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IN THIS ISSUE
Letter to the Editor
News
Feature Articles
Calendar of Events
In Print
Job Corner
Newsletter Necessities
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Linda,
I am a social work student, and I will have my BSW this semester. I wanted to thank you for reminding all of us that there are still the everyday tragedies out there and that they did not stop when the Sept. 11th tragedy happened. Every day [in my work and my practicum], I see the homeless families and single people that are so much in need of help. Please do not get me wrong; my heart goes out to all of those people who were touched by Sept 11th, but as social workers we have an obligation to stay focused on the personal perils of our clients and the environment that brought them to this situation. Your statement really touched me and it will bring me back to your newsletter.
Thank You,
Kristy A. Brennan
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NEWS
CALL FOR WRITERS
We welcome submissions to THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER®'S SOCIAL WORK E-NEWS. If you would like to contribute a feature or news article to this newsletter, please contact Linda Grobman (
We also welcome article submissions to the print magazine, THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER, which is our national magazine for social work students and recent graduates. News articles run 100-150 words. Features are 1500-2000 words. Please contact Linda Grobman to determine interest in your article's topic.
Thank you!
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FEATURE ARTICLES
HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT SHOULD REMAIN A NATIONAL PRIORITY
By Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez
(WASHINGTON, DC) As we assess the threat of further terrorist attacks, new challenges are testing the nation's resolve and determination. Without question, we must devote the critical resources necessary to defend the American homeland from threats of biological, chemical, cyber, and nuclear attacks. Emergency response preparedness, security at nuclear power plants and local aquifers, and the improved screening at airports and other transportation centers, though burdensome and costly, are key components to an appropriate terrorism response.
But in this time of new challenges, we must not forget old ones either. The ravages of disease have not taken a vacation in this new era.
December 1st marks World AIDS Day, a stark reminder that death comes in many forms. September 11th taught us that no nation is immune to the horrors of terrorism. December 1st should remind us that the same is true for deadly diseases.
Twenty years after HIV was first documented by the Centers for Disease Control, AIDS has claimed close to 25 million victims world-wide. The global epidemic has devastated the rich and poor, the famous and not-so-famous, the young and old. From villages in sub-Saharan Africa to colonias on either side of the US-Mexico border, communities around the world have suffered the ravages of AIDS.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates over 900,000 Americans have contracted HIV. Another 250,000 Americans are believed to live without the knowledge that, they, too, have been infected. In these situations, the tragedy is doubled. Those who are unknowingly infected lose precious time in treating the AIDS-causing virus and the disease has a much higher probability of spreading.
Despite reports indicating a decline in AIDS diagnoses in the United States, the domestic HIV infection rate remains at an overwhelming 40,000 new cases each year. Among Hispanic and African American communities, the HIV infection rate is growing at an alarming pace. AIDS infection is still one of the leading causes of death among Hispanics aged 24 to 44. AIDS is the leading killer of African-Americans - accounting for more deaths than homicide, drugs and alcohol, cancer and heart disease combined.
Outside the United States, these statistics are even more tragic. Worldwide, more than 8,000 men, women and children die from AIDS everyday and more than 36 million people are living with HIV. The CDC predicts that this number will increase to 100 million in the next 5 years.
World AIDS Day, the only international day of coordinated action against AIDS, brings messages of compassion, hope, solidarity and understanding to virtually every corner of the globe. It's about fighting the prejudices faced by people living with HIV, and it's about motivating decision makers to take action. The fight against HIV and AIDS is far from over.
Recently, I joined several of my colleagues in the House of Representatives to urge President Bush to devote more than $1 billion to combating the global spread of HIV/AIDS, and other deadly, contagious diseases. Around the world, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combine to kill more than 17,000 men, women and children every day. The $1 billion we seek would be allocated to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to support a wide range of results-based interventions, from education and prevention to the procurement of drugs to be used in the testing and treatment of those at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The first step in treating any health epidemic is to heighten public awareness. If we do the job of educating right, people will have the tools to seek the proper health care and avoid the emergency situations that result from neglect. At home, Federal initiatives have brought valuable resources to the war against AIDS, but education remains the most effective tool in disease prevention. Unfortunately, in too many parts of the world, people have neither the resources nor the ability to seek treatment. We should not forget that the global spread of infectious diseases often reaches our shores.
While researchers continue their quest for a cure, hundreds of thousands of Americans infected with HIV and AIDS are caught in a painful battle against the fatal disease and against a prohibitively expensive health care system. Outside the United States many millions more lack even the basic knowledge to prevent the spread of these diseases.
Education and early intervention work. We can help overcome the AIDS epidemic by promoting education and prevention efforts in communities throughout the world and provide individuals who are at risk the opportunity to seek testing and treatment.
Congressman Rodriguez is the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Health Care Task Force. He is also a social worker.
For more information:
World AIDS Day-http://www.worldaidsday.org
Congressman Rodriguez' Home Page-http://www.house.gov/rodriguez/
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A FRESH GRADUATE'S PERSPECTIVE ON GRADUATION DAY
by Njuguna John
In Kenya, only the University of Nairobi among the state-run Universities offers a comprehensive social work training program. I am a product of the program and together with my other colleagues (17 of them) we shall join the University of Nairobi on 26th Nov for graduation ceremony.
As a trained social worker, I would like the rest of the world to share with me these thoughts that have occupied my mind. We are in an era that tends to disregard the human well-being perspective at the expense of other aspects.
In Kenya, as in America, the need to wield more political and business influence has left the ordinary people reduced to poverty, illiteracy, poor health, joblessness and more so politically influenced intercommunity clashes.
As such, the challenge of social work in Kenya becomes very real. However, as a fresh graduate, I feel that the Kenyan social workers do not have a forum for which they can brace themselves to the challenges. Our hospitals have fewer competent social workers, yet the authorities do not see the need to hire qualified social workers. Our prisons do not have the services of social workers since conviction is almost equal to lack of basic human rights, and our families are constantly experiencing physical and psychological suffering.
Perhaps the unpleasant look of the children suffering in the slums from lack of sufficient love, care, space and medical services (not to mention social services) needs to be tackled with the help of other practising social workers, wherever they could be found.
Thus, there is less hope for our country, yet there is so much light if only the necessary steps would be taken by the social workers, the government, and the people themselves. I am reminded that this is not a case of Kenya alone, as most developing and the developed countries have to grapple with the same challenge.
As we graduate on the 26th Nov. this year, we will need to adopt a perspective of service to the poor, to the unhealthy, to the homeless and a genuine willngness to show the authorities the place of social work practice. To this, I urge all fellow social workers to give us tips and ideas on how to achieve the goal.
Finally, to all those graduating in social work in all parts of the world, to those looking for internships and to all those commited to the progress of social work, I congratulate you. Let us serve the suffering world.
For more information:
University of Nairobi-http://www.uonbi.ac.ke/
Internation Federation of Social Workers-http://www.ifsw.org
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A TIME FOR GIVING
by Linda May Grobman
At this time of year, many of us are in a "giving" mode. You may be going to an agency holiday party, or your family may have a tradition of giving gifts for the winter holidays. If you are looking for a meaningful way to give during the holiday season, there are many charities that offer ways to give to your family and friends while also giving to others.
One example is the Child Welfare League of America. I received this organization's "Giftables" catalog just last week. They offer children's books, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry, cards, and other items. You can find more information about CWLA at http://www.cwla.org. The giftable items are listed at http://www.cwla.org/pubs.
What do you get for that person who has everything? A unique idea is offered by Heifer International. Through this organization, you can "give" a cow, goat, pig, sheep, rabbit, baby chicks, bees, geese or ducks, llama, buffalo, or trees. In essence, this organization provides livestock to recipient families in need around the world to help them become self-reliant. The recipient families in turn agree to "pass on the gift" by giving their animals' offspring to other needy families. You can "purchase" one of these animals (or part of one) in honor of your friend or family member. Heifer International will send you a gift card (or you can print it out online or send it by e-mail) to send to the person you are honoring with your gift. For more info, see http://www.heifer.org.
There are many other charitable ways to give during the holiday season, from buying gift items from charities to simply donating money in someone's honor. So, when you're doing your holiday shopping this year, consider doing it through the charity of your choice.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 1-World AIDS Day. On December 1, you can help in the fight against AIDS by (1) finding out more about HIV and AIDS, (2) donating your time or money to your local HIV/AIDS organizations, and (3) wearing the Red Ribbon as a symbol of HIV and AIDS awareness. To find out more about what you can do, see http://www.worldaidsday.org.
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Stop by THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER's chat room on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Rich Bott, BSW, is doing a great job of hosting the lively discussion of social work issues. Rich has been a regular on our Web site's message board since his BSW student days, and he is a dedicated volunteer chat host! Beginning in January 2002, Rich will also host chats on Wednesday evenings, 9 p.m. EST.
To chat, go to our home page at http://www.socialworker.com and click on the "Chat Now" button.
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IN PRINT: 30% HOLIDAY DISCOUNT ON SOCIAL WORK BOOKS, ITEMS
White Hat Communications, the publisher of this newsletter, publishes several social work-related publications. We are offering a 30% discount to our newsletter subscribers on all of our products from now until December 21, 2001. To receive the discount, go to http://www.whitehatcommunications.com and click on the link to our secure online store. When you place your order, use Coupon Code ENEWS2001 when you check out. If you do not wish to order online, print out the mail/fax order form and include a note that you are deducting the 30% Social Work E-News subscribers' discount.
Here are some of the publications we have available:
PROFESSIONAL BOOKS
Days in the Lives of Social Workers: 50 Professonals Tell Real-Life Stories from Social Work Practice
Guide to Selecting and Applying to Master of Social Work Programs, 4th Edition
Welcome to Methadonia: A Social Worker's Candid Account of Life in a Methadone Clinic
The Nonprofit Handbook
The Nonprofit Organization's Guide to E-Commerce
Improving Quality and Performance in Your Nonprofit Organization
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
The New Social Worker: The Magazine for Social Work Students and Recent Graduates
CONSUMER-ORIENTED BOOKS
Why is My Baby Crying: The 7-Minute Program for Soothing the Fussy Baby
Choosing an Online Therapist
Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child
For complete information on all of our publications and products, see http://www.socialworker.com and/or http://www.whitehatcommunications.com.
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JOB CORNER
SUPPORTIVE LIVING COORDINATOR
San Diego County/Community Interface Services is a non-profit organization that assists adults with developmental disabilities, in part, by promoting community inclusion. We are seeking a Supported Living Coordinator to supervise staff and service coordination for a small caseload of individuals. The coordinator travels throughout the county. Related bachelor's or master's degree, experience in developmental disablility service delivery, and some supervisory experience preferred. Competitive salary, plus an extensive benefit array. For information contact: 760-729-3866, http://www.communityinterfaceservices.org, or fax resume and salary history to (760)729-0517. EOE
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BOSTON
Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston (BGCB), a premier youth development organization serving 6-18 year olds in four neighborhoods in Boston and in Chelsea is currently seeking candidates for a social worker at the Roxbury Clubhouse.
This position serves as a crucial resource within the Club, providing a variety of short-term social services to members and their families. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, advocacy and tracking, organizing psycho-educational groups for members, consulting with Clubhouse staff, running training workshops for staff, developing community resources, and participating in weekly individual and group clinical supervision sessions. Qualifications: MA in Social Work, MA L.C.S.W., minimum 2-3 years pre- or post- Masters experience with inner city youth and their families, strong communication and organizational skills; MS office and web competency preferred, ability to work with youth and families from a variety of backgrounds and work independently and as part of a team; flexibility to work clubhouse hours especially as seasons and service needs change; valid driver's license required. This is a full time position (Mon-Fri, 1-8pm) with compensation commensurate with experience; full benefits package is available.
Interested candidates should submit application materials to: Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, 50 Congress Street, Suite 730, Boston, MA, 02109, Attn: Job Openings. Fax: (617) 994-4701. Email: momara@bgcb.org
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FAMILIES FIRST INC. is hiring masters level social workers in CA. for the following locations: Oakland, Concord, San Jose, Fresno, Stockton and Sacramento. We also have Supervisor, Program Manager, Counselor, MHRS/MHC positions in various locations. We are the premier provider of services to children and families in Northern CA, and pay competitive salaries and provide superior benefits. See our website: http://www.familiesfirstinc.org. for detailed job descriptions, locations, benefits, etc.
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COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT/ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR-SOCIAL WORK
The Joint Social Work Department is seeking applicants for an entry-level tenure-track assistant professor position beginning Fall 2002. Minimum requirement is an MSW plus two years of social work practice and Ph.D. (or ABD) in social work or related field. Applicants must be eligible for social work licensure in the State of Minnesota.
The program has a strong presence within the central Minnesota social service system, and offers the faculty members research opportunities to explore the intersection between social work and spirituality, gender, and leadership, in an increasingly diverse rural and urban geographic area. The Social Work Department is seeking expertise in teaching within the research and evaluation, administration, human behavior in a social environment, policy, and practice sections of the generalist curriculum. Social work faculty would also participate in institutional core curricular offerings.
St. John's University, a liberal arts college for men, and the College of St. Benedict, a liberal arts college for women, are located four miles apart in Central Minnesota just outside metropolitan St. Cloud and 70 miles from Minneapolis. Both are Catholic colleges in the Benedictine tradition, which emphasize quality teaching and a commitment to intercultural learning.
Send letter of application, curriculum vita, three recent letters of recommendation, statement of teaching philosophy, copies of transcripts (official transcripts required for interview) by February 1, 2002 to: Human Resources Coordinator, College of Saint Benedict, 37 South College Ave, St. Joseph, MN 56374.
Screening will begin immediately and continue until filled. For more information, visit our web site at http://www.csbsju.edu
Women and people of diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are EEO/AA employers.
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For additional job listings, see our Jobs page at http://www.socialworker.com/jobs.htm. This page is updated continuously!
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ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® SOCIAL WORK E-NEWS is published by:
White Hat Communications (publisher of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® magazine and THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® ONLINE)
P.O. Box 5390
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0390
Linda Grobman, Editor
http://www.socialworker.com
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