For social work professionals, there are many reasons to attend an annual conference hosted by a social work professional association. Social work conferences offer many opportunities to connect with colleagues in the field through networking and social events, keep up to date with cutting edge research by attending paper and poster presentations, engage in [...]
A degree in social work leads to a diverse array of career options, spanning from individual practice to community-based work and policy development. Social workers who have the appropriate training and skills in macro-level practice are being hired to lead organizations, analyze and develop policy, conduct cutting-edge research, and design effective programs. For prospective social [...]
If you’re looking for social work related content on the vast world wide web, hashtags are a great way to find sources from various social media platforms and blog posts. Following a social work hashtag is an easy way to seamlessly integrate social work content into your existing Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. You can [...]
The Florida Project, one of 2018’s Oscar & Golden Globe frontrunners for best picture, is more than just a cinematic story centering on a motel in Florida. This emotional storytelling masterpiece invites viewers to contemplate some of the complex ethical dilemmas social workers confront every day. While social workers don’t appear in the film until [...]
I fear What the past will do to me In the future - Yehuda Amichai, Concrete Poem Part 1 Through the Eyes of a Trauma-Informed Social Worker Last year, 20 years after receiving my Master’s Degree in Social Work I completed an 18 month certification in Child and Parent Psychotherapy with an emphasis on treating [...]
Natural disaster, civil war, ethnic conflict, economic depravity, and gang violence are just a few of the reasons that people in today’s globalized society are left with little choice but to flee their home countries in search of safety and prosperity elsewhere. As more and more individuals and families are impacted by these and other [...]
For those looking to gain some new perspective on a certain topic, learn about innovative practices in a variety of fields, or hear fresh ideas on pressing social issues, TED Talks are a great place to start! With TED speakers from a variety of disciplines, TED offers a diverse array of voices and viewpoints [...]
What is Family Separation? Since April of this year, thousands of children have been separated from their parents at the Southern U.S. border. Horrifying images showed children being held in cages, while their parents detained without any information about their child’s whereabouts. This traumatic process of family separation was enacted due to a “zero-tolerance” immigration [...]
Aging populations face unique challenges, as their biopsychosocial needs change over time. The aging often have complex medical needs and care requirements, and face the risk of increasing social isolation and diminishing independence as they enter the end of the life course. In the United States, the aging population is growing due to a combination [...]
As the social work profession has grown and gained recognition for the valuable work of its practitioners, social workers have recently become the subjects of documentaries, magazine articles, and other media pieces. These five social workers have been prominently featured in the media, bringing further recognition to the profession as a whole and to the [...]
The internet age has provided social workers a variety of social media platforms to share their viewpoints, practice experiences, research findings, and more. Leading social workers are taking to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to connect with followers interested in social work topics - from clients to colleagues and everyone in between. If you’re interested in [...]
One of the mandates for social workers (especially those who have received licensure) is to stay up to date in the field. This ensures that social workers are always learning the most current and effective ways to engage with individuals, families, and communities based on the constantly-evolving evidence base for social work practice. To align [...]
In 2012, former President Barack Obama took executive action to protect the lives of immigrant young people who came to the United States as children. These young people are known as Dreamers, based on proposed legislation called the Development, Education, and Relief for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act “that would have granted legal status to certain [...]
On August 4th 2003, four months after my daughter was born, I was arrested for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell. This was the end of a period of time in my life when I had struggled severely with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and the negative consequences of the street lifestyle that I [...]
For social workers serving Latino clients, understanding the diverse range of nationalities, countries and cultures that make up this community is critical. Developing this cultural competence and cultural humility will help them to improve the way they serve and communicate with their Latino clients. As one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the U.S., Latinos accounted for more than half of [...]
Social work is proving a popular second career for many professionals. What does the path to social work as a second career look like, and what is the career outlook for social workers? More professionals are choosing social work as a second career – one that offers them greater satisfaction than they found in their former careers, along with the [...]
Savvy social workers often seek out peer support, mentoring and networking opportunities. Who can you turn to for guidance and connections? Social workers do their best to meet the needs of others – every day, year after year. While this can be highly rewarding, it also puts you at significant risk of burnout if you don't feel supported [...]
In the last several years, researchers from social work and related fields have set out to determine what measurable impact social workers make in a variety of settings by collecting and analyzing data that evaluates the difference their work makes. From North America all the way to Tokyo, recent studies have found qualitative and quantitative [...]
What is Design Thinking? Design thinking “is a methodology for creative problem solving.” It emerged in the last 20 years from a long history of innovators working to solve “wicked problems” in a variety of fields through highly creative approaches and methods most commonly used in design firms. The basic idea is that design [...]
Across the nation, social workers are being recruited to apply their skills to the diverse human population at accelerated rates. The overwhelming mental and socio-emotional health needs of individuals in modern society create significant demand for the professional skills that social workers possess. In some cases, the amount of available social work positions has expanded [...]
Remember me For I will soon be gone Remember me And let the love we have live on And know that I'm with you the only way that I can be So, until you're in my arms again Remember me Those No Longer Physically Present Still Play a Significant Role These are some of the [...]
What is an Genogram? A genogram is a visual family mapping tool. Genograms allow clinicians and clients to diagram a client’s family history through at least three generations. Genograms illustrate family relationships to show parentage and birth order across the generations, similar to a family tree. Genograms, however, go beyond this type of surface-level information [...]
The quest to ensure social work practices are LGBTQ-inclusive occurs on a number of levels. It requires the development of knowledge around LGBTQ issues, rethinking individual interactions with clients and colleagues, and advocating for change on a policy level. Why Inclusivity of LGBTQ Individuals Is Critical To not be discriminated against based on sexual orientation or gender identity is a basic human right. Yet [...]
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, around two-thirds of the more than 650,000 ex-offenders released from prison every year are likely to be re-arrested within three years. Social workers can play an important role in helping to reduce recidivism rates through their involvement in social programs that help ex-offenders transition back into the community and by [...]
U.S. immigration law is incredibly complicated and nuanced. It requires years of careful study to master, and still, the ins and outs of it can be baffling even to an attorney not specialized in immigration. Basics of Immigration Law That Every Social Worker Should Know Social workers cannot be expected to thoroughly comprehend immigration law, [...]
With around 43 million Americans living in poverty today, the role social workers play in mitigating the effects of poverty and advocating for the poor is critical. The U.S. Census Bureau’s latest report on income and poverty found that, despite showing the first statistically significant increase since 2007, the median household income is still lower than it was before America’s Great [...]
How five leading social workers are influencing the industry today – shaping the nature of modern social work research, theory and service delivery. The social worker environment is full of inspiring individuals working at all levels of the field. The nature of the industry and the role social work plays in society means it attracts people who are passionate about doing [...]
A Master’s in Social Work (MSW) enhances a social worker’s career in countless ways, opening doors to new professional pathways, opportunities, and specializations. Your Career Outlook with a Social Work Degree An MSW is an important long-term career investment that will greatly improve your career outlook as a social worker. It can help you practice at a higher level, command a [...]
Social workers around the world are playing a key role in important initiatives that seek to create local and global change. Across the U.S. and around the world, social workers and social service workers play an active part in community initiatives that make a difference. From local art projects that raise awareness of social issues to global programs [...]
Looking to apply for a Master’s of Social Work (MSW), but not sure where to start? Here's a guide to the best MSW programs. When you start your search for the right MSW program (SEE INFOGRAPHIC "CHOOSING AN MSW PROGRAM"), the number of options can be daunting. As well as location and costs, you'll also want to consider [...]
The History of Social Work The earliest origins of social work (dating back to the Middle Ages) were in church-based ministering to the poor, which evolved into the philanthropic and social justice movements of the 19th century. Today, social workers are still connected to these originating tenets of compassion, fairness and community progress. The modern social work profession grew from [...]
Social workers and social service workers are known to be inherently caring people who devote their working lives to helping others. But what kinds of traits and habits make them so good at empowering others to solve life's big problems? Here are five common traits of social workers – and how these traits help shape a successful social work [...]
Illustrating the need for sexual violence awareness and considerations for social workers (and other mental health providers) to become involved in offering support and solutions to alleviating the pain experienced by victims and survivors. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month Incidences of sexual violence is increasingly prevalent and does not discriminate affecting people regardless [...]
A concern for social justice has always been an essential part of social services and social work. What are the historical origins of these values and how have they shaped the modern profession? The social work profession is built on the concern for social justice. Social workers and social service workers play a pivotal role in opening [...]
Technology is reshaping how every industry operates and social work is no exception. The rise and prevalence of new technologies are changing the way services are offered, and hence how social workers interact and communicate with their clients. Social workers need to keep up to date with these changes now and into the future. The [...]
Men are more likely to be severely affected by traumatic events such as war, disaster, and violence than women, and there are significant differences among genders in processing trauma. More than 60 percent of men have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Though many people link trauma with war and natural disaster, traumatic events are [...]
Compromise and Action: A Possible Solution To America’s Gun Violence Problem. Thoughts, Reflection and Editorial on Gun Violence Provided By Mom & Social Worker Amy Chong, LCSW Amy Chong, LCSW I’ve come to the conclusion that one of the single biggest problems in our country is Either/Or thinking and by that I mean [...]
For prospective social work students with an interest in working in the field of child welfare and child protection, the Title IV-E stipend program is able to provide financial and educational support through participating universities in the United States. What is the Title IV-E Stipend Program? In the late 1970’s, government officials and child welfare [...]
Multiracial children are the fastest-growing youth group in the U.S. What do social workers need to know about serving and helping this diverse cohort? Social workers help a range of clients from different ethnicities and backgrounds, and their most vulnerable charges are often the children they serve, with multiracial children being no exception. Research suggests that [...]
About Social Work Month: Leaders Advocates Champions Social Work Month is a time when the nation’s 650,000+ social workers are recognized for their efforts as advocates, community leaders, and human rights champions. As defined by the NASW, the Social Work Month 2018 theme is Leaders Advocates Champions. This theme seeks to illuminate what social workers [...]
March is Social Work Month in the United States. It is a time when the nation’s 650,000 social workers are recognized for their efforts. During social work month, many of the institutions offering social work programs also acknowledge the profession they help educate. For example, Illinois University schedules a series of weekly events that focus [...]
What do Referral Specialists do? Referral specialists typically work in an office setting within the medical field. They are in charge of insurance approval for patients to see a specialist and also they handle the pre-authorization for certain procedures. They are in charge of gathering financial information on patients and making sure they are aware [...]
What does a Patient Advocate do? A Patient Advocate is employed and paid by the hospital to help patients. They take complaints of patients or help with communication between staff and patients. The medical world is confusing so they step in to break down the pieces or steps for the patient. Patient advocates can work [...]
Field Placement One of the single most important components of your graduate study will be your field placement, a required component of any graduate social work program carrying CSWE accreditation. As you consider a graduate degree and career in the social work field, it’s important to consider the benefits of CSWE accreditation, as well as [...]
Are you considering social work as a new career path? If so, you’ll join many others who’ve moved from varied backgrounds into the realm of social service, investing their time and efforts into a profession focused on social justice, mental health, and community support. Changing careers is a big decision – one that requires consideration [...]
Many people would answer that question by saying that a social worker is someone who helps others, shows compassion and empathy, and supports those in need. This is all true, but a social worker brings so much more to the table. Trained social workers use the knowledge and field experience they’ve gained in their studies [...]
Recently, police social workers have gotten increased attention in the news thanks to a bill introduced in New York City Council in December, 2017. The legislation, sponsored by Democratic Councilmember Mark Treyger, requires every police precinct in the city of New York to have a licensed clinical social worker on duty 24 hours a day. [...]
There are many routes you can take within a career in social work. Jobs in child welfare, geriatrics, criminal justice, addictive behaviors, and more. You may work within many of these fields throughout your career until you find your passion. Here are a few potential roles in the criminal justice and corrections sector: Corrections Counselor Corrections [...]
There are many routes you can take within a career in social work. Jobs in child welfare, geriatrics, criminal justice, addictive behaviors, and more. You may work within many of these fields throughout your career until you find your passion. Here are a few potential roles in the child welfare sector: Family Support Worker Family support [...]
Conducting systematic reviews of social work literature is an essential research skill that social workers should develop. While not all social workers are active in conducting research, the ability to conduct a systematic review is a useful skill for anyone seeking to establish firm knowledge of a particular subject, intervention, or population relevant to their [...]
There are many routes you can take within a career in social work. Jobs in geriatrics, child welfare, criminal justice, addictive behaviors, and more. You may work within many of these fields throughout your career until you find your passion. Here are a few potential roles: Geriatric Social Worker Gerontological social workers assist elderly clients [...]
You may be wondering what you can expect in your field placement experience. If your MSW has a clinical focus, you’ll likely complete your internship in a setting where you work directly with individuals or small groups. There are many possibilities for clinical placements, including: Medical social work Hospitals Neighborhood clinics Mental health and substance [...]
"Ethical Principle: Social Workers Challenge Social Injustice. Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about [...]
Determining Your Social Worker Salary Armed with a passion to serve and advocate on behalf of others, coupled with the pressures of earning a decent living, finding a sustainable wage in your dream geographic location is your number one priority. Although the national average pay for an MSW is $46,968, the pay varies significantly across [...]
A growing number of Americans identify as multiracial, and there’s evidence to suggest that by 2050 as many as one in five Americans might claim a multiracial background. This demographic shift changes the social work environment and demands the development of multiracial competence. Social workers who understand the complexities and concerns of multiracial people are better [...]
Social Workers are dedicated to serving marginalized and disadvantaged people from all walks of life, states of need, and meeting them where they are at in their journey, ability, and development. So much of the spirit of social is our attitude and ability to attend to people with diverse needs and experiences, and treat them [...]
Almost all social workers are familiar with the non-profit sector – the branch of society in which social service organizations function to meet individual and community level needs. The government certainly plays a part in providing for the people of the nation through programs that provide food and employment assistance, veterans services, subsidized healthcare, and [...]
For social workers looking to educate themselves, gain perspective, or see a different side of a particular topic or issue, documentary films are a great place to start! Thousands of social, cultural, historical, and political documentaries are streaming on Netflix, and many provide in-depth looks at subjects relevant to social work practitioners and students. The [...]
Dual Degrees in Social Work: Is it Right for Me? Social work as a field of academic study is by nature interdisciplinary – it draws from various traditional academic disciplines, such as sociology and psychology, to form its educational foundation. Dual degrees in social work programs can be an option for further education. Social workers [...]
Cultural Awareness Guidelines to Follow in the Social Work Field Cultural awareness in social work: A client’s first interaction with a social service providing agency is often not with a therapist, an agency administrator, or even the receptionist, but an intake form. Intake forms begin the client’s relationship with the agency, by gathering crucial client [...]
The Goals of Social Work: Agency Cultural Competence Social work agencies serving a diverse range of clients should aim to provide culturally-competent services at all stages of client interaction with the agency. The goals of social work in this regard should be to ensure clients feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the agency’s [...]
Social Workers and Social Work Self Care Social work self care: Some years ago I owned and operated a yoga and wellness studio in my hometown. One day when I was participating in a Mindfulness and Meditation class there was construction going on outside affecting the building and our space. As we sat cross-legged, eyes [...]
Understanding Sensory Integration and Processing: Why It Matters To Children Sensory integration: Any parent of multiple children knows that children (and adults for that matter) can interpret the same situation very differently. Who hasn’t heard, “You love ‘Carrie’ more than me” or “You never make John do chores but I’m always doing stuff.” If I [...]
What is Body Focused Repetitive Behavior? Body focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) or body focused repetitive disorder refers to a grouping of compulsive behaviors that damage an individual’s physical appearance through repeated negative tactile attention. These disorders are considered to be on the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum. BRFBs can take a number of forms, focused on different [...]
Are You Considering Getting Your Master of Social Work Degree? When you begin to consider earning a Master of Social Work degree, you most likely recognize that this is no ordinary career choice. In most cases, you have not come to this crossroads in search of your highest paying option or out of a need [...]
Areas of Social Work Concentration: Families and Children Social workers are bringing their unique skills to help two increasingly vulnerable groups: children and families, as their area of social work concentration. According to the National Association of Social Workers, approximately 16 percent of this country’s 500,000 social workers work in child services while 12 percent work [...]
Areas of Social Work Concentration There are many different paths you can take to becoming a social worker. At some point, while you are on that path, you will have to choose which social work concentration within the field that you want to focus on. The specialties within social work are numerous and varied, and [...]
Early Childhood Trauma: The Misinterpretation of Misbehavior in Young Children According to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Education. During the 2013-14 school year over 6,700 children attending public pre-school were suspended 1 to 4 times from school. Yes, that’s right – PRESCHOOLERS suspended from school. There are various systemic reasons contributing to the [...]
Successfully Being a Social Worker Social work is both rewarding and demanding. Being a social worker takes a certain kind of person, and a certain kind of passion, to help individuals and families restore their capacity for social functioning, as well as create the right conditions that support communities in need. First and foremost, the [...]
My Experience with Activism Contributed by Brandon Haydon, LCSW Before the decision to enter social work, I was an activist engaged in a number of social movements, such as LGBTQ rights, anti-racism, and radical economic justice. Throughout my MSW program and my first years as a professional, I have dealt a lot with an overarching conundrum [...]
NASW Benefits: Being a Member of a Social Work National Association Most social workers and social work students are familiar with the National Association of Social Workers, the professional body responsible for the Social Work Code of Ethics, among other things. The NASW benefits are numerous for social worker professionals. NASW is a renowned professional [...]
Social Work Goals and the Needs of Clients Having to endorse an appeal for a client for independent housing is something a social worker will no doubt come across when working with clients throughout their careers. Social work goals differ from client to client. Various types of housing for people who have mental illness can [...]
What is Self-Advocacy? Self-Advocacy is empowering individuals with special needs to stand up for themselves and what they want in their life. Giving them the tools and resources to do this will help them be better self-advocate’s and protect them in situations where bullying may occur. Here are some suggestions to help build these skills [...]
Postpartum Depression: Case Presentation Marisol is a twenty-seven-year-old Latina woman of Honduran origin, who currently lives in the United States with her husband and infant son. She presents with a depressed mood, reporting feeling “totally empty,” and became tearful when describing her last few months during which she experienced a substantial impairment in her social and [...]
Social Work Funding Opportunities Social Work Funding: Social work students are encouraged to present their work at conferences and symposiums, sharing their research with the broader social work community and learning from others in the field in the process. While presenting at a conference might seem to be at first merely an additional responsibility, it [...]
Paying for Your MSW: Social Work Scholarship Most graduate students struggle to make ends meet during their Master’s studies. For graduate students in the field of social work, especially, finances can be a significant challenge during completion of the degree, and unlike many careers, social work doesn’t guarantee a high paycheck to pay off [...]
The National Association of Social Workers has put out a call for social workers to inform themselves about the behavioral health care manager position and advocate for social workers to be included in the language and official job requisites for this title and funding eligibility. The NASW urges that “this is an opportunity for social workers [...]
Abstract 12 step addiction recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can be seen as some of the longest-running and most prolific resources of community-based support for people struggling with addiction and substance abuse issues in the U.S. The following study is the first-person account of the author, a social worker, attending an open meeting on the [...]
As a prospective student, it is important to determine if there will be a return on your investment if you choose to pursue a Masters in Social Work. Are you wondering if the cost to complete the degree be worth it? Will the knowledge I obtain serve me in my career? To ease some common [...]
Different Family Systems as Seen on TV As social work students and practitioners deepen their knowledge of family services and therapy, theories and models, applying theoretical concepts to specific family systems can be an informative activity. Textbooks often provide case studies of different social work issues for this purpose, guiding readers to see theoretical concepts revealed [...]
Stages of Change – Transtheoretical Model As a social worker, it is important to be aware of the process through which your clients may go as you build your relationship and help them achieve their goals. Every client has unique experiences, personalities, and circumstances. Learn more about transtheoretical model. However, Prochaska and DiClemente (1983) determined [...]
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation Social worker issues: Whether you are a School Social Worker working with high school students, a drug and alcohol counselor working at an outpatient facility or a therapist working in private practice, it is important to know what motivates your client. This knowledge is vital to aid in the process of [...]
Social Workers: What is DSM? The DSM is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This is the go-to book in the world of mental health. The current issue being used is the DSM-5. This valuable collection of diagnostic and statistical information is created and updated by the American Psychiatric Association, with the current [...]
