Advocacy day

Advocacy day

Tuition and the Province of Quebec

A Summit of Higher Education is taking place over the next few days here in Quebec. The ideas that have arisen are it should be an open discussion seeking solutions, but unfortunately many feel it is just an exercise or an opportunity to showcase university presidents for...
Tuition and the Province of Quebec

Is Using A Smartphone Emasculating? Google"s Brin Thinks So

Sergey Brin described using a smart phone as an emasculating experience during a conference yesterday. He was comparing the use of a smart phone with Google’s upcoming Glass ( Think smartphone meets shades) release. More then likely this was a throw away line, but being the busy body...
Is Using A Smartphone Emasculating? Google"s Brin Thinks So

Westerner"s Deemed "Weird" By Study

Ethan Water, of PC Mag, explores a psychological study done that compares Western and non-Western behavioral tendencies. The study, conducted by Joe Henrich of UCLA, used a variation on the Prisoner game to assess the underlying differences in how the vastly different...
Westerner"s Deemed "Weird" By Study

Make Hazing Stop: A Plea for Support Against Hazing and Bullying

Social Justice Solutions is about hearing the voices of those working within, and influenced by, the broad spectrum of social justice issues. One of the issues SJS writers have written about is bullying, which is why when the below email came to our attention we felt the urge to share. While...
Make Hazing Stop: A Plea for Support Against Hazing and Bullying

Update: NYS Safe Act And Social Worker Responsiblity

A message from NASW in regard to The NYS Safe Act and social worker responsiblity: Open Ice – Social workers across the state have registered a number of concerns with the Chapter in relation to the recently passed gun control legislation that names LCSW’s as one of four professions...
Update: NYS Safe Act And Social Worker Responsiblity

Marea Cuidadana: Austerity Measure Protests in Spain

Sparked by continued austerity measures facing the nation, tens of thousands of Spanish citizens began protesting again in cities across Spain on Saturday. Dubbed Marea Cuidadana, meaning ‘Tide of Citizens’, citizens from all walks of life (activists, teachers, union workers, etc.)...
Marea Cuidadana: Austerity Measure Protests in Spain

Community is the Heart of Social Work

The love I have for community is what makes me drawn to social work. It is difficult to say any one thing that leads me to this profession. It more or less, came to me. By taking a personal interest on the injustices of our world and an internal drive to fight for the oppressed, I learned about...
Community is the Heart of Social Work

Songs Of Our Own

There was a time when I heard the birds sing; every morning. All to often we fall into that old habit and the world stops spinning; the birds stop chirping. A mad attempt to control; an obsession with cessation. The tune of human life is a sad symphony. When one asks “Who am...
Songs Of Our Own

Bill 14 and the Province of Quebec

I tend to stay out of politics, but as a citizen of Canada and one who lives in the province of Quebec, I can be quiet no longer. Canada, as a country, is bilingual; meaning English and French are the 2 official languages. In October 1995 Quebec held a referendum contemplating becoming its own...
Bill 14 and the Province of Quebec

It"s Time for a Conversation on Healthcare

America is the only developed country where people can lose their home, or die because they do not have health coverage. If that statement does not outrage you, then read it again. We can have the type of society we want. However, many of us are not happy with the society we have.  One of the...
It"s Time for a Conversation on Healthcare

Introduction to Palliative Care

Conferences, workshops, and lectures are all important to attend either as a professional or as a student. This past Thursday, I attended an Introduction to Palliative Care conference through a local government health clinic. As a professional who works with older adults, and is witnessing the...
Introduction to Palliative Care

Best Parental Leave Around the World

Women have been increasing in the workforce because having a one family income is no longer enough; and because women enjoy and want to work. This created a need for assistance with child care, reproduction and family leave. Women who become pregnant have to take substantial time off work for...
Best Parental Leave Around the World

Seeking Action for Safety in Long Term Care Facilities

Advocacy, one of the core competencies in the profession of social work. It is one skill that I was taught both in graduate school and as a professional over the past 15 years, it is a skill I take to heart. On February 9, 2013 a documentary W5, Crisis in Care, reported by Sandi Rinaldo and...
Seeking Action for Safety in Long Term Care Facilities

Professional Boundaries & Setting Expectations

As mental health professionals, it is crucial to respect a client’s self-determination, and his/hers own pace of achievement when goal setting. This might be difficult to respect at times since we want the best for clients. Remember to refrain one’s self, and view what is occurring...
Professional Boundaries & Setting Expectations

Do the Effects of Bullying Last into Adulthood?

The results of a  new study, discussed in this New York Times Article, suggest that bullying in childhood has lasting effects into adulthood. “The study followed 1,420 subjects from Western North Carolina who were assessed four to six times between the ages of 9 and 16. Researchers asked...
Do the Effects of Bullying Last into Adulthood?

Celebrity Death: Not Only Time to Think About Mental Health

In light of the recent suicide of Mindy McCready, discussions of mental health, addiction, and suicide have been put in the spotlight. So often these subjects are only discussed when it involves a celebrity and soon forgotten when the news changes to the next story. The rest of the time, such...
Celebrity Death: Not Only Time to Think About Mental Health

Congress Still Dysfunctional As Spending Cuts Loom

In nine days, automatic spending cuts known as a “sequester” will be enacted, forcing the government to cut back on $85 Billion in spending. The only problem is that Congress is on vacation at the moment. Democrats are blaming the Republicans for ignoring the looming deadline...
Congress Still Dysfunctional As Spending Cuts Loom

A Mountain"s View

I hear you brother. Through different lenses and innumerable leaves. I know this pain of counting, sorting, and labeling. Although time seems to block our communion, the tail sometimes does wag the dog. Visible only through the keyhole, but the rest can be surmised. I see the traveler from...
A Mountain"s View

Parenting, Depression, and Anxiety

In this fast paced world titles often work to catch our attention, and to draw us into written content. A recent article titled “Xanax ‘helps me be a better mom’“, posted on CNN, did just that to me today. The article discusses how parents are often more prone to...
Parenting, Depression, and Anxiety

Happy Social Justice Day 2013

SJS would like to wish everyone a Happy Social Justice day! This being a first since our founding it is rather significant to us. There was no way to know if the world would embrace SJS; whether we would be sitting her almost a year later and yet day by day we grow. Today is a perfect one to...
Happy Social Justice Day 2013

Rise Above the Violence

V-day is a global movement to end violence against women. It was started by the brilliant Eve Ensler, a playwright and activist who wanted to empower and improve the lives of women around the world. In 1994, she wrote ‘The Vagina Monologues’ which started out on Broadway in the form...
Rise Above the Violence

Jane Addams Wore Stilettos

Jane Addams is known for being the mother of social work. However, she did not fit the image of the “traditional” lady of her times. She was seen as radical, bold, and unconventional. In a time when women were not allowed to vote; people like Jane Addams and the women of Hull House did the...
Jane Addams Wore Stilettos

Dreams

Dreams are real and without them life is a sad existence. Dreams hold us together and give us a vision, something to aim for, the road leading to our destination. Dreams are the magic, the magician making us laugh, or the sun which makes us warm. Dreams are like the rain, when it ends there is a...
Dreams

Gender Equality and Work-Family Policy as Human Rights Concerns

The New York Times published an article on gender equality to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Betty Friedan’s The Feminist Mystique. The article suggests that the feminist struggle for gender equality has stalled since the 1990s and early 2000s, offering several...
Gender Equality and Work-Family Policy as Human Rights Concerns

NYS License Exemption: A Challenege To Governor Cuomo

Social Justice Solutions is issuing this challenge to Gov. Cuomo; would you allow your children,  Mariah Cuomo, Cara Cuomo, and Michaela Cuomo, to seek mental health treatment for a serious mental health condition with an unlicensed worker in one of your clinics? Our world...
NYS License Exemption: A Challenege To Governor Cuomo

DSM-5 Changes: A Continuation

I continue to come across articles and information regarding the soon to be released DSM-5. Reading this link will provide quite a bit of information on the upcoming changes to the DSM. I have to wonder if our society is becoming too focused on a diagnosis and pharmacare. “After the...
DSM-5 Changes: A Continuation

Protect Social Work Now!

Who is a social worker? How do we define what we are as a profession? There are many reasons on why social work title protection must be advocated for inside the profession. We need this in order to protect and define what it means to be a social worker. Without title protection, anyone can call...
Protect Social Work Now!

Do School Dress Codes Violate a Right to Youth Expression?

The recent news coverage of a Utah 9th grader who was banned from school for two days because her red hair coloring (which was all natural tones by the way) didn’t meet the school’s natural colors only hair code got me thinking. Are school dress codes violations of expression to...
Do School Dress Codes Violate a Right to Youth Expression?

California introduces a Social Work Title Protection Bill

As New York Social Workers struggle for license protection by protesting a proposed license exemption, California has taken steps to protect their license via legislation. California NASW and legislators  have set an example for the rest of the country, the time to fight back is not right...
California introduces a Social Work Title Protection Bill

The Educated Homeless

Many people in our country have the risk of ending up homeless. “Mr.Bluestocking” as he wishes to be called, may not be the typical idea of a homeless person many people think of. He is a licensed teacher and counselor who holds two masters degrees. Even though he has completed this...
The Educated Homeless

Altruism Matters for Your Gray Matter

Interesting new research from the University of Zurich suggests that Altruism in part might be linked to the amount of Gray Matter in your brain. “New research shows that people who behave more altruistically have more gray matter at the junction between the parietal and temporal...
Altruism Matters for Your Gray Matter

System Malfunction For Mentally Ill

Mental Health is an area that certainly needs improvements along with properly trained professionals. These professionals whether nurses, social workers, physicians or administrative staff  need regular skill upgrades provided by their employer, of their own choice/initiative or as required...
System Malfunction For Mentally Ill

Jon Stamos wants to Cuddle for Valentine's Day: Project Cuddle

  Happy Valentines Day! Today is a day focusing on love and affection. On sharing with and being there for others, and a day full of cuddling for many romantics. In this case, let’s cuddle with John Stamos, or more specifically let’s talk about Project Cuddle. In our culture we...
Jon Stamos wants to Cuddle for Valentine's Day: Project Cuddle

Pope's Resignation Is Both Historic & Heralding

The resignation of a Pope is not something anyone has seen in this lifetime, or many ones before it. Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation from the Papal throne will come as the first resignation since 1415. He will join only a small number of other Pope’s to give up leading the Christian world,...
Pope's Resignation Is Both Historic & Heralding

Presence-Part 1

“Presence must be balanced with a strong sense of who you are at your core.” “Treat everyone, no matter the person’s position or level of power as a respected colleague.” “Pay attention, the simple act of noticing your own behavior and that of others, in a...
Presence-Part 1

Protect Social Work In New York | Take Action Now!

Governor Supports Permanent Exemption from Social Work Licensure for State Workforce We strongly urge you to contact members of the Assembly and Senate listed below. Tell them that as a social worker: I am strongly opposed to broad-based permanent exemptions included in the Governor’s...
Protect Social Work In New York | Take Action Now!

NYS Governor Supports Permanent Exemption from Social Work Licensure: The Possible Harmful Consequences

While browsing on Facebook, I came across a post from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) discussing how “the    Governor’s   Executive Budget seeks to make permanent the exemption from social work licensure for individuals working   in programs that are regulated,...
NYS Governor Supports Permanent Exemption from Social Work Licensure: The Possible Harmful Consequences

Victim Blaming

An exchange regarding a post on this site the other day brought up the too often reaction of victim-blaming. A person claiming to have been working as a social worker for the past 20 years blamed the poor for “their station in life” attributing their circumstances to poor decisions,...
Victim Blaming

Relax, Strategically That is

Social Workers or not, we all tend to run ourselves ragged, and as many a research publication or news article discusses this may be our down fall physically, mentally, emotionally, and career wise. Earlier this month, the New York Times published an article on just this phenomenon, with a...
Relax, Strategically That is

Hurricane Sandy"s Second Storm: Substance Abuse on Long Island

Long Island New York is the home of many of SJS’ writers and as you might recall was the center of many posts regarding Hurricane Sandy. While the storm might be over, it appears that there is a second storm building. The region has had a substance use and abuse issue for many years, and...
Hurricane Sandy"s Second Storm: Substance Abuse on Long Island

Macro Social Worker Spotlight

Socialworktoday.com has decided to feature 10 extraordinary social workers since March is Social Work Month. They have chosen 10 wonderful examples of what a social worker can do when they enter into the macro arena. It is important to know what your fellow social workers are doing, it is...
Macro Social Worker Spotlight

Visuals Can Have More Power Than Words

Each year the town I live in hosts an annual fair to celebrate the town’s pride. I remember coming across a table with flyers educating parents and adolescents about the dangers of substance use in adolescents. I remember striking up a conservation with the woman about what organization...
Visuals Can Have More Power Than Words

Seeing Past the Mask

In our professional and personal lives it is important to see past the ‘mask’ of another. The outside of a person can be a veneer in a sense that requires one to look further to see the individual within. As you chip away at the ice, You begin to see the object that is hidden...
Seeing Past the Mask

The United States Gets an "F" for Health and Mortality Rates

A recently published study completed by the National Institute of Health and the National Research Counsel points to the United States as having poorer health and shorter life spans than the majority of the 16 peer countries surveyed.  While the full report isn’t available for review...
The United States Gets an "F" for Health and Mortality Rates

NY’s SAFE Act: Mental Health Reporting Requirement

NASW NYS has issued this statement concerning the NY Safe Act, its implications for practicing social workers, and an important message on license protection for social workers in New York. As we collectively continue to process the tragic event in Newtown, CT and look for real solutions to...
NY’s SAFE Act: Mental Health Reporting Requirement

Girls Rock (At Science) but not in the USA or Western Europe

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently gave the same science test to 15-year-old students in 65 countries across the globe, finding that girls out scored boys in more countries, but unfortunately not in the United States or countries in Western Europe. Why, you...
Girls Rock (At Science) but not in the USA or Western Europe

TV & Your Brain: Tune In For A Reality Check

Ah, T.V. for anyone born in the last 3/4s of a century, TV has been your boon companion since your early days. How detrimental is this relationship? Worse than that guy who used to “forget his wallet” come check time. Some scientists are saying that continuous and long term TV watching can...
TV & Your Brain: Tune In For A Reality Check

Leadership and Teamwork in Social Work

Leadership, teamwork, management, structure of an organization; these are not typical words used in social work or any helping profession from the professionals themselves as they are often very focused on the clients, patients, clientage and recently I heard the term service user (from workers...
Leadership and Teamwork in Social Work

Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse: The Missing Connection

I hadn’t realized how many assumptions I had before going into a training on the relationship between Domestic Violence and Substance abuse. Although the correlations between the two have been in the back of my mind, the real dynamic of working with these clients became very real to me. Most...
Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse: The Missing Connection

What is Social Justice?- Part V

To me Social Justice is both a state of mind and an action.It is the process by which governments, groups, and individuals begin to think about, and strive for, equality and justice for all individuals. It is an individual social worker thinking “Why does X part of my served population not...
What is Social Justice?- Part V

Senate Considering the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

On Monday, February 4, 2013, “The Senate voted overwhelmingly” to reintroduce “the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA)” after the act died on the floor the without re-authorization at the end of the last session. As lead author, U.S. Senate Judiciary...
Senate Considering the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

A Message From Mother Nature: Slow Down!

As extreme weather becomes the norm, it might be a good idea to asses what these sort of events teach us. Besides the normal panic,I am fascinated by the insistence of keeping work and schools open. I have already heard, “it is only raining”, about 5 times this morning....
A Message From Mother Nature: Slow Down!

Mindfulness

“Insight cannot be taught or learned, but the consciousness that gives rise to insight can be developed. Trying to teach insight without transforming consciousness is like trying to create apples without growing apple trees.” — Robert Kegan     According to Psychology...
Mindfulness

I am pursuing my Master’s in Social Work because I am a product and a beneficiary of the system. I truly believe that it is my charge and my calling. I am the youngest of 8 children born in Brooklyn, NY. Due to unfortunate circumstances I was separated from my family when I was just 2 years...

Human Rights Activist Killed In Tunisia

In the year 2013 a human being fighting for freedom can still be murdered outside his home. On Wednesday night Chokri Belaid, human rights activist, was shot 4 times and murdered in Tunisia. The Government  has claimed that this was an isolated incident carried out by a lone individual; an...
Human Rights Activist Killed In Tunisia

A Message of Wisdom

Can any of us truly define happiness and contentment? Is it easier to discuss potential and wishes? What about joy, delight or accomplishment? As professionals and as humans, it is important to identify our deepest wishes and desires and to work from a place of compassion with our clients and...
A Message of Wisdom

Drones In America: Who"s The Target

Drones have become a household name in the past few years. Drone strikes seem to be the new face of modern warfare, allowing unmanned aircraft to eliminate determined threats without risk to military personnel. The Obama administration has become synonymous with the use of drones, although they...
Drones In America: Who"s The Target

Lessons from a Child

My friend Terry told me a story the other day that made me realize the amount of compassion children have in comparison to many adults. When Terry’s son, Phil, was young they had an elderly couple as neighbors and the husband passed away. Being a very religious family Phil asked Terry why when...
Lessons from a Child

The Ultimate Show of Misyogyny and Victim Blaming in a Somalian Court

In response to a 2012 rape in Somalia, on February 5, 2013 two people were found guilty and sentenced to one year in jail . However, the charges, ensuing from the rape and a journalist’s inquiry regarding the incident, had nothing to do with rape. In fact, the charges issued and sentences...
The Ultimate Show of Misyogyny and Victim Blaming in a Somalian Court

Dementia: A Feared Diagnosis and the Emotional Journey

I attended a lecture on Long Term Care Placement from the Perspective of a Caregiver a few days ago at a local private non-profit Alzheimer’s organization. Even though I am a professional, I wanted to further learn the process from the caregivers perspective. Although the placement process...
Dementia: A Feared Diagnosis and the Emotional Journey

Gay Marriage Closer To Being Legalized In England and Wales

LGBTQ rights are coming to the forefront in other western nations besides America. The United Kingdom’s House of Commons has passed a Bill that supports same sex Marriage in England and Wales. The vote passed 400-175. Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said: “I...
Gay Marriage Closer To Being Legalized In England and Wales

Student Debt Is The Next Fiscal Cliff

Student debt are often compared to the housing bubble; ready to burst at any moment, especially given the extensive amount of loans with no protection to the borrower. When you think of bubbles, you think of soft, fragile objects that pop as gracefully as they float. When you think about the...
Student Debt Is The Next Fiscal Cliff

Injustices in the U.S. re: Mental Health

The imminent further cutting of mental health funds is the focus of this statement which I sent to the people who represent me in this state of California and in Washington. Sadly, I did not even get an acknowledgement that my letter was received. Currently, many homeless are mentally ill. We...
Injustices in the U.S. re: Mental Health

Governor Cuomo Seeks to Buyout Homes Destroyed by Hurricane Sandy

In a striking move New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has put into motion the first steps towards what would be an incredibly ambitious land buyout and reallocation project. According to the New York Times article published yesterday: The purchase program, which still requires approval from...
Governor Cuomo Seeks to Buyout Homes Destroyed by Hurricane Sandy

Power To The People(Only Some Of Them Though)

I was asked this weekend whether I thought President Obama, or any politician curtails to minority populations in order to become elected. Absolutely. You see every politician must gain the approval of minority populations for a very specific reason. They are not minorities. We consider...
Power To The People(Only Some Of Them Though)

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Empathy, Resiliency, Stress and College Life

Violent crimes committed by college students seem to be on the rise and in the news every year (if not more frequently), which is a troubling indicator of the issues facing college and university students in today’s society. A recent interview with Dori S. Hutchinson, the director of...
Empathy, Resiliency, Stress and College Life

Can Plants Act Altruistically?

A good portion of human history has examined the emotional nature of animals and the moral responsibility that humans have when animals are concerned. In fact, often we find moral arguments against the consumption of animals based on belief that animals are sentient beings with experiences...
Can Plants Act Altruistically?

Social Work and "We Must"

We must speak up! We must assist those that need it. We must focus on humanity and justice. We must think outside ourselves and our own lives. We must put our education to good. We must promote the helping professions, one of which is social work. We must reflect, update our skills and be...
Social Work and "We Must"

Ode to a Social Worker Part II

Often We might forget to Breathe, Rushing to support the next client, Organizing the next protest, Advocating for more resources, Whatever We ethically can do. To remind others Hope is still there. Yet We have forgotten someone important …..Ourselves. We are Human as well, With limits,...
Ode to a Social Worker Part II

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns in school?

 Should teachers be allowed to carry guns in school http://news.yahoo.com/video/teachers-allowed-carry-guns-school-181928670.html Should teachers be allowed to carry guns in school
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns in school?