Volunteer to Save the Economy
from The New York Times
 President Barack Obama is calling upon all Americans to volunteer, to pitch in and give back. We hope that the president is serious about this challenge, because providing more opportunities for national and community service won’t just lift the nation’s spirit, it could help save the economy. More
National and Community Service, the Shrinking Safety Net
from NASW IL
 Following last week's inauguration, you probably have seen the public service announcements featuring President Obama for usaservice.org. There's a great deal to be cynical about, but a renewed sense of understanding the importance of public service is truly on the minds of many around the state and the country. Moreover, there have been many calls for the recovery plan to be expanded to community service. More
Strengthening the Social-Service Safety Net
from The Chronicle of Philanthropy via Gale PowerSearch
The number of working Americans seeking aid from local social-service organizations is rising fast in cities and towns across the country. But for a growing share of Americans, help may not be available because of cutbacks in government and private spending on social services and because the social-service system has not adapted well to the 21st century. More
Illinois and Chicago Officials Blame Each Other for Closing of Mental Health Centers on South Side
from The Chicago Tribune
State and city officials are pointing fingers at each other for the budget shortfall that led to the city's decision to close several mental health centers in Chicago on Feb. 1. Mayor Richard Daley blames the state for his decision to close four of the city's 12 mental health centers. But state officials said the city did not submit bills for services such as counseling and psychiatric care provided at the centers. More
New Tactics to Tackle Bystander’s Role in Bullying
from Science Daily
A new psychodynamic approach to bullying in schools has been successfully tested by the University College London and U.S. researchers. CAPSLE (Creating a Peaceful School Learning Environment) is a groundbreaking method focused more on the bystander, including the teacher, than on the bully or the victim. More
Study: Family Abuse of People with Dementia Common
from Reuters
People caring for family members with dementia commonly abuse them with behavior such as swearing and shouting, researchers said in a study that shows a more widespread problem than previously thought. The researchers, who found few cases of physical abuse, say their study highlights the need for governments and health officials to widen efforts aimed at tackling elder abuse. More
"Push" Takes Top Prizes at Sundance; Mariah Carey Portrays a Social Worker
from E! Online
Mariah Carey can finally put Glitter behind her. "Push," based on the Novel by Sapphire, starring Carey, Paula Patton, newcomer Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique, took home the top prize for U.S. dramas at the annual Sundance Film Festival. Carey threw out her glamorous image to play a supporting role as a social worker who helps a sexually abused teen in the indie film. Her character learns how the main character, Precious Jones, has been beaten by her mother and repeatedly raped by her father; in fact, Precious gets pregnant by her dad – twice. More
Children with Arthritis: Lots of Kids Cope with 'Old' Disease
from The Orlando Sentinel
When Deetra Pickens first heard what doctors thought might be causing her 2-year-old daughter's swollen wrists and knees, she was baffled. "I was like: 'Arthritis? What are you talking about? Arthritis is for older people,' " said the DeBary mother of two. "I mean, my grandmother has arthritis." In fact, doctors say most people have never heard of the pediatric form of the disease − even though it may affect as many as one in every 1,000 children and early diagnosis is critical. More
Social Worker Invents Device to Access Medical Information
from The Business Journal of Milwaukee
A Milwaukee-area social worker has invented a product that will allow emergency medical professionals to access a patient’s medical history with a few computer keystrokes. Gerald Theis said his product, named My Crisis Capsule, will reduce medical errors by enabling medical or law enforcement personnel to access patient information by inserting a digital device into a USB port on any computer. More
NASW Government Relations Action Alert
January 26, 2009
Urge President Obama to Create a Cabinet-Level Office on Women
The Issue at Hand
The Obama-Biden Administration has a chance to create a Cabinet-Level Office on Women. This would put women at the table in a very serious way.
Recently, NASW signed on to a letter of nearly 50 national groups sent to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden urging gender balance in executive appointments and advocating the creation of this new Office on Women. The letter can be viewed at www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/resources/LettertoPresidentElect.pdf. This office would address not only the status of women, but also the many inequities that women face in our society, our nation, and our world. The director of the office would be a cabinet level official and report directly to the President. Establishing this office would be a giant leap toward equality.
Because women, especially women of color, are differently affected by so many laws and policies – from health care to the economy – it is critical that women be taken into account as the new administration makes key decisions. Women need an advocate at the table whose specific responsibility is considering and weighing in on the possible impact of these decisions on women’s opportunities for advancement. A Cabinet-level office is the most effective way to accomplish this goal.
Action Requested
Please send a letter to President Obama asking him to create a Cabinet-level Office on Women.
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