The social work profession’s ANSWER Coalition (Action Network for Social Work Education and Research) is coordinating efforts to recruit, retain and retrain social workers in order to enhance societal well-being. With the assistance of legislators, policymakers, employers and a host of other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to secure federal and state investments in professional social work. This Social Work Reinvestment Initiative also builds on the work of the 2005 Social Work Congress, the National Social Work Public Education Campaign, and a landmark study of the licensed social work labor force released in 2006. The campaign is modeled after similar efforts led by the teaching and nursing professions.

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NASW resources for clinical social workers and private practitioners have been combined into one document, Managed Care Directory of Resources for Clinical Social Workers in Private Practice.  It is available to NASW members online by clicking here. 

When Personal Values Conflict with Professional Ethics will be presented by Paula Foster, LCSW. The workshop will provide participants a framework for understanding general aspects of gay and lesbian culture as well as providing processes for addressing ethical dilemmas that arise when personal and/or religious values seem to conflict with professional practices. The presentation will include an introduction to the modern gay rights movement, address myths and stereotypes and explore common cultural themes. Further, the workshop will address areas of potential conflict between religious beliefs and core social work values. 

Social Work Ethics and the Challenge of Biotechnology will be presented by Robert Zylstra, EdD, LCSW.  Advances in biotechnology, once seen as futuristic, are becoming increasingly commonplace.  From assisted reproduction to genetic testing for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, social workers need to be familiar with the ethical concerns, challenges, and opportunities, assisting clients in making reasoned decisions.  Participants will gain an appreciation of the historical context of current issues in medical ethics, increase their awareness of both challenges and opportunities related to emerging biotechnology, and practice decision making processes by evaluating actual case histories.  

Holistic Social Work will be presented by Amanda Buchanan, CMSW, RYT.   A dynamic social worker fully understands their population not only by looking at physical and mental health, but by holistically  examining the cleints connection and integration of the body, mind and spirit. Yoga is a methodology that has historically given its practitioners tools to develop physcial, emotional and spiritual well-being.  Attendees will learn a holistic approach to assisting clients in obtianing personal empowerment.  Participants will learn what is holistic therapy?, how do yoga and social work align with one another, tools to assist client in incorporating yoga and meditation techniques in to their daily lives, methods to encourage clients to practice at home.  This workshop will include one hour of restorative yoga.  **Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water. If you own a yoga mat please bring. If not, mats will be provided.

Suicide Prevention will be presented by Tiffany Washington.  Suicide affects us all. It’s an international problem. For example, more than 3,500 Canadians and 30,000 Americans kill themselves each year.  The key to suicide prevention is trained caregivers who are ready, willing and able to get involved with each individual at risk - caregivers who can recognize individuals who are at risk and know how to intervene to prevent the risks of suicidal thoughts becoming suicidal behaviors.  The QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) suicide prevention and intervention method is an internationally known protocol for identifying the signs of a suicide crisis, persuading suicidal individuals to seek help, and connecting troubled and/or suicidal persons with mental health and crisis response resources. This program is an integral part of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network’s Tennessee Lives Count (TLC) project.

Join us at lunchtime for a wrap-up of the 2008 Legislative Session presented by NASW - TN’s legislative liaison, Stewart Clifton, JD.