November, 2023

article thumbnail

‘Empowering the Next Generation: Upholding Every Child’s Rights Through Social Work and Positive Parenting

International Federation of Social Workers

The IFSW Asia-Pacific conference held two weeks ago in Cebu, the Philippines, was a vibrant center for sharing innovative ideas and transformative practices in social work.

97
article thumbnail

Let’s give social work with older people the recognition it deserves

Social Work With Adults

Lyn Romeo: I am delighted to host this blog from Gerry Nosowska, founder and Director of Effective Practice , which supported the Social Work with Older People research project. For too long, this vital area of practice has been largely unseen. Real improvements in the lives of older people, including outcomes that matter to them, arise out of good social work practice.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Digitising social care: reflections on progress

Social Care

"Many providers have jumped at the chance to access the funding and support available and are positive about the opportunities technology opens up to improve the ways they work." [Image created by freepik.com ] Building momentum It’s been 18 months since the Digitising Social Care programme began, delivering the three year £150 million investment in digitally transforming adult social care, set out in the 2021 white paper, People at the Heart of Care.

article thumbnail

Rising children’s social care costs deepening councils’ financial woes, finds study

Community Care

Rising children’s services demand and care placement costs are deepening English councils’ financial problems, a study issued this week has found. Despite authorities budgeting to spend 11% more in real terms on children’s social care in 2023-24 than 2022-23, they are on course for a significant overspend on their financial plans, said the County Councils Network (CCN).

article thumbnail

Why Every Small Business Needs an HCM Solution: A Comprehensive Guide

Managing HR tasks like payroll, compliance, and employee data can overwhelm small businesses. That’s where a Human Capital Management (HCM) solution comes in. Our eBook, Why Every Small Business Needs an HCM Solution: A Comprehensive Guide , shows how an HCM system automates tedious processes, ensuring your business stays compliant and efficient. You’ll learn how to simplify payroll, eliminate costly errors, and empower your employees with self-service tools.

article thumbnail

When The Trauma is Extreme

Gary Direnfeld

I asked. She told. She spoke about her experiences with things unimaginable to most. She said that previous therapists had said her background was the most extreme they have ever heard. Hearing that, my concern was that she worried about overwhelming the therapists. I don’t know. They may have been. However, I assured her that although her experiences were indeed extreme, I have actually heard similar and worse.

Therapist 113
article thumbnail

Embracing Imperfection: The Power of Self-Compassion (Guest Post)

My Brains Not Broken

Today’s guest post is from Michael Vallejo, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Mental Health Center Kids. When we watch TV, scroll through social media, or see other people’s achievements in life, we can develop unrealistic standards of beauty, intelligence, and success. This can create a habit of constantly comparing ourselves to others, which can lead to harsh self-criticism.

More Trending

article thumbnail

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO HOST THE SWSD 2026 CONFERENCE

The International Association Of Schools Of Social

The Joint Steering Committee, representing the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), is calling for expressions of interest (EOI) for organising and hosting the 2026 World Conference on Social Work and Social Development (SWSD2026).

Welfare 119
article thumbnail

Is this family police agency leader really bragging about misleading the public?

NCCPR Child Welfare Blog

Perhaps if we all say it often enough we can stop family police agencies from misleading us about this. Last week, Virginia’s Director of Social Services, Danny Avula, gave a presentation to the state Commission on Youth. According to Virginia Public Media : Avula noted Virginia’s rate of placement with relatives is less than half of the national average — a statistic he said is skewed by the fact that local social services departments in the state prioritize informal placements with relatives b

article thumbnail

IFSW Europe Webinar to mark Human Rights Day 2023 – Social Work Practice and the Protection of Human Rights in Europe: freedom, equality and human rights for all

International Federation of Social Workers

Monday 11th December 3 PM CET Time ONLINE ZOOM Platform Kindly use this link for registration __ Join us in this free webinar organised by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Europe […]

article thumbnail

When the Bipolar Medication Isn’t Working — Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder

Nnatasha Tracy

I have spent years of my life with bipolar medication not working -- or, at least, bipolar medication not working to the extent that one would want. I know this isn't the common refrain around medication -- the common refrain being, take bipolar medication and get better -- but it is a reality that many of us live with. So, the question is, what do you do when the bipolar medication isn't working?

Disorder 104
article thumbnail

Best Practices to Streamline Compensation Management: A Foundation for Growth

Speaker: Joe Sharpe and James Carlson

Payroll optimization can be one of the most time-consuming and complex factors of small business management. Yet, organizations that crack the code on streamlining employee compensation often discover innovative avenues for growth. With the right strategies in place, outsourcing and streamlining payroll processes can result in substantial time and resource savings.

article thumbnail

One Foot in Front of the Other

My Brains Not Broken

Time can be tricky to manage. Sometimes, it feels like time is moving at a snail’s pace. Other times, it feels like our life is moving faster than we can keep up with – weeks, months (even years!) might feel like they pass in the blink of an eye. Regardless of how it moves, my least favorite aspect of time is when I tend to lose track of it.

article thumbnail

Mental Health Advocate: Rosalyn Carter

Bipolar Bandit

Rosalyn Carter was not only the First Lady of Georgia and the United States, she was also a huge mental health advocate. She shared a story of a relative who had mental illness and he scared her because he would run down the street yelling. She would later share he probably just wanted friendship. He was different and back in those days I’m sure the stigma attributed to lack of knowledge and made her hide.

article thumbnail

Social Workers Set Sights on Preventing Gun Violence

Beyond Advocacy

The recent tragic mass shooting in Lewistown, Maine , once again focused the nation’s attention on the growing menace of guns and firearms in the United States. Planned long before the shooting, about three dozen social work researchers, scholars, and practitioners gathered at the Crown School of Social Work at the University of Chicago on Friday and Saturday, November 3 rd and 4 th, for a Summit on Social Work’s Role in Gun Violence Prevention as a precursor for the launch of the 14 th Grand Ch

article thumbnail

Letter From a Bipolar Mom to Her Children

Beautiful Voyager

My darling, As I sit here and try to come up with a way to explain this to you, the first and most important thing I want you to know is that I am sorry. I am sorry that I failed you during this. I am sorry that for a short time, I wasn’t the mother that you needed me to be. I’m sorry that you’ve had to pay some of the price for my mistakes. I am going to be very brutally honest in this letter I write to you.

article thumbnail

5 Must Haves for Case Management

Thousands of nonprofits rely on case management software to help collect data, manage programs, coordinate with agencies, and provide life-changing health and human services. Adopting a cloud-based case management platform is essential for nonprofits and government agencies to operate more efficiently and make better use of their funding and budget.

article thumbnail

SDGs Halfway Point: Social Work for Transformative Change

International Federation of Social Workers

The following statement has been endorsed by the participants of the 27th IFSW Asia-Pacific Conference: In an inspirational display of solidarity and commitment, over 1,000 social workers from across the […]

article thumbnail

The two questions reporters covering child welfare in NYC should always ask

NCCPR Child Welfare Blog

Even these two excellent stories leave two key questions unanswered - as almost always happens when reporters write about family policing in New York Brooklyn Defender Services has filed a lawsuit against the New York City family police agency, the Administration for Children’s Services, on behalf of a family that has been subjected to repeated, traumatic investigations as a result of false anonymous reports alleging child abuse.

article thumbnail

Ethics Alive! Anti-DEI Laws, Moral Distress, and Student Roles

The New Social Worker

A concerning trend has emerged as 22 states have introduced or enacted legislation that would restrict DEI initiatives and the teaching of DEI. These laws may present social work educators with a conflict between ethical and legal responsibilities.

93
article thumbnail

Do Antidepressants Increase Suicidality? Does The Black Box Warning Help or Hurt People?

Nnatasha Tracy

Because of the black box warnings (also known as boxed warnings) on antidepressants, many people think that antidepressants cause suicidal thinking , suicidal behavior, and suicide. The black box warning on antidepressants is, after all, the strongest warning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can place on a medication. However, the black box warning on antidepressants was authored almost 20 years ago, and we have learned a lot and have synthesized a lot of data since then.

article thumbnail

Get Connected: Using Social Media for Social Work Success

Speaker: Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW.

You may have the clinical skills to manage a private practice, but your success could actually hinge on marketing skills. For a thriving practice, you need to differentiate yourself from others and present yourself in a way that attracts referrals. These days, much of that happens online, including on social media. In this webinar, Gary Direnfeld will discuss how social media marketing can help you build your private practice and grow your client base.

article thumbnail

Native American Heritage Month and National CASA/GAL’s commitment to advocating for Native children and youth

National Casa Gal

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month throughout November is a reminder of the rich history and contributions of Native Americans. Read More. The post Native American Heritage Month and National CASA/GAL’s commitment to advocating for Native children and youth appeared first on National CASA/GAL Association for Children.

89
article thumbnail

Be a part of my new book project!

Beautiful Voyager

Hello dear beautiful voyagers, I’m embarking on my most ambitious writing project to date and I need your help! I’m looking for a wide range of perspectives from people who have experienced mental breakdowns. My goal is to help readers understand what the landscape of a mental breakdown looks like and what the future may hold. If you have any interest in sharing your breakdown story (anonymous or not), please answer the 4 questions below.

97
article thumbnail

United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities

International Federation of Social Workers

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we come together to recognise and reaffirm the rights, dignity, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

article thumbnail

NCCPR news and commentary round-up, week ending Nov. 14, 2023

NCCPR Child Welfare Blog

● It’s hard to believe that family police agencies still go around “training” mandated reporters of “child abuse” to report anything and everything because if they’re wrong, it won’t do any harm. In this essay, Prof. Kelley Fong, author of Investigating Families explains why they are so wrong. ● Another key theme of Prof. Fong’s book is that mandatory reporting drives families away from seeking help.

article thumbnail

Empower Your Nonprofit With Effective Payroll & HCM Services

Managing a nonprofit involves many challenges, but payroll and HR shouldn’t be among them. Our guide, "A Buyer’s Guide to Payroll & HCM Services," helps nonprofits choose the best provider. Efficient payroll services ensure timely, accurate payments, vital for maintaining staff and volunteer morale. Compliance support helps navigate complex labor laws and avoid costly fines.

article thumbnail

Identifying and Responding to Resistance Around Conversations About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The New Social Worker

As the social work profession continues to engage in difficult dialogues about diversity, equity, and inclusion, many are facing resistance to this work. Resistance presents in denial-oriented, disengaged, and derailing approaches.

article thumbnail

WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY POSTER 2024

The International Association Of Schools Of Social

As we approach World Social Work Day 2024, we are excited to unveil the theme: “Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change”, which is rooted in the [link] drEHP and has been developed in partnership with the International Association of Schools of Social Work as well as the International Council on Social Welfare. The #WSWD2024 theme emphasises the need for social workers to adopt innovative, community-led approaches that are grounded in indigenous wisdom and harmonious coexistence with

article thumbnail

How Successful Is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in 2023?

Nnatasha Tracy

As most of you know, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline morphed into the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline last year. This has broadened its scope and who it aims to serve. Millions have accessed the 988 Lifeline through calls, texts, and messages in the last year. This is extremely impressive. But how successful is the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at helping people, and would people call 988 again if they were in distress?

article thumbnail

NASW to join White Ribbon Day in Congress

Social Work Blog

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is a proud partner of White Ribbon VA , a national call to action to eliminate sexual harassment, sexual assault, and domestic violence across the Department of Veterans Affairs. NASW will take part in White Ribbon Day in Congress on December 1, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 2044 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

article thumbnail

A testament to the vital role of social work in societies: Former IFSW President David Jones receives honorary doctorate

International Federation of Social Workers

On 22 November 2023, the University of London celebrated its esteemed Foundation Day, a tradition that had been part of the university’s history since 1903.

article thumbnail

Mental Health Act reform ditched, King’s Speech confirms

Community Care

There will be no reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 before the next election, the government has confirmed. Today’s King’s Speech – setting out the government’s last full legislative programme before an election in 2024 or early 2025 – did not include a mental health bill, meaning any reform would have to be carried out by a future government, if at all.

article thumbnail

Native American Healthcare Disparities: Challenges and Solutions

Relias

In 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) reported that 42.1% of citizens identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native relied on Medicaid or other public health insurance, and 14.9% had no coverage at all. Compared to non-Hispanic white individuals in the U.S. — with 34.3% on Medicaid or public health insurance and only 6.3% without coverage — Native American healthcare disparities clearly still exist despite efforts to eradicate them.

article thumbnail

U.S. Administration for Children and Families Grant Funds Research Project

University of Connecticut

With a cooperative agreement sub-award of $300,000, co-Principal Investigators Jon Phillips and Cristina Mogro-Wilson will study “ PRESERVE & CONNECT : P artnerships in R igorous E valuation of S ervices that E nhance family wellbeing in R ural VE rmont, and urban Latine and Black communities in CONNECT icut.” The primary goal of the project is to determine whether the “Breakthrough Parenting Curriculum: Navigating Trauma Across Generations (BPC)”— a trauma-informed parenting intervention —

article thumbnail

Early childhood programs can address the trauma of migrant families.

Brightpoint

By Leo Ortega Every day, the ongoing migrant crisis in Chicago presents new challenges to those of us who work directly with families in need. Whether we offer housing assistance or early childhood care and education, many of us are asking: How do we balance the immediate needs of our new neighbors with the existing needs of our communities? And where do migrant families fit into our definition of the place we call home?

article thumbnail

The Intersection of Psychedelics and Mental Health Treatment

Social Work Blog

By Sue Coyle The use of psychedelics for healing is not new. There is evidence that ancient civilizations throughout the world used psychedelics for a variety of reasons for a very long time, extending well into the modern era. In fact, in the 1950s and first half of the 1960s, psychiatrists, researchers and other professionals were both studying and prescribing psychedelics to help patients struggling with their mental health.