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THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER® Social Work E-News
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Issue #24, November 13, 2002
EDITOR'S EYE
Dear Social Work Colleagues,
Welcome to Issue #24 of the Social Work E-News. This e-mail newsletter is brought to you by the publisher of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER magazine and other social work publications.
One of our subscribers, Dante Tipiani, wrote to me about National Family Caregivers Month, which is being celebrated during the month of November. Dante works at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York and is working on a project called NetofCare. This online community resource network for caregivers of patients with serious medical illnesses will "target individual caregivers and strive to empower them by validating their caregiver roles, promoting informed participation in medical care, and meeting their evidence-based needs with a network of planned services." The web site is still under construction, and will be located at http://www.netofcare.org
All of us are or will be caregivers-personal, professional, or both-at some time in our lives. I've included in this newsletter some information about National Family Caregivers Month and what some people and organizations are doing to recognize the importance of caregiving.
CHAT REMINDER--TONIGHT
.NOVEMBER 13
. Join us for a chat with Jan Ligon, Ph.D., LCSW, on "Surviving Your Field Placement." The chat is from 9-10 p.m. EST in the chat room at http://www.socialworkgradschool.com (follow the chat room link).
Since the last newsletter, I attended the BPD conference in Pittsburgh. It was great to see many of you there. Besides exhibiting in the exhibit hall, I gave a short presentation on my book THE FIELD PLACEMENT SURVIVAL GUIDE, and attended excellent workshops on student social work club leadership building and an innovative BSW student peer assistance program. It's always stimulating to hear what others are doing in the field!
Until next time,
Linda Grobman, ACSW, LSW
Publisher/Editor
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER®
http://www.socialworker.com
linda.grobman@paonline.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
News
Feature
Calendar of Events
Gift Ideas
Job Corner
Newsletter Necessities
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NEWS
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Dare to Dream: The Massachusetts Campaign for America's Professional Social Workers
In the Spring of 2000, a group of professional social workers started to meet to strategize about how to improve the public image of the social work profession in Massachusetts and how to make the profession's expertise and resources more readily available to consumers.
The Massachusetts Campaign for America's Professional Social Workers (MCAPSW) began in the Fall of 2001 after the development of a brand name and tag line, "America's Professional Social Workers: Making Real Life Work. Better." The vision of the MCAPSW is to promote the potentials and resources that professional social work offers for bringing positive solutions to life's problems into the lives of Massachusetts consumers and their communities. The campaign makes a particular point of emphasizing the fact that social work is a skilled "profession" and that a professional social worker is defined as holding a BA, MSW or Ph.D. in social work.
Recently, the organization received 501(c)3 status, opening many new opportunities for bringing this campaign to the public. The campaign theme "Dare to Dream" is inspiring professional social workers to work together to change negative perceptions of the profession and to dream of the possibilities for bringing about a greater understanding of what social workers do.
For information on this campaign, visit the campaign's web site for professional social workers at http://www.SocialWorkImage.org/ and the developing public web site designed to be a primary resource for individuals and communities at http://www.MakingLifeWorkBetter.org
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APIA Conference-CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
"Challenges and Triumphs: Collaborating for Social Justice in Asian Pacific Islander American Communities" will be held Friday-Saturday, March 21-22, 2003 at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.
This conference is an exciting opportunity for practitioners, educators, activists, and students to engage in cross-disciplinary, cross-practice, and inter-ethnic and intra-racial dialogue about social justice work in Asian Pacific Islander American communities, primarily focused on APIA communities in the Midwest.
Submissions are now being accepted for presentations and workshops. Practitioners, educators, and students are encouraged to submit proposals. Presentations should focus on efforts to promote the well-being and civil rights of APIAs. Examples include: civic engagement and leadership programs; collaborative efforts; community organizing efforts; educational programs; employment services; historical perspectives; mental health services; public health campaigns and services; social services for the elderly, immigrants and refugees, women, youth; student organizing efforts.
All submissions must be postmarked or emailed by December 1, 2002.
This conference is hosted by the Coalition of Asian Pacific American Social Work Students and Invisible No Longer: APIs in Social Work Education (A Curriculum Enhancement Project). Both hosts are affiliated with the University of Michigan School of Social Work. For more information, e-mail: apaconf@hotmail.com.
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PBS Interactive Presents ...
P.O.V.'s BORDERS - A WEB-BASED DOCUMENTARY FOR EDUCATORS and STUDENTS
WHAT IS BORDERS?
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/
If you're interested in cross-cultural dialogue or if you just love a good story, then watch and participate in P.O.V.'s Borders--PBS's first Web-only documentary series.
It's about migration. It's about life changes. Border crossings. A border can be a boundary between countries, or a point in one's life: leaving home, growing older, a new job, a new town, or any other point in life where one crosses from one thing to another.
Every week, Borders will feature: new episodes of the interactive drama, "Leaving Elsa," featured guests, lesson plans, and MORE.
Visit the Borders introduction page here:
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/
* BORDERS LESSON PLANS *
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/stories/school.html
You can use Borders as a learning tool with students in grades 7-12. Some of the current lessons include: "Using P.O.V.'s Borders Snapshots & Art as Symbolic Journalism," and "Storytelling and the Power of Personal Narrative."
Download the Borders lesson plan here:
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/stories/school.html
LEAVING ELSA - Three Teens Cross Life's Great Border - Leaving Home *
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/stories/index.html
At the core of the Borders series is "Leaving Elsa," a ten-week interactive drama following the lives of three teenagers from the US-Mexico border. Cecilia, Kate, and Gilbert are from the Elsa, Texas area and each will videotape weekly video journals, creating intimate portraits of their lives as they face their biggest transition: leaving home. Their stories. Their words. Leaving Elsa is produced by filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz.
Watch Leaving Elsa here:
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/stories/index.html
ASK THE FEATURED GUEST - Authors, Experts, and Artists Answer Visitor Questions *
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/talk/index.html
What are the borders in your life? Talk with these authors on "Border Talk." Every week, Borders will feature a different writer, cultural critic, policy maker, or activist who will field questions about what "borders" mean to our world. You or your students can send our guests questions from the Borders site.
Guests include: Dagoberto Gilb, Eljah Wald, Luis Rodriguez, Sherman Alexie, Claire Fox, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Rebecca Walker.
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/borders/talk/index.html
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FEATURE
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Caregivers urged to take care of themselves
November proclaimed National Family Caregivers Month
For people who spend their time taking care of ailing or elderly loved ones, personal needs can get pushed aside.
Caregivers need care, too-that's the message as the National Family Caregivers Association has designated November as National Family Caregivers Month. Organizers say now is the time to honor, thank, support, assist, educate and celebrate our nation's more than 54 million family caregivers.
"The caregiving face may be young, old, male, female, rich or poor, and every one of us, at any time, could become a member of this rapidly growing caregiving community," said Shirley Loflin, editor of Family Caregiving Community Communications for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development at Georgia Southwestern State University. "One certainty is that caring for another's every need, making life or death decisions, being on call 24/7 and dealing with many unknowns is a tough, demanding, and in some instances, an isolated, thankless job."
Loflin, herself a caregiver, is also an advocate for caregiving issues.
"A caregiver can either accept their situation and move on or they can stagnate in self pity," Loflin said. "No one can care for you but yourself, so choose to live fully by establishing a regular routine and setting goals for yourself."
Loflin has the following tips for caregivers:
· Set aside some private space. Even if it's just one corner of a room, make it yours and retreat there for renewal.
· Do not burn yourself out so much so that resentment towards your care receiver takes over.
· Find a friend or a network of friends to share thoughts with. Venting is a great release of tension and just "talking it over" sometimes makes a problem not as large as it seems.
· Get plenty of sleep. Nap when the care receiver naps.
· Remember to eat a balanced diet. You need it as much as the person you are caring for does.
· Do not do for them what they can do for themselves.
· Do not be afraid to ask for help from outside resources and then accept it.
· Being a martyr hurts no one but you.
· Always ask the care receiver's opinion or advice on things.
· Do not deny what has happened. Accept it and move to improve things as they are now.
· No arguing...this accomplishes nothing but resentment.
· Do not give up your right to a well-rounded life of your own. Pursue your own interests.
· Try to incorporate some sort of moral booster into your life...such as lunch with a friend, a present for yourself or small indulgence.
· Know that you are not alone: seek a support group and educate yourself about caregiving and learn whatever you can about the disease or disability your special person battles.
· Take some risks, otherwise you will never know or grow or experience the wonderful things life has to offer.
· Learn that rehabilitation is not the same as recovery. In other words, do not expect miracles and become disappointed.
· Keep a positive attitude and smile. Remember you can choose what kind of day you will have. Make it a good one.
· Do not feel guilty while taking care of yourself. Guilt has no place in good caregiving.
· Do not feel sorry for yourself and never give up.
"Caregiving is a tough job, but remember, accept your situation, build on what is left, and don't be afraid to ask for help and then accept it," Loflin said.
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development was formed in honor of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1987. Through research, education and training, the RCI promotes the mental health and well-being of individuals, families and professional caregivers; encourages effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities. These goals are met by forming partnerships with professionals, groups and individuals to deliver education and training programs, research and program evaluation around care needs, and policy and advocacy efforts that promote healthy individual development and increase community caregiving.
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For more ideas on how organizations, individuals, and employers can participate in National Family Caregivers Month, see http://www.alzheimersdisease.com/caregiver/support/nfca/caregiving/month.asp and http://www.findingourway.net/newsletters/newsletter_09.htm
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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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! To chat, go to our home page at http://www.socialworker.com and click on the "Chat Now" button.
We have scheduled author chats on our Social Work Grad School site. TONIGHT, November 13, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, join Jan Ligon-who wrote several chapters with Jim Ward in THE FIELD PLACEMENT SURVIVAL GUIDE (as well as articles for THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER)-for a chat about field placement issues. The chat can be accessed from the main page of the site at http://www.socialworkgradschool.com
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GIFT IDEAS
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SPECIAL 15% DISCOUNT OFFER
Are you looking for a gift for a colleague or friend? Or putting together your own holiday "wish list"? Please visit http://www.whitehatcommunications.com/store for a complete listing and easy online ordering of all our social work, nonprofit management, and other books and products. When you check out, enter Coupon Code HOLIDAY02 to receive a 15% discount on your entire order, from now through the end of November!
SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER MAGAZINE
Subscriptions make great gifts! THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER is our print magazine, published since 1994, which is published quarterly. It includes articles on social work ethics, field placement, practice specialties, and a lot more. If you are not a subscriber yet and would like to be, go to http://www.socialworker.com for more information. For a listing of articles in the Fall issue, go to http://www.socialworker.com/current.htm
And an added bonus
the above-mentioned holiday discount is good on subscriptions, too, when ordered from our online store.
NOVELTY GIFTS FOR THE SOCIAL WORKER WHO HAS EVERYTHING
At the request of some of our readers, we have made a few novelty items available. They include mugs, tote bags, tile coasters, even cute little teddy bears (for a limited time)-all with the slogan "I AM A SOCIAL WORKER!" Order these items from http://www.cafepress.com/socialworker
We also still have buttons with this same slogan, available from our online store at http://www.whitehatcommunications.com/store
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JOB CORNER
The Ohio Dominican University Social Work Program invites applications for an Assistant Professor tenure track faculty position at the baccalaureate level. The position requires a Ph.D. in social work and the Masters of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program. A minimum of two years post-masters social work practice experience is required. We are seeking candidates with a strong interest in generalist social work curriculum and practice based in a commitment to social justice. Opportunities exist to teach gerontology curriculum within the Social Work Program.
Inquiries should be directed to:
Dr. Nancy Beran
Chair, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Ohio Dominican University
1216 Sunbury Road
Columbus, Ohio 43219
phone: 614/251-4781
fax: 614/252-0776
e-mail: berann@ohiodominican.edu
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Please visit our specialty job site at http://www.socialworkjobbank.com for additional current job listings. Please let employers know that you saw their listings in the SOCIAL WORK E-NEWS and at SocialWorkJobBank.com.
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NEWSLETTER NECESSITIES
You have subscribed to receive this free newsletter, which is brought to you by the publisher of THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER®, the quarterly print magazine for social work students and recent graduates. Instructions are as follows:
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To see previous issues of this newsletter, go to the public archive page, located at:
http://www.yourmailinglistprovider.com/pubarchive.php?lindagwhc
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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
linda.grobman@paonline.com
http://www.socialworker.com
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Advertising:
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News:
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Copyright 2002 White Hat Communications. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this entire newsletter, with all information intact, by e-mail to social work colleagues, students, and others interested in social work, for personal use only. You may also print out this newsletter for personal use. All other uses of this material require permission from the publisher at linda.grobman@paonline.com
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER is a registered trademark of White Hat Communications.
Linda Grobman, ACSW, LSW
Editor/Publisher
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER
http://www.socialworker.com 