Sharon Murphy’s address
at the Occupy Rally on
November 4, 2011
The people united will never be defeated! The people united will never be defeated! This
is my main message today. Two things I know to be sure. United we stand divided we
fall, and there is strength in numbers. The 1% may have the wealth but the 99% had the
numbers and days strength in numbers. There is a study by the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives it reveals the cost of poverty in Nova Scotia is $1.5 billion a year or 5% of
Nova Scotia's gross domestic product in 2008. The expenditures on health care to remedy poor health associated with poverty equals $241 million or 6.7% of the Nova Scotia
health-care budget. Another recent study by the National Council on Welfare reports income inequality has risen more in Canada than any country in the developed world. The
report also states an important factor in the way in which Canada deals with poverty is
many programs are based on a short-term spending model that enables people to survive or to experience fewer disadvantages. An investment model, which is proposed, is
geared towards the long-term. It may require larger initial resources and may take time
but there will be a far greater and more permanent payoff. Today after a half century of
neo-liberalism which is bent on intimidating entitlements and forcing families to fend for
themselves and restoring insecurity and mistrust with labor. We have bought into the notion there is no money and we feel we are lucky to at least have a job. Overturning this
passive, defeatist attitude is what we are doing here. I was saying to people at a conference on poverty and the disabled yesterday this movement is crucial to motivating people to challenge inequality and imbalance in our country. We can do it! We can do it!
P age 5
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Social Justice Issues
Occupy Nova Scotia is
people powered movement for
democracy inspired by the
Occupy Wall Street
movement in New York and
in solidarity with hundreds
of other Occupy protests in
Canada, the United States
and around the world.
The General Assembly is
the decision-making body of
Occupy Nova Scotia. All
major decisions made by
Occupy Nova Scotia,
including the release of
statements, must reach
consensus at the General
Assembly, which is held
daily from 7
to 9 p.m.
Contact Us
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
occupyNS
Twitter: www.twitter.com/
occupyNS
E-mail:
occupyns@gmail.com
Mailing address:
Occupy Nova Scotia
c/o General Delivery CRO
Halifax, NS B3J 1T0
(From Occupy website)
PRESS RELEASE - 15/11/11
THE NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS
CONDEMNS ACTION AGAINST OCCUPY NOVA SCOTIA
The Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers condemns the heavy-handed police move against the peaceful Occupy Nova Scotia protestors. It is our understanding that through a negotiated agreement, the protestors left the Grand Parade site in order to accommodate the Remembrance Day activities. They cleaned
up the site and moved, as agreed.
Instead of allowing this peaceful protest group to return, as agreed, the Council
and Mayor made a plan in secret, and the police moved on a rainy, Remembrance
Day holiday (the irony of the choice of date speaks loudly) , hoping, it would seem,
that nobody would notice. Social workers noticed, and we say shame on you.
Shame on you for a failure of transparency. Surely Council could have held its
debate in a public forum. Surely there could have been open discussion with the
protestors. Were those in authority afraid that open discussion would make them
look “weak”? Hiding behind an in camera decision doesn’t make for good democracy.
Shame on you for the disrespect shown to the protestors. A peaceful group who
agreed to leave the Grand Parade in order to accommodate the Remembrance
Day activities surely deserves more than a few minutes’ notice that their camp was
to be forcefully emptied. And surely the protestors didn’t need to be manhandled
by the police.
Shame on you, Council and Mayor, for not getting the point in the first place. One
of the many gifts of the Occupy Movement has been to show all of us a different
way to organize ourselves. The Occupiers said that our old ways of organizing
ourselves economically and socially haven’t worked. They included everyone in
decision making, rather than having an “elite” decide for them. They shared what
they had. Their “goals”, which the media kept pushing for their “leaders” to define,
were there for all to see, defined by their behavior toward one another. Everyone
had a voice, and no decision was forced on anyone. And they constantly reminded us that our economic structures don’t work for anyone outside the financial
“elite”.
As much as anything, the actions of the Mayor, Council Members, and the police
have demonstrated that when those with power and authority wish to, then can
crush anyone who threatens the status quo. How do our elected officials expect to
engage young people, and others who see a need for fundamental change, when
these kinds of draconian methods are used to stamp out active dissent? Crushing
dissent often leads to either anger and violence or cynicism and withdrawal.
As social workers, we believe in the inherent dignity and worth of each individual.
Our firmly held belief in social justice leads us to advocate for equitable social,
economic, political and cultural policies. We believe that Occupy Nova Scotia also
stood for these values and we condemn both the removal of the protestors and the
way the removal was carried out. We continue to stand in solidarity with the Occupy movement.
For further information,
Bob Shepherd, M.S.W., M.Ed., RSW
Executive Director
P age 6
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Social Justice Issues
“…I’M MAD AS HELL…” (continued)
Robert Shepherd, MSW, RSW
“Attawapiskat First
Nation
(Āhtawāpiskatowi
ininiwak, "People of
the parting of the
rocks") is an isolated
First Nation located in
Kenora District in
northern Ontario,
Canada, at the mouth
of the Attawapiskat
River at James Bay. The
traditional territory of
the Attawapiskat First
Nation extends beyond
their reserve up the coast
to Hudson Bay and
hundreds of kilometers
inland along river
tributaries”.
(From Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia)
“Suddenly” living conditions in First Nations communities makes the news. Pictures and videos from Attawapiskat show people living in horrible conditions as
winter cold begins to set in. We hear about overcrowded and terribly inadequate
housing, lack of running water, and people without enough to eat. And as I write,
the Federal government announced a takeover of the administration of the reserve,
with questions raised about how “all the money” allocated by the government has
been spent. That move says, surely, “it must be the victim’s fault.”
What makes me “mad as hell” is that anyone who pays attention knows that First
Nations people, as often as not, live in Third World conditions if they live on reserve. Cindy Blackstock spoke to a group of Executive Directors from provincial
social work associations last year about her organization (First Nations Child and
Family Caring Society http://www.fncfcs.com/) and their efforts to address underfunding of education in First Nations communities. She pointed to facts, not politically motivated rhetoric, and she demonstrated to us that all aboriginal children are
short-changed when it comes to educational funding.
I have spent a bit of time on reserves in southern Ontario and in Manitoba and
heard all kinds of discussion about funding and about jurisdiction issues between
provinces, the Federal Government and First Nations communities. I attended
some of the Truth and Reconciliation meetings in Halifax a few weeks ago and
heard story after story about how culture, language, and family was stripped away
from aboriginal children , sometimes by well-meaning social workers. And, I have
seen some First Nations communities where the living conditions rivalled what I
saw in Africa when I was there. Is it really true, as I have heard, that the apartheid
system in South Africa was modeled on the reserve system in Canada?
In a country like Canada, how can this continue? I want to take all the provincial
premiers and the Prime Minister, and the head of the Assembly of First Nations
and lock them in a room together, with no food, no water, and no washroom, and
not let them out until they have all agreed to fix this unjust mess. And not just at
Attawapiskat, but in all First Nations communities, and not just when a crisis is declared and the Red Cross is called in, but for the long term. Our government is
often critical of governance in countries where we provide aid. We should be
ashamed of ourselves if we don’t address our own third world communities.
Remember my “friend” Howard from the 1970s movie, “Network”? To paraphrase
one of his diatribes, we’ve got to say, “they are human beings. God dammit, their
lives have value.!”
It’s time we all went to the window, opened it, stuck our heads out, and with Howard, yelled, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.”
Trish McCourt, Coordinator of Program and Member Services for NSASW
has been on extended sick
leave since October and it
is expected she will not be
able to return for several months. During this time her mother passed away
the end of November. We know this is a
very difficult time for her and we wish
her and the family peace and for Trish a
speedy recovery.
P age 7
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
THE NOVA SCOTIA CENTRE ON AGING - MOUNT SAINT
VINCENT UNIVERSITY
Bessie Harris, MSW, RSW
TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY
Some years ago in the 1980s Dr. Fred MacKinnon, who was the Director of the Senior Citizens Secretariat and a founding member of the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers, undertook a mission to have a university based centre for aging and the
aged created in Nova Scotia. He foresaw a time when the province would need the
knowledge and expertise of university based researchers from several disciplines to
help government and the community develop policy and planning programs and services for an increasingly aging population. Without bias these researchers would be
able to look at trends, project needs, evaluate current services and programs, assist
in the development of new ones and new methodologies for addressing needs, as
well as, educate and influence public policy.
“The Centre continues
its mission through
research, education and
community engagement
to advance knowledge on
aging, inform social
policy and practice and
enhance the quality of
life of older people and
their families”.
- Bessie Harris
Dr. MacKinnon met with university presidents and others with expertise in the field of
aging with little success, until he met Dr. Margaret Fulton who was then the President
of Mount Saint Vincent University (the Mount). Regardless of the fact there would be
no financial support for the establishment of a Centre on Aging, Dr. Fulton agreed to
join with Dr. MacKinnon in his efforts and they worked together on the establishment
of a Centre on Aging. Dr. Fulton’s successor, Dr. Elizabeth Parr-Johnston continued
to work with Dr. MacKinnon and on March 14, 1992 the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging
was opened at Mount Saint Vincent University.
With no government funding, but with support from Mount Saint Vincent University
which provided for a minimal staff, administrative and operational base for the Centre,
there have been many ups and downs over the past twenty years. The Centre has
survived and grown because of the ability of its staff to access research grants, form
alliances with the academic community, seniors’ organizations, government, private
foundations, community based and private organizations and corporations. It has
gained respect and renown, both nationally and internationally, for its’ superb research and expertise on aging. Today the Centre on Aging is a vibrant operation affiliated with the Mount’s Department of Family Studies and Gerontology. Since 2006
the Director of the Centre on Aging has been Dr. Janice Keefe, Professor in the Department of Family Studies and Gerontology at the Mount. She is also the Canada
Research Chair in Aging and Caregiving Policy, the founder of the Maritime Data
Centre for Aging Research and Policy Analysis and since 2006 the Lena Isabel
Joudrey Chair in Gerontology. From the beginning the Centre has also had an active
Advisory Board comprised of representatives of the university community, government, organizations concerned with seniors’ issues and the community at large.
The Centre continues its mission through research, education and community engagement to advance knowledge on aging, inform social policy and practice and enhance the quality of life of older people and their families. In fulfilling its mission the
Centre has undertaken a broad spectrum of projects such as friend and family caregivers, home care human resources, age-friendly communities, dementia care, nursing home care, technology and aging, seniors housing and the abuse of older adults,
to name a few. In addition, the Centre has hosted many lectures, developed videos
and other training material, initiated and hosted educational opportunities such as
workshops and conferences, participated in think tanks, policy forums and →
P age 8
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Practice and Research
TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY (CONT’D)
Nova Scotia Centre on
Aging
Celebrating its
20th Anniversary
April 19, 2012
Mount Saint Vincent
University
Halifax, NS
published a myriad of reports, discussion papers, briefs and scholarly articles .
One of the Centre’s current projects which may be of interest to many of you is a
“Study of Resident Quality of Life in Nursing Homes” involving 15 nursing homes
in Nova Scotia representing various models of care. The Centre’s many undertakings and more about the Centre itself are available on the Mount Saint Vincent
University website www.msvu.ca/nsca.
On April 19, 2012 the Nova Centre on Aging will celebrate its 20th anniversary
“Our Future is Aging” at the Mount. Silver Donald Cameron, one of Canada’s
most versatile and widely-published authors will be the guest speaker. Using
humour and storytelling Silver Donald will share stories about his varied experiences, the significant people in his life that have helped to shape his view of aging
and “who he wants to be when he gets old”. Watch the newspaper for further
news about the celebration or contact the Centre to register. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Practice and Research
TRY HEALING ART FOR A CHANGE
Fyre Jean Graveline RSW, PhD, DVATI
“Healing Art is a gentle,
non-invasive, self-directed
counseling method—
together we make a space
for creativity to re-enter our
lives and guide us towards
healthier options”.
- Fyre Jean Graveline
If you have been caring for and about others or social change too much, or for too long,
you are likely experiencing vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue or burn out. Some
symptoms can include: being grouchy; tiring easily; running out of patience in situations
that normally you would cope with; feeling like judging and blaming the people you are
trying to help; wanting to desperately withdraw and hide out; and starting to get sick…
Sound familiar? Revitalize yourself, empty your garbage, and take care of yourself
through healing art.
For most of us, issues lodged within from past traumas can resurface in high
stress situations, intimate relationships or from any source of conflict. Healing Art can
assist you to move quickly and safely to core issues, like abandonment, separation, and
trust. Healing Art can help you understand yourself better, release stress, become more
balanced and change your life. Healing our life wounds does not have to be an exceedingly slow and painful process, it can be fun. Healing Art is a gentle, non-invasive, selfdirected counseling method—together we make a space for creativity to reenter our
lives and guide us towards healthier options.
Some people are worried or afraid to try healing art if they are not “an artist”.
We are all born with the urge to create. Take any group of children and some pots of
paint or chunks of clay, and every one of them will begin to create. Our creative energies, like our life forces, have been blocked by discouragement, stress, and trauma.
Creativity is contagious. Once we begin, we will often be drawn to continue. Healing art,
once learned, can be used as a self-help strategy.
While artists learn to focus on particular techniques and look for specific products (like masterpieces or what can sell), Healing Art is about the process of personal
growth and change. There are certain techniques that can be suggested to open individuals to the creative process, like Scribble Art, or Finding Your Safe Place. If you
want to explore a specific problem or issue you can try a Storyboard. Learn to express
your feelings through One Color Art. Release unshed tears through Paint Cries, or reduce stress through Work It Out. Revitalize relationships by exploring Real and Ideal
Images. Improve health or body image by working in clay or mixed media to Create →
P age 9
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Practice and Research
TRY HEALING ART FOR A CHANGE (Cont’d)
The Canadian Association of
Social Workers (CASW) is a
federation of provincial/
territorial organizations. Its
national office is located in Ottawa. By joining the appropriate
provincial/territorial organization social workers automatically become affiliated with
CASW.
CASW was founded in 1926
and has completed 84 years of
service to social workers and to
the Canadian public.
Mission Statement:
CASW is the voice of social
workers in Canada promoting
excellence in social work practice, education and research and
supporting provincial/territorial
regulation in the interest of a
just and sustainable society.
383 Parkdale Avenue, Suite
402 Ottawa, Ontario K1Y
4R4 Telephone 613.729.6668
Fax 613.729.9608
E-mail: casw@casw-acts.ca
Website: www.casw-acts.ca
a BodyPart or Self Portrait. People can grow to be more open and intuitive through
IMPrinting techniques, by working large with lots of paint, going with a simple metaphor that represents the problem or concern they are facing.
Within an hour or so, you will find yourself in a different place than you began. Sometimes you will like the “product (s)” of your process, and hang them as an
“art piece”, other times they will be stored or discarded: it is your choice. Healing
though Art is not about interpretations or questions. You will be respected and engaged in a co-creative process.
Fyre Jean Graveline (RSW, PhD, DVATI) has 25 years experience helping
individuals and groups recover from stress, burnout and illness. If you are curious, I
offer an introductory session (1/2 hour) for FREE. Or take part in a series of 4
DeStressing and Rejuvenating through Art sessions for social workers, mental
health therapists, nurses and other helpers, that Circle Works is hosting in the New
Year (2012). The dates are January 21, February 18, March 24, April 21. Call 902889-2905 to register or for more information.
fyrejean@eastlink.ca.
www.circleworksconsulting.com
2012 CASW NATIONAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE
The Canadian
Association of
Social Workers
(CASW) provides a national
leadership role
in strengthening and advancing the social
work profession in Canada. One component of this mandate is the promotion of
high standards of professional conduct.
There are many individual social workers,
which exceed the normal expectations
and make outstanding contributions to
social welfare and to the social work profession in Canada. It is important to recognize these individuals and to that end
CASW issues an Award for Outstanding
Service.
In addition to recognizing such achievements, this award will promote the visibility of social work and social workers. It
will hopefully assist in the improvement of
social services and is intended as well to
provide profile for CASW.
To whom: The National award for outstanding service shall be made every two
years to an individual social worker who
is a member in good standing. The award
will not be made to anyone who is a
member of the Executive Committee of
CASW, either currently or in the preced-
ing three years. CASW staff is excluded.
For What: The award shall honour outstanding social work practice at the local,
provincial, national or international level.
It includes direct services, service on behalf of the profession, advocacy, social
policy, social development, education
and research.
An Advisory Committee chaired by the
Past President of CASW and 2 past recipients (usually the two most recent recipients) of the award will review nominations and make a recommendation to the
CASW Board at least two months before
the presentation of the award.
The recipient will be presented with an
item of recognition. The presentation will
be done in his/her province/territory, in
consultation with the CASW Partner organization. The award may be presented
during the national conference; however,
CASW will not fund the awardee travel to
the national conference to receive the
award.
You are invited to submit nominations for
this award to the Executive Director, Robert Shepherd at the NSASW office. Nominations must be submitted by CASW
Partner organizations with supporting
documentation by February 19, 2012.
P age 1 0
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Practice and Research
UPDATE: SOCIAL WORK PRACTITIONERS AND THE HUMANCOMPANION ANIMAL BOND: A PROVINCIAL STUDY
Cassandra Hanrahan, PhD, MSW
Meet Thelma, a resident
of Parkland at the Lakes
in Dartmouth, who looks
forward to visits from kittens, brought to the retirement home by a volunteer
who works in animal welfare.
I would like to take this opportunity to
extend an invitation to participate in an
on-line survey. To each of you who have
already been able to complete the survey I extend my thanks. Your contribution is appreciated. For those who have
not had a chance to complete the survey
yet, I hope you might add your voice to
those who have already responded. I
would like to take this opportunity to
highlight the importance of your participation in an on-line survey related to
expanding our understanding of humananimals bonds in social work practice in
this province. Nova Scotians are increasingly considering companion animals as part of their families and fostering unique interactions with their pets.
These are referred to as human companion animal bonds (HCAB).
vices by informing practitioners,
through dissemination activities slated for late spring or early summer
about the intrinsic relationships Nova
Scotians have with companionanimals. In doing so, this project will
provide leadership in the HCAB field in
Nova Scotia, and will contribute to the
development and growth of a new field
of Canadian social work and health research. Moreover, through the development of resources (e.g., provincial registry, publications) and the dissemination
of knowledge among social workers, the
project will help engage practitioners in
dialogue about how to address the local
health needs of various client populations across the life cycle who consider
companion-animals to be significant attachment figures within their families
and support systems. With greater
knowledge we can better connect clients
All perspectives are welcome includto existing animal-assisted activities,
ing those who have NO background
therapies and other related services.
HCAB we want to hear from you too.
This is expected to result in the expanWhether you have none, a little, some,
sion of the availability, and improvement
or a lot of background in this area of
of the delivery of HCAB-related social
practice we want to hear from everyone.
services and, by extension, of health
The number of registered social workers
care in Nova Scotia, and in subsequent
in Nova Scotia is approximately 1,700.
work, Canada.
We are seeking at least 200-500 more
respondents in order to develop a statistically sound baseline regarding practiParticipation in the survey is completely
tioners' knowledge of the degree to
voluntary. You may refuse to participate
which companion animals are included
by not responding to any of the survey
in in-takes, assessments, and interven- questions. Any partial or completed retions, and what if any course work or
sponses, however, will indicate your
training in this area they have received. consent to participate and these reIf you identify as a clinical/direct practisponses will be used in the study's data
tioner with BSW, MSW, or Ph.D. deanalysis. All responses will be reported
grees, I am asking you because I bein their aggregates. The on-line survey
lieve what you share will contribute to a is administered by Opinio, a survey
much needed expanded understanding management system hosted by Dalhouof human-animals bonds in social work
sie University. The risks associated with
practice in this province.
participation are minimal.
Also meet JoAnn and her
greyhound Train, who both
volunteer with the St. John
Ambulance dog therapy
program. Here they are
seen visiting with Al, another resident at Parkland
at the Lakes.
The information collected in this survey will help fill a critical gap in
knowledge in the social work sector
and be used to create positive
change in social work related ser-
All data collected will be stored on-line
for a limited time (less than 2 months),
then downloaded. Your responses will
help us to begin to understand why, despite the growing amount of →
C ON N E C T I O N
P age 1 1
Practice and Research
UPDATE: SOCIAL WORK PRACTITIONERS AND THE HUMANCOMPANION ANIMAL BOND: A PROVINCIAL STUDY (Cont’d)
Cassandra Hanrahan, PhD. MSW
research that indicates the significant benefits of human-companion animal bonds
for a range of populations throughout the
human life cycle, there is a conspicuous
absence of attention given to humananimal bonds of in the mental health field
and social service sectors. Social workers
can significantly improve their client service with a more thorough understanding
of the impact of companion animals on
individuals and families. With appropriate
knowledge and training, social work professionals are in a position to help people
overcome adversity while doing much to
enhance their lives with, and the lives of
their companion animals. For example,
social workers can: (1) through budgeting,
assist families in deciding if they can afford
a companion animal; (2) link clients to low
cost veterinary services, as well as food
banks that provide animal food; (3) help
families understand the need to spay or
neuter their animals and direct them to
affordable spay/neuter services. (4) Finally,
treat clients with human and animal abuse
histories.
“Nova
Human-animal bonds have been present
throughout all of human history. This research is aimed at drawing together the
human and animal welfare sectors within
an ecological paradigm such that health
providers recognize the intrinsic value of
an and non-human animal relationships,
expanding upon the social and spiritual
dimensions of life in a finite world, as opposed to managing welfare as a competition for resources and space among the
various members of our life networks.
The brief survey takes about 15-20
minutes to complete and can be accessed,
answered and submitted by clicking on this
link:
https://surveys.dal.ca/opinio/s?s=12979
A group of BSW and MSW social workers,
working through the Health Interest Group of
NSASW, have completed the ... draft document
that differentiates scope of practice. Important
to our committee, is the need to underscore
that BSW practitioners are not assistants to
MSW practitioners
- Cassandra Hanrahan
If possible, please submit your completed
survey by December 20, 2011. I will follow
up with a final reminder message on December 15th via the NSASW Listserv.
Practice and Research
PROVINCIAL PRACTICE PROFILES: BSW & MSW SOCIAL WORKERS
IN HEALTHCARE
By now many of you are familiar with the
MODEL OF CARE IN NOVA SCOTIA
www.gov.ns.ca/health/MOCINS/ ...A key component to the success of this model is the development of standardized roles to enable
more consistent work practices at full scope of
practice. In 2008, social workers, as well as
other health professionals, were asked to develop a role description (now referred to as
practice profile) for acute care.
Scotians are
increasingly considering
companion animals as
part of their families
and fostering unique
interactions with their
pets. These are referred
to as human companion
animal bonds
(HCAB)”.
The ... document “Provincial Practice Profiles:
BSW & MSW Social Workers in Healthcare “ is
the culmination of months of hard work including reading, consultation with social work leaders across Canada, and spirited debate within
our committee. The finalized practice profiles
will be used to assist in the development of
BSW and MSW position descriptions in
healthcare.
_______________
Editor’s Note: This article was taken from portions of
a posting on the NSASW Listserv dated October 31,
2011 by Sherry MacPherson. The progress of this
important initiative will be of interest to all social
workers. To comment or for a copy of the draft profile contact the Committee Chair sherry.macpherson@cdha.nshealth.ca
The draft document is
titled : “Provincial
Practice Profiles: BSW
& MSW Social
Workers in Healthcare”
“The finalized practice
profiles will be used to
assist in the development
of BSW and MSW
position descriptions in
healthcare”.
- Listserv, October 31,
2011
C ON N E C T I O N
P age 1 2
T H E N S A S W B OA R D O F E X A MI N ER S
Board Approvals for Social Worker Candidates and
Registered Social Workers for July to November 2011
SOCIAL WORKER CANDIDATES
Alexander Jack Lich
Allison Courtney Gallagher
Allison Nicole Murphy
Amanda Marie Strang
Andrea Beth Zinck
Andrea Christine McIntyre
Andrew Edwin Drayson
Anna Marie Galvin
Annmarie Therése Walsh
Ashlee Marie d’Entremont
Benjamin John Hirtle
Catherine Anne Boyce
Céleste Angéte Lacombe
Corrina Ann Milliea
Daniel Maxwell Redmond
Darcey Jeanne Maillet
David Richard Farmer
Dawn Marie Peters
Edith Anna Short
Emmi Louise Stainthorp
Erin Alexis Dalton
Genevieve Elizabeth Morrison
Julien Nicolas Davis
Katherine Jean Faulkner
Katie Stephanie Brown
Kendra Lynne Popwell
Leeann Karen MacDonald
Linden Kate Hardie
Lydia Claire Gould
Margaret Marie Morgan
Meghan Elizabeth Breen
Morgan Ashley Blackmore
Paige Candace Doucet
Pamela Marie Toney
Sacha Joanne Anderson
Sarah Dawn Rushton
Tara Joan Schofield
REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKERS
Andrew Charles Comstock
Angela Marie MacDonald
Carol Kristine Miller
Charlyne McGee Hewitt
Charmaine Rose Young
Chelsey Monica Reid
Colleen Marie Reddy
Darlene Katrine MacGregor
Darren Wayne Howie
Debra Jacqueline Bourque
Derek James Bond
Donelda Anne MacDonnell
Francine Louise d’Entremont
Heather Lynn Haughn
Jennifer Lee MacLennan
Jessica Leah McNutt
Julia Dawn Goldsworthy
Kami Marie Anderson
Kara Lynn Wood
Kevin Alexander Fraser
Kimberley Anne Hankin
Mandy Heather Levine
Marilyn Myrtle MacDougall
Martin Raymond Dumas
Meghan Kathleen Mulcahy
Melanie Marie Hall
Mirelle Rose d’Entremont
Nadine Christine Sampson
Naomi Skye Buckland-Nicks
Natasha Sharon Comeau
Patricia Leigh Murray
Penney Elizabeth Mae MacDonald
Penny Lynn Moore
Sarah Natalie Cooper
Siju Simon
Trevor Maurice Day
PRIVATE PRACTICE
Denise Colleen Teed
Donna Marie MacDonald-Murphy
Helen Marie Boone
Les Allen Connors
NSASW Board of
Examiners
Under section 15(1) of the
Social Workers Act (1993)
the Board of Examiners is
composed of nine social
workers appointed by the
Council of the Association
and three non-social
workers appointed by the
Government of Nova Scotia.
Registered Social
Workers:
Gary Neufeld, (Chair)
Geoffrey Hood
Nancy Ross
Deborah Kaetz
Linda Wilson
Jack Landreville
M. Gail MacDougall
Janelle Comeau
Alphonsine Saulnier
Government
Appointments
David MacIver
Richard Melanson
Larry Clement
Board Staff:
Joyce Halpern
Registrar
Suzanne Desjardins,
Administrative Assistant
Wayne Hollett
Investigator
Linda Debaie,
Investigator
C ON N E C T I O N
P age 1 3
T H E N S A S W B OA R D O F E X A MI N ER S
NOVA SCOTIA GRANTED EXCEPTION TO LABOUR MOBILITY
TO MEET A LEGITIMATE OBJECTIVE
“In signing the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) in 1994, federal,
provincial and territorial governments agreed to eliminate unnecessary inter-provincial barriers to
the free movement of workers,
goods, services and investments.” (Guidelines for Meeting
the Obligations of the Labour Mobility Chapter, August 2009)
tion of certified workers across
provinces and territories and on the
adoption of common interprovincial standards, where possible and practical. The Chapter now
states that a certified worker in one
province or territory who wishes to
relocate to work shall, upon application, be certified for that occupation by the destination province or
territory unless an additional requirement is imposed as permitted
under the provision of Articles
706.3 and 706.4 or unless a province or territory has noted the need
for an exception as necessary to
achieve a legitimate objective.” (Guidelines for Meeting the
Obligations of the Labour Mobility
Chapter, August 2009)
In 2007, the Social Work Associations and
Regulatory Bodies signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), acceptable to the
governments, which facilitated social workers’ mobility but which also allowed Nova
Scotia to maintain the BSW degree as the
entry to practice and to impose further evaluation and conditions on registrants from
other provinces who were grandparented
into the profession or who were registered
without the required degree.
The MRA was no longer in force.
Chapter 7 of the AIT is the agreement to
achieve full labour mobility for workers in
regulated occupations in Canada. In 2008
and 2009 Chapter 7 was amended.
“The amendment Chapter places
greater emphasis on the recogni-
In 2009, NSASW submitted a Notice of Exception to Labour Mobility to Meet a Legitimate Objective under Chapter 7 of the
Agreement on Internal Trade. On November 16, 2011 NSASW received notice that
we were granted our “Legitimate Objective”.
REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DEADLINES
Renewal Forms must be submitted on before December 31st. You may postdate your
registration payment for February 28th. Faxed renewals for 2012 will not be accepted
by the Association. You may renew, on-line, via Canada Post, courier or personal delivery.
Each registrant who has or who intends to practise social work in Nova Scotia any time
in 2012 shall pay an annual renewal fee for the calendar year, to be received at the
NSASW office on or before Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
A registrant who submits the annual registration fee after February 28, 2012, but on or
before March 31st, shall pay an additional late fee of $50.00.
THE CANADIAN
COUNCIL OF
SOCIALWORK
REGULATORS
(CCSWR)
After many years of
discussion, Canadian social
work regulators now have an
organization which can
assist us to address national
regulatory issues. All ten
provinces have committed
time and resources in order
to assure the success of this
body.” (Excerpt from the
Board’s 2011 Annual
Report)
To enable full labour
mobility of registered social
workers across Canada, the
Canadian Council of Social
Work Regulators engaged
Directions Evidence and
Policy Research Group of
British Columbia
to develop a profile of entrylevel competencies for the
social work profession across
Canada. The project involves
reviewing relevant Canadian
-based frameworks,
developing a practice
competency profile and
validating the profile through
expert panel, national online
survey (of approximately
35,000 potential
respondents) and other
consultations with
stakeholders.
P age 1 4
The Canadian Association
for Social Work Education
(CASWE) is a voluntary,
national charitable
association of university
faculties, schools and
departments offering
professional education in
social work at the
undergraduate, graduate and
post-graduate levels.
Established in 1967, under
its former name Canadian
Association of Schools of
Social Work (CASSW),
CASWE is the successor to
the National Committee of
Schools of Social Work,
which, since 1948, had been
the forum for programs
offering professional
education in social work.
The establishment of
CASWE reflected a need
for consultation and
coordination and to have
professional staff to assume
permanency.
Contact Information:
613-792-1953
Toll-free: 888-342-6522
Fax: 613-792-1956
http://www.caswe-acfts.ca/
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION
News from Dalhousie School of
Social Work - Dr. Jan Fook
continuing education program has suffered
a small setback due to the fact that our coordinator, Louise Ghiz, took ill some
months back, and is currently off work recovering. Louise has done strong work with
the CE program for many years, and we
are aware she and the program have become a well-known part of the professional
landscape in Nova Scotia.
Greetings to all members from the School.
You may be aware that the School has a
new Director (Dr. Jan Fook) who took up
post in August. There is also a new administrative officer, Jenn Banfield, who hails
from Nova Scotia originally but is recently
from Manitoba. Jenn has an MBA from
Manitoba and has worked at Dalhousie pre- The CE program will continue, and we are
currently revamping it to take into account
viously. We are delighted to welcome
Louise's absence. We want to assure you
her.
all however that we are committed to maintaining it, and that we continue to run coursWe are making new efforts to support our
es which are attracting strong registration.
relationship with the NSASW and hope to
We see this program as one of the cornerhave some informal and ongoing talks
stones of our relationship with our profesabout how we might do this. We are keen
to hear form NSASW members about how sional community. Our new program for
April-August 2012 will be published shortly.
we might strengthen links between the
We also welcome any input regarding the
School and our professional community.
kinds of courses you would find helpful.
On another note you may be aware that our
Best wishes, Dr. Jan Fook jan.fook@dal.ca
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK ALUMNI
Joan Gilroy for the Alumni Executive Committee
Dalhousie University School of Social Work
Alumni of Dalhousie’s School of Social
Work (DSSW) held an annual general
meeting on Thursday, November 3, 2011
at the Mona Campbell Building, the new
home of the DSSW. Over twenty five
alumni, students and colleagues attended.
Joan Gilroy presented a report of activities
on behalf of the alumni executive committee.
Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard finished her
second term as Director in June, 2011.
She was feted at the alumni executive’s
annual pot luck held in June and thanked
for her many contributions to the School
and its alumni. Alumni also welcomed Dr.
Jan Fook, who took up her position as Director in August, 2011.
Laura MacIntosh, one of the three recipi-
ents of the alumni award in 2010/11,
thanked alumni for the award, and shared
highlights from her child welfare placement
in Durham, GB. She is currently a student
in the MSW program, and will represent
these students on the incoming alumni executive.
Another recipient for 2010/2011, Jeffrey
Sturgeon wrote the alumni executive to
express his gratitude for the alumni award
and for his learning at the Dalhousie
School of Social Work. He is employed
with a children’s aid society in Ontario.
As many alumni remember, the Social
Work Alumni Award was established in
1994 and built by contributions over the
intervening years to provide annual financial awards for students selected on the
P age 1 5
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Social Work Education
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK ALUMNI (Cont’d)
basis of achievement and contributions to
the learning environment at the School and
the community. Donations to the alumni
award (as well as to other social work
scholarship and bursary funds) can be
made to Dalhousie University, designating
the money for the social work alumni award
(or other social work scholarship and bursary funds). Recently, some alumni have
donated for reasons such as recognizing
achievements in professional or personal
life (for example, a milestone birthday) as
memorial tributes.
NSASW VISION
NSASW envisions an
organization that represents
the professional beliefs,
values and principles of its
members to foster a just,
diverse, equal and holistic
society. It provides leadership
and service to its membership
that increases the visibility,
durability and adaptability
of the profession and
influences justice through
effective advocacy and social
action to achieve a diverse,
equal and just society.
Kaitlin Carroll, BSW student representative
on the alumni executive, introduced Dr.
Jan Fook, the new Director at DSSW who
spoke on the topic “Social Work: What Is
It good for?” She highlighted aspects of
her work and research on critical reflection
in practice, that is, on thinking carefully and
critically about how various theories and
concepts like social justice help social
workers in everyday practice. Jan Fook is
the author of several books and articles on
critical reflection in social work.
Annemieke Vink is the new president of
the SW Alumni Executive. A full slate of
officers and members at large was presented and approved by the November annual
meeting. The alumni executive welcomes
contact from graduates, hearing your news
and suggestions for alumni outreach.
Social Work Education
PROFESSIONSL DEVELOPEMNT
Nelda Armour, RSW
North Shore Regional Representative
Editor’s Note: Nelda Armour provided this article at
the editor’s request and she mentioned that it is really not hard to do local P/D and would be pleased to
share what she has learned about organizing these
events with other SW's who might like to do something similar in their local areas.
borough to Truro, has a pool of visionaries
who also are movers and shakers to draw
from in terms of ongoing professional development. One of the most under-utilized
professional development resources in our
area is ourselves. As Registered Social
Workers we represent a valuable pool of
North Shore Social Workers have been
expertise and experience. In addition, we
very fortunate in terms of their access to
remarkable local and regional professional have invited interesting people to educate
development resources. Antigonish, being and interact with us in free community
meeting spaces; over lunch at local restaua university town, has a lot to do with this
rants’ private banquet rooms and at the
good fortune. Not only does St. Francs
recent 2011 NSASW Annual Conference
Xavier have many amazing researchers
and specialists associated with it but, many hosted by the North Shore Region. We
have never been disappointed in the qualiother experts have been sought by and
come to the university as guest speakers. ty of these speakers and the way in which
The community of Antigonish is also home they have shared their knowledge with social workers in the North Shore Region.
to some very distinguished professionals
and highly progressive agencies. The Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre, the
Professional development sessions have
Sexual Assault Association which includes been provided to social workers in our reLindsay’s Health Centre and, Family Sergion by the following: Kim Pate, Executive
vices of Eastern Nova Scotia responsible
Director of the Canadian Association of
for the establishment of the first Men’s
Elizabeth Fry Societies who spoke on the
Health Centre in Nova Scotia, represent
topic “ Criminalization of Women”; Dr. Marsome of the proactive organizations in the go Watt, St. Francis Xavier Psychology
community.
Department on “Brief Cognitive Behavioral
The North Shore Region, from Guys-
Therapy for Anxiety Sensitivity”; Dr. Elizabeth McGibbon, Faculty of Nursing, St.
P age 1 6
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
Social Work Education
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Cont’d)
Nelda Armour, RSW
“...we have invited
interesting people to educate
and interact with us in free
community meeting spaces;
over lunch at local
restaurants' private banquet
rooms; and at the 2011
NSASW Annual
Conference recently hosted by
North Shore”.
- Nelda Armour, RSW
Francis Xavier on “Stress in Clinical Precise and Oppression: A Social Determinant of Health”; Dr. Gail Andrew, Clinical
Psychologist on “Secondary Trauma”;
Michele Rigby and Serena Lewis, Registered Social Workers on “Grief”; Lucille
Harper Executive Director of Antigonish
Women’s Resource Center and Sexual
Assault Services Association on “PolicyCreated Poverty”; Katherine Reed, Adult
Educator and Community Activist on
“Access to Post Secondary Education as a
Social Determinant of Health” and, Leona
Purcell and the youth of the Guysborough
Youth Health and Services Centre on youth
empowerment and their amazing programs.
be present:
1. Honesty: truth-telling, respect for property
2. Sincerity: as opposed to hypocrisy
3. Promise-keeping: keeping confidences
and other forms of loyalty
4. Reliability: performing expected tasks,
keeping appointments, promptness
5. Dependability: disposition to do what is
needed in a situation
6. Competence: as pertinent to context of
role
7. Concern for others: nonmanipulativeness, protectiveness, and
a capacity for empathy and sympathy.
An intriguing professional development opportunity occurred on November 28 when
Antigonish entrepreneur Frank Gallant of
Peak Experiences, was hired to deliver a
day-long seminar entitled, “The Interpersonal Dynamics of Trust”. Frank is a leadership development and culture change
specialist who facilitates individuals and
groups to maximize their interpersonal and
organizational effectiveness. During the
Seminar, he spoke about inherent excellence, power, empowerment, behavioural
influence, effective thinking, leadership etc.
Frank referred to research by Tim Kasser
(2002) sharing with participants that there
are four sets of needs that are basic to the
motivation, functioning and well-being of all
humans. They are needs for safety, security and sustenance, basic competency and
self-esteem, connectedness, autonomy
and authenticity. In order for others to trust
us, he stated that the following factors must
Frank noted that you can be motivated and
not competent; and that integrity, motivation, competence and results are the major
components that impact trust. He also
warned that we cannot empower others but
can definitely offer people the support an
opportunity to empower themselves. However, it is crucial not to hook our egos and
sense of self-esteem to the success of our
efforts. Following lunch Frank introduced a
game which involved transferring small
balls through various pipes and finally to a
waiting cup. In order to play the game
team collaboration and creative thinking
were required. Needless to say, there were
many foibles and opportunities to observe
peoples’ different ideas and reactions.
We appreciate all the learning opportunities
we have had in the North Shore and look
forward to more in 2012.
Dalhousie School of Social Work: The 2012 Winter Workshop and Certificate
Courses are available. To access the program click here or phone 902-494-1353.
Bridges Institute: "Remembering Conversations with the Dying and Bereaved": A
2-day workshop February 15 -16, 2012 with Lorraine Hedtke at the Dalhousie Student Union Building 6136 University Avenue Halifax. To Register contact: bridges@bridgesinstitute.org .
P age 1 7
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
NEWS AND EVENTS
CASW Encourages
Social Workers to
Support Community of
Attawapiskat
The Attawapiskat First
Nation declared a state of
emergency three weeks ago due
to an extreme housing shortage.
Attawapiskat is home to the
Mushkego or Omushkego
James Bay Cree.
“In the absence of federal and
provincial (Ontario)
government leadership, the
Canadian Red Cross is
mobilizing to help meet
immediate needs of the children
and their families in the
community of Attawapiskat”
stated Morel Caissie, CASW
President. “The living
conditions in Attawapiskat are
a collective failure of Canada to
meet the most basic needs of its
citizens.”
The Red Cross is working
closely with the community and
public authorities to identify
and address urgent, short-term
needs. At the request of the
community the Red Cross will
also take on a donation
management role to support
these needs as identified.
Financial donations may be
made online at:
www.redcross.ca, or by calling
1-800-418-1111
NSASW Council
Minutes: Minutes of all
Council meetings are
placed on the Association’s website in the
member’s section. To
enter the member’s site
you will need your
username and password. Minutes can
be found under News & Events .
The Registered Nurses Professional
Development Centre is offering the Suicide Risk and Assessment and Interprofessional(SRAI) Program for both mental health professionals and health care
providers in areas other than mental
health. We are offering the program using web based lessons enhanced though
online teaching sessions. The January
10th, 2012 start date is fast approaching.
Deadline for registration is December
20th, 2011. For information on this program and the application see our website
at www.rnpdc.nshealth.ca .
The Canadian Social Work Journal
Fall 2011 journal is now available on the
‘Members’ section of the CASW website.
www.casw-acts.ca .
Report on the State of Public Health in
Canada: The Chief Public Health Officer's fourth annual report on the state of
public health in Canada examines the
state of health and well-being of Canadian youth and young adults. The report
considers many health issues affecting
this population such as physical and
mental health, injury, sexual and reproductive health and substance use and
abuse. To read the report. http://
www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cphorsphcrespcacsp/2011/index-eng.php
Laing House: We are a not-for-profit
organization with a mission to empower
youth ages 16-30 living with mental illness. We are currently in the process of
developing an eNewsletter, which will
include updates from Laing House, as
well as recent news and/or research in
the mental health field. If interested in
receiving this e-newsletter once a month,
contact Caitlin Jarvie at:
cjarvie@lainghouse.org .
About Habitat for Humanity Canada:
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity
Canada is a national, non-profit organization working towards a world where
everyone has a safe and decent place to
live. With the help of over 50,000 volunteers every year and 72 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, their mission
is to mobilize volunteers and community
partners in building affordable housing
and promoting homeownership as a
means to break the cycle of poverty.
Contact: http://www.habitatns.com/ .
Bridges Institute:
“Small Acts of Living: Violence, Resistance and the Power in Language”
A Two Day Workshop with Allan Wade
Ph.D. lives on Vancouver Island where
he works as a family therapist, researcher and educator. March 15-16, 2012
(9 am - 4:30 pm University Club, Dalhousie University 1 Alumni Crescent, Halifax, Nova Scotia. To Register contact:
bridges@bridgesinstitute.org or phone:
902-897-6665
Follow NSASW on
social media!
The latest news relevant to
social workers on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/NSASWNEWS
You can follow our Facebook
updates by linking to our page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/
NSASW
Nova-Scotia-Association-ofSocialThe
Discussion forum can
Workbe
found at:
ers/114157965269659?v=wall&r
http://www.nsasw.org/forum
ef=ts
P age 1 8
V o l um e 1 7 N um be r 4
2012 NSASW AWARD NOMINATIONS
RON STRATFORD MEMORIAL AWARD:
The International
Federation of Social
Workers (IFSW) is a
global organization striving
for social justice, human
rights and social development
through the development of
social work, best practices
and international
cooperation between social
workers and their
professional organizations
International Federation of
Social Workers,
PO Box 6875,
Schwarztorstrasse 22,
CH-3001 Berne,
Switzerland
Tel (41) 22 548 36 25
Fax (41) 31 382 1125
This award is presented in memory of Ron Stratford, a dedicated social worker committed to a holistic perspective emphasizing prevention and community development. It is
awarded annually to a resident of Nova Scotia who:
•through volunteer efforts makes a significant contribution to a preventive or communitybased social service program, or
•is involved in research surrounding a preventive or community-based social service program, or
•makes an outstanding contribution to establishing and/or sustaining a self-help group, or
•functions as a consistent and strong advocate for expanded preventive or communitybased social service programs.
DAVID WILLIAM CONNORS MEMORIAL AWARD:
The David William Connors Award, in memory of David’s gentle manner and care for
others, is presented annually to a front line social worker who has shown the following
attributes:
•has demonstrated a desire to go beyond the call of duty to meet clients’ needs;
•has shown respect, caring, empathy and dignity in all aspects of his/her work;
•has displayed through direct practice a basic belief in each human being’s personal
worth and ability; and
• has endeavored to bring about lasting change for those in hardship, particularly youth.
KEN BELANGER MEMORIAL AWARD:
The Ken Belanger Memorial Award is presented every second year in memory of Ken
Belanger who distinguished himself by speaking out against oppression and exploitation.
This award alternates with the Freda Vickery Award The award is presented to a Registered Social Worker who:
•has demonstrated an explicit and unfailing commitment to pursuing social justice and to
challenging oppression in its many forms;
•is recognized by the social work community as practicing social work with a high level of
caring, responsibility, integrity and ethical standards;
•has broken new ground working for, and behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered persons; and/or has demonstrated a particular concern for gay and lesbian youth.
Each nomination for any of the above awards must be accompanied by:
•Name, address, phone number and current position of nominee.
•A letter of support from the nominator.
•A second letter of support from an individual or group who has direct knowledge of the contribution of the nominee
Nominations for all the above awards will be accepted until February 28th Send to:
Robert Shepherd, Executive Director, NSASW,
1891 Brunswick Street, Suite 106, Halifax, NS B3J 2G8
(902) 429-1790. Fax: (902) 429-7650
E-mail: robert.shepherd@nsasw.org .
1891 Brunswick St., Suite 106
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3J 2G8
Phone: 902-429-7799
Fax: 902-429-7650
E-Mail: nsasw@nsasw.org
NSASW Staff
Executive Director
Robert Shepherd
Coordinator Trish McCourt
Registrar Joyce Halpern
Administrative Assistant
Suzanne Desjardins
Administrative Assistant
Michel Perrault
NSASW CONNECTION
To send articles and information for inclusion in future
issues of CONNECTION
contact: Harold Beals at:
haroldbeals@eastlink.ca
The deadline to receive content for the next issue of
CONNECTION is
February 1, 2012
Editors: Harold Beals, Bessie
Harris and Jodi Butler
CONNECTION is on the web
Click Here