HIGHLIGHTS 06 | Social Work Spotlight: Through the Generations 10 | Dilley Days: Crisis at the Border 14 | Social Work Month Calendar 16 | Our Gift to You – FREE CEUs 17 | Chapter Elections 18 | Annual Conference Preview 22 | What You Need to Know to Renew Your License in 2020
VOL 29•4 | MARCH 2020
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nkechi Okoli, President
CHAPTER OFFICE
Judyann McCarthy, 1st Vice President Jenny Conger, 2nd Vice President
NASW–NJ Chapter Office
Pat Spencer, Secretary
30 Silverline Drive, Suite 3 North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Ph:732.296.8070 www.naswnj.org
Sierra Spriggs, Northeast Regional Rep
Jennifer Thompson, MSW
Dawn Konrady, Southern Regional Rep
Executive Director jthompson.naswnj@socialworkers.org
Christina Mina, MSW
Frank Greenagel, Central Regional Rep Paula Barber, Northwest Regional Rep Megan O’Brien, Graduate Student Rep Thomas Cadmus, Undergraduate Student Rep
Director of Member Services cmina.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 117
Helen French Director of Development & Education hfrench.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 122
Jeff Feldman, MSW, LSW Director of Advocacy & Communications jfeldman.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 114 Annie Siegel, MSW Membership & Education Coordinator asiegel.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 128 Willis Williams
Office Manager wwilliams.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 110
Katherine Girgenti Graphic Designer kgirgenti.naswnj@socialworkers.org
Michelle Benloss MSW Intern mbenloss.naswnj@socialworkers.org
2 March March 2020 2020 | www.naswnj.org www.naswnj.org
UNIT LEADERS NASW-NJ has 12 units across the state of New Jersey. Atlantic/Cape May/ Cumberland Tanoa Bettis, Chair Janelle Fleming, Co-Chair Bergen/Passaic Melissa Donahue, Chair Nancy Martinez, Co-Chair Camden/Gloucester/Salem Danica Rivello, Chair Danielle Cranmer, Co-Chair Essex Felicia Fdyfil-Horne, Chair Ruby Sekhon, Co-Chair
Hudson Lauren Snedeker, Chair Jillian Holguin, Co-Chair
Morris Cheryl Cohen, Chair Veronica Grysko-Sporer, Co-Chair
Mercer/Burlington Mary Beth Kohler, Chair Miguel Williams, Co-Chair
Somerset/Hunterdon Margaret Ryan, Chair
Middlesex Joshua Collins, Chair
Sussex/Warren Dina Morley, Chair Afifa Ansari, Co-Chair
Monmouth/Ocean Jeanne Koller, Chair Denise Gaetano, Co-Chair
Union Chair & Co-Chair, Open
To learn more about Unit Leadership opportunities, contact asiegel.naswnj@socialworkers.org
NASW Legal Defense Fund Since 1972, NASW’s Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has provided financial assistance and support for legal cases and issues of concern to NASW members and the social work profession. LDF supports educational projects and programs to improve the legal status and knowledge of the social work profession. For more information, visit www.socialworkers.org/about/legal/legaldefensefund.
Cover Image: NASW-NJ members and staff share a rare quiet moment while volunteering with the Dilley Pro Bono Project in Texas. See page 10 for the story.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Message
|04
Chapter Elections Slate
|17
Executive Director’s Message
|05
2020 Annual Conference Preview
|18
Social Work Spotlight: Member Profiles - Through the Generations
Student Center
|20
|06 License Renewal
|22
Member Benefits
|09 Partner Spotlight: CareOne
|24
Advocacy in Action: Dilley Days: Crisis at the Border
|10
NASW Swag
|25
Social Work Month Calendar
|14
Classifieds
|26
Our Gift to You: Free CEUs
|16
Professional Development April-June |27
March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 3
President’s
MESSAGE
Dear Members: This month we celebrate Social Work Month—a time dedicated to recognizing the contributions we social workers have made to the field and in our communities at large. When I was a graduate student, I sat in classes with people transitioning from other fields of work because they realized being a part of the Social Work profession was their life calling. Now, I see many of those students among the ranks of our members. As members of NASW-NJ, each of us are one amongst more than 6,000 members across the state, creating a presence that cannot be ignored or silenced. We are a profession that loves what we do, recognizes our impact, and rises to the challenges in front of us. We do not shy away from tackling discrimination and fighting injustice. We are a profession of doers and we work tirelessly in the service of others. We continue to be at the table during grass roots initiatives, at the forefront of policy and legislative discussions, and champion change on both a micro and macro level.
Nkechi Okoli, MSW, LSW
As we transition from Black History Month to Social Work Month, I would be remiss if I did not take the opportunity to acknowledge some of the African American pioneers in our field. Trailblazers like Mary Church Terrell, George Edmund Haynes, Thyra J. Edwards, and Dorothy Height have played a crucial role in the progress of not only African Americans in this country, but all people who have experienced varying forms of discrimination and injustice. Let us all continue their legacy and the legacy of all those who have paved the way for the work we do. This month, I leave you with the words of former President Barack Obama: “Rejoice in this opportunity to change the world. If we stick with it, even if we can’t always see it ourselves, we will change the world for the better!” Change only happens if we make the decision to try. Let us continue to be the light amongst the darkness and the people rooting for the progress of the communities we serve. I am proud to be a Social Worker and a part of this growing community of servant leaders. I look forward to seeing you at one of the many events taking place during Social Work Month and at our Annual Conference this April.
Sincerely, Nkechi Okoli
4 March 2020 || www.naswnj.org www.naswnj.org
DESK OF
NASW- NJ’s Executive Director
Friends & Colleagues: Happy Social Work Month! This month celebrates all that you bring to the clients, organizations, and communities in which you serve. That’s an important word: “serve.” Social work is a profession of service. I believe we are called to this profession by that desire to help others, to give back—to be of service. I see that year-round, in all that you do. This year I have been fortunate to visit many of our members and learn about the work you do in your respective spaces. I have spent time within large organizations serving immigrant communities. I have visited addiction treatment centers and mental health organizations where you are serving clients at critical moments of crisis. I have shared meals at drop-in centers where you are serving our homeless community members. I have seen educators serving students daily. In every space, in every way, you give of your time and talent to strengthen our communities. As your membership organization, you trust that NASW will also be of service to you—our frontline warriors—making your roles easier, offering support as you navigate licensing, seek continuing education, and sort through complex legal issues. You rely on us to be your advocates for professional issues as well as advocates for the issues that impact our broader community.
Jennifer Thompson, MSW
I hope you’ll agree that we do so—and that we’re always seeking ways to do more. This year we’ve launched more free continuing education programs for members, offered more discounts on products and programs than we ever have before, and have responded to your desire for more full-day programs such as our upcoming Private Practice Symposium 2.0 (see pg. 21). We’re also busy building technology toolkits and partnerships that will support your work in new and innovative ways. This month, we’re making this issue of Focus available to our entire social work community—and we invite non-members to connect with the wonderful unit events, programs, and advocacy that we do yearround. It is my hope that you will (like I did) join or return to NASW to take advantage of all the services we offer to you. Like each of you, I was called to this profession—and the highlight of my career has been the opportunity to be of service to my friends and colleagues on the front lines. Your work humbles me, inspires me, and is the reason I believe we will overcome the adversity we face. I am grateful you choose NASW-NJ as your professional home and continue to give us the opportunity to be of service to you. In gratitude, Jennifer Thompson
March March2020 2020 || www.naswnj.org www.naswnj.org 5 5
SOCIAL WORK SPOTLIGHT
THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
“Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals and moral compasses.” -- Aleks Krotoski, author, broadcaster, journalist and social psychologist
Top photos: Mary Dixon in 1957 (left picture) and Mary present day behind the scenes with her daughter Kathy Dixon (right picture). Both are social workers.
6 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
As social workers, our profession is built upon powerful stories—the legacy of passionate advocates, helpers, and change agents whose impact is felt throughout history. We look to their work, their words, and their struggles to better understand our communities, how to work with people, and ways in which our predecessors were able to come together, rally, organize, and affect change. Our daily work builds upon their knowledge and experiences, serving as memory aids as to how far we have come
and, in many ways, how much work we have yet to do. Here in New Jersey, our social work community knows this to be true. Social workers of all ages, newly licensed and seasoned veterans, come together at NASW-NJ events to share their stories of challenge and triumph—adding to the growing legacy that makes our communities and our organization stronger. In celebration of Social Work Month, the
SOCIAL WORK SPOTLIGHT
THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
NASW-NJ team sat down with a few of our change,” she shares. “I look at the rallies we part of our family culture,” Mary shares. “It members, ranging in age from 21 to 95, and had. The movement of people, the feeling was never a surprise when Kathy decided who collectively represent hundreds of years’ we all had. We have to keep marching. We to pursue her [social work] degree.” While experience in service to others. Their stories need to rally. We need to continue showing Kathy and Mary practice in different areas have been preserved up and speaking truth to power,” she of social work, the calling to serve runs "...I was called in video and will be continues. “It’s the only way we affect deep and is one they are both committed to take more shared this month change.” to sharing with the next generation through action… so I in our Social Work teaching, leading and mentoring the students Often, social workers hear the call to Generations video. of today. became a social service from within their own families. Below are some of their worker.” Parents and children experience a The day of filming, Sam Bailey, MSW, in his reflections. shared passion for 80s, shared our waiting room “I didn’t go to the marches in the south [in advocacy, and the baton with Brittany Macaluso, 21—a “Our work as the 1960s]. I had children and a family passes to the next group of Senior in Monmouth University’s social workers to raise here, and I knew I couldn’t leave change makers. Such is the BSW program. We had the never ends,” them,” shares Margaret Carne, LCSW, 87, case of Kathy Dixon, MSW, opportunity to listen to the two says Sam. “The of them chat casually prior to and a lifelong member of NASW-NJ. “But I JD, and her mother, Mary watched the protests, the marches in Selma, Dixon, both of whom are filming. Sam had just retired problems of and I went to the rallies here. I marched in social workers. “Social justice today are those in January 2020 following Morristown and I remember the feeling of and social work were always a second career in the field we had in the that day and how it stayed with me. I was part of our conversation and of criminal justice—where he past. Poverty, called to take more action… so I became a family. There wasn’t a time originally intended to “work crime, racism… for just a short time” following social worker.” when NASW wasn’t on my kitchen table,” Kathy jokes. these aren’t new his first retirement. They quickly Margaret still maintains a private practice, found a shared passion for challenges..." where she sees clients several times a Mary raised her family with criminal justice social work, week. She is a passionate advocate for the a knowledge of the world around them, where Brittany also hopes to work someday, profession, and for students to learn from the importance of being of service, and helping persons who have been wrongfully and apply the lessons of the past to present giving back to the community. “It has always incarcerated. day. “I see how marches helped make been important to help others and it was March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 7
SOCIAL WORK SPOTLIGHT
THROUGH THE GENERATIONS
The exchange of ideas between the two was inspiring and an easy reminder of how the social work torch is passed from generation to generation, through both formal and informal connection. Connected now, Brittany and Sam have the opportunity to build upon his legacy of work, allowing her to learn from his rich experiences and providing her a solid foundation to build her work upon—leveraging the lessons of the past with the fervor of youth.
Behind the scenes with Jennie Ellis.
8 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
“Our work as social workers never ends,” says Sam. “The problems of today are those we had in the past. Poverty, crime, racism… these aren’t new challenges. Sharing my experience is important,” he continues. “I’ve worked and seen a lot. I know some of the needs that exist. If I can pass this information to someone else, they’ll start off at a better place, hopefully helping people get the services they need, faster.”
Indeed, the sharing of our stories among our profession is perhaps one of the most crucial activities a social worker can perform. It keeps the flame lit, reminds us from where we came, and illuminates the forward path. Our social work experiences, teachings, and ethics connect us across generations—from parent to child, teacher to student, and colleague to colleague—as we strive to build a better world. “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.” -- Robert F. Kennedy, U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Senator
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March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 9
DILLEY DAYS: CRISIS AT THE BORDER
ADVOCACY IN
ACTION
Immigrant Justice
Top photo: NASW-NJ members and other volunteers with the Dilley Pro Bono Project.
10 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
It was shortly before 8:30 a.m. on a Monday in February when, after passing through the equivalent of a TSA security checkpoint, we entered a sparsely appointed room, in a large trailer stationed on the grounds of the South Texas Family Residential Center. A small cadre of lawyers and paralegals— perhaps 4 or 5—were hustling around the room efficiently, setting up rows of plastic chairs on one half of the room—enough to seat 30-40 people—and making a large circle of perhaps 20 chairs on the opposite half of the room. They were the staff of the Dilley Pro Bono Project (DPBP), a local Texas partner in the Immigration Justice Campaign. Its mission is to serve the immigrant mothers
and children detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, TX (men and children over the age of 18 are separated from the women with younger children and are detained at other facilities). Our cohort of 9 social workers from the NASW-NJ Chapter was about to join their volunteer ranks for the week. Our volunteer experience began prior to our arrival in Dilley, with two advance trainings, one via videoconference and one in person at the legal clinic in San Antonio, to prepare us for what we would experience at the detention facility and to provide us a crash course in current asylum law, which would be crucial to our work on the ground.
That Monday morning saw a flurry of activity that we soon realized was the norm for this project. Women and children, black- and brown-skinned and speaking a variety of languages, began streaming into the room from the corridor that led to the holding facilities. The predominant language we heard was Spanish, but there was a significant amount of Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese, among other languages, peppered throughout. Children ranging in age from infancy to early teen years clung to their mothers’ legs or retreated to a small play area (no DPBP volunteers allowed). Some cried, but most seemed in good spirits, speaking with other children and exploring the facilities, as children are wont to do. About half the women were preparing to receive a charla, or informal chat, that explained the role of the DPBP staff and volunteers, provided information about the asylum process, and gave detainees a
chance to ask questions about the process. The remaining women in the room were “walk-ins,” detainees who had not been scheduled for legal consult or follow-up, but required assistance from the on the ground team, nonetheless. It was our job to provide preparation for Credible Fear Interviews (“CFI prep”) for the women who would present their cases to Asylum Officers over the next 24-48 hours. This appointment would determine whether they would be permitted to remain in the U.S. to pursue a claim of asylum. Those of us who spoke Spanish were immediately assigned to work with Spanish-speaking detainees; the remaining volunteers were assigned to work with detainees who spoke languages other than Spanish, via the use of a confidential phone interpretation service, Language Line.
“Those of us who spoke Spanish were immediately assigned to work with Spanish-speaking detainees; the remaining volunteers were assigned to work with detainees who spoke languages other than Spanish, via the use of a confidential phone interpretation service, Language Line.“
The task, regardless of the language in which it was conducted, was to help these women fit their personal narratives of trauma, discrimination, and abuse into the strict categories that allow for the granting of asylum under U.S. law. This required the women to reiterate their painful stories and their reasons for seeking asylum in our country, often a repeated number of times and in front of their children. March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 11
“Previously, upwards of 90% of asylum seekers that passed through the South Texas Family Residential Center would be permitted to remain in the U.S. to seek asylum before an immigration judge; in recent months that number has dropped below 60%.“
12 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
The stories we heard that day, and throughout the week, were chilling and the general circumstances similar, with only the specific nature of the traumas changing. There were stories of domestic violence. Political oppression. Religious oppression. Robbery. Rape. Arson. Unlawful imprisonment. Torture—conducted both by criminal enterprises (gangs, cartels) and by the state and local police in league with these villains. There were death threats made against women, children, and entire families by individuals who pursued them across local, regional, and in some cases international boundaries.
permitted into the U.S. annually—ensure the deck is stacked against these desperate migrants. Despite stating their intention to seek asylum at the border or soon after entering the United States, all these detainees had been placed in expedited removal proceedings. Expedited removal is the process by which certain immigrants are denied entry to and/or physically removed from the U.S., without going through the normal removal proceedings (which involve hearings before an immigration judge). The CFI prep sessions we conducted were designed to help these women get reassigned from expedited removal process to the standard removal
The likelihood of these women and children receiving asylum in the U.S. has decreased greatly over the past 6 months. Previously, upwards of 90% of asylum seekers that passed through the South Texas Family Residential Center would be permitted to remain in the U.S. to seek asylum before an immigration judge; in recent months that number has dropped below 60%. Policies, procedures, and Painting hung in the Dilley Ranch. Artist uknown. practices put in place by the Trump administration since July 2019—as well as severe limits process. This designation allows them the placed on the number of asylum-seekers legal right to remain in the U.S. while they
pursue a claim for formal asylum, which could take years.
in Dilley. She was working with an asylum-seeker whose case was likely to be upheld because it did not fit the strict requirements for asylum (meaning she would not be permitted lawful entrance to the U.S. or to an asylum hearing, and would instead be returned immediately to her home country). When the volunteer explained this to her, the woman responded: “Tell me, then... When I am sent back to [my home country], and I am killed by the same people I have just told you are trying to kill me…. What will your government do then?”
“Tell me, then... When I am sent back to [my home country], and I am killed by the same people I have just told you are trying to kill me…. What will your government do then?”
The work we undertook was difficult and fatiguing, both mentally and emotionally. We spent 9-10 hours per day working with the women at the detention facility, followed by an evening of finishing up case notes and data entry. Our group of volunteers became very close in a short amount of time. If it were not for the mutual support of our fellow volunteers and the dedicated staff of the DPBP, most of us would have burned out after a day or two. Our camaraderie and shared experience—as well as the persistent hope that the work we were doing would help even a small number of these women and their children—kept us afloat. Moreover, the undying spirit of the brave migrant women and children at the facility buoyed our spirits—glimpses of smiles, the occasional laughter of a child, and the pure graciousness of those who thanked us for our assistance, even as we told them they would most likely be returned to their country of origin.
Not all the stories are positive ones, though. And not all the endings happy. One of the volunteers on our trip shared the following story as we were debriefing our final evening
What will our government do, indeed? Right now, the sad answer is “nothing.” But as social workers, we can do something. We can tell the stories of the men, women, and children seeking asylum in our country. We can dispel myths about who is seeking to enter our country and why and speak out against false narratives. We can advocate for more humane asylum and immigration policies. We can use our freedom and our right to vote to bring change to our government. And we can challenge the dialogue around immigration that often reduces unique individuals with real problems and real lives to an undifferentiated
mass of humanity we label as “alien” or “other,” making it easier for many to turn away from their plight. As social workers, it is our job to help these individuals tell their own stories. It is our job to ensure those who have been silenced are heard. It is our job to inject humanity and ethical thought processes into the impersonal and exploitive systems that threaten to consign individuals to the undifferentiated mass. And it is our job to ensure that immigrants—indeed all disadvantaged persons—are not allowed to be relegated to the role of “other” or “less than” by a cruel and uncaring society. The reality is… the immigrant, the alien, the other—is me. And the other is you. The other is each of us and all of us at one time or another. And we must be the ones to offer a hand up when one of us is in need. As the ancient Rabbi Hillel famously asked: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” The time to stand up is now.
March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 13
GENERATIONS STRONG
SOCIAL WORK MONTH MARCH 2020 Join us throughout the month of March as we celebrate Social Work Month with a variety of unforgettable events! Unit/PPSIG Event CE Event Special Event Register now at: naswnj.org 14 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
Event Calendar 04 Wednesday • Bergen/Passaic Unit Event • Diversity & Inclusion Series #1
11 Wednesday • Licensure Exam Institute • Monmouth/ Ocean Unit Event
26 Thursday • Sip n’ Paint Networking Event • Sussex/Warren Unit Event
05 Thursday • LEAD Press Conference at State House • Essex Private Practice Meeting • Young Professional Networking Event
12 Thursday • Diversity & Inclusion Series #2 • Monmouth/Ocean Private Practice Meeting
27Friday • Private Practice Symposium
09 Monday
10 Tuesday
• North/Central Private Practice meeting • (2 CEU) ERPO Webinar • Morris Unit Event
23 Monday • Social Work Day at the UN
• (1 CEU) Fundraising Webinar • Mercer/Burlington Unit Event
25 Wednesday • Diversity & Inclusion Series #3 • (2 CEU) Culturally Competent Care of TGNC Webinar
April
01 Wednesday
• Technology Symposium
March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 15
To access go to: www.naswnj.org/Membership/NJ-Member-Freebies
16 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
SLATE
Chapter Elections As a membership organization, NASW-NJ’s leadership is comprised of elected officers who serve to guide the Chapter and represent its members. Each year, our Chapter Committee on Nominations & Leadership Identification (CCNLI) is charged with extending the opportunity for members to run for an elected office, vetting nominations and preparing a slate of candidates for the membership to vote upon. This year, the CCNLI Committee is proud to present to you the following candidates for election to NASW-NJ leadership.
ROLE
CANDIDATE 1
CANDIDATE 2
PRESIDENT
Widian Nicola
Lisa Lawson
2ND VP FINANCE
Dawn Konrady
Priscilla Carmona
SECRETARY
Ralph Cuseglio
Hania Schwartz
CENTRAL REGION REP
Caelin McCallum
Vimmi Kaumil
SOUTHERN REGION REP
Miriam Stern
MSW STUDENT REP
Jennifer Sorensen
BSW STUDENT REP
Jamie Terrone
CCNLI
Jenny Conger
Please stay tuned for more information on the candidates as we near the election. You’ll learn more about them in upcoming editions of FOCUS, newSWire and on the naswnj.org website.
Jessica Hecht
Sarah Miller
Voting will open digitally and by paper ballot at the NASW-NJ Annual Conference and run through May 31. March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 17
NASW-NJ ANNUAL CONFERENCE PREVIEW
In the Name of Culture?: Social Workers Response to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Forced Marriage Situations Tuesday's Keynote Presenters. Top: Mariama Diallo, LCSW. Bottom: Bushra Husain, LCSW.
18 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
Although forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) are internationally recognized as serious human rights violations, millions of women and girls around the world today live with the physically and psychologically damaging consequences of these practices. Moreover, forced marriage and FGM are not confined to distant shores. In 2013, more than 500,000 women and girls were estimated to be at risk of FGM across the United States (Population Reference Bureau 2013). In 2011, a national survey found as many as 3,000 known and suspected cases of forced marriage in the United States in immigrant communities from 56 different countries, as well as nonimmigrant communities (Tahirih Justice Center 2011). However, these issues are often underreported and may not be
seen by many service providers and law enforcement officers as forms of genderbased violence. Tuesday’s Keynote address at the NASW-NJ Annual Conference, presented by Mariama Diallo, LCSW and Bushra Husain, LCSW, will delve further into this topic and explore the fine line we tread when differentiating cultural practice from abusive and harmful behavior. Diallo, who grew up in Guinea, a small country in West Africa, says she lived in a world where gender-based violence was considered the norm, according to a December 2019 press release issued by the Rutgers University School of Social Work. “It is so ingrained in the culture that it is hard
to see it as a problem,” Diallo is quoted as saying. “As a child, my dream was to make things different, especially for women and girls. Therefore, social justice has always been something I’ve strived for.” Diallo is currently a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) student at Rutgers and was recently awarded the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) coveted Minority Fellowship for her work with survivors of FGM. According to the Rutgers press release, in addition to her clinical work with survivors and her doctoral studies, Diallo is focused on broader mental health issues in her home country, and is seeking to work with the Guinean government to develop a bill aimed at establishing a solid safety net for Guineans struggling with their mental health. “For the past 15 years, I have been working with survivors of FGM as well as girls who are at risk of the practice,” Diallo states in the Rutgers press release. “I have noticed that the fear of being subject to FGM causes a serious distress for families. In addition, survivors have a very high need of services due to the physical and psychological trauma they have suffered.” She notes that “cultural taboos and a lack of concrete
policy” have created a mental health crisis in Guinea and hopes her advocacy and legislative efforts can bring change to the community. Husain, also a DSW student at Rutgers, was a founding member of the South Asian Taskforce against Domestic Violence at Sanctuary for Families in New York City. In that role, she has conducted research and outreach about domestic violence in the South Asian community and facilitated the creation of an inter-disciplinary tool for interviewing South Asian victims of domestic violence called the South Asian Power and Control Lotus. She is the recent founder of the New York State Coalition to End Forced and Child Marriage and has presented on the issue of forced and child marriage nationally. Diallo and Husain elaborate on the problems of FGM and child marriage in their proposal to present at the NASW-NJ Conference. “Across the world, individuals are forced to flee their homes because their safety and well-being is compromised by their parents and families,” they note. “[Women and girls] are betrayed by their loved ones and forced into marriages and subjected to FGM against their will. If they refuse to comply with these practices, they are often bartered,
abandoned, abused, and threatened with violence or even death by their relatives.” “There continues to be an overall silence that pervades because these practices are often confused with cultural traditions, and therefore it is difficult to identify the warning signs, assess risks, and coordinate services for safety,” they continue. “Therefore, it is crucial for service providers to be aware of the unique circumstances and their role in responding to such cases.” If you’d like to learn more about the cultural, ethical, and clinical circumstances surrounding these practice, be sure to join us at the 2020 NASW-NJ Annual Conference, where in addition to their Keynote address, Diallo and Husain will offer a 2-hour workshop focusing on trauma-informed approaches to working with survivors of FGM and forced marriage. Registration is open now at: www.naswnj.org/events/ annual-conference.
March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 19
MONIKA J. SOTO
STUDENT
CENTER
Student Leader Spotlight
Monika J. Soto—a BSW student at Seton Hall University, class of 2020—is passionate about working in government. This school year, she is interning at the office of 36th District Assemblyman, Gary Schaer. As a social work intern, she assists with constituent services, as well as conducting research and analysis on the various legislative efforts worked on by his team. Monika says she is passionate about social justice and advocacy and for ensuring representation in government of underrepresented populations in our society. “The population I have always been most passionate about working with are immigrants” says Monika, “as well as other groups of marginalized people such as the black and latinx communities.” “As a Latina, I am well aware of the racism, micro-aggressions, and violation of human rights that occur daily within marginalized communities,” she continues. “Thus, I would like to dedicate my life to continuing the fight for the liberation of black and brown people. Social work is the profession that gives me the knowledge necessary to better understand effective ways to implement positive change while advocating for my people.” When not engaged in her social work studies, Monika keeps extremely busy as a leader on campus. She is the founding President of the newly chartered Seton Hall Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. She is the immediate past President and current Vice President of the Psi Pi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and serves as the Atlantic Region Undergraduate Member at Large on the Regional Executive Board. In addition, she serves as Vice President of the Student Social Workers Association on campus, and as Public Relations chair for Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity. She also works as an enrichment coach at Clinton Hill Middle School in Newark, NJ and runs a small business out of her home selling custom hand-painted craftwork. “Being a social work student at Seton Hall has been an amazing experience thus far,” concludes Monika. “I have been blessed to come in contact with so many great professors, professionals, constituents, and clients who have all contributed to the ongoing and rewarding experience of being a social worker-in-training. I look forward to putting my skills to use after graduation.”
Î Check out Monika in the Generations video on our social media: @naswnj
20 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
JOIN US FOR OUR PRIVATE PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM 2.0! Are you a social work student in either a BSW or MSW program? Did you know that student members have an exclusive opportunity to apply for the Harriet Bloomfield Scholarship? You do—read on to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.
Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Community Development Funds in Elizabeth and the Clark Juvenile Conference Committee.
About the Harriet Bloomfield Scholarship:
Qualifications:
The Harriet Bloomfield Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to the memory of Social Worker Harriet Bloomfield. Harriet was a charter member of NASW. She worked for the Elizabeth Board of Education before retiring in 1984. She served as director of social services at Bonnie Brae Farm for Boys, Millington from 1956 to 1960 and was with DYFS from 1944 to 1956. She taught at Kean College and Rutgers University and organized the Center for Infant Development and teen-parent program in conjunction with the Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work and the Elizabeth Board of Education.
• Be an NASW-NJ member in good standing (you’ll be required to submit your membership number in the application)
Harriet served the New Jersey Chapter in a variety of positions. She was first vice-president, chair of the PACE committee, a delegate to the Delegate Assembly and a member of the annual conference committee. In 1989 the chapter honored her as Social Worker of the Year. She also served on the board of Jewish Family Services of Central New Jersey, the
Each year, up to three scholarships will be awarded in honor of the legacy that Harriet built.
• Enrolled in an accredited BSW or MSW program. • Complete online application at www. naswnj.org/Membership/Student-Center • Copy of transcript
DESIGNED FOR BOTH NEW AND EXPERIENCED PRACTICE OWNERS. Private Practice Symposium 2.0 Friday, March 27 10am – 4pm North Brunswick, NJ
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2020
More information and registration at : naswnj.org/events March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 21
What You Need to Know to Renew Your License in 2020 Social Work Licensure can be complicated. As part of your membership benefits, the team at NASW-NJ works to assemble information you need to navigate the state’s licensing and renewal process. We have built a strong relationship with the NJ Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE/Licensing Board) by attending their monthly meetings and communicating with BSWE staff frequently. In this way we stay abreast of all deadlines and changes you may face—and we communicate this information to you through our weekly newsletters, FOCUS and one-on-one consultations with our staff. As many of you know, all NJ Social Work Licenses and Certifications are due for renewal this summer. Here’s what you need to know about licensing renewal:
The Facts • Your license/certificate must be renewed by August 31, 2020. There is a 1-month grace period (September) during which you can renew and pay a late fee. 22 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
• After October 1st you cannot work as a social worker in New Jersey unless you have renewed your license. • If you have changed your mailing address in the last two years, be sure to update it online so the Licensing Board has your correct address: www. njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/ ChangeAddress.aspx
Renewal Notice You will receive renewal information for your Social Work License (LSW or LCSW) or Certification (CSW) in the mail early this summer. The notice will be sent from the Office of the Attorney General, Division of Consumer Affairs (not the Board of Social Work Examiners). Renewal is available online only. Your renewal notice will provide you with instructions on how to renew your license or certification.
Renewing Your License How Many CE Credits Do I Need to Renew My License/Certification? Continuing Education (CE) Credits are required for each biennial (two-year) licensing cycle. To renew your license (LSW or LCSW) or certification (CSW), you will need to have completed the required number of CE credits outlined below during the current biennial period, which is September 1, 2018 - August 31, 2020.
If you are an LCSW An LCSW shall complete a minimum of 40 credits of continuing education, of which at least 20 credits shall be in courses or programs directly related to clinical practice, 5 credits must be related to ethics, 3 credits must be related to social and cultural competency, and 1 credit hour related to prescription opioid addiction. If the LCSW earns more than 40 credits during a biennial period, the LCSW may carry a maximum of eight surplus credits into a succeeding biennial period.
If you are an LSW: An LSW shall complete a minimum of 30 credits of continuing education, 5 of which must be related to ethics, 3 credits must be related to social and cultural competency, and 1 credit hour related to prescription opioid addiction. If the LSW earns more than 30 credits during a biennial period, the LSW may carry a maximum of six surplus credits into a succeeding biennial period.
If you are a CSW: A CSW shall complete a minimum of 20 credits of continuing education, 5 of which must be related to ethics, 3 credits must be related to social and cultural competency, and 1 credit hour related to prescription opioid addiction. If the CSW earns more than 20 credits during a biennial period, the CSW may carry a maximum of four surplus credits into a succeeding biennial period. If you initially obtained a license or certificate within the second year of this biennial license period (September 1, 2019 or later) the applicant shall complete not fewer than one-half of the minimum required credits of continuing education, 3 credits of which shall be related to ethics, 2 credits of which shall be related to social and cultural competency, and 1 hour related to prescription opioid addiction. An LCSW shall complete at least 10 of their 20 credits in programs which directly relate to clinical practice.
Is There a Limit to the Number of CE Credits I Can Do Online? No. You can complete as many of your CE credits online as you would like, as long as they are courses that are valid in NJ according to the NJ BSWE regulations. What Do You Do with Your CE Certificates When It's Renewal Time? You must keep your CE certificates for your own records. You do not send them to the BSWE when you renew your license. • The BSWE requires you to keep certificates of attendance for 5 years following the end of the biennial cycle for which the credits have been obtained. However, NASW-NJ encourages members to keep CE documentation permanently as this information may be useful to you in ways you cannot predict right now.
the BSWE does audit a percentage of social workers each cycle, so make sure that you have completed all your CEUs and have certificates ready to hand over if needed. NASW-NJ will keep you updated as we receive more information about license renewal from the BSWE. In the meantime, if you have any questions about renewal, feel free to call our office at 732-296-8070 or schedule a licensing consultation (free for members!) online at www.naswnj.org/ Professional-Development/Licensing-inNew-Jersey.
• You will NOT be sending your CE certificates to the BSWE when you renew your license. When you renew your license online, you will be asked to confirm you have completed or will complete your CE requirements by August 31st. • Completing your CE requirements is part of your responsibility in keeping up to date with research, techniques, and resources for your practice. In addition, March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 23
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:
For many years, CareOne has partnered with NASW-NJ to sponsor educational events for community-based social workers. It is an extremely valuable partnership that honors CareOne’s view of social workers as the “glue” between our patients and the various home and community-based agencies that provide support services for New Jersey seniors. CareOne has been providing healthcare services to seniors since 1999. With over 30 facilities in New Jersey (and growing) CareOne specializes in the transitions of care for those in need of subacute rehabilitation, homecare, hospice, assisted living, long term care, respite care and dementia care. CareOne social workers are always involved with the transitions of care. They assist with planning and implementing a comprehensive program including counseling and other services for residents and their families in each CareOne center. Social workers are able to identify, explain and create service plans for complex medical needs in a professional
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and compassionate manner. This is a patientcentered model of care, where the needs and goals of the resident take precedence in medical decision-making, especially when transitioning to a different level of care. CareOne is committed to caring for the whole person including their unique physical, social and mental health needs. All CareOne social workers are either licensed or certified. They are able to assess the resident upon admission, conduct family meetings, and help to develop the resident’s plan of care. A key role of the CareOne social worker is to identify specific problems, goals and approaches in order to remove barriers. In this role, the social worker acts as a liaison between the resident/family and outside agencies, providing supports and services necessary for a safe transition back to the community or other
setting. CareOne social workers partner with many home and community-based agencies to ensure that residents will be able to thrive at next level of care setting. Social workers also play an integral role in earning and maintaining trust. CareOne’s culture accentuates customer service, striving to provide the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere. CareOne social workers advance this culture on a daily basis and our centers could not be successful without their talent, professionalism and commitment. For more information visit: www.care-one.com
NASW Swag Amplify your voice and show your support of the issues that matter most to you! Whether you're fighting for equal rights, furthering redistributive justice, or bringing change to the political arena, let people know what you stand for. Buying merchandise not only makes you look super awesome, you are also supporting your professional organization. All proceeds go to help social workers in New Jersey access even more resources through our Chapter.
Get your Social Work To purchase NASW-NJ apparel Generations (2020 and merchandise, visit our
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Classified Advertisements CLINICAL SUPERVISION
FOCUS Classified Rates:
• Full page/bleed: $1000
CBT Supervision & Training. Congenial group meets every other Friday morning in Cranford. Clinical discussion and suggested readings explore the newest CBT approaches. For further information, contact: Lynn Mollick at LynnMollick@gmail.com or (908) 276-3888. Dr. Mollick is the Co-Founder and Co-Leader of the NJ Association of Cognitive Behavior Therapists.
• Over 7000 members
• Advertorial: (story ad w/ image or logo) $1500
• Digital delivery and printed • Frequency: 1 issue • Text only • 50 words or less, $100
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LCSW clinical supervision available for LSW and LACs in Somerset County. NJ-certified. Available days or evenings. Contact Irene at 908-625-2237.
• Digital delivery and printed • Frequency: 1 issue • Full-color, camera-ready image sent to NASW-NJ via electronic upload
• 1/2 page: $700 • 1/3 page: $450 • Inside back cover: $2000 • Back cover—limited availability, call for details Contact: wwilliams.naswnj@socialworkers.org, call 732-296-8070, or visit naswnj.org for more information.
Postgraduate Training in Psychodynamic Clinical Practice at CPPNJ Your antidote to disjointed CE events and educational gaps that leave you wanting: • a series of four interrelated courses that integrate theory with practical, clinical applications • a chance to develop a cohesive, meaningful framework – a reliable mindset and a way of being in your clinical relationships – that is both foundational and career building To learn more, visit www.cppnj.org or call 973-912-4432 to speak directly with a CPPNJ faculty member Sign up now for this fall, 2020 Discover a community of a lifetime! 26 March 2020 | www.naswnj.org
NEW JERSEY CONTINUING EDUCATION APROVAL COLLABORATIVE
Spring 2020 NASW-NJ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS Refer to pgs. 14-15 for the March 2020 Calendar of Events
Do you offer professional development courses for social workers? Are you looking to reach more people and increase your revenue? Adding CE credits for social workers is a geat way to do so! The New Jersey Social Work Continuing Education Approval Collaborative (CE Approval Collaborative) is recognized by the New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners as an approving entity for social work CEUs in the State of New Jersey.
To learn more & apply visit: www.naswnj.org
Infant Mental Health April 7, 12:00-2:00pm Live Webinar (2 Clinical CEUs) Telemedicine and Social Workers: What You Need to Know April 16, 12:00-2:00pm Live Webinar (2 Clinical or Ethics CEUs) What Social Workers in New Jersey Need to Know About Human Trafficking May 7, 12:00-2:00pm Live Webinar (2 General CEUs) Applying a Human Rights-Based Approach to Social Work Practice May 12, 12:00-2:00pm Live Webinar (2 General CEUs)
Who’s Afraid of the Angry Client? Using Schema Therapy to Understand and Treat Anger Modes May 18, 6:00-8:00pm Live Webinar (2 Clinical CEUs) Prescription Opioid Abuse and Dependence in New Jersey June 4, 12:00-1:00pm Live Webinar (1 Prescription Opioid CEU) Orthorexia: The Recent Face of an Eating Disorder June 11, 12:00-2:00pm Live Webinar (2 Clinical CEUs) Effective Strategies for Social Workers to Talk to School Staff About Trauma June 17, 12:00-2:00pm Live Webinar (2 Clinical or Ethics CEUs) For more information visit: naswnj.org/Events
March 2020 | www.naswnj.org 27
NASW-NJ 30 Silverline Drive, Suite 3 North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Innovation NASW-NJ 20 20
Inspiration
Annual Conference & Exhibition
APRIL 26TH-28TH BORGATA HOTEL & CASINO ATLANTIC CITY, NJ EARN UP TO 22.5 CEUS!
REGISTER NOW! Go to:
Naswnj.org/Events/Annual-Conference
