Social Work Profession Recruits New Students During National Social Work Month
from NASW
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has kicked off its annual Social Work Month celebration with an outreach effort aimed at educating prospective and returning college students about the great purpose and countless possibilities of the social work profession. To improve public awareness and understanding of social work careers, NASW has developed an interactive microsite at 50ways.helpstartshere.org. More

March Madness - Social Work Style
from NASW IL
The Chapter is at the start of its "March Madness," no not your NCAA brackets, although that consumes a lot of non NASW time (go Illini), but the large number of events, awards lunches, etc... that take place across the state during Social Work Month. This past week, was just an example. More

New Law Expands Federal Health Privacy Requirements and Enforcement
from NASW
The economic stimulus package (H.R. 1), signed by the President on Feb. 17, 2009, is a sweeping federal law that will significantly impact social workers both professionally and personally. Among the most critical components of the Act for clinical social work practice is a section known as the, "Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act," which authorizes critical new health records' privacy and security provisions, which NASW strongly supported. More

Crisis Agencies Prep for Wave of Returning Soldiers with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
from The Chicago Sun-Times
Christopher France was among the young soldiers who led the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, riding in the ninth vehicle to cross the border. There are several ways to measure his time there. Two tours. Two vertebrae injuries and four bulging discs from bone-rattling explosions. One gunshot to the leg. The 15 people he killed. What's harder to measure is what the U.S. Army soldier lost in Iraq. "I am not me anymore," France said. More

Bullying May be Factor in Some Youth Suicides in Illinois
from The Associated Press via The Chicago Tribune
Trying to come to grips with the recent suicides of three young children, Illinois lawmakers are asking experts for advice about how to prevent future tragedies. "We are living at an incredibly stressful time in this country and studies have shown that there is an effect on kids' brains that have been chronically exposed to stress and that ultimately it can lead to ... development of mental health disorders or issues," said Dr. Diahann Meekins Moore, associate director for psychiatric services at the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services. More

Untreated Psychiatric Disorders Common in Single Mothers on Welfare
from the American Medical Association via Newswise
Urban single mothers nearing the end of their welfare eligibility appear more likely to have substance use and psychiatric disorders than women in the general population, and often do not receive treatment, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. More

Eating Disorder is an Illness, Not a Choice
from The Detroit Free Press
Ten million U.S. women and 1 million men struggle with an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Eating disorders are mental illnesses with often serious physical ramifications, like heart abnormalities, bone loss and tooth decay. Anorexia is when a person refuses to eat and actually starves. Bulimia is when a person overeats and then induces vomiting. People with these disorders use food and the control of food to help deal with emotions like low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. More

One in 50 American Children Experiences Homelessness; States' Responses Often Fall Short
from The Associated Press via The Chicago Tribune
One of every 50 American children experiences homelessness, according to a new report that says most states have inadequate plans to address the worsening and often-overlooked problem. "These kids are the innocent victims, yet it seems somehow or other they get left out," said Dr. Ellen Bassuk, president of the National Center on Family Homelessness. "Why are they America's outcasts?" More

Upcoming Events SWA: Jan Reisch "Employee Assistance Programs-What Do They Really Do?" (3/12/09) Interviewing 101 (3/12/09) Networking Event (3/12/09) Movie Night "Life Support" (3/16/09) SWA: Cheri Sinnott "Positive Behavior Support Plans" (3/20/09) Chicago District Awards Event (3/20/09) Three Rivers District Awards Event (3/20/09) Jane Addams Distric Awards Event (3/20/09) LSW/LCSW Review Course (3/27/09) SWA: Jay Stone "Clinical Hypnosis" (4/2/09) SWA: Phillip Elbaum "Extramarital Affairs" (4/24/09)