Hello Everyone,
This week the
Carol Trust
Friday, June 11, 2010
Casinos Are Not The Answer
Friday, May 28, 2010
One Step Closer
Hello Everyone,
Late last evening, the US House of Representatives voted to repeal the anti-gay "Don’t Ask, Don't Tell" law. This historic vote brings us one step closer to repeal of the discriminatory policy that treats gay and lesbian members of the military as second class citizens.The full US Senate will vote TODAY.
The following Letter to the Editor was prepared collaboratively by the Chairs of the LGBT Shared Interest Group (SIG), Eleni Carr, Member of the Chapter's Task Force on Workplace Standards and Compensation and staff member Meagan Coons. It was sent to the major media outlets this week.
Late last evening, the US House of Representatives voted to repeal the anti-gay "Don’t Ask, Don't Tell" law. This historic vote brings us one step closer to repeal of the discriminatory policy that treats gay and lesbian members of the military as second class citizens.The full US Senate will vote TODAY.
The following Letter to the Editor was prepared collaboratively by the Chairs of the LGBT Shared Interest Group (SIG), Eleni Carr, Member of the Chapter's Task Force on Workplace Standards and Compensation and staff member Meagan Coons. It was sent to the major media outlets this week.
This is NASW, MA Chapter's voice in the community.
Keeping Secrets for Far Too Long
Dear Editor,
If there was an individual who had a solution to stop the oil spill in the gulf tomorrow, we would hire that person to do the job. Yet there are thousands of qualified people who desire to serve in the United States military and they are not hired. They should be recruited, retained and promoted based on their capabilities, experience, and performance. However, since 1994 more than 13,000 American service members have been discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy. At a time when the United States is engaged in two wars, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” makes little sense. Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals who are U.S. Service members deserve the same treatment as heterosexuals. As members of the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter (NASW-MA) we strongly urge Massachusetts residents to voice their support of this repeal.
“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is a practice that is an outgrowth of a time where silence was a strategy for managing difficult content. “Secretive” behavior in any organization often has negative consequences. Take for example the egregious cover-up of the Catholic Church during the sex abuse scandal. As a society, especially here in Massachusetts, we have moved beyond gay and lesbian lifestyles "needing" to be secret. We all want a stronger more unified military comprised of competent and committed individuals serving to promote democracy and peace. The removal of the DADT has the potential to attract more than 36,000 men and women to active duty service. (Williams Institute)
The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is an obsolete practice. NASW supports the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and is committed to working toward the elimination of prejudice, social injustice, violence and discrimination of LGB people. All of society will benefit when qualified individuals are allowed to work and serve “to be all they can be”.
Sincerely,
Lisa Krinsky
Director
LGBT Aging Project
Melissa Savage
Melissa Savage, LICSW
Director, Triangle Program
Arbour-HRI Hospital
Eleni Carr
Management Consultant, AK Consulting Services Inc
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Mental Health Care
Hello Everyone,
My colleagues at the Mental Health Coalition and I wanted to direct your attention to an article that was published on May 17, 2010 in The Boston Globe. The article titled, “Firms Put Limits on Mental Health” highlighted United Behavioral Health’s (UBH) use of burdensome practices that limit the provision of mental health care. As a result of this micro management, social workers spend excessive and often unnecessary time dealing with managed care companies while their patient’s wait for treatment. However, United Behavioral Health (UBH) is not acting alone. It is one of many managed care organizations across the country implementing rigorous stipulations for accessing mental health services. The Mental Health Coalition was encouraged by the promulgation of the interim federal parity regulations, which prohibits employing stricter management of mental health services than those of medical services. Interim federal parity brings us one step closer to the dream of Paul Wellstone for real equality in provision of mental and medical care. As your professional association, we shall stay vigilant supporting your important clinical work with clients. To read the complete article please click on the following link. http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/05/17/firms_put_limits_on_mental_therapy?mode=PF
My colleagues at the Mental Health Coalition and I wanted to direct your attention to an article that was published on May 17, 2010 in The Boston Globe. The article titled, “Firms Put Limits on Mental Health” highlighted United Behavioral Health’s (UBH) use of burdensome practices that limit the provision of mental health care. As a result of this micro management, social workers spend excessive and often unnecessary time dealing with managed care companies while their patient’s wait for treatment. However, United Behavioral Health (UBH) is not acting alone. It is one of many managed care organizations across the country implementing rigorous stipulations for accessing mental health services. The Mental Health Coalition was encouraged by the promulgation of the interim federal parity regulations, which prohibits employing stricter management of mental health services than those of medical services. Interim federal parity brings us one step closer to the dream of Paul Wellstone for real equality in provision of mental and medical care. As your professional association, we shall stay vigilant supporting your important clinical work with clients. To read the complete article please click on the following link. http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/05/17/firms_put_limits_on_mental_therapy?mode=PF
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Social Work Is All Around Us.
Hello All,
Over the weekend I attended two events that continually demonstrate to me the omnipresence and value of social work's impact in our communities. On Friday May 7, I attended the Annual Massachusetts Public Health Association's Awards Breakfast honoring 4 individuals whose contributions to promoting Public Health initiatives won them the award. The MPHA is the state's primary public health advocacy and education organization, championing policies that protect our communities, workplaces and environment. Two of the three award recipients- Harold Cox, MSW Associate Dean of Public Heath Practice, Boston University and Frances Anthes, President and CEO, Family Health Center of Worcester, graduated from Schools of Social Work. The third award recipient, Frank Robinson, Director of Community Heath Planning, Baystate Heath was introduced as someone who had done years of social work in the community, even though he had not attended a school of social work. Any way you look at it, all three award recipients were 'official' MSWs or wanted to be associated with the profession of social work through their introductions. Three out of three in an area of practice where there are many other degrees that are highly recognized. I was impressed and proud. Social Work was celebrated that morning.
Then, Saturday evening I stepped out to attend the international premier of an NASW supported, and sold out documentary film, Gen Silent, by award winning director Stu Maddux. Gen Silent uncovers the 'invisible and growing community of LGBT seniors as a way of educating a wide range of audiences about LGBT aging and caregiving. The movie was filmed in Boston and features the stories of 4 extraordinary LGBT couples and individuals as they face the challenges of aging in a society that does not fully accept them or their caregivers. The idea for this documentary came from the film maker and an exemplary social worker who happens to be the Co-Chair of the MA Chapter's LGBT Shared Interest Group, Lisa Krinsky. As the Executive Director of the LGBT Aging Project in Massachusetts Ms. Krinsky shepherded this idea from a concept to a moving and masterful reality. The film also featured social workers as the backbone of the services and support for many of the individuals in the movie. Social Work again was in the limelight this weekend.
I am so proud to be in the company of these amazing people and to be part of the social work community.
Carol Trust
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/NASWMA
Over the weekend I attended two events that continually demonstrate to me the omnipresence and value of social work's impact in our communities. On Friday May 7, I attended the Annual Massachusetts Public Health Association's Awards Breakfast honoring 4 individuals whose contributions to promoting Public Health initiatives won them the award. The MPHA is the state's primary public health advocacy and education organization, championing policies that protect our communities, workplaces and environment. Two of the three award recipients- Harold Cox, MSW Associate Dean of Public Heath Practice, Boston University and Frances Anthes, President and CEO, Family Health Center of Worcester, graduated from Schools of Social Work. The third award recipient, Frank Robinson, Director of Community Heath Planning, Baystate Heath was introduced as someone who had done years of social work in the community, even though he had not attended a school of social work. Any way you look at it, all three award recipients were 'official' MSWs or wanted to be associated with the profession of social work through their introductions. Three out of three in an area of practice where there are many other degrees that are highly recognized. I was impressed and proud. Social Work was celebrated that morning.
Then, Saturday evening I stepped out to attend the international premier of an NASW supported, and sold out documentary film, Gen Silent, by award winning director Stu Maddux. Gen Silent uncovers the 'invisible and growing community of LGBT seniors as a way of educating a wide range of audiences about LGBT aging and caregiving. The movie was filmed in Boston and features the stories of 4 extraordinary LGBT couples and individuals as they face the challenges of aging in a society that does not fully accept them or their caregivers. The idea for this documentary came from the film maker and an exemplary social worker who happens to be the Co-Chair of the MA Chapter's LGBT Shared Interest Group, Lisa Krinsky. As the Executive Director of the LGBT Aging Project in Massachusetts Ms. Krinsky shepherded this idea from a concept to a moving and masterful reality. The film also featured social workers as the backbone of the services and support for many of the individuals in the movie. Social Work again was in the limelight this weekend.
I am so proud to be in the company of these amazing people and to be part of the social work community.
Carol Trust
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/NASWMA
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Hello All,
I am deeply troubled by the passage of the Arizona immigration law, which by all standards is a crass, discriminatory action. Last week, National NASW publicly opposed the Arizona Immigration law. As written, this law allows enforcement officials to stop anyone if “reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States.” This provision promotes unrestricted racial profiling and represents an egregious injustice that flies in the face of our social work values and our code of ethics.
I am proud to work for an organization that advocates for social and economic justice and that supports the rights of all individuals. And I stand firmly by NASW’s call for a comprehensive immigration reform- that ensures due process for all individuals, opposes mandatory reporting of immigration status by public service providers, avoids racial profiling, and provides basic humanitarian measures to protect immigrants rather than exploit their rights. Social Work Speaks, the Association's stand on public policy issues, succinctly emphasizes our responsibility as social workers. “The association seeks the enactment of public social policies that will PROTECT the rights and ensure equity and social justice for all members of diverse racial and ethnic groups.” We have an opportunity as members of NASW, the largest professional network of social workers in the world, to put our values into action and make our collective voice heard. Please join me in speaking out against this new law by writing letters to your local papers, statewide papers, and by urging your congressmen to push for comprehensive immigration reform right now.
See NASW member and social worker, Miriam Stein’s letter to the Globe this week by clicking here.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NASWMA
I am deeply troubled by the passage of the Arizona immigration law, which by all standards is a crass, discriminatory action. Last week, National NASW publicly opposed the Arizona Immigration law. As written, this law allows enforcement officials to stop anyone if “reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States.” This provision promotes unrestricted racial profiling and represents an egregious injustice that flies in the face of our social work values and our code of ethics.
I am proud to work for an organization that advocates for social and economic justice and that supports the rights of all individuals. And I stand firmly by NASW’s call for a comprehensive immigration reform- that ensures due process for all individuals, opposes mandatory reporting of immigration status by public service providers, avoids racial profiling, and provides basic humanitarian measures to protect immigrants rather than exploit their rights. Social Work Speaks, the Association's stand on public policy issues, succinctly emphasizes our responsibility as social workers. “The association seeks the enactment of public social policies that will PROTECT the rights and ensure equity and social justice for all members of diverse racial and ethnic groups.” We have an opportunity as members of NASW, the largest professional network of social workers in the world, to put our values into action and make our collective voice heard. Please join me in speaking out against this new law by writing letters to your local papers, statewide papers, and by urging your congressmen to push for comprehensive immigration reform right now.
See NASW member and social worker, Miriam Stein’s letter to the Globe this week by clicking here.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NASWMA
Friday, April 30, 2010
THE LATEST FROM THE CHAPTER AND NATIONAL NASW
Hello on the last day of April.
First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who participated in the chapter’s highly successful 2010 Symposium! It was a wonderful representation of individuals passionate to share their social work experiences and wisdom. We had 56 fabulous exhibitors, a moving Awards luncheon that honored extraordinary social worker and allies, and over 80 sessions that were extremely well attended. Thanks to all the volunteers and staff who helped coordinate this seminal two-day professional event! We are pouring over the comments and suggestions for future Symposia, looking closely at your input!
Last week I had the privilege of attending the 2010 Social Work Congress in Washington, DC. With 400 invited attendees and several hundred social work students participating virtually, this three day 'meeting of the profession’ was full of robust and inspiring discussion. Included in the list of invited guests were 30 social workers under 30 years of age—the profession's ‘emerging leaders.’ Seven of these 30 young professionals came from Massachusetts. Topping the list of desired outcomes was generating agreement of 10 Imperatives for Social Work Practice. You can review the list in detail on the website http://www.socialworkers.org/2010congress/ Additionall, two remarkable keynote speakers addressed the audience: Kirstin Downey, author of The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR’s Secretary of Labor and his Moral Conscience, provided highlights of this exceptional woman’s career, first as a professional social worker and then as a public servant and her ongoing impact on social policy today; Daniel Brook, author of The Trap: Selling out to Stay Afloat in Winner-Take-All America, spoke about how rising college debt and cost of living are “forcing” some students into careers that pay more than social work and the danger that holds for the future of the profession. As social workers, we can relate to both the challenges and the opportunities discussed by Downey and Brook.
The key take away of the Social Work Congress is for each of the 10 sponsoring organizations to incorporate the 10 imperatives into each group’s strategic plans and take action in the years to come. For a complete list of the organizations and Associations that sponsored the Congress, go to the web site above.
Beyond the Congress, the Chapter is always looking for members who want to get involved with the important policy, electoral, advocacy and clinical issues that our profession is so involved in.
I await your call!
Carol Trust
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/NASWMA
First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who participated in the chapter’s highly successful 2010 Symposium! It was a wonderful representation of individuals passionate to share their social work experiences and wisdom. We had 56 fabulous exhibitors, a moving Awards luncheon that honored extraordinary social worker and allies, and over 80 sessions that were extremely well attended. Thanks to all the volunteers and staff who helped coordinate this seminal two-day professional event! We are pouring over the comments and suggestions for future Symposia, looking closely at your input!
Last week I had the privilege of attending the 2010 Social Work Congress in Washington, DC. With 400 invited attendees and several hundred social work students participating virtually, this three day 'meeting of the profession’ was full of robust and inspiring discussion. Included in the list of invited guests were 30 social workers under 30 years of age—the profession's ‘emerging leaders.’ Seven of these 30 young professionals came from Massachusetts. Topping the list of desired outcomes was generating agreement of 10 Imperatives for Social Work Practice. You can review the list in detail on the website http://www.socialworkers.org/2010congress/ Additionall, two remarkable keynote speakers addressed the audience: Kirstin Downey, author of The Woman Behind the New Deal: The Life of Frances Perkins, FDR’s Secretary of Labor and his Moral Conscience, provided highlights of this exceptional woman’s career, first as a professional social worker and then as a public servant and her ongoing impact on social policy today; Daniel Brook, author of The Trap: Selling out to Stay Afloat in Winner-Take-All America, spoke about how rising college debt and cost of living are “forcing” some students into careers that pay more than social work and the danger that holds for the future of the profession. As social workers, we can relate to both the challenges and the opportunities discussed by Downey and Brook.
The key take away of the Social Work Congress is for each of the 10 sponsoring organizations to incorporate the 10 imperatives into each group’s strategic plans and take action in the years to come. For a complete list of the organizations and Associations that sponsored the Congress, go to the web site above.
Beyond the Congress, the Chapter is always looking for members who want to get involved with the important policy, electoral, advocacy and clinical issues that our profession is so involved in.
I await your call!
Carol Trust
Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/NASWMA
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Dear Colleagues,
As I look out my window onto the Old Granary cemetery, below, I see the leaves turning colors of all the varieties of Delicious Apples--green, yellow, orangey yellow and red. It is a glorious site. The Red Tail Falcons are floating over Mother Goose's gravestone and as the leaves drop, I can see more and more of the Suffolk Law School Building, just across the street from the cemetery. But the real action is what is going on in the Chapter office, engineered by the staff and volunteers. Here is a short roundup of just today's events to give you an idea of the range of activities that we are engaged in, representing, you, our members and the profession.
This morning, Mary Roderick, Director of Professional Issues and I met with the MA Social Work Licensing Board to discuss the increased rates for taking the Licensing Exam that the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) is proposing. One of the increases is up to 49%. We strongly urged the representative from the MA Social Work Licensing Board to vote against what we consider an egregious increase, particularly in this fragile economic environment.
After meeting with the State Licensing Board, I took the 'T 'over to the MA Department of Child and Family Services (DCF), where NASW is part of a team crafting the details of the DCF Advisory Council to the Department and the Commissioner. This Advisory Council was established under the Child Welfare Reform Act, however it just started meeting this year. NASW is making sure that professional social work input is given and integrated into this important advisory and advocacy initiative.
Then at 3 pm Rebekah Gewirtz, Director of Governmental Relations and I met with the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Higher Education at the State House. Senator Galluccio and Representative Torrisi called us over to discuss a possible pilot project in relation to the Social Work Loan Forgiveness Bill that the Chapter has filed. They were concerned, given the present fiscal climate, that our full proposed bill would probably not receive a favorable showing this year and they wanted to discuss a pilot option. We are exploring this possibility right now.
Keep in mind, THEY CALLED US! This is a testament to the recognition that social work has established on Beacon Hill.
Also today, Kristina Whiton, Director of Continuing Education and Clinical Issues, finalized many of the over 70 presentations that are slated for the April Symposium 2010-the Chapter's signature Continuing Education event that draws over 800 participants, advertisers and exhibitors.
This is just a sampling of initiatives that the staff and I are vigorously working on to support you and the clients and communities that you serve. We are eager to hear from you about other ideas you have for the Chapter and the Association. The phone lines are open. The emails are alerted. And the fax is on. We await your feedback, your comments and your possibilities.
Carol Trust
As I look out my window onto the Old Granary cemetery, below, I see the leaves turning colors of all the varieties of Delicious Apples--green, yellow, orangey yellow and red. It is a glorious site. The Red Tail Falcons are floating over Mother Goose's gravestone and as the leaves drop, I can see more and more of the Suffolk Law School Building, just across the street from the cemetery. But the real action is what is going on in the Chapter office, engineered by the staff and volunteers. Here is a short roundup of just today's events to give you an idea of the range of activities that we are engaged in, representing, you, our members and the profession.
This morning, Mary Roderick, Director of Professional Issues and I met with the MA Social Work Licensing Board to discuss the increased rates for taking the Licensing Exam that the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) is proposing. One of the increases is up to 49%. We strongly urged the representative from the MA Social Work Licensing Board to vote against what we consider an egregious increase, particularly in this fragile economic environment.
After meeting with the State Licensing Board, I took the 'T 'over to the MA Department of Child and Family Services (DCF), where NASW is part of a team crafting the details of the DCF Advisory Council to the Department and the Commissioner. This Advisory Council was established under the Child Welfare Reform Act, however it just started meeting this year. NASW is making sure that professional social work input is given and integrated into this important advisory and advocacy initiative.
Then at 3 pm Rebekah Gewirtz, Director of Governmental Relations and I met with the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Higher Education at the State House. Senator Galluccio and Representative Torrisi called us over to discuss a possible pilot project in relation to the Social Work Loan Forgiveness Bill that the Chapter has filed. They were concerned, given the present fiscal climate, that our full proposed bill would probably not receive a favorable showing this year and they wanted to discuss a pilot option. We are exploring this possibility right now.
Keep in mind, THEY CALLED US! This is a testament to the recognition that social work has established on Beacon Hill.
Also today, Kristina Whiton, Director of Continuing Education and Clinical Issues, finalized many of the over 70 presentations that are slated for the April Symposium 2010-the Chapter's signature Continuing Education event that draws over 800 participants, advertisers and exhibitors.
This is just a sampling of initiatives that the staff and I are vigorously working on to support you and the clients and communities that you serve. We are eager to hear from you about other ideas you have for the Chapter and the Association. The phone lines are open. The emails are alerted. And the fax is on. We await your feedback, your comments and your possibilities.
Carol Trust
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