Social Work Month Project 2020
Trauma Work in a Traumatized World
Helping a person to heal old wounds that may have once been far too deep to touch is like dancing an imperfectly choreographed dance, one with an inspirationally dynamic leader, and where oftentimes, the “expert” becomes the follower.
A Letter to My Social Work Friends From Coast to Coast: You Make a Difference During This Difficult Time
Happy Social Work Month! What a month it has been! We have trained for this. Whatever role you have in this pandemic, I want you to know, you make a difference!
L’dor Va’dor - From Generation to Generation
The 2020 Social Work Month theme, Social Workers: Generations Strong, reminds me of the Hebrew phrase, L’dor Va’dor. The English translation means from generation to generation.
Dedication to the Social Work Profession: Gilda Cobb-Hunter and Her Service
Gilda Cobb-Hunter was the first African American woman elected to the South Carolina State House of Representatives. She is the longest-serving African American and female, and she's a social worker.
Social Workers’ Role in Combating Slavery-to-Prison Pipeline
The 13th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, praised for the abolishment of slavery, leaves a gaping hole open for enslaving people punished for a crime. Social work must be at the forefront of the ongoing struggle for freedom.
Conservatorship: A Sacred Trust
Challenging, interesting, demanding, and satisfying all describe the role of conservator/trustee. There is no question, the education and experience of a professional social worker is a match to assume a conservatorship.
Finding My Space in Social Work With Veterans
Although I am a passionate advocate for all vulnerable populations, my heart is called to serve our United States veterans. Part of this can be attributed to my connections to the military.
Not Your Mother’s Social Work
It's not your mother's (or your grandmother's) social work. It is uniquely the social work profession of the current and future generation of social workers who are willing to stretch professional boundaries and find new ways of meeting needs.
Sit Down. I Can Do It On My Own. Amplifying the Voices of Older Adults
Over the years, I’ve had many opportunities to learn from social workers, direct care workers, and most importantly, older adults about what loss of voice and agency looks like. And they tell me. I listen and amplify their voice.
Self-Care Is Not Always Instagrammable
Real self care is not necessarily Instagrammable. No one wants to see pictures of me getting regular blood work to monitor a chronic illness, but that is some of the best self-care I can do.
Because of My Intern, I'm a Better Social Worker
I met an intern who altered my life course. Passionate about social work, Julie was the kind of intern who makes teaching a delight. I thought I would be handing off beads to add to her own string of knowledge, but she grew mine exponentially.
Learning is Life: Thoughts on Academic Social Work
Academic social work. Is this really a field of practice? Some may question this designation. These are my reasons for my decades-long commitment to this field, particularly in the teaching of basic counseling and advanced clinical skills.
Finance: An Important Area of Macro Social Work Practice
I work in an important area of social work: finance. At first, this may not appear to be a natural fit with the profession. Given what’s at stake, our profession needs to engage in issues of finance and the macro economy. I implore you to join me.
Social Work, Foster Care, and the Day I Was Rescued
The foster care system is an important entity in regard to the mental health and well-being of a child. I am a living witness to the power of foster care social work, and I remain grateful for what they did for me.
NACDD Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month logo features artwork by Jamila Rahini
Developmental Disabilities and Opportunities for Social Work Careers
March is both Social Work Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Developmental disabilities work offers a wide array of opportunities for social work practitioners, administrators, advocates, and leaders.
To You…We Throw the Torch
We owe our supervisors and mentors a debt of gratitude for the time, passion, skill, vision, and wisdom that they pass along to the next generation of social workers. Thank you, dear Patti and Martha, and all the other wonderful social work mentors.
Art by Martha Maury Rothblum
The Importance of Human Relationships in a Time of Social Distancing (World Social Work Day 2020)
The 2020 World Social Work Day (WSWD) theme was "Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships." How do we maintain relationships during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic? Stay in touch.
Healing Through Narrative: Supporting Black Girls and Womxn
My work is so important to me, because it leads with the wisdom of Black Womxn ancestors long before me, as well as those still working diligently today. I implore you to greet your clients, all Black girls and Womxn, and me, with a smile.
Inclusion? A Golden Thread in the Tapestry of Generational Strength
I was at a conference and feeling a wave of impostor syndrome. Colleagues were working in tandem at reframing my marginalized identities. Even though I didn’t once utter the source of my distress, they knew. They had seen it in their own lives.
Addressing the Social Determinants of Health - National Academies Report Recognizes Social Worker Role
Housing is health. Climate is health. Financial capability is health. Education is health. Social justice is health. If all social workers work to improve a “slice” of the “health pie,” we can perhaps find a unity of purpose that has evaded us.
