Deadlines Approaching! - National Association of Social Workers

XXXV No. 3
The North
Carolina
Social
Worker
Newsletter
The North
Carolina
Social
Worker
Newsletter
XXXV No. 5 XXXIV No. 6The North
Carolina
Social
Worker
Newsletter
NC Social Work Licensure Board
Technology Position Statement
Can I Provide Therapy Via Skype?
T
he North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board (Board) has
approved a position statement on technology
related services:
Practitioner Responsibility:
“It is the social worker’s responsibility to
ensure that professional and ethical standards are upheld, and the following practice
considerations are addressed:
1. Accurate representation of clinician and
services offered:
a) Credential type and number is
identified for each state where
credentialed
b) Specify nature and extent of
services offered
c) Location of practice
d) Clinician’s contact information for
use in case of technology failure
e) Emergency contact information for
clinician and client
f) Contact information for the regulatory boards from which the clinician
is credentialed
“It is the purpose of the Board to protect the
public by setting standards for qualification, training, and experience for those who
seek to represent themselves to the public as
certified social workers or licensed clinical
social workers and by promoting high standards
of professional performance for those engaged
in the practice of social work. While the Board
strongly encourages in-person interactions,
we recognize that advancement in technology
has impacted social work practice both in the
delivery of services and obtaining information.
“As the definition of general social work
practice and clinical social work practice in North
Carolina includes the phrase “by whatever means of communications,” it is the
position of the Board that technology facilitated
services are one of several means of providing
professional services.
Technology Statement continued on Page 13
“Technology facilitated services (e.g. technology assisted services between participants in
different locations ) are increasingly used in
meeting professional social work functions,
including clinical and supervisory interactions.
Early ..................
bird registration
for
From the President’s Desk, Credentials Received
2
“The purpose of this position statement is to
NASW-NC Fall Conference
Newthe
Members
...........................................................................
..4 31!
clearly define
standards
of expectation the
ends October
Board hasNASW-NC
for social ...................................................................................
workers with regard to
6 after
Add late fee of $35
the use ofEthics
technology
facilitated services in
in Practice........................................................................
7
October 31.
professional social work practice, including
Board Minutes
..........................................................
8
supervisionNASW-NC
and the delivery
of social
work
Presidents’ Award for
of Achievement
.................................................
9
services toWomen
consumers.
While thisAward
applies
MSW Students
to more mature
technologies
(such
as teleLDF Legal
Issue of the
Month
............................................10-12
Applications Due 12/15/11
phone and facsimiles) this position statement
Student
ATOD
Awards
..................................................... 12
expands to 2011
address
the use of
recent
and emerging
Social Worker of the Year
Advertisements....................................................................13-15
technologies,
such as telepractice, electronic
Nominations due 12/15/11
therapy, distance
therapy,
electronic superMark You
Calendars!.................................................................16
vision, web-conferencing, video-conferencSee inside for details!
ing, webcasts, etc.
Deadlines Approaching!
In This Issue
June/July2011
2011
December
2010/January
October/November
2011
5
FIVE
Reasons to Attend the
NASW-NC Annual Fall
Conference
O Continuing Education!
13 Hours of CE,
4 of which are Ethics
O Career Fair!
Resume/cover letter review
HR Recruiters
Practice Consultation
Job search best practices
O Professional Networking!
Meet social workers from your
area of practice
Check out the State Practice
Unit Meetings:
 Men’s Social Work
 Health Care
 Military Social Work
 International Social Work
O Self-Care Workshops!
Learn to take care of yourself
mentally and physically
O Asheville!
Where better to spend your
weekend?!
Register TODAY for the
NASW-NC
Annual Fall Conference
www.naswnc.org
New Members................................. 5
NASW-NC Board News..................... 9
President’s Message........................ 2
Legislative Update...........................6
Practice Unit Updates...................... 10
Executive Director’s Message..........3
Ethics in Practice.............................7
Chapter Update................................12
Member/Volunteer Spotlight............. 4
Professional Development.............. 8
NASW-NC Articles........................... 13
412 Morson Street l P.O. Box 27582 l Raleigh, NC 27611-7582 l 919/828-9650 or 800/280-6207 l FAX 919/828-1341
2
October/November 2011
XXXV No. 5
From The President
NASW-NC
Social Workers
as Leaders
Board of Directors
2010-2011
By Tanya Roberts, MSW
President
Tanya Roberts, MSW
President-Elect
Jessica Holton, MSW, LCSW, LCAS
Vice President
Kelley Ryan, MSW, LCSW
Secretary
Candace Payne-Butler, MSW, LCSW
Treasurer
Georgianna Mack, MSW, LCSW
CLNI Chairperson
Gloria Cook, MSW
Undergraduate Student Representative
Braden Forbes
Graduate Student Representative
Erica Snyder
Coastal District Representatives
Elisabeth Bridgewater, MSW, LCSW
Vacant
Central District Representatives
Joanne Caye, MSW
Vacant
Piedmont District Representatives
Felissa Ferrell, MSW, LCSW, CSW-G
Lucas Vrbsky, PLCSW, MSW, CCJP
South Piedmont
District Representatives
Felicia Parker-Rodgers, MSSA, LCSW, ACSW, BCD
Sonyia Richardson, MSW, LCSW
Western District Representatives
Judy LeRoy Robinson, MSW, LCSW
Sabrina Southern, MSW, LCSW
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
S
ocial workers are natural leaders. Daily we lead others through their lives and provide them with the skills and techniques needed to manage their world. We help
them pave their own way. This is no different than what a leader is truly responsible
for doing. Unfortunately, this is not what happens today. Our leaders are not working for larger issues that will positively impact communities. To change this, we need
social workers to translate and apply their vast skills into elected positions, to work
behind the scenes on campaigns or developing policy.
There are numerous entities out there working to train people for jobs like these. Some
are particularly focused on training only Democrats or only Republicans; others on
training only women; and those intent on training only to be a candidate.
One in particular is the Political Institute for Women. This non-profit, non-partisan
group works to train women not only to run for elected office, but also to create jobs
in the field as campaign managers or finance directors, pollsters, advisors, social marketers and others. Often we don’t think about these opportunities, and we especially
don’t think about them for women.
It is even more critical that we encourage and empower women social workers to
become politically engaged. As social workers, we possess knowledge and skills that
need to be integrated into the political system. As women, we must be integrated into
the political system - be part of it. In NC, women hold only 25% of all legislative offices and yet, over half of our state population is female. It is time to change this and
the time is now to put women first – above party, religion, color or profession.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact me:
Tanya Roberts, MSW; ICPS President, NASW-NC - tanyaproberts@gmail.com OR
State Director, NC - tanya@politicalinstituteforwomen.org l
Let us honor who you admire!
NASW-NC Social Worker of the Year Award
Now Accepting Nominations!
Submit your nomination!
South Central District Representatives
Jessica Sawyer, MSW, LCSW
Kesi Thompson, MSW, LCSW
Eleanor Calabrese, MSW, LCSW
The Social Worker of the Year Award is an award given to a distinguished social work
professional that has demonstrated commendable service and practice.
Delegates
Iris Carlton-LaNey, MA Ph.D
Tina Souders, MSW, LCSW, JD
Kelly Spanger, MSW, LCSW, MPA
More information and applications are available on the Chapter website at
www.naswnc.org or contact valerie@naswnc.org to request an application.
Deadline: December 15, 2011
Nominees must be members of NASW and residents of North Carolina.
XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
From The Executive Director
We are NOT Victims!
By Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW
T
he civil rights and human dignity of our clients is
trampled daily and we are often caught up in that
battle emotionally. The economy has many of us facing
difficult employment situations with forced furloughs, increased workloads
and less opportunity for training funds or raises.
Mental health reform is a failed and endlessly frustrating state of being in
North Carolina. Budget cuts impact the agencies in which we work and
the services that we can provide. Similar professions compete with us for
employment, and are often met with success. “Woe is us” as nothing is
working and nothing is ok.
You aren’t necessarily a negative personality type if you feel this way, as
times are extraordinarily difficult. But we often spend an enormous amount
of time talking about the problems and spend little time talking about what
to do about them, and even less time in actually solving anything. What
would we say to empower our clients? Should we do for ourselves what we
do so well for our clients? Do we self-advocate and empower ourselves?
We are not victims.
I think we fail to act because we feel overwhelmed by the obstacles and
hurdles. So do our clients. We fail to act because what we are talking about
is system change, changing government, changing policies that are so much
bigger than us. It looks even bigger to our clients. We fail to act because we
aren’t sure what we do will make any difference at all. Same for our clients.
We are not victims.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your
consent.” And Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful committed citizens can change the world—.”
The social work profession is an amazing profession with a rich and long history of service, social justice and professionalism. Social Workers (yes, US)
were the foundation for the development of psychiatric hospitals throughout
our nation. A social worker/nurse created the concept of hospice that led to a
worldwide hospice system of care. Social Workers were on the ground floor
of developing EAP programs and Disaster service, and a social worker first
coined the concept of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We can accomplish
great things. We can create change. We are not victims.
What YOU can do as a Social Worker
Take control of your identity and every time you introduce yourself professionally say, “I’m a Social Worker with a (Bachelors degree or Masters degree in Social Work) and I work as a ___________.” Don’t simply use your
work title and leave out your Social Work identity. We complain constantly
that no one knows or understands what we do and then we fail to tell them.
You aren’t a therapist, or a case manager, or a family specialist, or a trainer;
that’s your job title. What you are is a Social Worker.
Vote in every election and be an informed voter. Look for voting guides
from NASW-NC. Call your legislators to let them know your experience as
a front line professional and request their support by voting for or against
specific legislation.
Write a professional and balanced letter to the editor about issues in your
community. Calculate the worth of your position and the money that you,
as a Social Worker, save your agency and let management know and ask for
more Social Workers in your agency. Get appointed to a board or task force
in your community and let your Social Work voice be heard. If you are a
manager, hire fellow Social Workers. The list is endless and you can make
a difference. You can take action. You are not a victim. l
3
October/November 2011 NASW-NC
Chapter Staff
Kathy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW
Executive Director
kathy@naswnc.org
Erin Cashwell
Associate Executive Director
erin@naswnc.org
Kay Paksoy, BSW
Director of Advocacy, Policy & Legislation
kay@naswnc.org
Hope Murdock
Director of Professional Development
hope@naswnc.org
Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP
Director of Membership, Marketing
& Communication
valerie@naswnc.org
Debbie Conner, MSW
Bookeeper
finances@naswnc.org
Michelle Moody Wolff, MSW
Staff Associate
associate@naswnc.org
919/828-9650 l 800/280-6207
www.naswnc.org
Advertise in the Newsletter
Reach over 4,400 Social Workers in
North Carolina!
The NASW-NC NEWSLETTER is sent free of charge
to NASW Members. Nonmember subscription is $35
per year. Change of address notices should be sent to
NASW-NC.
Display Ad Rates
Submitted in camera ready form:
Full page
$300
Half page
$225
Quarter page
$150
If typesetting is needed, add $30 for full-page and $15 for
half or quarter-page ads.
Classified Ad Rates
Classifieds rates are $65 (up to 100 words),
$1 per each additional word will be charged.
Members receive a 10% discount on ad rates.
Classified and display advertisements submitted are
subject to approval.
Acceptance for advertising does not imply endorsement
by the NASW. Opinions expressed in the NASW-NC
Newsletter should not be considered as being endorsed
by NASW.
4
October/November 2011
XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Membership
Member Spotlight
Making a Difference for Foster Care Teens
“Speaking Out Today, While Making Changes for Tomorrow.”
N
ASW member since 2007, Lauren Zingraff received her
undergraduate degree in communications from North Carolina State University. Lauren left corporate America to pursue her
personal goal of working everyday on behalf of young people.
She received her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her direct client experience includes working
with survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault, children
with special needs, and as a therapeutic foster care social worker.
Lauren is currently a Program Coordinator at the Durham based
SaySo, Inc. (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out), a youth driven advocacy organization for youth ages 14-24 that are or have been in
foster care. She is inspired everyday to work with resilient young
people who in spite of being in foster care are thriving.
The mission of SaySo is to work to improve the substitute care
system by educating the community, speaking out about needed
changes, and providing support to youth who are or have been
Volunteer Spotlight
in substitute care. Since 2004, SaySo has participated annually
in “Make A Difference Day” which is the largest national day of
service.
For the last few years, SaySo’s Make A Difference Day project
has been “Give A Child A Smile”. We seek donations of new/
gently used duffle bags for the more than 5,000 foster children
in North Carolina. These children and teens typically move into
foster care and throughout the system with their belongings in
trash bags.
On Saturday, October 22, 2011, SaySo will be collecting bags
from 10am-3pm at the Emily K Center, 904 W. Chapel Hill Street,
Durham, NC 27701. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, please contact SaySo at 919-384-1457. l
NASW-NC wants to highlight our amazing members! Contact Valerie
Arendt to submit a NASW-NC Member story, valerie@naswnc.org.
Representing the Social Work Voice
K
athy Rinehart, LCSW has been volunteering with
NASW-NC as a Chapter representative on the Professional
Association Council (PAC) since 2009. PAC meets monthly
and is a statewide coalition made up of all the professions: Social
Work, Counseling, Psychology, Psychiatry, Substance Abuse and
Marriage and Family Therapy.
PAC focuses on issues that impact all professions such as the lack
of clinical internships for Master’s level students and the lack of
clinical paid positions for new graduates due to mental health
reform. PAC also discusses all Division of Mental Health and
Division of Medical Assistance policies concerning reimbursement, definitions related to clinical work, etc.
Kathy is an active member of the coalition having authored a
P-LCSW reimbursement document and led the development of a Medicaid fraud document that was distributed
statewide to all professions. Kathy brings her frontline experience to PAC as a clinical social worker in the public mental health
system. Her wisdom compliments the experience of Kathy Boyd,
Executive Director and Kay Paksoy, Director of Policy,Advocacy and
Legislation, the NASW-NC Chapter staff who attend.
In addition to attending monthly PAC meetings Kathy will begin
to attend monthly Provider Local Management Entities Leadership Forum (PLLF) meetings. The PLLF is another statewide
coalition and is made up of representatives from state LME’s
and private providers. Discussions focus on Mental Health,
Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse system reform.
In Kathy’s “non volunteer” life she is the Co-Clinical Director
of B&D Behavioral Health Services, Inc., which is located in
Durham. Prior to her current position Kathy has been an
independent practitioner and contractor, outpatient therapist at
Easter Seals-UPC, a therapist at Edgecombe-Nash Mental Health
Center, lead counselor and Interim Director
of Victim Services at Rape Crisis Volunteers
of Cumberland County and an instructor at
the University of Kansas and at Halifax
Community College.
Kathy has a BSW from NC State University and an MSW from
Eastern Carolina University. We thank Kathy for her commitment
to NASW-NC and to the social work profession. Her attendance
at meetings has helped paint a professional picture of social workers, as well as assisted with our advocacy work. l
NASW Credentials Received!
Congratulations to the following NASW members who received National
professional credentials through NASW in August and September 2011!
Carolyn Brown, ACSW, QCSW, C-SWHC
Certified Social Worker in Health Care
Mindy A. Davis, ACSW
ACSW Certification
Lynn Zenner Duffy, LCSW, ACHP-SW
Advanced Certified Hospice & Palliative Care
Felissa Huber Ferrell, LCSW,CSW-G,C-CATODSW
Specialty Certification in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
Erin Beverly Foerster, ACSW, CSW-G
ACSW Certification and Certified Social Worker in Health Care
Ramona R. Ivy, ACSW
ACSW Certification
Florence E Mehalic, MSSA, LCSW, C-CATODSW
Specialty Certification in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
Jesse David Quam, LCSW, ACSW
ACSW Certification
Inez H. Whiteside, QCSW
Qualified CSW Certification
XXXV No. 5
5
October/November 2011 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Membership
Welcome New Members!
The North Carolina Chapter of NASW would like to welcome the following new members who joined during the
months of June and July! They have chosen to support their profession and advocate for social work values by joining NASW. We hope that, as new members, you will consider sharing your experiences and perspectives and 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) Socorro Garcia
Weelay Precious Gonyon
Jessica Rhiannon Guice
Sarah Lee Guidi
Jordan Gulley
Shenyang Guo
Emily Hall
Salima Samyra Hines
Nakia Patrice Hodges
Teresa Lynn Ilinitch
Ashley Christina Ingram
Roselle Riley Jarmon
Colleen Jeske
Kristen D. Johnson
Stephanie Ann Jones
Lauren Knott
Bradley Edward Kornegay
Rafel Lane
Tiara Lassiter
Vickie Leff
Stacey M. Marshburn
Norma Nicole Mason
Kathryn Mayer
Jeleesha McNair
Debra Neisler
Elizabeth Paisley
Jennifer D. Pappalardo
Tracy Pierre-Louis
Cynthia Porter
Willia Lavern Robinson
Central District (B)
Crissy Sue Schmieder
Jannike Monette Anderson Octavia T Shaw
Dekevias Jerell Atkinson
Carolyn Shinn
Savanah Banta
Ashley Siler
April Benson
Beverly Simmons
Abigail Lee Bissette
Markevia K. Smith
Adrian D. Blackstock
Natasha Marie St. Fort
Bernadette Terrika Bracey Kristen Stefureac
Kate Briskie
Jennifer Kathryn Stevens
Quantae Latifah Brunson Lisa Michelle Thomas
Jasmine N Buie
Cusarah Adair Thorpe
Sharnetta Evelyn Byrd
Twala Timmons
Joy Coker
Julia K. Wessel
Sonya Renee Crisanto
Casey Lea Williams
Megan Davis
Barbara Zelter
Verlanda Dawson
Piedmont District (C)
Scotty Allen Elliott
Lynn Zenner Duffy
Latoniya C. Ellison
Haley Morgan Helms
Glenisha B. Faison
Christal Genel Herbin
Melissa Fenn
Brittany Holman
Katy FitzGerald
Christina R Hussami
Bryan M. Floyd
Chandrea Danielle Frasier Lakesha Mapp
Cheri Michelle Timmons
Alecia Frederick
Rasheda Vinson Tobias
Vanessa Gaddy
Annette Geneva Armstrong
Shannon Marie Avery
Rose Battle
Nicole Evette Brown
Meagan Capers
Amanda B Conrad
Tawanna K Daniel
Ernest Douglas Dickens
Craig Matthew Flores
Earnestine Martin Fobbs
Nancy Birch Hauck
Jessica Meria Hendricks
Shirley B. Jenkins
Aaron P Langlois
Alicia Denise Lewis
Patrece Payne Mack
SoCorro Nicole Miles
Alicia Miller
Mary Beth Pearson
Stephanie N. Pope
Sarah Reed
Melanie Susan Reynolds
Jaquita Richardson
Vanessa Lou Richardson
Shameca Danielle Ricks
Viola Rankins Thompson
Syreeta Shonta Wooten
Jaclyn Wright
Ahvee-Rahavah Veasley
Stephanie Alexandra Huza
Cherry Lynette Jackson
Alicia Antoinette Jenkins
Amber E. Johnson
Jennifer Joanne Kraft
Michael Robert Kupferman
Jennifer Nicole Ladd
Shalonda Christine Laster
Courtney Allen McIntyre
Kelly Marie Myers
Sarah Nixon
Debbie Norman
Michelle Marie Pompos
Kelsey Raap
Lakita Sherrell Robinson
Laurie C Rose
Joseph Alvin Saines
Jennifer Schulz-Kleyenstuber
Tasha Jeanette Singh
Luz Ivette Singletary
Ella Lee Smith
Ashley N. Stewart
Tabitha Nichole Stewart
Aaron Millard Sutton
Katie Marie Tyger
Treva Herring Underwood
Patsy Lynne Walker
Phyllis A Wallace
Teoletta West
Jennifer Whitaker
Sandra Towana Williams
Zoey Jean Zapple
Rachel Marie Totten
Kao Xeng Vang
Caitlin Elizabeth Wesche
Lisa Lee Yang
ATTENTION MSW STUDENTS!
Brandi Denise Miller
Debra S. Moon
South Piedmont District (D)
Kristen Michelle Robinson
Desiree Mae Ashwell
Cassie Rae Smith
Isis A Bey
South Central District (F)
Lydia Blandy
Ashley B. Anderson
Ruth Bostick
Rosaura Arreola
Nora Chambers Carter
Brittany Barnes
Amanda Kathleen Crowder
Rachel Judith Boonin
Alexis Nashelle Cuthbertson
Talishia J Bryant
Elizabeth Foreman
Crystal S. Byfield
Stephanie Gonzalez
Rasheena Domonique Canty
Whitney Michelle Hill
Andrea Caoili
Jessica M. Hobbs
Stephanie Morgan Cato
Ciara Monet Holmes
Ursula Jean Chasten
Shannon M. Jackson
Chante R. Clark
Toni Nicholson Jones
Emma J. Crawford
Kaytina Chere’ Lary
Rachel Cudequest
Shannon Lott
Deon Daniels
Cheryl Lynch
Capricia Collette Davis
Delilah M. McDonald
Kristen DeLong
Janella Melius
Ninotchka Ferrer
Janine Annette Muller
Brenda Denise Freeman
Clayton C. Niell
Michelle L Fuller
Jennifer Lyn Overton
Jennifer Lyn Gardner
Kelly Padykula
Stephanie Gilliam
Beth Pfister
Ashleigh R. Glover
Bridget D. Rebello
Denise M. Green
Christina Remmers
Tracy Danielle Gregg
Corrine Shuster
Jamie Marie Gregory
Carolyn Ann Simmons
Mallory Jane Harron
Julia Marie Smith
Katherine Herring
Mary Elizabeth Smith
Western District (E)
Christin Nicolle Carter
Elyse Audrey Simone Chastain
Nathan Graham Cogsdale
Tabitha Core
Lacey Brianne Coward
Kelsey Smith Crowe
Catherine Eichberg
Tim Evans
Hayley Katherine Fallin
Nakeisha Brooke Fish
Linley E. Foster
Dottie Saxon Greene
Ciara Monet James
Laura Loewenstein
William Hayes Lyon, Jr
Nisha Mayse
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION FOR
NASW-NC PRESIDENTS’ AWARD!
The Presidents’ Award is a $1,000 award presented to a
MSW student in North Carolina who shows outstanding
leadership qualities, 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 CSWE accredited (or in
candidacy status) Master of Social Work program in
North Carolina within the current academic year.
More information and applications are available on the
Chapter website at www.naswnc.org or contact valerie@
naswnc.org to request an application. Deadline:
December 15, 2011.
NASW-NC is also accepting donations for the Presidents’
Award Fund. Contact Valerie Arendt to contribute. All
donations made to the NASW-NC Presidents’ Award
Fund are tax-deductible. Please help us continue to
reward and honor outstanding MSW students in North
Carolina!
6
October/November 2011
XXXV No. 5
The Defense
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Legislative Update
of Marriage Amendment
Understanding the NASW Code of Ethics
By Kay Paksoy, Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation and Michelle Moody Wolff, PACE Co-Chair
n September, North Carolina State Legislators held
IAmendments
a special three day session to discuss Constitutional
that were introduced during the 2011
Legislative Session. One of the amendments discussed
was the controversial Defense of Marriage Bill.
Let the Voters Decide…
This legislation would amend the State Constitution
to define marriage between one man and one woman.
During the May 2012 primary, voters will have the
chance to vote on this Constitutional Amendment. If
the majority of voters vote NO, the State Constitution
will not be amended. If a majority of voters vote YES,
the amendment will be added to the State Constitution
thus making marriage between one man and one woman
the only recognized legal union. This amendment has
the potential to infringe on domestic violence cases,
child custody issues and invalidate benefits currently
allowed to same sex couples statewide.
Violation of NASW Code of Ethics
NASW-NC is opposed to this amendment based on the
standards set forth in our Code of Ethics, which is the
core of our profession. As stated in the NASW Code of
Ethics (2008):
“Social workers should not practice, condone,
facilitate, or collaborate with any form of
discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity,
Mental Health
and
national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation,
age, marital status, political belief, religion or
mental or physical disability. Social workers
should promote policies and practices that
demonstrate respect for difference, support
the expansion of cultural competence, and
promote policies that safeguard the rights of
and confirm equity and social justice for all
people. Social workers should act to prevent
and eliminate domination of, exploitation of,
and discrimination against person, group, or
class on the basis of race, ethnicity, national
origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age,
marital status, political belief, religion, or
mental or physical disability.”
Social Workers are expected to practice in a nondiscriminatory way and this amendment would put
limitations on our professionals practicing with clients.
From now until the May 2012 primary elections,
NASW-NC, with the help of the PACE and Legislative
Committees, will be working in conjunction with
other organizations on a campaign to oppose this
amendment. l
To find out how YOU, as a Social Worker, can help in
this campaign, subscribe to
Hull House NC, NASW-NC’s Advocacy Blog:
http://socialworknc.blogspot.com/
Aging Coalition
By Kay Paksoy, Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation
I
n a collaboration of the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services; the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services; the NC Healthy Aging
Research Network; and the Carolina Geriatric Education Center,
a new Coalition is beginning to discuss issues with mental health
and aging in North Carolina.
The group is made of advocates, providers, Division staff and
community partners interested in focusing attention on the
mental health needs and substance use of the aging.
The group started this summer and will meet quarterly. As part
of the effort to learn and mobilize more attention in this area, the
group will be inviting community members and experts in the
field to help shed light on the growing issues facing the elderly.
The group will examine three areas:
Advocacy: to build awareness of the mental health needs of
older adults.
Training: to develop workforce capability to serve older
adults.
Dissemination: to promote broad adoption of evidence-based
practice and programs.
For more information on this group, visit http://www.med.unc.
edu/aging/cgec/nc-mental-health-and-aging%20/
If you are interested or have experience with mental illness in
the elderly, please contact Kay Paksoy, kay@naswnc.org at the
Chapter office to get involved. We would love to have input
from our members to bring to the Coalition. l
XXXV No. 5
7
October/November 2011 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Ethics
Ethics Corner
in
Practice
Requests for a Deceased Client’s Records
By Ravita T. Omabu Okafor, MSW, LCSW Chair, NASW-NC’s Chapter Ethics Committee
H
ave you ever treated a client who died while in your care?
Have you received news that a past client died? In addition to managing your personal responses to these experiences,
you may find yourself facing requests for that client’s confidential
record information. Do spouses, family members, or attorneys
have an inherent right to the records?
To offer assistance in responding to requests for deceased clients’
records, I have referenced relevant sections from the NASW Code
of Ethics (2008) and Frederic Reamer’s (2006) Ethical Standards
in Social Work: A Review of the NASW Code of Ethics, 2nd edition.
The NASW Code of Ethics (2008): Standard 1.07 Privacy and
Confidentiality states:
…. (b) Social workers may disclose confidential information when appropriate with valid consent from a client or a
person legally authorized to consent on behalf of a client.
(c) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all
information obtained in the course of professional service,
except for compelling professional reasons. The general
expectation that social workers will keep information confidential does not apply when disclosure is necessary to
prevent serious, foreseeable, and imminent harm to a client
or other identifiable person. In all instances, social workers
should disclose the least amount of confidential information
necessary to achieve the desired purpose; only information
that is directly relevant to the purpose for which the disclosure is made should be revealed.
(d) Social workers should inform clients, to the extent possible, about the disclosure of confidential information and the
potential consequences, when feasible before the disclosure
Social Media
and
is made. This applies whether social workers disclose confidential information on the basis of a legal requirement or
client consent….
(h) Social workers should not disclose confidential information to third¬party payers unless clients have authorized such
disclosure….
(j) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to the extent permitted by law.
When a court of law or other legally authorized body orders
social workers to disclose confidential or privileged information without a client’s consent and such disclosure could
cause harm to the client, social workers should request that
the court withdraw the order or limit the order as narrowly as
possible or maintain the records under seal, unavailable for
public inspection.
(k) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of clients
when responding to requests from members of the media….
(n) Social workers should transfer or dispose of clients’ records in a manner that protects clients’ confidentiality and
is consistent with state statutes governing records and social
work licensure.
(o) Social workers should take reasonable precautions to protect client confidentiality in the event of the social worker’s
termination of practice, incapacitation, or death….
(q) Social workers should not disclose identifying information when discussing clients with consultants unless the client has consented to disclosure of confidential information or
there is a compelling need for such disclosure.
Ethics in Practice continued on Page 13
Social Work
Self-disclosure, the Internet and you!
By Tina Souders, MSW, LCSW, JD
I was preparing for an upcoming workshop, I decided
While
it was once again time to conduct a Google search on
myself. Imagine my shock when the first page of hits returned
newspaper articles stating that I was dead! Well, not exactly me,
but someone with my exact name who had lived in the state I was
born was tragically murdered earlier this year. I couldn’t help but
read the related newspaper articles about her heartbreaking death
and wondered what else I might find if I searched a bit further.
Likewise, I realized that it would be naïve to think that our clients
do not search the Internet for information about us in an effort to
know more about who we are and what we do.
When we deliberately reveal information about ourselves to others
in an effort to build intimacy and relationships, we are engaging
in a form of self-disclosure. However, when information is
unintentionally or inadvertently made available about us, it feels
more like self-exposure rather than self-disclosure. In today’s
world of instant access to the Internet, it is critical to know what
your clients know about you and what your Internet presence
reveals about yourself.
For that reason, conducting a general Internet search utilizing the
most popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing will
help assess your level of self-exposure on the Internet. The most
comprehensive Internet searches include several variations of
your name as well as searches for images and photos.
If you maintain a website, blog frequently, or utilize social media
accounts, you should conduct general Internet searches more
frequently. Minimally, it is advisable to conduct a search at least
twice per year, with increasing regularity if your web presence
dictates more frequent searches. Don’t be the last to know what
everyone else knows about you on the Internet.
Happy searching! l
Tina M. Souders, MSW, LCSW, JD is a Clinical Associate Professor
at UNC-CH School of Social Work and is the Director of the WinstonSalem Distance Education MSW Program. She is a frequent speaker
at NASW-NC conferences and recently presented the keynote Will you
be my friend? Ethical Considerations in the 21st Century in Wilmington,
NC.
8
October/November 2011
XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Professional Development
Continuing Education Opportunities
October
Wednesday, October 19: “The Hidden Stresses of Social Work.”
Presented by Richard Terry Lovelace, PhD, ACSW
Guilford County Local Program Unit
1.0 Hour of CE
Thursday, October 20: “The Transformation Game: Its Use as a
Therapeutic Aid and for Personal Development.”
Presented by Bonnie Cooper, LCSW, IRT &
Laurel Reinhardt, PhD
Asheville Local Program Unit
1.5 Hours of CE
Thursday, October 20: “Integrated Care and Social Work.”
Presented by Janie Shivar, MSW, LCSW
Greenville Local Program Unit
1.0 Hour of CE
Saturday, October 22: NASW-NC LCSW Exam Prep Session
Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, NC
5.0 Hours of CE
Monday, October 24: “Palliative Care: When Health Changes
and Goals are Not Clear (including Advanced Directives).”
Presented by Kathleen Odvody, LCSW
Boone Local Program Unit
1.0 Hour of CE
Tuesday, October 25: “Challenging Behaviors: Understanding,
Preventing, and Managing It.”
Approved
Presented by Heather Hurd, MSW,
LCSW; SchoolOnline
Based
Mental Health Therapist
CE Opportunities
Cape Fear/Wilmington Local Program Unit
1.0 Hour of CE
November No days off work
Thursday, November 10: “Introduction to Filial Therapy.”
Presented by Kelly Wiley, MA, LMFTA
Greenville Local Program Unit
1.0 Hour of CE
No travel expenses
Approved Online Curre
CE Opportunities by sis
E
No days off work
No travel expenses
Get up to 20 hours of CE
when it is convenient for you!
www.naswnc.org
Current course offerings presented
by sister NASW chapters:
Ethical Responsibility in Your Workplace
Presented by the NASW Iowa Chapter
The Personality Disordered Addict
Presented by the NASW New Jersey Chapter
Trauma and Grief with No End: Families
Dealing with Serious Mental Illness
Presented by the NASW Wisconsin Chapter
Tuesday, November 22: “Collaborative Divorce – An Alternative to Traditional Divorce Utilizing a Team of Professionals
Including Mental Health Professionals and Attorneys.”
Presented by Aimee L. Ezzell, ESQ. &
Denise Scearce, MSW, LCSW
Cape Fear/Wilmington Local Program Unit
1.0 Hour of CE
Working Effectively with Couples
www.naswnc.org
For more information about location, times, and cost
of these Continuing Education opportunities, visit
www.naswnc.org.
T
P
T
D
P
G
P
W
Thursday-Saturday, November 17-19:
NASW-NC Annual Fall Conference
Renaissance Hotel, Asheville, NC
13 Hours of CE, 4 Hours of SW Ethics for entire conference
Get up to 20 hours of CE
when it is convenient for you!
P
Geriatric Addictions
Presented by the NASW New York State Chapter
Presented by the NASW New Jersey Chapter
Take advantage of these
opportunities and more!
P
XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
9
October/November 2011 NASW-NC Board of Directors
NASW Delegate Assembly
or two afternoons in early August, NASW held its
F
Delegate Assembly. This is a process originally
held in Washington, D.C. for several days. It was very
NASW-NC Delegates
from left to right:
Jessica Holton,
Kelly Spangler,
Tina Souders, and
Tanya Roberts
similar to a political convention and people were able
to talk, discuss, debate and eventually determine the
association’s policies for the next few years. This was
also incredibly expensive. Therefore, the process is
now conducted in a virtual world.
The NASW-NC Delegates for 2011 were: Tanya
Roberts (President), Jessica Holton (President Elect),
Tina Souders (Delegate) and Kelly Spangler (Delegate).
Your NASW-NC Delegates came away uncertain
that the face-to-face process has not translated well
to a virtual process and needs to be revised if it is to
continue. Debate on just a few issues was challenging
at best. There was a significant amount done prior
to the DA virtual meeting that we were really only
voting as an endorsement of the proposed policies.
The position statements should be opened up to the
entire NASW membership for voting and not just your
delegate representatives.
On the positive side, the DA process allowed us the
opportunity to hear voices and opinions from members
across the country. The event opened with a slide
show for each state as the roll call was made and those
in attendance were introduced.
On the second day, there was a slide show of those
members who have died since the last DA. Both of
these were tremendous assets to the virtual process.
We hope these will be available on the NASW website.
Learn more about the NASW Delegate Assembly:
http://www.socialworkers.org/da/ l
NASW-NC September Board Meeting Update
he NASW-NC Board of Directors met on Saturday,
T
September 24th in Chapter office in Raleigh.
During the course of the meeting Board members
held a lengthy discussion about the current status of
reimbursement, employment and supervision for
P-LCSWs. Chapter staff are currently involved in
a workgroup that is focusing on a permanent fix for
reimbursement for P-LCSW’s so that employment can
be stabilized.
The Board also discussed the NASW-NC Student
Liaison program and confirmed that liaisons would be
able to attend either the annual Fall Conference or the
annual Ethics Conference.
Policies related to licensure for all social workers
were discussed at length as the Chapter is leading a
workgroup that is looking at social work licensure in
NC.
In addition to lengthy discussions concerning the
above issues the Board also took the following actions:
• “I move that we accept the revised NASW
Board minutes for July 29-30/2011.” Motion
made by Joanne Caye with a 2nd by Lucas
Vrbsky. Motion carried.
• “I move to accept the balance sheet as of
8/31/2011 and the financial activity 7/18/31/2011.” Motion made by Lucas Vrbsky
and
Actions
with a second made by Judy Leroy Robinson.
Motion carried.
• “I move to appoint Elisabeth Bridgewater,
MSW, LCSW to the Coastal District
Representative position (2 year term)”. Motion
made by Jessica Holton with a 2nd by Jessica
Sawyer. Motion carried.
• “I move to approve 3 District Reps for the
South Central District for the 2011-2012 year”.
Motion made by Elisabeth Bridgewater with a
2nd by Georgianna Mack. Motion carried.
• “I move that we require a minimum of 35
members to request the development of a state
practice unit”. Motion made by Lucas Vrbsky
with a 2nd by Sabrina Southern. Motion carried.
The next meeting of the NASW-NC Chapter Board
of Directors will be held in the Chapter office in
downtown Raleigh on Saturday, December 3rd.
Board meetings are open to any interested social worker
and those who wish to attend as a guest should contact
Chapter Executive Director Kathy Boyd at either 800280-6207 or kathy@naswnc.org. l
10
October/November 2011 XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Around the State
State Practice Unit Updates
NASW-NC Military Practice Unit Update:
Military Mental Health Disorders, Post Deployment for Providers and Combat
Veterans and their Families
Submitted by Ernest Wahrburg, MA, LCSW, Military Practice Unit Chair
T
he wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have tragically taken a
profound toll on our country. Service members are surviving
the enormous dangers of wars, returning to the United States,
battling torturous psychological conditions and severe physical
lifelong disability. In all too many cases this scenario has tragically
ended in skyrocketing rates of suicide. In countless other cases
it has lead to horrendous conditions like homelessness, chronic
unemployment, homicide, domestic violence and other violent
criminal activity, drug abuse, alcoholism and incarceration.
For all those who have been deployed into combat or support
positions and have been physically and/or psychologically injured
in the process of doing so, our country owes those individuals the
restoration of their health, to the greatest degree possible.
PTSD is prominent in the news, but of course there are a huge
and diverse number of other injuries suffered. Traumatic brain
injuries (TBI), orthopedic injuries, amputations, spinal cord
injuries, major depressive disorder, alcohol and other substance
abuse dependence, military sexual trauma and other mental
health disorders are just a few of the prominent conditions that
our Active Duty Service Members and Veterans battle as a result
of service to our country.
Military treatment facilities and the Veterans Administration are
over burdened, over stressed and over stretched beyond their
limits to provide screenings, diagnostic evaluations and treatment.
Simply put, military healthcare needs significantly outweigh
the ability of Military Treatment Facilities and the Veterans
Administration to adequately provide healthcare treatment to this
most deserving population.
This is why it is incumbent upon all concerned healthcare
providers in the private sector to give their best efforts to fill this
deficiency, and to do so from as strong as strong a foundation of
knowledge, skills and understanding as possible.
Military healthcare needs have numerous highly unique aspects.
Combat related PTSD, as an example, has a host of unique
aspects that a provider needs to understand in order to provide
optimal treatment including an understanding of post traumatic
insomnia, nightmares, co-morbid alcohol abuse, physical hyperarousability, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle response, risk
taking behaviors, a proclivity to-wards social isolation and the
effects of all of these upon the Service member’s family.
Similarly, screening for TBI and providing referrals to appropriate
providers for comprehensive TBI evaluations, treatment and
rehabilitation all entail specialized knowledge. This includes
referral to a neuropsychologist to administer appropriate
psychological testing, referral to a neurologist to undertake
appropriate imagine studies, referral for cognitive rehabilitation to
assist the patient with restoration of memory impairment, referral
to a provider for vestibular rehabilitation for assistance with the
restoration of impairment in balance, and so on...
View the entire article at www.naswnc.org under “Members
in the News” or email valerie@naswnc.org for a copy.
2011 HOLIDAY DONATION FORM
The Toby Brown Award Fund provides an annual award of $1,000 to a NASW-NC member BSW
student from a CSWE accredited social work program in North Carolina. This award program was
established in memory of and to honor Dr. James S. “Toby” Brown who was an Assistant Professor of
Social Work at NCSU and was a much recognized educator and practitioner. The award recognizes
BSW students who demonstrate exceptional academic accomplishment, field work, and leadership
potential.
The Presidents’ Award Fund honors an MSW students who demonstrates academic excellence, field
work, and leadership with an award from past Board Presidents and the current President of NASW-NC
in the amount of $1,000.
YES! I’d like to donate! (Circle One): Toby Brown Award Fund Presidents’ Award Fund
*DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!*
Name_______________________________
In Honor Of: (Optional)_________________________________________________
My Address_______________________________
Honored Individual’s Address (For Recognition Card):____________________________________
My Phone #______________________My Email__________________________________
Amount of Donation ________$25 ________$50 ________$100 ________Other (please specify)
Please make checks payable to NASW Foundation. Please write “Toby Brown Award Fund” or
“Presidents’ Award Fund” in the memo line and mail to:
COMING SOON!
@list.naswnc.org
Be on the lookout for
NASW-NC State Practice Unit listservs!
If you are interested in communicating with fellow
Social Workers about:
Aging
Health Care
Integrated/Collaborative Care
International Social Work
Men’s Social Work
Military Social Work
P-LCSW
Public Health Social Work
School Social Work
Social Work and Criminal Justice
Keep reading the NASW-NC E-newSWires for
information on how to add yourself
to one or all of these lists!
XXXV No. 5
11
October/November 2011 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
Around the State
HA! The Value of Humor to Social Workers
By Felicia Parker-Rodgers, LCSW, ACSW, BCD, RYT; Chair, NASW-NC Charlotte Local Program Unit
H
umor helps social work practitioners’ deal with the stress of
caring for high stress clients and families. It also fosters good
working relationships among colleagues and improves morale.
Having a positive attitude at work can extend to colleagues and
support staff who greet colleagues with a smile usually get one
in return.
The strategies that some social work practitioners use to manage
stress and prevent burnout vary. The coping mechanisms
that appear to be the most effective include drawing on past
experiences, ignoring the stressful event by becoming involved
with other activities, or seeing humor in the situation. Social
workers with the best coping skills may report the highest level
of job satisfaction and sense of personal accomplishment.
Social workers have been educated about the pitfalls of routinely
taking on other people’s problems and responsibilities and learn
to gracefully disengage by incorporating laughter to convert
unpleasant feelings into pleasant ones. Humor is a way to do just
that and help with burnout prevention and offers a quick recovery
technique.
However, we’re becoming far too serious for our own good.
Laughter is the best medicine! Try to get some nurturing for
yourself and take in a few of the selected humorous quotes to keep
us all psychological healthy. Very few people experience burnout
when they’re having fun. Add your own to the list. Enjoy.
1. If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane. ― Robert Frost
2. People with no humor, they’re outta my life. – Patti Labelle
3. Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and
Finance Committee Call
for
exhaustion. I myself prefer
to laugh, since there is less
cleaning do to do afterward.
– Kurt Vonnegut
4. I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t laugh. – Maya Angelou
5. Laughter is the sound of the soul dancing. My soul probably
looks like Fred Astaire. – Jarod Kintz
6. The only real laughter comes from despair. – Groucho Marx
7. Laughter is good for you. Nine out of ten stand-up comedians
recommend laughter in the face of intense stupidity. – Jim Butcher
8. A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste. – Jules Carlysle
9. The problem with having a sense of humor is often that people
you use it on aren’t in a very good mood. – Lou Holtz
10. WARNING: Humor may be hazardous to your illness. – Ellie
Katz
11. Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to
have it. – Langston Hughes
12. An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A
pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. – Bill Vaughn
13. Ya feel me? – Some kid talking with a therapist in her office.
14. A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without
springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road. – Henry Ward
Beecher
15. The more I live, the more I think that humor is the saving
sense. – Jacob August Riis l
Committee Members
The Committee that puts the “Fine” in Finance
 Have you written a budget for your program or agency?
 Do get excited talking about income and expenditures?
 Do you seek a great networking opportunity and to get
involved in YOUR Social Work Association?
 YES! Join the Finance and Audit Committee!
The Finance Committee consists of members representing all districts of the North Carolina and is chaired by the Treasurer of the
NASW-NC Board of Directors.
The Finance Committee meets by conference call prior to every
Board meeting. Currently the Board of Directors meets six times
a year which means that the Finance Committee meets at least six
times as well.
During these meetings, the committee reviews and comments on
the Chapter budget and balance sheet. The committee may make
formal recommendations for actions
or changes on the budget or other
fiscal documents and those recommendations are presented to the full Board by the Treasurer. The
Board of Directors may or may not take action on recommendations made by the Finance Committee.
The Committee also reviews the annual Chapter audit. The Committee has one face to face meeting each year in the spring. At this
meeting, the Committee reviews the draft budget for the upcoming
fiscal year and on odd years reviews the Chapter Fiscal policies.
Members are asked to make a one year minimum commitment to
the Finance Committee.
If interested in serving on this fabulous committee, please contact
Georgianna Mack, MSW, LCSW; Treasurer, Board of Directors
gcookm@aol.com l
12
October/November 2011 XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
NASW-NC Chapter Update
What
has
NASW-NC
been doing for
You?
NASW-NC staff is dedicated to advancing and representing the social work profession to best serve our members. In order to
do this, we stay involved with coalitions and groups, Schools of Social Work events and other community activities. Please let
us know of other ways we can assist you as a Social Worker and as a member of NASW-NC!
NASW-NC’s 5 staff members represented you and the social
work profession in the following state-wide coalitions and
meetings:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Joint Insurance Commission
Substance Abuse Federation
Action Marketing
Covenant with NC’s Children
Provider LME Leadership Forum (PLLF)
Professional Association Council with Division leadership
to discuss the Provisional License
The Coalition (Mental Health Advocacy Group)
Coalition for Persons Disabled by Mental Illness
Disaster Response Network
NC Schools of Social Work Deans and Directors Meeting
NC Schools of Social Work Field Education Consortium
Coalition on Aging Annual Partnership Meeting
Medicaid Advisory Committee Meeting
Juvenile Justice Meeting with fellow child advocates to
discuss necessary legislation changes
Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human
Services
Give An Hour (GAH) conference calls related to GAH
new activities in NC
Disability Rights NC Board meeting, finance meeting, and
Executive Committee meetings
Eastern Carolina University MSW Advisory Committee
meeting
Mental Health and Aging Coalition
Serving
K
on
NASW-NC Staff Members from left to right: Hope Murdock, Erin
Cashwell, Kathy Boyd, Valerie Arendt, and Kay Paksoy
In addition to being involved in the coalitions above, we:
• Signed a federal letter about withholding information from
the public regarding Camp LeJeune victims.
• Created The Social Work Licensure Coalition to discuss
issues with North Carolina Social Work licensure.
• Advocated for LGBT citizens at the NC General Assembly
during the Defense of Marriage Debate.
• Worked with Equality NC and other groups to oppose the
Defense of Marriage bills that were introduced in session.
• Provided technical and financial support for LPU meetings
throughout North Carolina.
• Responded to your calls and emails asking for consultation
and information.
Thank you, the Staff of NASW-NC
Disability Rights NC Board
athy Boyd, ACSW, CMSW, Executive Director of NASWNC, serves as Treasurer for the Board of Directors of Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC).
DRNC is the federally mandated independent disability organization for the state of North Carolina. DRNC is a private nonprofit
funded primarily through federal funds, although some funding
comes through grants and donations. As a federally funded and
mandated “Protection and Advocacy” organization, DRNC is not
tied to any state structure and thus has no potential conflicts of
interest that might hinder its ability to fully advocate for the rights
of those with disabilities.
Federal and state laws give civil rights protections to individuals
with disabilities and DRNC staff provides individual consultation and advocacy to those who feel that their rights are being
violated. DRNC also carries out education to ensure individuals
with disabilities know their rights.
DRNC files lawsuits in areas where the state or individual businesses or companies are not in compliance with state and federal
laws. Currently DRNC is involved with a number of lawsuits
that are being watched nationally and that will bring the state into
compliance with services to individuals with disabilities.
Kathy has been on the Board of Directors for DRNC for 2 years
and as Treasurer serves on the Executive Committee and Chairs
the Audit and Finance Committee. As a Board member Kathy
helps DRNC establish policy and set targets for action and advocacy. l
XXXV No. 5
13
October/November 2011 The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
NASW-NC Articles
Technology Statement continued from Page 1
2. Compliance with regulatory/licensure requirements for the
jurisdiction in which the social worker provides services as well
as the jurisdiction in which the client receives services.
3. Knowledge of professional liability requirements/limitations.
4. Clinical Competence:
a) Safe, ethical, and appropriate use of technology
facilitated services for the specific need, to ensure the use
of the most appropriate intervention modality,
b) Crisis plan
c) Provider’s cultural, clinical and technological
competence, to include assessment of the client’s needs,
willingness and ability to engage in technology facilitated
services
d) Awareness and assessment of non-verbal/non-written
behavior
e) Setting and review of goals, intervention modalities and
schedules
f) Any expectation for face-to-face contact
5. Augmented Informed Consent to address the additional risks
associated with services rendered through the use of
technology.
6. Confidentiality:
a) Clear identification of what is confidential and the limits
of confidentiality
b) Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA requirements
c) Documentation adequate to meet professional
responsibilities
d) Security of confidential information transmitted and
stored, including security software, potential risks,
ethical considerations, data record storage, etc.
7. Administrative Issues:
a) Clear business practices, including service-specific billing
b) Administrative record keeping
c) Technology availability and technical support
8. Practitioner’s maintenance of professional boundaries in
public media, such as social networking.” l
Call for Expertise:
National NASW’s Specialty Practice Sections
Committee Newsletters
Are you an expert in your area of practice and want to be published?
Submissions for newsletters could be in the format of an
article, book review, an interview, a “how to” feature, sharing
new information in the field, or any other practice content that is
relevant information.
Specialty Practice Sections:
Administration & Supervision; Aging; ATOD; Children, Adolescents
& Young Adults; Child Welfare; Health; Mental Health; Private
Practice; School Social Work; Social & Economic Justice and Peace;
Social Workers & the Courts
Contact Valerie Arendt for more information: valerie@naswnc.org
Ethics in Practice continued from Page 7
(r) Social workers should protect the confidentiality of deceased clients consistent with the preceding standards.
You may view the entire NASW Code of the Ethics at http://www.
socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp.
In Ethical Standards in Social Work: A Review of the NASW
Code of Ethics (2006), Reamer lists each standard and elaborates
on its application. Recorded below, you will find excerpts from
his commentary on Standard 1.07 (r):
“Social workers sometimes receive requests for confidential
information about former clients who have died. Surviving
family members of a client who has committed suicide may
ask for information to help them cope with their loss, or social workers may be subpoenaed in a legal case involving a
dispute among family members concerning the former client’s will. A reporter or law enforcement official may request
information about a deceased client who was the victim of a
serious crime, or an Internal Revenue Service agent may seek
information about a deceased client’s lifestyle.
“Social workers must be diligent in their efforts to protect the
confidentiality of deceased clients. They should not disclose
confidential information unless they have received proper legal authorization to do so (for example, from the legal representative of the client’s estate or by a court order). Disclosure
of confidential information without such authorization would
constitute a violation of the former client’s confidentiality
rights.
“…. Social workers who receive requests for confidential information about deceased clients may need to seek legal advice before disclosing any information. When disclosure of
confidential information has been authorized or is considered
appropriate, practitioners should disclose the least amount of
information necessary to achieve the purposes of the disclosure….” (pp. 75-76).
For more information, review NASW’s October 2010’s Legal Issue of the Month, “Privacy Protections for Deceased Clients’ Records.” To access this article, visit www.socialworkers.org. Click
on “Resources;” find“Legal Defense Fund;” then click “Legal Issue of the Month.” You will need a user name and password to
access this article.
References: National Association of Social Workers. (2008). NASW
code of ethics. Washington, DC: Author.
Reamer, F.G. (2006). Ethical standards in social work: A review of the
NASW code of ethics (2nd ed). Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Your NASW-NC Chapter Ethics Committee (CEC) offers ethical consultation to NASW-NC members. To request an ethical consultation,
please email us at naswncethics@gmail.com. As we are volunteers, email
communication allows us to receive and process requests most quickly.
If you prefer to call, our phone number is 1-800-280-6207, ext. 300.
When requesting a consultation, take note of the following disclaimer:
DISCLAIMER: Please understand that you are fully responsible for
your actions regarding your ethics question. NASW-NC offers services
to assist practitioners in considering options. We are not responsible for
any consequences that occur as a result of your actions. In addition to reviewing this email, we recommend that you confer with other colleagues
and call NASW’s national Ethical Consultation Hotline (1-800-7424089, Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.). As an
NASW member, you may also contact Eric Marine (Risk Management
Hotline, VP of Claims) at 1-800-421-6694. Since most ethical complaints get filed with the North Carolina Social Work Certification and
Licensure Board, consider reviewing the Social Work Practice Act and
the Administrative Code found at http://24.199.170.182/code.asp#500 to
ensure your compliance. l
14
October/November 2011 XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
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 consistently ranked among the top
10 schools of social work in the country. We offer three MSW Program options
and a Doctoral program:
• Advanced Standing MSW Program
Enables students with an accredited BSW degree to earn an MSW degree
in just 12 months in Chapel Hill, or 20 months at our Winston-Salem site.
Program begins each May.
• Full Time and Distance Education MSW Programs
Complete your MSW in Chapel Hill with our two-year or three-year
program. We also have distance education sites in Winston-Salem and near
Hendersonville, which offer three-year programs.
• PhD Program
Prepares students to become leaders in research on innovative social
intervention, scholarship and social work education.
For information session dates, please visit:
http://ssw.unc.edu/admissions/masters/information
(919) 962-1225 • e-mail: mswadmissions@unc.edu
325 Pittsboro St. • Campus Box #3550
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550
http://ssw.unc.edu
XXXV No. 5
The North Carolina Social Worker Newsletter
15
October/November 2011 VANGUARD PROFESSIONAL
STAFFING, INC.
Social Work and Human Services Temps
& Temp to Perm
Open Recruitment statewide for
LCSWs, MSWs, BSWs, other
licensed professionals.
Full-time and part-time opportunities.
The Social Work Career Center is a robust career
Web site for social workers, where you can search
national job listings and find professional development
and career resources.
Visit the Social Work Career Center today to:
• Post your résumé to reach social work employers
• Search and apply for social work job postings nationwide
• Receive e-mail alerts when a new job has been posted
• Learn about social work salary trends, publications, social
work practice areas, licensing, and much more.
Your Ad Could Be Here
Reaching over 4,400 Social Workers!
Advertise today in the North Carolina Social Worker
Newsletter and/or on our website!
Consider Advertising:
• Jobs
• Office Space & Open Houses
• Clinical Groups
• Specialty services/practice
• Clinical supervision
• Consulting Services
• Volunteerism/Events
For more information, visit
www.naswnc.org
Agencies: Call us when you have
vacancies, leaves of absence, or other needs for
temporary or permanent staffing.
Apply on-line at
www.vanguardprostaff.com
Or call 252-265-9033 or 252-973-9966.
Dedicated to the Practice of Social Work,
its Professionals and Organizations
National Assocation of Social Workers
NC Chapter
P.O. Box 27582
Raleigh, NC 27611-7582
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAI D
Raleigh, NC 276
Permit No. 816
PHONE: 919.828.9650 or 800.280.6207
FAX:
919.828.1341
WEB: www.naswnc.org
NASW-NC
Your resource for professional social work information, advocacy and representation.
Mark Your
Calendars!
October 22, 2011
LCSW Exam Prep Session
Moses Cone Hospital
Greensboro, NC
November 17-19, 2011
Annual Fall Conference
Renaissance Hotel
Asheville, NC
March 2, 2012
Ethics Conference
McKimmon Center
Raleigh, NC
April 2012 TBD
LCSW Exam Prep Session
Moses Cone Hospital
Greensboro, NC
May 21-23, 2012
Clinical Supervision
Certificate Training
Hawthorne Inn
Winston-Salem, NC
2011 Annual Fall Conference
November 17-19, 2011
Renaissance Hotel
Asheville, NC
The Fall Conference is a meeting for the entire profession. Everyone from the social work student to the
LCSW in private practice can benefit from the presentation offerings. Sessions are designed to focus on professional development, social worker physical and mental
self-care, alternative practices and therapies, as well as
issues related to the practice of social work in general.
Register by October 31 for the Early Bird Rate!
The hotel is offering the special group rate of $109
plus tax per night for single or double rooms. The
block is limited, and reservations must be made by
October 18, 2011 to receive the group rate. To
make reservations, please call 1-800-468-3571.