NASW-NJ FOCUS Magazine - January 2021

New Year, New Beginnings

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VP-ELECT, KAMALA HARRIS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATE

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JANUARY 2021 • Vol 30.4

MEET THE NEW MIDDLESEX UNIT LEADERS NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 1 p.40

BOARD OF DIRECTORS P R E S I D E N T, Nkechi Okoli

P R E S I D E N T- E L E C T, Widian Nicola

1 S T V I C E P R E S I D E N T, Judyann McCarthy

2 N D V I C E P R E S I D E N T, Dawn Konrady C E N T R A L R E G I O N A L R E P, Caelin McCallum

S E C R E TA RY, Ralph Cuseglio N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N A L R E P, Sierra Spriggs

G R A D UAT E S T U D E N T R E P, Jennifer Sorensen

S O U T H E R N R E G I O N A L R E P, Miriam Stern

U N D E RG R A D UAT E S T U D E N T R E P, Jamie Terrone

N O R T H W E S T R E G I O N A L R E P, Veronica Grysko-Sporer

UNIT LEADERS

NASW-NJ has 12 units across the state of New Jersey.

ATLANTIC/CAPE MAY/CUMBERLAND CHAIR, Janelle Fleming

HUDSON CHAIR, Jillian Holguin

MORRIS CHAIR, Cheryl Cohen CO-CHAIR, Veronica Grysko-Sporer

BERGEN/PASSAIC CHAIR, Melissa Donahue

MERCER/BURLINGTON CHAIR, Miguel Williams CO-CHAIR: Michele Shropshire

SOMERSET/HUNTERDON CHAIR, Open

CAMDEN/GLOUCESTER/SALEM CHAIR, Danielle Cranmer

MIDDLESEX

SUSSEX/WARREN

CHAIR, Tina Maschi

CHAIR, Dina Morley

CO-CHAIR: Vimmi Surti

CO-CHAIR, Afifa Ansari

MONMOUTH/OCEAN CHAIR, Jeanne Koller CO-CHAIR, Denise Gaetano

UNION

ESSEX CHAIR, Felicia Fdyfil-Horne CO-CHAIR, Ravjit Sekhon

CHAIR , Hannah Korn-Heilner

CHAPTER OFFICE E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R

D I R E C TO R O F M E M B E R S E RV I C E S

Jennifer Thompson, MSW

Christina Mina, MSW

jthompson.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 111

D I R E C TO R O F D E V E LO PM E N T & E D U C AT I O N Helen French hfrench.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 122

D I R E C TO R O F S P E C I A L P ROJ E C T S Annie Siegel, MSW asiegel.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 128

cmina.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 117

D I R E C TO R O F A DVO C AC Y & C OM MU N I C AT I O N S Jeff Feldman, MSW, LSW jfeldman.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 114

A R T D I R E C TO R Katherine Girgenti kgirgenti.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 129

M E M B E R S H I P A N D E D U C AT I O N S P E C I A L I S T Willis Williams wwilliams.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 110

N A S W– N J C H A P T E R O F F I C E 30 Silverline Drive, Suite 3, North Brunswick, NJ 08902, Ph:732.296.8070, www.naswnj.org

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E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R ’S M E SSAG E

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R AC E & J U ST I C E

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H I D D E N H I STO R I E S : U N C OV E R I N G T H E D I V E R S E R O OTS O F S O C I A L W O R K

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2021 N ASW - N J V I R T U A L A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E : M E E T O U R P L E N A RY PRESENTERS

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SOCIAL WORK MONTH

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T H E L AT E ST F R O M T H E F I E L D

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ST U D E N T C E N T E R

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PA R T N E R S P OT L I G H T

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MEMBER CONNECT

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O U R G I F T TO YO U : F R E E C E U S

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M A X I M I Z I N G YO U R P OT E N T I A L I N THE NEW YEAR

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P R O F E SS I O N A L D E V E LO PM E N T

CONTENTS

P R E S I D E N T ’S M E SSAG E

TABLE OF

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Spirit of Giving Theme

PRESIDENT' S M E S SAG E M o v i n g To w a r d s E q u a l i t y a n d Social Equity

AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF THE VOICELESS, COMMAND THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, AND COMMIT TO A DEEP PURSUIT OF RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

AS SOCIAL WORKERS, WE ARE CALLED TO

This month, not only do we welcome the beginning of the new year, but we also celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his unwavering stance against racial injustice. During the Civil Rights Movement, in addition to consistently speaking passionately about the unjust social climate facing people of color across the country, he took noticeable actions to encourage change through activism. It is evident that even today, through movements such as Black Live Matter, there is still work to be done. And there is a clear part for us, as social workers, to play in the movement towards equality and social equity.

Watching recordings of Dr. Kings speeches throughout my life has always given me a sense of empowerment and confidence. They have shown me the power of an individual’s voice and the importance of standing up for what is right. It is no surprise that over 1,000 streets in the world bear the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1986, 35 years ago, we began to acknowledge and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr.King on the third Monday of January. His words, actions, and commitment to social justice have impacted several generations and have served to set the ground work for acts of service and activism that continue today.

As a community organizer and fighter for social justice, Dr. King’s work is reflective of the foundations and ethics of the social work profession. Our professional commitment to pursue social change for vulnerable and oppressed populations coincides with the message Dr. King shared with the world. He preached “… we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Dr. King proclaimed the fight for equal rights will not cease until the freedom that was promised has come to fruition. As social workers, we are called to amplify the voices of the voiceless, command the equal rights of those who are oppressed, and commit to a deep pursuit of racial and social justice—all causes enumerated in Dr. King’s speeches.

Dr. King reminds us that “our lives begin to end when we become silent about things that matter.” As a Chapter, NASW-NJ recognizes the complex history of the social work profession and we challenge ourselves to actively strive towards anti-racism. We began our dialogue last year by launching our series of community conversations on race, responsibility and reconciliation. We will further explore issues of race and justice during our 2-day Virtual Annual Conference this March. We invite you to attend this year’s Conference to learn, grow, and challenge yourself as our keynote and plenary presenters engage us in discussion about the confluence of race, racism, and privilege in social work practice. I look forward to having you join us for this important event.

As we prepare for a great year ahead, let’s start 2021 with a commitment to continuing to be active agents of change in our communities. I encourage you, this month, to reflect on the work of Dr. King and the contributions of many other Civil Rights activists. As social workers, it is our calling and our duty to stay aware, stay involved, and take action. Let’s renew our commitment to social justice, let’s continue to uphold our Code of Ethics, and standup for what we know is right. As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King this month let us continue to remember, as always, that we are stronger together.

Sincerely, Nkechi

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S M E S SAG E N e w Y e a r, N e w B e g i n n i n g s Friends and Colleagues,

WHEN YOU ARRIVE—AND ENGAGE— YOU

SHAPE OUR PROGRAMS, OUR ADVOCACY, AND OUR WORK

Happy New Year! It’s a great privilege to be able to welcome you all into a new year!

2020 proved to be one of the most challenging years we have seen in our lifetimes. We faced a global pandemic, the beginning of long overdue racial reckoning in our nation, loss of loved ones, shut down of our communities, and an election unlike any we have seen. The year challenged us in ways we never imagined.

Through all the trials of 2020, there were some great lessons learned—lessons I hope will shape 2021 in the weeks and months to come. There were surely lessons we, as your professional association, took from the year.

Over the past nine months, we were challenged to demonstrate how nimble social workers are. We learned we must be prepared to respond to the challenges we don’t necessarily see coming—for instance the need to move our work and lives to a virtual space. The act of moving our 2020 Annual Conference entirely online in just a few short weeks’ time was a remarkable success for our community of social workers. This year, we will leverage what we learned during that experience to create our 2021 Virtual Annual Conference. We’ll be keeping what worked, modifying or replacing what didn’t work, and trying some new things, as well!

In 2020, we also witnessed what we already knew to be true—that social workers are on the front lines, daily, serving our communities. We were able to highlight in real time, the realities of your work and the services you provide to those most in need. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have established a more productive and open dialogue with state departments—advocating on your behalf through regular contact with leaders and administrators whose efforts impact your work. We were successful in obtaining emergency temporary licensing for new social work graduates and advocating for online licensing applications with the BSWE. This coming year, we will build upon those relationships, furthering our advocacy work, working collaboratively to improve licensing processes in our state, and advocating for the needs of social workers in various settings across our state.

2020 also challenged our organization to take the lead in conversations we have historically been bystanders to. We dove into difficult conversations about race, policing, and racism in our own profession. We created our Race, Responsibility, and Reconciliation Series, emphatically stating that Black Lives Matter. We were called to look at our Code of Ethics and our values as a profession, and to actively pursue programs and conversations that explore our profession’s complicated and longstanding relationship to racism and privilege. While our work here has only just begun, we will continue to remain vigilant in our efforts to dismantle racism in our profession and to be actively anti-racist in all aspects of our work.

The past year also demonstrated the strength of our New Jersey social work community. During a global pandemic, facing unimaginable personal and professional challenges, we grew. You turned out and made New Jersey the second largest Chapter of NASW in the nation. We connected with more of you this year than we have in years—you found a home here within our Chapter. Our community grew larger—and ultimately stronger—because you showed up and engaged. This reveals the power of our Association. When you arrive—and engage —you shape our programs, our advocacy, and our work. Collectively, you demonstrate that social workers are a critical voice in our communities and ensure that we, as a profession, are sought for our expertise and valued for our contributions.

It is my commitment to continue building upon the lessons of 2020 in this new year. It is also my invitation to you to do so with us—by volunteering, leading, engaging with your Unit, showing up to Shared Interest Groups and inviting a friend (or three) to join.

This year, we are continuing to offer flexible payment options for those impacted by COVID-19, providing the ability to remain connected to our Association. If you, or someone you know has questions about this, I invite you to contact our membership team who can help ensure you remain connected to this vibrant, growing community.

In health, Jennifer

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A Moment of Reflection on Her Story, Our Story:

KAMALA HARRIS, VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

by Tawanda Hubbard, DSW, LCSW “I need you to understand we are the women who marched from the cotton fields, into the fields of medicine, politics, law, education, entertainment; we even found a way to march ourselves into the White House as the First Lady of the United States of America. I say we because it is my belief that we do it together. Any achievement that any woman makes is an achievement for us all; any slight that any of us takes is a slight to us all.” - Jada Pinkett Smith

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ow! Jada Pinkett Smith captured it well. Finally, we have our first woman—the first Black woman and first Southeast Asian woman—elected Vice President of the United States of America. The road Kamala Harris has traveled to get to this moment has not been easy. In her own words: “that I am here tonight is a testament to the dedication of generations before me. Women and men who believed so fiercely in the promise of equality, liberty and justice for all.”

From the beginning of our nation’s history, certain groups of people have had to fight and struggle for equality, equity, and representation. White women, who won the right to vote in 1920, celebrated 100 years of voting rights in 2020. Black women, through the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, gained the same right to vote 55 year ago. It has been a long and winding road to get to this point, filled with strife, pain, violence, and loss. And we are still fighting for justice for all. Yet, we must take a moment to reflect and celebrate our progress—embracing the hope and opportunities that have emerged.

our nation. During her Vice-Presidential acceptance speech, Ms. Harris shared she was “thinking about her [mother] and about the generations of women, Black women, Asian, White, Latina, Native American women—who throughout our nation’s history have paved the way for this moment tonight—women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality and liberty and justice for all.” She continued, “I reflect on their struggle, their determination, and the strength of their vision to see what can be unburdened by what has been. And I stand on their shoulders.”

It is my hope that every woman will see a part of herself in Ms. Harris. Ms. Harris no doubt sees herself in the faces of women across

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Ms. Harris’ words are powerful. As social workers—a field predominately made up of woman—we know the meaning of her words and the promise of change. We live it. We understand struggle, sacrifice, and strength. We are no strangers to bearing witness to the worst human beings can do to other human beings. As social workers, we walk closely with persons and communities that hold marginalized status in our society.

They face barriers and obstacles based on the status society has assigned to them, in an interlocking system of oppression and privilege. It is the mission of social work to help people and communities overcome these barriers.

And men, please know we cannot fight this good fight alone. Your allyship is crucial to our fight for empowerment of women of all racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and socioeconomic backgrounds. As Ms. Harris stated, “there is no vaccine for racism, we must do the work. For George Floyd; for Breonna Taylor; for the lives of too many others to name. We have got to do the work to fulfill the promise of equality under the law. Because none of us are free until all of us are free.”

There is a divide in our nation, evident by the popular vote in our 2020 presidential election. It will take all Americans, especially social workers who are educated and trained as change agents, to lead this charge. We were made for these times. Take those extra steps to heal the divide in our great nation and show America who Social Workers are and how we get it done! Recognize the power each one of us holds, celebrate one another, and validate each other as we prepare for the work ahead.

The moment is now!

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Dr. Tawanda Hubbard is a Practitioner Scholar, Social Work Educator, Therapist, Business Administrator and the most recent past-president of the NASW-NJ Chapter.

The Last Shall Be First and the First Shall Be Last

by Shonnell Flournoy, MSW Student

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ome people will describe the election of Vice President-elect, Kamala Harris, as unheard of, preposterous, and maybe even noxious. But I say it is justice. African Americans built this country, yet have been denied the right to fully experience and thrive in our American home for over four hundred and one years. In that time, Black people have been dehumanized, our culture appropriated—but also marginalized—across the world. And Black women have led the pack as both the most disrespected, yet paradoxically coveted, human beings to walk the face of the Earth—ignored and unwanted, that is until our labor, and in more recent years our vote, was needed.

Woman of color have been set in opposition against one another for centuries, but the plan of destruction stopped Saturday, November 7th, 2020, with the confirmation of Kamala Harris as Vice Presidentelect. African-American sororities embraced sisterhood and devotion to the cause—many making donations to the Biden-Harris campaign in the dollar amount of their year of founding. In addition, American politician and lawyer, Stacey Abrams,

took it to the streets with grassroots organizing, engaging students and other unregistered voters to become registered voters. Her advocacy highlighted true sisterhood and flipped the known “red state” of Georgia from Republican to Democrat. This demonstration not only highlighted the growing power of Black women in the Democratic party, but the epitome of the fight toward social justice.

Disenfranchisement of Blacks and women has been a hallmark throughout our nation’s history. It was just one hundred years ago when the 19th amendment was passed, allowing woman the right to vote. Fortyfive years later, the Voting Rights of 1965 forced racist actors in our country to honor the promise of the 15th amendment of 1870, allowing black men the right to vote. The voices of Black women were effectively silenced for three hundred and forty-six years—since the first female slave stepped off the White Lion slave ship in Virginia 1619. Despite black women’s influence on American culture and history, we have spent much of our time in America being ignored, marginalized, and ridiculed as caricatures.

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The ascent of Kamala Harris to Vice President reflects the meaning of the beloved Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise.” Ms. Harris represents the hopes and dreams of every Black woman who was ever enslaved—and those descended from slaves—but also of Black and brown girls worldwide who have been held down, held back, and left out. Young Black and brown girls are no longer subjected to negative stereotypes, such as “Mammy,” “Sapphire,” and “Jezebel.” Instead, they can see themselves reflected in the words of poet Leslé Honoré’: Brown girl Brown girl what do you see? i see a Vice President that looks like me.

The COVID-19 pandemic has stifled gatherings, but it has not destroyed our ability to use our voices and to tell our stories. I embraced the opportunity to speak prosperity to my daughter. Although she may never meet the Vice President-elect of 2020 in person, through the art of storytelling she has become aware that when she comes of age, her vote will matter, her voice will matter. She has a right to speak—and will speak—on behalf of women denied that right throughout the ages. Women who looked like her. Women who fought for her and for the idea of a future where, yes, she can speak. And be heard.

The United States of America is hurtling towards a day of atonement. In the words of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, it’s time for “The Big Payback.”

As we approach Black History Month 2021, we celebrate, but are also reminded there is still much more work to do. We can not become complacent following this triumphant achievement for Black and brown women. We must continue to push forward until the blindfolds that hide and obscure the truth of Black women are fully removed. Then, and only then, will we truly be treated as equal.

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Shonnell Flournoy is a Family Supervisor Specialist at the Department of Child Protection and Permanency for the State of New Jersey. She holds a Masters degree in Public Administration and is pursuing her MSW at Monmouth University.

EXAMINING E X A M I N I N G

2021 THROUGHOF THE CONTEXT IN THE CONTEXT 2020 OF 2020

by Carline Petiote, LSW

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s the year 2021 dawns, it is necessary to take a moment to reflect on some of the prevailing events in 2020 that will undoubtedly remain etched in American history, especially Black history. Police killings of unarmed Black men and women, the novel coronavirus with all its deadly consequences, increased crime in the Black community, nationwide massive protests and the Presidential election are among a long list of issues wreaking havoc on Black people and the Black community.

The murders of Elijah McClain, Rayshard Brooks, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others were a result of police officers who acted unilaterally as judge, jury and executioner.

These deaths alone would leave an indelible mark, but 2020 continued its assault on the black community, extinguishing hopes, dreams and possibilities.

Following the murder of George Floyd, mass protests and rallies began across the United States.

Americans of all races, gender, religion, and

socioeconomic status banded together to shine a spotlight on racism in America. In the process, Black America gained allies who willingly and openly took self-inventory of their own privileges and used it to join in the fight for racial justice.

Likewise, the novel coronavirus and its racialized impact disproportionately affected the Black community, due to existing and unresolved medical, environmental, and socioeconomic disparities.

Coronavirus and its effects caused the “greatest loss of [Black] life, at a rate of 1 in 1000 deaths nationally” (www.apmresearchlab.org/covid/deathsby-race). The virus’s other deadly impact on the Black community resulted from high rates of crime.

According to the Washington Post, in 2020 “the rate of increase [of crime] in Black neighborhoods has been dramatic, peaking higher than in 2018 and 2019 by about 10 and 8 percent, respectively.”

The past four years have been a constant reminder that White nationalism is a dominant force in our government, as was evident through the Trump administration’s rhetoric and policies. It’s a stark

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reminder that structural racism still exists in America, continuing the oppression of Blacks and other people of color. On election day, Black people made their voices heard at the ballot box to end the racist policies of the current administration.

After helping to solidify a Democratic presidential victory—87% of the Black vote went to the Biden/ Harris ticket—Black people are expressing cautious optimism for change. Fortuitously, despite the trauma and tragedies, the Black community remains resilient, determined, and strong!

Thus, next month’s Black History Month 2021 will be particularly significant and of great cause for celebrating the spirit of Sankofa. Every day, Black Americans will reach back to the ancestors for their strength, wisdom and courage to bring forth the knowledge to continue the fight for racial, economic, medical, and political justice.

Despite the perceived gains of the election for Black people, the Black community is still faced with the coronavirus crisis, reminding us that there is still a lot to do to improve circumstances for Black people across our country.

The New Jersey Association of Black Social Workers is committed to the struggle for Black freedom and looks forward to working with NASW-NJ to further this goal. Our vision is to hold as our primary objective the welfare of the Black community and promote policy practices that support and benefit the Black community.

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Carline Petiote is a licensed social worker and works at the Orange Board of Education with an expertise in special education. She received her MSW with a concentration in Children and Families from Fordham University. Petiote is also a social work field instructor with Rutgers and Seton Hall University. She is currently serving as president of the NJ Association of Black Social Workers.

Hidden Histories: UNCOVERING THE DIVERSE ROOTS OF SOCIAL WORK

Dr. Inabel Burns Lindsay (1900 -1983)

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ecent discourse among the social work profession has focused on the “white washing” of social work history and education. Social work courses that discuss the history of social work often focus on the formative writings and work of individuals such as Jane Addams, Mary Richmond, Frances Perkins and other white social work luminaries. The website www. bestmswprograms.com features a list of “50 Notable Social Workers in U.S. History,” 42 of whom are white. 1 The Wikipedia page for “social work” mentions only two American social workers by name: Jane Addams and Mary Richmond. 2 A 2014 blog posted on the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work website cites the “9 Most Influential Women in the History of Social Work,” all of whom are white. 3 And a 2018 blog available on the Rutgers University School of Social Work website offers a list of “Influential Women in the History of Social Work.” 4 Of the 10 women listed, all but one, Dorothy Height, are white.

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Over the next years’ worth of FOCUS issues, we’ll be digging deeper into the historical archives (thank you internet!), beyond the usually cited names, to bring to light the stories of lesser known individuals, primarily persons of color, who have helped move the profession of social work for ward, as well as society as a whole. This series of articles does not intend to deny the contributions of commonly cited, white individuals to the profession of social work, but rather is intended to raise awareness and create discussion about how we think of social work history and the development of the profession in the U.S.

including membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and founding the Howard Chapter of the Women's Suffrage League.11 In 1920, at the age of 19, she received her bachelor’s degree with honors from Howard.

Hidden Histories:

She was next selected as an Urban League Fellow and began studies at the New York School of Social Work. She later received the Master of Arts in Social Work degree from the University of Chicago (1937) and the Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1952).12

According to her Howard University bio, prior to joining the faculty of Howard University, Dr. Lindsay taught in the Kansas City public school system, where she “developed innovative methods in This month we remember the life and work of Inabel Burns Lindsay (1900-1983), first Dean of the teaching at-risk children.”13 Additionally, she carried out research for the National Urban League in cities Howard University School of Social Work. Under U her NC O V E R I N G T H E D I V E R S E RO O experiencing T S O F racial S Ounrest C I Aand L developed WORK that were leadership, the Howard University School of Social Work became the second accredited school of recommendations for addressing their needs. She would go on to become an administrator in the social work in the country to serve black students.5 Dr. Lindsay has been named an NASW Social Work public welfare system and played a major role in the development of public welfare policies and programs Pioneer. Among her noted accomplishments were during the Great Depression.14 her contributions to the socio-cultural perspective in social work practice and advocacy for the Black In 1937, Dr. Lindsay joined the Department of elderly. Her biography on the Howard University Sociology at Howard University as an instructor website notes, “Her lifetime as a champion for and assistant in charge of social work. She would social justice was and remains an extraordinary 6 eventually become the first Dean of the social accomplishment.” Dr. Sandra Edmonds Crew, work school, a position she would hold until her current Dean of the Howard School of Social Work retirement in 1967.15 She was instrumental in the has referred to Dr. Lindsay as “the moral conscience development of a curriculum that “reflected an of our profession.”7 appreciation of how racial, social, and cultural factors were reflected in the needs of people and how people Inabel Burns Lindsay was born in St. Joseph, were influenced by those factors.”16 Missouri on February 13, 1900. According to her Howard University bio, the Burns family “placed a According to her biography published on the high priority on education and achievement.”8 She University of Chicago School of Social Service became keenly aware of racial discrimination as a Administration website, while she was Dean at young student, which sparked her desire to break 9 Howard, Dr. Lindsay participated in boycotts against down barriers and promote social justice. Later in the racial segregation of federal cafeterias and other life, she would help bring the social work profession facilities and was investigated by the U.S. House of to “a new understanding of the importance of Representatives Un-American Committee for her culture” and set the example of an academic leader 10 activism. She also helped find field placements for who is a passionate voice for social justice. black students and accordingly helped desegregate several federal agencies.17 Dr. Lindsay published Young Inabel began her studies at Howard many survey papers and articles on community University at age 16. During her time as a student leadership, the elderly, and black participation in she was actively involved with campus activities,

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social welfare.18 She spoke often about the linkages between race, culture and social work practice, and authored the important paper, “Race as a Factor in the Caseworker’s Role,” published in 1947.19

https://www.bestmswprograms.com/great-american-social-workers/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_work 3 https://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/9-most-influential-women-in-the-historyof-social-work/ 4 https://socialwork.rutgers.edu/news-events/news/influential-women-historysocial-work 5 https://www.naswfoundation.org/Our-Work/NASW-Social-Workers-Pioneers/ NASW-Social-Workers-Pioneers-Listing.aspx?id=560 6 https://socialwork.howard.edu/about-us/history/80th-anniversary/inabelburns-lindsay-bio 7 https://ssa.uchicago.edu/inabel-burns-lindsay 8 https://socialwork.howard.edu/about-us/history/80th-anniversary/inabelburns-lindsay-bio 9 ibid 10 https://ssa.uchicago.edu/inabel-burns-lindsay 11 https://socialwork.howard.edu/about-us/history/80th-anniversary/inabelburns-lindsay-bio 12 ibid 13 ibid 14 ibid 15 https://www.naswfoundation.org/Our-Work/NASW-Social-WorkersPioneers/NASW-Social-Workers-Pioneers-Listing.aspx?id=560 16 https://ssa.uchicago.edu/inabel-burns-lindsay 17 ibid 18 https://www.naswfoundation.org/Our-Work/NASW-Social-WorkersPioneers/NASW-Social-Workers-Pioneers-Listing.aspx?id=560 19 https://ssa.uchicago.edu/inabel-burns-lindsay 20 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1983/09/15/inabel-lindsayformer-howard-dean-dies/d7474602-b388-4bb2-a10b-0f4b455d4d61/ 21 ibid 22 ibid 23 https://socialwork.howard.edu/about-us/history/80th-anniversary/inabelburns-lindsay-bio 24 ibid 1 2

Hidden Histories:

Dr. Lindsay’s work was both national and international in nature. In 1958, she traveled to Scandinavia for the State Department to survey social welfare programs for the aged and for dependent children. In 1960, she helped found Jamaica's School of Social Work and developed staff training for the Virgin Islands' social welfare department. From 1968 to 1970, she was a member of the executive women's corps of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.20

Dr. Lindsay was a delegate to the 1966 White House Conference on Civil Rights and served on the D.C. Public Welfare Advisory Board. She was UN C O V EtoRtheI N G and T HSenate E Dcommittees IVERSE ROOTS OF SOCIAL WORK a consultant House on aging. She served on the board of the National Urban League and was secretary of the board of the National Council on Aging. She was chairman of the D.C. chapter of the American Association of Social Workers, a pre-cursor to NASW.21 She received the distinguished alumnus award from Howard University in 1961 and the University of Pittsburgh in 1971.22 In 1982, Dr. Lindsay was awarded the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by Howard University. She died not long after in 1983. Her bio from Howard University claims “her teachings and legacy lives on through the many leaders that the Howard University School of Social Work has produced.”23 In 1985, two years after her passing, the School of Social Work building at Howard University was renamed after her—"a permanent acknowledgement of the outstanding contribution of a Black woman to [Howard University’s] history and social work education." 24

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2021 NASW-NJ VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE

March 7-8, 2021 S AV E T H E D A T E !

E A R N U P T O 22 C E U S !

EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE THROUGH JANUARY 19!

Our Annual Conference arrives early this year to coincide with Social Work Month! We’ll be bringing you the Conference virtually to ensure the utmost in safety along with the same high-quality speakers and workshops and the opportunity to earn 20 CEUs in just 2 days (plus an opportunity for 2 free bonus CEUs for members!).

The 2021 Annual Conference will create a space for social workers to address the dichotomy that exists in our profession as we simultaneously practice within racist systems and work to dismantle them. Featuring national experts on racial and social inequities—including Dr. Larry E. Davis, Dr. Darlyne Bailey, and Dr. Alan Lipscombe (all profiled in our November issue)—the 2021 NASW-NJ Virtual Annual Conference presents an opportunity to examine our profession’s relationship to white privilege and racial justice in order to reimagine an antiracist future.

This year we’ve incorporated more plenary sessions to bring us together to collectively examine important issues facing our profession and the individuals, families, and communities we serve.

More information and registration booklet available on our website or register online now.

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- OUR PLENARY SPEAKERS CAMILE QUINN, MSW, LCSW, PH.D. Dr. Camille R. Quinn is Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University, College of Social Work. Dr. Quinn investigates the mechanisms that underlie individual and structural barriers associated with recidivism and comorbid mental health disparities of Black girls and young women. Her research is guided by race-based, criminological, and social determinants of health theories to inform interventions for youth of color to reduce their recidivism and health and mental health disparities.

She has authored several publications on Black/African American girls’ correlates of health and mental health disparities associated with their involvement with the juvenile justice system as a focus for their rehabilitation and treatment.

Y O O S U N PA R K , M S W , P H . D .

Dr. Yoosun Park is Associate Professor and Chair of the Human Behavior in the Social Environment sequence at Smith College. Dr. Park’s scholarship is informed by poststructuralist theories of discourse and methods of inquiry and pursues two overlapping lines of inquiry: social work's history with immigrants and immigration, and the study of contemporary issues pertinent to immigrants and the issue of immigration. She is the current editor-in-chief of social work’s only feminist journal, Affilia: Journal of Women in Social Work and serves on the board of Social Service Review.

A LTA F H U SA I N , M S SA , P H . D .

Dr. Altaf Husain serves as Associate Professor and chair of the Community, Administration and Policy Practice concentration at the Howard University School of Social Work. He has primary teaching responsibilities for the Displaced Populations field of practice specialization, which includes social work practice with individuals experiencing homelessness and natural and human-caused disasters, as well as with immigrants and refugees. He serves on the editorial board and recently served as a guest editor of a double issue on “Islam in the 21st century,” for the Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work. He also serves as Associate Editor for the journal, Mental Health, Religion & Culture.

M E L A N AT E D S O C I A L W O R K The team from the Melanated Social Work Podcast joins us for a plenary session focused on Liberation Therapy. The Melanated Social Work Podcast is hosted by four men of color within the field of social work—Josh McNeil, LCSW, Marvin Toliver, LCSW, Michael Grinnell, LCSW and Jesse Wiltey, MSW. Their podcast discusses social work, mental health, politics, music, liberation, and other topics. They have focused in-depth on topics like white supremacy at work, toxic masculinity, mass shootings and mental health, and racist microaggressions.

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 17

SOCIAL WORK MONTH 2021

March is Social Work Month, and in keeping with a long-running theme throughout 2020, NASW is building Social Work Month 2021 around the message “Social Workers Are Essential.”

Social workers are essential to community well-being. As practitioners, we are trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living. We are employed to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups, and entire communities. As professionals, social workers frequently use their collective power to pass laws and establish policies that give more people access to community services and benefits, improving the quality of life for everyone. Social work is the only helping profession which requires social justice advocacy as part of its professional code of ethics and is therefore a large workforce mandated to advance the rights of the most vulnerable in society. For more than 120 years, the social work profession in the United States has helped bend the arc of justice, making our nation a more equitable and inclusive place.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency and in response to growing racial unrest, social workers gained national visibility as a crisis-ready workforce trained to help people find resources and de-escalate community conflict. The nation needs more social workers as it continues to deal with entrenched problems that have stressed our society, including systemic racism and the Coronavirus pandemic.

At NASW-NJ we’ll be celebrating Social Work Month 2021 and the amazing work you all do in both new and familiar ways, including: Annual Conference We have moved the 2021 NASW-NJ Virtual Annual Conference to March, to coincide with Social Work Month. The Conference will explore social work’s complex history of upholding white privilege alongside our profession’s goal to achieve racial justice. We felt this conversation was so significant and all-encompassing, it had to be held during the month dedicated to our profession.

The 2021 NASW-NJ Virtual Annual Conference will provide an opportunity

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to examine our profession’s relationship to white privilege and racial justice to reimagine an anti-racist future. Additionally, NASW members who attend both days of the Conference will have an opportunity to earn 2 additional free CEUs, not available to non-member attendees.

Free CEU Opportunities We’ll be bringing you a self-care and mindfulness webinar this March that will not only provide you a chance to recharge yourself, but to also acquire new skills or sharpen existing ones to bring to your work with clients.

Members will also have access to free CEUs via our FOCUS Magazine. We’ll be providing several journal articles you can read for CE credit.

Self-Care Activities We’ll be bringing back our popular Virtual Sip ‘n Paint event this year, as well as providing opportunities for online yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practice with other social workers.

Virtual Networking Events Many of our Units and Shared Interest Groups will be convening in March. This is a perfect time to check one out and make new connections.

Find more information, resources, and shareable graphics for Social Work Month 2021 on the NASW National website.

MEMBER MISSIVES

Academia

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SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION T H E L AT E ST I N A L L T H I N G S AC A D E M I A

THE LATEST THE LATEST IN ALL THINGS ACADEMIA FROM THE FIELD The Latest i n All Th in gs Aca d e m ia W h a t to Wa tch W h a t We D i g

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 19

Academia

Voting Is Social Work: Getting Students Engaged

by Louise Murray, Ph.D., MSW, LSW

"Given the multiple crises our nation experienced in 2020 and the high stakes election, faculty at social work programs across the nation had many opportunities to explain to students how the act of voting is social work. "

“

Never waste a crisis.”

So goes an adage that took on new meaning during the Fall 2020 semester for social work faculty.

Given the multiple crises our nation experienced in 2020 and the high stakes election, faculty at social work programs across the nation had many opportunities to explain to students how the act of voting is social work.

RELATING THE CRISES OF 2020 TO PUBLIC POLICY My own discussions with students began by drawing a direct line between the act of voting and the act of influencing public policy. My students were extremely interested in understanding how laws and policies implemented at the federal, state, and local government levels can either perpetuate or challenge systemic racism. There was particular interest from students in discussing the issue of racism in law enforcement. As such, we analyzed proposals from organizations including 8 Can’t Wait and 8 to Abolition, which generated lively discussions about how to make the criminal justice

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system more fair. While these documents offered very different recommendations, the underlying theme of our discussion was that public officials have the authority and the ability to address systemic racism within the criminal justice system.

Without the voices of advocates, however, public officials would have little incentive to institute change.

VOTING AS ADVOCACY After considering how government policy can support or undermine racial and social justice efforts, we talked about effective ways to create change. Voting is one of many way social workers— and all citizens—can use our voices to speak up, speak out, and be recognized.

I found the message, “Your voice, your vote!” resonated strongly with my students. 1 They already understood that social workers have been outspoken in advocating for social justice. As such, framing voting in the context of speech and speaking up was very appealing to them. From this

Footnotes The League of Women Voters used the slogan “ Your Voice, Your Vote” throughout its website, but I am not sure if the League originated this phrase. Full disclosure, I am a member of the League of Women Voters.

1

2 All but one student was a New Jersey resident, and he verif ied his registration on his state’s website. Students who were not eligible to vote checked the voting status of a friend and discussed a plan to vote with the friend.

Academia

point, we were able to segue into conversations about social work’s role in promoting the voices of others—particularly those on the margins— through protecting and exercising the right to vote.

We also engaged in discussion on the history of voter suppression and how throughout much of our nation’s history, those in power have worked to disenfranchise certain citizens, either through deliberate voter suppression tactics or the subtle sabotage of promoting disinformation and cynicism.

PRACTICALITIES OF VOTING A core social work competency is intervention according to a plan. Just as we would make a plan for intervention with individuals and families in crisis, we should also make a plan for how we use our voices to advocate and vote. Our class discussion identified two crucial steps in planning this type of intervention: 1) registering to vote or enabling others to register to vote; and 2) making a concrete plan to vote.

In 2020, making a plan to vote required careful thought to make sure our vote was counted, while also protecting our health. For this reason, we discussed the various options for voting in New Jersey in 2020 and we considered the pros and cons of each option.

We spent class time visiting the New Jersey Division of Election website. Students who were not yet registered to vote were able to register online at this time. Students who were registered were able to verify their voter registration. 2 Students also looked up their polling location and drop box locations, in the event they decided not to submit their ballot via U.S. mail.

Voting and civic engagement have long been a part of social work practice, but these tactics often get left out of our “tool kit ” when we focus solely on clinical intervention. The crises and events of 2020 offered a unique learning lab for social work students to understand the importance of the vote, the connection between voting and creating systemic change, and the undeniable realization that voting truly is social work.

About the Author: Louise Murray is Assistant Professor and Chair of the Social Work Program at Saint Elizabeth University. She is a long-standing member of the League of Women Voters.

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 21

Clinical Social Work

A Reflection on the Power of Being Heard

by Stacie Goldstein, MSW, LCSW

"The process is freeing—to talk while someone else is listening, selflessly, with purpose and intent."

I

magine struggling—with your thoughts, your past, your present, your future. There is so much in your head you can’t think straight, but you know picking up the phone and making a call is how you can begin to address the problems that assail you. Imagine hearing a stranger on the other end of the line and having to summarize all that is troubling you in a handful of minutes—a brief description of your overwhelming troubles so they can assess your needs.

In better days, you’d travel to that stranger’s office. Perhaps you’d find it warmly lit, with a small but comfy looking couch, and maybe with unique Chinese prints on the walls—symbols signifying peace, love, serenity, and joy. The woman you spoke to previously greets you with a hearty and friendly “hello.” In the days before COVID-19, she’d shake your hand firmly and ask you to have a seat. These days, that exchange takes place over a videoconference line—the sterile safety of teletherapy offering a less intimate shared-setting, but at the same time allowing you to confront your issues from the familiarity of your home.

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Now imagine swallowing hard and looking for the words to start. There is so much to tell. So much history, so many details. Where do you begin? The woman looks at you and says “begin wherever you like. There’s no way for you to do this wrong. It’s my job to listen and ask questions so you can clarify your experience for me.” You breathe a sigh of relief.

So, you start to talk…about the past, your relationship with your parents, your siblings, your spouse. You talk about the stresses of your life— of the world. You talk about feelings of anger and rage; doubt and inadequacy; happiness and joy. Or maybe you talk about trauma, loss, and grieving and how much you just feel stuck.

And she sits and she listens, accepting it all. She nods with validation and asks you to continue, interrupting only briefly to ask for clarification and further detail. And so, for 45 minutes that pass in an instant, you continue to speak.

And as you speak the discomfort seems to melt away. The process is freeing—to talk while

Clinical Social Work

someone else is listening, selflessly, with purpose and intent. No unwanted interruptions. No judgements. No preconceived notions. No dismissal of feelings. And you begin to feel the power in this—the healing power of talking and being heard.

She looks on with encouragement when you stumble or quake, helping to release the story from within you. Disclosing personal information can be so risky and difficult; you feel grateful to have someone you can trust with your story. She makes you feel accepted, unjudged, valued. She makes you feel like a person—the most important person, not a bit player in someone else’s tale. She doesn’t offer solutions or give unsolicited advice, although sometimes this may be what you believe you want.

Instead, over time and multiple sessions, she guides you to the answers inside—the ones you didn’t know you knew.

And at the end of each session, she asks: “how did that feel for you?” More often than not, you surprisingly respond, “it felt good.” Yes, it felt really good to say all of that. To be heard. To have someone listen.

I imagine this experience with all my clients— clients who are taking the brave step to reach out in a time of need. And I try to convey to them how this process works—the power of sharing your truth, of baring your soul to a person you hardly know. I impart hope and a belief in the process because I know that it works. And still—despite 25 years of doing this type of work—I never cease to be amazed by the healing power of simply being heard.

About the Author: Stacie Goldstein, LCSW has been a social worker and psychotherapist for 25+ years.

She owns a private practice specializing in working with adolescents and adults around issues related to anxiety, depression, life transitions, parenting and the emotional impact of COVID-19.

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Clinical Social Work

Flexibly Responding to Loneliness

by Marinelle Reynolds, MSW, LCSW

" Humans don’t feel connected because we feel safe and calm; we feel safe and calm because we feel connected."

Loneliness is an increasingly common experience defined as a distressing feeling that accompanies the perception that social relationships do not meet one’s social needs. 1 A 2018 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found 22% of adults in the U.S. said they often or always feel lonely, feel they lack companionship, feel left out, or feel isolated from others. 2 Yet, not many of us have previously experienced the kind of loneliness the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about. While stay-at-home orders have been a break from the busyness of life for some, for others, it has been an incredibly lonely experience, away from people they love and need most.

Studies on the impact and prevalence of loneliness resulting from physical distancing guidelines in response to COVID-19 are emerging. Preliminary studies have indicated that 28% of women and 16% of men in Australia reported feeling lonely due to the pandemic, which was the most common personal stressor identified. 3 Observations from previous infectious disease outbreaks have likewise found a reported sense of loneliness due to a loss of routine and contact with others, along with higher levels of stress, fear, low mood, irritability, frustration, and emotional exhaustion. 4 Impacts of Loneliness While loneliness is a painful feeling, extended

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experiences of loneliness can severely affect health and well-being. A growing number of studies have associated loneliness with a greater risk of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, depression, and anxiety. 5 Studies have also suggested lonely people were more likely to have a lower-quality sleep, more immune system dysfunction, more impulsive behavior, impaired judgment, and were 50% more likely to die prematurely than people with strong social connections. 6 The formation of meaningful social connections is an integral part of human nature. Humans endured as a species not because of size, strength, or speed but because of the capacity to connect and work together. Apart from practical reasons, such as increased safety and consistent food supply, social connectedness decreases the body’s stress response by regulating our heart rates and respiration rates, influences our brains’ emotional activation, and shifts our immune response to injuries and wounds. 7 Relationships are essential for physical health and psychosocial well-being and can mitigate the wellbeing and health risks associated with loneliness.

Humans don’t feel connected because we feel safe and calm; we feel safe and calm because we feel connected.

Humans are social creatures and don’t do well in isolation. To fight loneliness, make a plan to stay connected with others by acknowledging the painful experience, lean in with curiosity and respond with courage.

THREE STEPS FOR FIGHTING

LONELINESS “Flexible Mind DEFinitely” is a skill from Radically Open Dialectic Behavior Therapy, which allows us to flexibly respond to life’s challenges with receptivity and openness in a way that is both in line with our values and takes into consideration the needs of others. 10 There are three steps in this process.

ACKNOWLEDGE DISTRESS Suppressing and avoiding distressing emotions doesn’t work, and many attempts to control and prevent unwanted emotions, increase unwanted emotional experiences. Avoidance decreases cognitive flexibility and opportunities for connection. Recognize what’s going on by asking yourself: • • •

Clinical Social Work

Given the complex nature of the association between social connection and health, social interventions designed to improve health vary significantly. These interventions can occur at multiple levels and sometimes require cross-sector collaboration to foster social cohesion and improve health. Researchers in the field of loneliness and social isolation have highlighted significant gaps in knowledge about what interventions effectively address these issues. The types of common interventions include befriending schemes (often delivered by volunteers), one-to-one and group therapies to address relationship difficulties, and shared activity programs (e.g. exercise, interest groups, etc.) to foster social connection. Of these interventions, most experts have found that interventions that focused solely on lunch clubs, social groups, and befriending schemes did not help reduce loneliness. 8 It appears the only strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness are those that facilitate both meaningful and purposeful group activities and psychological interventions to address the maladaptive cognitions associated with loneliness. 9

Were you in a new or uncertain situation?

Did you feel invalidated, misunderstood, or criticized?

Were your expectations or beliefs about the world, other people, or yourself being challenged?

USE SELF -ENQUIRY TO LEARN Allow the experience to be there, just as it is, without trying to solve or change things. You can be fused inside your story, in which case it controls you. Or you can step back and look at the story, notice what the story says, and consider how that story is serving you. It’s not arguing whether or not the story is true or false but asking how the story is working for you. The story is your mind doing its job: trying to make sense of what is happening in your life. Lean in with curiosity and ask yourself: • • • • • • •

What might I need to learn?

What might this experience be telling me about myself and my life?

How open am I to thinking differently or changing?

How might changing help me live more fully?

What am I afraid might happen?

What do I want to stand for?

Does this take me closer to or farther from my values?

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 25

Clinical Social Work

FLEXIBLY RESPOND WITH HUMILITY Do what is needed in the moment. Focus on acting in a way that ’s in line with your values and considers others’ needs.

• • • • • •

Reframe problems and stressors as opportunities for new learning rather than obstacles preventing me from enjoying my life.

Practice seeing the bigger picture and other perspectives.

Live according to my values by taking responsibility for my reactions and responses to the world.

Practice a willingness to be wrong without falling apart or giving up.

Honor diversity by recognizing that there are many ways to live, behave, or think.

Give the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of others.

Behavioral Medicine, 40(2), 218–227. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s12160-010-9210-8 7 Gangestad SW, Grebe NM. Hormonal systems, human social bonding, and aff iliation. Horm Behav. 2017 May;91:122-135. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.08.005. Epub 2016 Aug 13. PMID: 27530218.

From https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27530218/ 8 Jopling K. Promising approaches to reducing loneliness and isolation in later life. London: Age UK; 2015 [cited 2020 Jun 14]. Available from: www. campaigntoendloneliness.org/wpcontent/uploads/ Promising-approaches-to-reducing-lonelinessandisolation-in-later-life.pdf

Smith BJ, Lim MH. How the COVID-19 pandemic is focusing attention on loneliness and social isolation. Public Health Res Pract. 2020;30(2):e3022008.From https://www.phrp.com. au/issues/june-2020-volume-30-issue-2/how-the-covid-19pandemic-is-focusing-attention-on-loneliness-and-socialisolation/ 9

Lynch, T. R. (2018). Radically open dialectical behavior therapy: Theory and practice for treating disorders of overcontrol.

Oakland, CA: Context Press.

10

Footnotes 1 Murthy, V. (2020). Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. New York, NY: Harper Wave.

2 DiJulio, B., Hamel, L., Munana, C., & Brodie, M. (2018).

Loneliness and Social Isolation in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan: An International Survey (pp. 1, 2, 3-6).

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved f rom http:// f iles.kff.org/attachment/Report-Loneliness-and-Social-Isolationin-the-United-States-the-United-Kingdom-and-Japan-AnInternational-Survey.

Smith BJ, Lim MH. How the COVID-19 pandemic is focusing attention on loneliness and social isolation. Public Health Res Pract. 2020;30(2):e3022008.From https://www.phrp.com. au/issues/june-2020-volume-30-issue-2/how-the-covid-19pandemic-is-focusing-attention-on-loneliness-and-socialisolation/ 3

4

ibid

5 Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspectives on psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237. https://doi. org/10.1177/1745691614568352 6 Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: a theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms.

Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of

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About the Author: Marinelle Reynolds is a Michigan State University graduate, LCSW and owner of eRemedy Counseling, an online private practice in California, Georgia, Texas, and New Jersey. She specializes in helping stressed out individuals and organizations move forward aligned with their unique values, passions and purpose.

Environmental Justice

COMBATING ECO-ANXIETY: Activating Social Workers and Citizens to Protect the Earth

by Mariann Bischoff, LCSW, Sean Ertle, B.A., MSW candidate, and Christine Morales, LCSW (Presenter's at this year's 2021 Virtual Annual Conference) " While climate change, natural disasters, and other contributors to eco-anxiety disproportionately affect disenfranchised people, individuals from all classes, races, and backgrounds suffer from ecoanxiety.

E

co-anxiety, also called climate anxiety, was recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2017. According to the APA (2017), eco-anxiety is defined as “a chronic fear of environmental doom.” Currently, however, eco-anxiety is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5). Worldwide, fires, hurricanes, massive climaterelated power outages, extinction of pollinators, and other natural disasters have significantly impacted humans. The daunting state of the world due to climate change can cause people to panic, feel disempowered, and become overwhelmed. Individuals experience fear, depression, powerlessness, anger, exhaustion, PTSD, and lack of control (APA, 2016). Individuals suffering from ecoanxiety experience symptoms that many trained social workers are experienced in addressing. In great part, the anxiety stems from the fear of the unknown and an inability to plan. One major distinction that separates

eco-anxiety from other related diagnoses listed in the DSM-5 is the root of the problem or trigger.

Eco-anxiety is complex and globally pervasive. Chronic fear from perceived or real environmental doom is not easily remedied. Social workers grapple with how best to service clients and client systems while individuals struggle with how to address climate change. Climate change is such a large-scale problem that individuals who recycle and work to reduce their carbon footprint often wonder how much of an impact they are having.

Individuals may feel that their contributions are insignificant. They want to do more but are unsure how to help. “While 7 in 10 say they wish there were more they could do to combat climate change, 51% of U.S. adults say they don’t know where to start” (APA, 2020). Social workers have the ability and resources to help guide these individuals to fight climate change

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 27

Environmental Justice

and combat eco-anxiety. “Fundamental to social work is the attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living” (NASW, 2017).

points and push for policies that will improve the environment, thereby reducing eco-anxiety.

Certain populations have a higher propensity for ecoanxiety. Individuals who are poor, people who are unhoused, those living in areas where natural disasters are common, and individuals already suffering from mental illness are at higher risk for eco-anxiety (APA, 2016).

Social workers are uniquely positioned to intervene as they have skill sets in addressing both anxiety and the environment. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers have an ethical responsibility to the broader society: “Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments” (NASW, 2017). Incorporating eco-anxiety in the DSM-5 could help many who are struggling by acknowledging the triggers, manifestations, and best practices. Similarly, including environmental justice into the Code of Ethics would shift the social work paradigm to value the connection between people and the Earth, rather than nature being something for humans to exploit for their benefit. Ethical Standard 6.04 calls for social and political action. While climate change, natural disasters, and other contributors to eco-anxiety disproportionately affect disenfranchised people, individuals from all classes, races, and backgrounds suffer from eco-anxiety. The profession of social work is best suited and equipped to address the root causes and relieve the impact on those affected by eco-anxiety.

American Psychological Association. (2016) Climate change is threatening mental health. https://www.apa.org/ monitor/2016/07-08/climate-change.

President-elect Joe Biden possesses a more climate conscious published agenda than his predecessors. His expressed vision integrates climate care across federal departments, processes, policies, and outcomes. Biden’s verbalization of environmental crises and solutions acknowledges the triggers of eco-anxiety. This kind of normalizing is an effective clinical technique; people feel heard and less isolated. However, identifying the real and adverse conditions of people and the world is only the first step. Radical change must happen to reduce or eliminate eco-anxiety. By helping to organize communities suffering from eco-anxiety, social workers, adhering to Ethical Standard 6.04, can help people relieve their anxiety by working to eliminate the causes of it. Hopefully, environmentalists, environmental justice activists, community members, and social workers, alike, can use Biden’s stated agenda as one of many rallying

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References:

American Psychological Association. (2022, February 6).

Majority of US Adults Believe Climate Change Is Most Important Issue Today. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/02/climatechange.

American Psychological Association. (2017, March). Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance. https://www.apa.org/news/press/ releases/2017/03/mental-health-climate.pdf National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2017). https://www.socialworkers.org/about/ethics/code-of-ethics/ code-of-ethics-english

About the Authors: Mariann Bischoff applies to social work the formal analytical disciplines of systems, root cause, risk analyses honed in her previous career in engineering and international agriculture, coupled with her spiritual practice of interbeing in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. She serves as Field Education Coordinator and Teaching Instructor at Rutgers School of Social Work.

Sean Ertle is enthusiastic to be completing his social work internship in environmental justice.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in history f rom Kean University. He is currently in the MSW program at Rutgers University while working at a school for children with autism.

Christine Morales uses her intersectional perspective as a woman of color to fuel and guide her passion for social work, education, and social justice. She serves as an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work and is currently a doctoral student in education.

by Joann Downey, MSW, JD

"...if we are willing to listen to all stakeholders in our most vulnerable communities, we will drive real change for them to have a better and safer future."

T

he law is a living and breathing thing that is always changing and open to interpretation.

One of the things I’ve learned in my five years in the NJ State Assembly, and as chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, is that nowhere does this seem to be truer than when attempting to write legislation that addresses the diverse needs of our most vulnerable population, including survivors of domestic abuse.

As an attorney with a Masters Degree in Social Work, I’ve learned that the social culture will always drive change in the law. This challenges legislators to get the law to move as quickly as the culture does. Domestic violence was once considered a private matter. Now our culture understands the need to address serious harm and assaults that occur in the home every day.

The spark that ignites the idea for a piece of legislation can come from many directions, although most come from the constituents who contact us to call for change. COVID-19 also has opened our eyes to a host of issues affecting our vulnerable population, and the legislature has stepped in to try to combat those issues.

Here’s a look at how that process led to my recent introduction of a package of bills to address

Government and Policy

Making Law to Protect the Most Vulnerable

domestic violence.

The first step in drafting legislation to help a vulnerable community is to try to imagine the world they live in through their eyes. There is a learning curve for legislators when it comes to trying to change a situation they’ve never experienced. Some situations are easier to relate to while others are more complex and harder to understand. The best way to grasp the facts is to hold hearings to listen to the stories of those who would be impacted by the legislation and other stakeholders pushing to enact change.

For our Domestic Violence Bill Package, we spoke with police and prosecutors, as well as social workers, service providers, and survivors, to better understand how to improve the laws already on the books. That resulted in the writing of these bills, which include a bill to prevent perpetrators of domestic violence from obtaining a survivor’s medical records and another that requires public entities to use electronic tools to protect online visitors who may be survivors of domestic violence.

Holding public hearings is critically important to creating effective legislation. Survivors telling their stories, people working in the field and

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 29

Government and Policy

other stakeholders provide unique insight into the legislation. Hearings help legislators learn new information they didn’t otherwise know—and may never have thought to ask. All of this comes together to create well-rounded bills that generate the most change. Through talking to stakeholders and legislative hearings, we open a window to glimpse the lives these survivors have been living.

In 2017, I sponsored legislation (S-2483) that would prohibit anyone convicted or issued a domestic violence restraining order from obtaining a gun. Passing this law was a huge step in supporting and protecting survivors. But a few years later, after speaking with stakeholders and listening to witnesses during another bill hearing, a flaw surfaced. People charged with domestic violence who already owned a gun could still buy ammunition. So, we included Bill A-4923 in our new domestic violence package, requiring police to seize ammunition from anyone convicted or issued a domestic violence restraining order.

It is important to work together as one Legislature for the citizens of New Jersey to ensure we are creating real, beneficial change.

Legislators must remain open minded. Even after our bills become law, we must be willing to listen, to find the missing pieces, and make changes that ensure we make law that accomplishes what it says it will accomplish.

Law is forever changing. Time will always bring more challenges to our attention. But if we are willing to listen to all stakeholders in our most vulnerable communities, we will drive real change for them to have a better and safer future. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please reach out to me at aswdowney@njleg.org or call (732) 6953371, and a member of my team will get in touch.

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About the Author: Assemblywoman Joann Downey chairs the Assembly Human Services Committee and represents New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District.

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 31

Give Back to the Profession:

Sponsor a Student!

As we conclude this season of giving thanks, NASW-NJ is thankful for you!

Your work and ser vice is especially essential during these times and you make a dif ference to thousands of people . Thank you!

This past Fall, NASW-NJ launched a campaign asking our social work community to sponsor NASW memberships for social work students. Times are tough – financially and emotionally – and we want to support future leaders in the profession: our students. Nurturing our social workers in training ensures the legacy of social work will continue into the next generation. Since the launch of this campaign, generous members like you have stepped up to sponsor over 200 student memberships.

As a change agent in our community, you can help keep social work generations strong by sponsoring a student membership. Student membership costs $60 and helps provide students with connections to mentors and colleagues, as well as networking and other benefits. Not only that-student members are able to attend the NASW-NJ Annual Conference for free!

32 | NJFOCUS • January 2021 32 | NJFOCUS • January 2021

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT. This is what Jessica B. had to say about why student membership is important to her: As I entered my second and f inal year [of graduate school], I immediately felt the pressure of gaining experience quickly, f inishing strong in my classes, graduation, the examination and of course, job searching. I ’ve been inquiring around my internship different ways to conquer these pressures and many responses have been to become a member of the NASW. I ’ve heard of myriad of reasons…resources, exam tips, networking, and continued updates on the f ield/research.

Will you join us in connecting our students to their premier professional organization? Sponsor a student by January 31 to ensure your student has access to the full range of student-focused opportunities in 2021.

Here is why NASW-NJ Board member, Dawn Konrady, is participating in the challenge: As a member of the NASW-NJ Board, I wanted to give back in a way that would possibly have the most direct impact. What better way to do so than to sponsor a student developing their skills and who will soon be joining me in the profession? I take great joy in mentoring and developing connections with others and as a f ield instructor. Especially during such a diff icult time, I felt compelled to take an extra step and offer an opportunity for several students who may not have otherwise had a chance to join NASW-NJ at this time. Furthermore, the programming they will now have access to throughout this year will only enhance their f ield experience and strengthen their skills as beginning social workers, so that ’s why I made the decision to sponsor several students this year.

All of us at NASW-NJ give thanks to you for your ser vice and membership. We now ask if you will invest in the future of social work and sponsor a student membership.

To sponsor a student, make a secure donation here .

If you want to sponsor a par ticular student please email Helen French at : h french .naswnj@socialworkers.org and she will work with you.

T H A N K YO U !

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 33

Student Center

SOCIAL WORKERS' ROLE IN PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO VOTE

by Gianna Grandinetti, MSW Student

A

s President of the Student Social Workers Association at Seton Hall University, it is my duty and privilege to present current events with relevance to social work to my members each month.

For our November meeting, my executive board and I decided that voter suppression was a relevant issue not only for the month of November, but for future social workers to be aware of to create change.

Voting is a right that allows American’s to make their voices heard. Shockingly, as many as half of eligible voters in the United States still don’t or can’t participate in our country’s election process. 1 Voter suppression is not only alive and well today but is also very much legal. Voter suppression is a strategy used to influence the outcome of an election by discouraging or preventing specific groups of people from voting, either in legal or illegal forms. 2 While everyone in our country is supposed to vote, it is important to remember that there are barriers, whether they be physical, financial, or personal, that bar people from voting. Here are five main reasons why people do not turn out at the polls: 1. Voters need a valid form of identification to vote. Approximately 21 million Americans each

34 | NJFOCUS • January 2021

year are unable to vote because they lack valid identification. 3 There are also financial barriers, lack of access to transportation, and limited information which can make it difficult for the elderly, people of color, and low-income people to obtain ID during elections.

2. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, and race can all impact whether someone votes. Research shows that nonvoters are more likely to be lowincome, young, Hispanic or Asian American. 4 Registration in the U.S. is also left up to us as individuals, compared to other countries where the process is automatic. Getting a new ID can be unaffordable, missing work isn’t always a financial option, and low-income people are more likely to move around 5, which adds another level of complexity to voter registration.

However, college graduates, who tend to make more money, are also more likely to seek out information on politics and voting 6 3. Another issue is that election day is always on a Tuesday and is not yet a federal holiday.

For those who have multiple or full-time jobs, missing work is not always affordable, especially if workers do not receive paid time off to go to their polling place and wait in line. While voting early and mail-in ballots gave citizens

4. Voters who don’t feel represented may choose to opt out of an election all together. The Republican and Democrat parties are the two largest political parties in the U.S. The 7% of citizens who don’t support either party and are registered as Independent tend to be less politically engaged. 7 5. Finally, citizens are less likely to vote if they feel like their vote doesn’t matter. For the 2016 presidential election, 15% of registered voters reported that they didn’t vote because they didn’t believe their vote would make a difference, according to the Pew Research Center. 8 They also found that half of the participants didn’t bother to research the election because they didn’t think their vote impacted the government. 9 The many obstacles American citizens face to vote can be discouraging. When people don’t vote, they are silenced, and the government is not fully representative of the American people. With enough preparation and information, voting can help citizens play an important role in shaping the world in which they want to live.

As social workers, it is our duty outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves. 10 As social workers and American citizens we should advocate for full access to the vote and protect against deceptive election practices, as well as protect eligible voters from improper purges of the voter polls. Social workers and social work students can do this by asking clients if they are registered to vote and helping them overcome barriers to voting. We can also challenge unjust laws and processes related to voting and advocate for easing restrictions to allow everyone to access their right to vote. The next general election in NJ is just a year away and both the Governor and the entire legislature will be on the ballot. Let’s make sure all adult citizens are able to fully participate.

Footnotes Colin Woodard, Half of Americans Don’t Vote, What Are They Thinking?, 2020.

1

“Voter Suppression.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, November 11, 2020. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_suppression.

2

“Oppose Voter ID Legislation - Fact Sheet.” American Civil Liberties Union, May 2017. https://www.aclu.org/other/oppose-voter-idlegislation-fact-sheet.

3

Malter, Jordan. “Why Poor People Still Aren't Voting.” CNNMoney. Cable News Network, August 5, 2015. https://money.cnn.com/2015/08/05/ news/economy/poor-people-voting-rights/index.html.

4

Student Center

more flexibility this year, this was not always an option, and not every state offered this option previously.

Rogers, Kirsten. “Convincing the Non-Voter: Listen and Reframe.”

IGNITE National, October 8, 2020. https://www.ignitenational.org/ convincing_the_non_voter_listen_and_reframe.

5

Parker, Kim. “Views of Higher Education Divided by Party.” Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project. Pew Research Center, July 29, 2020. https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/essay/ the-growing-partisan-divide-in-views-of-higher-education/.

6

LaLoggia, John. “6 Facts about U.S. Political Independents.” Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center, August 28, 2020. https:// www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/15/facts-about-us-politicalindependents/.

7

López, Gustavo, and Antonio Flores. “Why Registered Voters Say They Didn't Vote in 2016.” Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center, July 28, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/01/dislikeof-candidates-or-campaign-issues-was-most-common-reason-for-notvoting-in-2016/.

8

Shearer, Elisa, and Jeffrey Gottfried. “Half of Those Not Learning about Election Feel Vote Doesn't Matter.” Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center, May 30, 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/facttank/2016/03/04/half-of-those-who-arent-learning-about-the-electionfeel-their-vote-doesnt-matter/.

9

10

NASW Code of Ethics, 2017, section 6.01, 6.04

About the Author: Gianna Grandinetti is a social work major and Psychology minor at Seton Hall University. She is currently applying to graduate programs while interning at HOPE Therapeutic Services in West Orange, NJ and mentoring for Project 99 in Springf ield.

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 35

Student Center

NASW-NJ INTERNS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW

?

NASW-NJ has been fortunate to have some amazing interns placed with us over the years. Their assistance has been crucial in launching some of the programs and services our members have come to enjoy. Recently, we reached out to our former interns to find out how they are doing and where their careers have taken them.

NASW-NJ INTERNS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW

?

S UDH A (N A R A SIMHAN) BRIGHT MAN, MSW, LCSW MSW Intern, 2008-09 Academic Year Sudha describes herself as the current Brightman Household Executive (and stay at home mom). She lives in upstate New York with her husband and daughter. One thing Sudha says she has learned during her career is how to be a great listener. “There is so much to learn from what people say and don’t say. Patience and taking perspective are also strengths that I have improved upon over the years,” she shared.

C A R R I E (MOORE) CONGER, MSW, L SW MSW Intern, 2009-10 Academic Year Carrie has built a career in the disabilities field over the past decade, having worked for public and private organizations. She is currently Assistant Executive Director at Premier Supports and is also an adjunct professor at Rutgers University Newark. Carrie has been an active NASW volunteer for more than a decade, serving in multiple capacities. “One thing I’ve learned since my days as an intern is that even doing macro-level/administrative work requires a level of clinical approach,” shared Carrie.

A N TH ON Y GA LLO, MSW, L SW MSW Intern, 2016-17 Academic Year Anthony continues to be passionate about his work in the addictions field. He is a social worker at Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic and also works as a private practitioner/clinician at Oasis Behavioral Health and Addiction Services. Anthony has served on the NASW-NJ Finance Committee and is current treasurer of the NASW-NJ PACE Committee. Since graduating with his MSW, Anthony says he has learned that to do his best work he needs to be “in a good place emotionally, whether that means seeking a change to my current work situation or increasing my self-care outside of work hours.”

B R A N DON GR E EN, MSW, L MSW MSW Intern, 2014-15 Academic Year Brandon currently lives in North Carolina and is Grant Management Analyst at Prison Fellowship. Brandon says he has learned being a social worker isn’t just a profession, it’s a way of life. “I’ve found the skills, knowledge, and tools I have as a social worker permeate every aspect of who I am,” he shared.

36 | NJFOCUS • January 2021

Caroline moved to Pennsylvania after graduation. She currently works as Social Worker II, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections; State Correctional Institution at Muncy.

Caroline says since beginning her career she takes the separation of her personal life and work life very seriously. “Leave work at work,” she recommends. “It may be hard to make the separation at first, so pick a physical item/token to make the separation tangible. For me, I leave my work badge in my car. It never enters my house, meaning work stays separate.”

Student Center

C A R OLIN E “I N I” ROSS, MSW, L SW MSW Intern, 2018-19 Academic Year

ELI ZA B ETH TOWNL EY, MSW, L SW Intern, Summer 2019 Liz is currently the Housing Navigator at the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. Since graduating, Liz says she has learned the silos she thought would exist in social work practice don't exist. “I realize now that a broad skillset is essential,” she explains. “My graduate studies focused on the area of social policy, but now I'm really glad I opted to take clinical electives, too.”

MA DI S ON TR I A NO Intern, Summer 2019 Madison interned with NASW-NJ the summer between her Junior and Senior years at Montclair State University, where she earned a BA in Psychology this past May. She is currently an MSW Student at Rutgers University in New Brunswick where she is focusing on the clinical track. Since beginning her MSW studies, Madi says, “I’ve learned that being a social worker takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s worth it to be doing what you love.”

LEA H (J ON ES) W IL SON, MSW, L SW MSW Intern, 2009-10 Academic Year Leah has worked for Sussex County ARC, Inc. (SCARC) since her graduation and currently serves as Senior Director of Community Services. Leah shared, “one of the most important things I’ve learned about being a Social Worker since my intern days is that maintaining communication with previous internships, employers and educational institutions can make way for future collaboration and career development in a big way.”

She continued, “I have had so many unexpected opportunities to strengthen the services provided by our organization and for my own professional development that I would have completely missed out on had I not continued to maintain those relationships from the beginning of my career.”

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 37

38 | NJFOCUS • January 2021

Sample Calendar of Events Topic

Date

Month

Advocacy & Action Series

September 2020

Overview

Part 1: Social Work Identity w/ Widian Nicola Part 2: Advocating in a Virtual World with NASW-NJ staff

September 15th

School Social Work

Leveraging Relationships, IEP’s and 504’s.

September 17th

School Social Work

Interactive Exercises to Promote Peaceful School Environments

September 25th

Clinical Work

Private Practice Bootcamp, tips and helpful information

September 29th

Child Protection

Social Workers and Child Welfare during COVID 19

October 2020

Part 3: Call to Action Healthcare

Healthcare Symposium

Macro Social Work Shared Interest Group Part 4: Re-Cap of Activities with NASW-NJ Staff

November 2020 November 18th

Social & Cultural Competency

Fostering Resilience in Latin X Mental Health

Research & Surveying Virtual Series

Part 1: Surveying 101 with NASW-NJ Staff and school researcher Part 2: Survey Design & Development

Learn more at: naswnj.socialworkers.org/Events/2020-21-Field-Learning

NASW-NJ Presents the Social Work

LICENSURE EXAM INSTITUTE BE PREPARED. Learn key strategies to help you pass the LSW & LCSW exams + regulatory tips & tools.

UPCOMING DATES FEBRUARY 17 | 9AM - 4:30PM APRIL 12 | 9AM - 4:30PM ALL COURSES WILL BE DELIVERED ONLINE

REGISTER AT NASWNJ.ORG/EVENTS

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 39

PA R T N E R

S

SPOTLIGHT

“Lawyers think too much, and Social Workers feel too much.”

o says Theresa Lyons, Esq., MSW, Founder and Managing Partner of Lyons & Associates, P.C. “That constant tension makes for a lot of sleepless nights, but it’s a struggle worth having. Our firm’s pro bono amicus work is just one example of how that struggle can bear impactful fruit not simply for NASW and NASW-NJ, but also for the betterment of society at large.”

Lyons & Associates, P.C. is a full-service law firm, with multiple attorneys practicing in the areas of family law, estate planning, real estate, special needs advocacy, and related financial services. 100% of Lyons lawyers have enjoyed judicial clerkships in the courts (the national average is only 19%), and 100% of Lyons lawyers engage in annual charity work above and beyond the state regulated licensure requirements. That creates a cadre of counsel with brains and heart.

“Personal attention for personal matters” is the firm’s mantra. It is a mantra every Lyons attorney and staff member takes to heart, from Ms. Lyons herself to the receptionist. “When you walk in the door, you will know we are a different kind of law firm,” shares Ms. Lyons. “We pride ourselves on making our clients feel safe, informed, and empowered to successfully make it through challenging times and transitions.”

Managing Partner, Theresa Lyons, also has a background and Master’s Degree in Social Work, which allows her to understand client needs on all levels in addition to being able to aggressively represent cases in court or settlement negotiations.

Ms. Lyons’ degree and background have uniquely prepared her for cases involving the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) abuse or neglect, including victim’s rights claims and divorce litigation. Additionally, all lawyers within the firm have compassion and understanding consistent with social work principles.

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As part of the firm’s mission to give back, Lyons & Associates has started the “Pro Bono Amicus Project” to weigh in on behalf of NASW and NASW-NJ in various important cases across state and federal courts. This project will allow NASW-NJ and NASW to not only participate in existing legal briefs, but also create the capacity for the organization to initiate court proceedings. Staff at Lyons & Associates are licensed to practice in Washington, D.C. as well as in New Jersey’s courts. As such, Lyons & Associates will have the opportunity to litigate cases on behalf of NASW that reach our nation’s highest court, the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Lyons & Associates is privileged to be speaking on behalf of social workers across New Jersey and the United States,” says Ms. Lyons. “Every social worker has a solemn duty to ‘identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or when ethical uncertainties arise,’ as noted in Purpose #3 of the NASW Code of Ethics.”

In addition to making her firm’s services available to the Chapter, Ms. Lyons has shared her expertise with New Jersey social workers through presentations and volunteer service.

She has reviewed key New Jersey laws and regulations that impact social workers and offered tips and guidelines for how practitioners can ensure they remain in compliance with these laws. Following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ms. Lyons partnered with NASW-NJ to host a webinar on Justice Ginsburg’s legacy and the implications of her death on the Supreme Court going forward.

Lyons & Associates, P.C. has offices in Morristown and Somerville, New Jersey. Learn more at www.lyonspc.com.

Members Only Perks

W

ith nearly 6,500 members in our New Jersey family, you are part of a larger family of social workers, a network of friends and colleagues who share your commitment to the profession and strengthening our community. While the chapter has many opportunities to connect on a broader level—from educational programs to advocacy events, there are also many great ways for you to connect with your colleagues locally or on a specific area of interest. Read on to learn some ways in which you as a member can build your connections, network and grow in smaller, more intimate spaces—and virtually!

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 41

MEMBER CONNECT

A NEW BEGINNING AND MORE EVENTS FOR THE MIDDLESEX UNIT

by Vimmi Surti, BA, LLB, MSW Candidate and Tina Maschi, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW Hello fellow social workers! As the new volunteer leaders of the NASW-NJ Middlesex Unit, we’d like to introduce ourselves and share our plans for the Unit. But first, we would like to extend our thanks to Joshua Collins, LCSW for his long-term leadership and service to the Middlesex Unit.

Over the years he has brought innovative programming to our members and has been a valuable mentor as we assume leadership of the Unit. Now, as Joshua focuses on the new opportunities before him, he is passing the torch to us.

MEE T VIMMI SURTI, BA , LLB, MSW STUDENT Being given the opportunity to co-lead the NASW-NJ Middlesex Unit has been the best thing that happened to me in this shaky year of 2020. This new role and its responsibility fill my heart with a sense of excitement, and I cannot wait to start this volunteer endeavor.

Serving underrepresented communities in their quest for empowerment is indeed my passion and NASW-NJ is a great platform for me to channel this aspiration. Social Work is all about connections, exploration, finding resources, solutions and implementing them with earnest efforts. With this view, I wish to plan and execute programs and productive activities that would help the members in our Unit to expand their perspective and help them in their individual objectives as well.

For the last two years, I have been working as a Legal Advocate with Manavi, Inc.—an organization for South Asian women located in New Brunswick, NJ. I also worked with a law firm prior to joining Manavi. My academic profile includes a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the State University of New York, Albany, and a bachelor’s degree in Law from Gujarat University, India. Currently I am also pursuing a Master in Social Work through the Rutgers University Intensive Weekend Program.

Besides law and social work, my life revolves around art and culture. I am a trained Kathak Dancer (Indian Classical Dance) and whenever it is possible, I perform on stage, as well. At home, I like to read or watch movies or do artistic feats with my musician husband, which I find very therapeutic. Recently, I have started connecting the dots of social dynamics and how they affect our policy making and welfare activities. It is a whole new field of interest for me.

After initial years of struggle, I am now living a very blessed life. I feel it is my payback time to help others find their rainbow and the pot of gold. Through NASW-NJ, I feel I will be able to fulfill this and make a difference in this world, however small it might be.

MEE T TINA MASCHI, PH.D., LCSW, ACSW Greetings, social work colleagues. I am quite honored to be of service to the Middlesex Unit in planning and coordinating events for our members. I want to give special thanks to Jennifer Thompson, Annie Siegel, and Joshua Collins for their support and mentorship. I also am thrilled

42 | NJFOCUS •January 2021

I grew up in the ‘garden state’ on a family farm/business as the third-generation of Italian American immigrants. I followed my passion for learning and even broke through a glass ceiling in my culture by pursuing a BA, MSW, and Ph.D. degrees. I now want to share the gift of being an ‘opportunity’ social worker with others who want to unconditionally embrace and harness their personal power and innate talents and wisdom. I see my volunteer work with NASW-NJ and its members as the opportunity to do so close to home.

I am currently a full professor at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City. My professional background includes being a clinical social worker in education, community mental health, and the criminal justice system, especially in prisons with diverse populations. It was during these practice experiences that I witnessed the atrocities of the criminal justice systems in prisons, as well as communities, and especially among racial/ethnic minorities, youth, older people, and persons with trauma and mental health issues.

MEMBER CONNECT

to partner with, Vimmi as we plan programs to support the personal and professional growth and empowerment of our Unit Members.

My research studies and work have resulted in the publication of more than 135 peer reviewed journal articles, five books (e.g., forensic social work, social work research and evaluation), and national and international presentations. My newest book, Aging in Prison: Studies of Trauma and Resilience, explores the links between multisystemic trauma and intersectional oppression, resilience, and well-being. It also provides an innovative framework for sustainable solutions.

CO-CREATING OUR UNIT As the new Middlesex Unit co-leaders, we look forward to engaging our members as partners to provide the programming that you want to see. We’ll be bringing in experts from diverse backgrounds and practice arenas that will spark your creativity and passion. And we hope to draw from the knowledge, wisdom, and talents of our combined group to nurture and support one another.

Given the success of our first collective event: “As We Rise, We Lift Up,” we will most certainly plan additional community dialogue events for the coming year. Members who want to share their ideas and/or propose an event or program for the Middlesex Unit can contact Tina at tmaschi59@gmail.com or Vimmi at vimmisurti@gmail.com.

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 43

MEMBER CONNECT

MEMBER NEWS Welcome to Member News—the newest feature in NASW-NJ FOCUS. This space will be dedicated to celebrating the professional achievements of our members from around New Jersey. Have you recently received a promotion? Started a new job? Opened your own practice? Been appointed to a Board of Directors or other organizational leadership position? Had a study funded or received a grant for your work? Keynoting at a major conference? Been published in a peer reviewed journal, featured in major news media, or published a book? Declared candidacy for or won elected office?

Let us know! We want to highlight your professional accomplishments to underscore the great work being done by social workers in our state. Send submissions to jfeldman.naswnj@socialworkers.org.

KATHLEEN MCHUGH AKBAR, LCSW... has opened a private practice, specializing in grief and loss.

ELSA CANDEL ARIO, MSSW, LCSW...

has accepted a position as Professor of Professional Practice at the Rutgers University School of Social Work.

NICOLE G. EPPS...

was appointed to the role of Executive Director of World Childhood Foundation USA, effective January 1, 2021. She was also elected as the next Vice President and Policy Co-Chair of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

GRE TCHEN MORGAN, LCSW...

was recently appointed to the Board of a new non-profit organization, Companeros de Comida: A Food Initiative. She is also a contributing author to an article published in the Journal New Jersey, about mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

TINA MASCHI, PH.D., LCSW, ACSW...

has recently been published in the NASW Mental Health Specialty Practice Section newsletter.

Her article, Co-constructing Community with 2020 Vision of Care and Justice, appears in the Fall/Winter 2020 edition.

44 | NJFOCUS • January 2021

by Alexandria Theordor, LCSW, CBIS, CCTP

MEMBER CONNECT

M A X I M I Z I N G YO U R P O T E N T I A L I N MAXIMIZING T H E NYOUR E W Y EPOTENTIAL AR byIN Alexandria Theordor, LCSW,YEAR CBIS, CCTP THE NEW

As the New Year approaches, we are all ready to put 2020 in our past and start fresh with hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. The tradition of making New Year’s Alexandria Theordor is the owner/therapist of resolutions is known to us all, but Brian Moran and Body and Mind Counseling LLC, which Michael Lennington’s 2013 book, The 12 Week Year, provides telehealth services to individuals, takes the idea of New Year’s resolutions to an entirely therapists, and caregivers in the state of New As the New Year approaches, we are all ready to put 2020 Realistic Goal Setting new level. Morgan and Lennington outline how you can Jersey. Her mission is to help individuals in our past and start fresh with hopes and dreams of a get more done in 12 weeks then most people get done in know their believe in using their SMART strengths better tomorrow. The tradition of making New Year’s Break projects downworth, into smaller tasks 12resolutions months. Their book been game changer is known tohas us all, but aBrian Moran and for me, goals (Specific, Relevant, and feelMeasurable, confident Attainable, in their abilities to Time tackle helping me grow both personally and professionally, Michael Lennington’s 2013 book, The 12 Week Year, Bound).challenges; Sounds intuitive, but atoday common to this not just butbarrier for years to is faster I ever imagined Below have takes than the idea of New Year’spossible. resolutions to an Ientirely that wecome. do not break our goals into small enough tasks. new level.

Morgan Lennington outline you outlined some of myand favorite tips from theirhow book in can hopes Keep tasks down to 20 minutes of activity; meaning you get more done in 12 weeks then most people get done in are either able to be completed in 20 minutes (or less) or that you too can reach your fullest potential by 12 months.

Their book has been a game changer for me, committing to sitting down and completing 20 minutes maximizing your “12 Week Year (12WY).” helping me grow both personally and professionally fastof a larger project. If breaking things down into tasks er, than I ever imagined possible. Below I have outlined triples your to-do list overnight, prioritize the 20% of some of my favorite tips from their book in hopes that activities that accomplish 80% of the work. For example, you too can reach your fullest potential by maximizing if growing your practice is your 12WY goal, networking your “12 Week Year (12WY).” and perfecting your sales pitch is going to help grow your Break projects down into smaller tasks using SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time practice more than cold calling.

Bound). Sounds intuitive, but a common barrier to this is that we do not break our goals into small enough tasks. Keep tasks down to 20 minutes of activity; meaning you are either able to complete the task in 20 minutes (or less) or are committing to sitting down and completing 20 minutes of a larger project. If breaking things down into tasks triples your to-do list overnight, prioritize the 20% of activities that accomplish 80% of the work. For example, if growing your practice is your 12WY goal, networking and perfecting your sales pitch is going to help grow your practice more than cold calling.

Realistic Goal Setting

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 45

MEMBER CONNECT

Track Your Progress Track Your Progress Keep your 12WY goals visible and accessible so that Keep your 12WY goals visible and accessible so that you youtrack can your trackprogress. your progress.

Remember, “out can Remember, “out of sight, outofofsight, out of Recording mind.” Recording yourallows progress allows you to see mind.” your progress you to see both bothachievements your achievements you areThe avoiding.

The your and whatand you what are avoiding. goal isgoal completing 80% of your listed activities weekly.

If you is completing 80% of your listed activities weekly. If are gettinggetting under 80%, assess if your planifisyour youchronically are chronically under 80%, assess feasible. Are you overbooking yourself ? Are you moplan is feasible. Are you overbooking yourself? Are you tivated to make the changes identified? Things such as motivated to make the changes identified? Things such journaling and counseling are great ways to work through as journaling andyour counseling arethe great toyou work barriers and bump progress to next ways level. If through and week, bumpyou your to the next are gettingbarriers 100% every areprogress not pushing yourself enough.

Your goals are too small, dream bigger! level. If you are getting 100% every week, you are not pushing yourself enough. Your goals are too small, Mind Mindset dreamYour bigger!

Believing in your vision (aka “mindset”) is half the battle.

Without a clear vision and belief that it can happen, your actions will be hollow. Create a vision board, daily affirmations, and visualization exercises to keep your mindset strong. Maybe youvision know (aka your dream is possible because Believing in your “mindset”) is half the battle. you have seen it in others, however limited successes are Without a clear vision and belief that it can happen, your causing your motivation to dip. Motivation is the byprodactions will be hollow. a visionaway board, daily uct of consistent action.Create Keep chipping at the goals affirmations, and visualization exercises to keep your you have set for yourself and in time you will gain momindset Maybe you know your dream possible mentumstrong. which will in turn build motivation.

Onceisyou get that momentum going, DONT STOP! It is much because you have seen it in others, however limited Like having a workout buddy at the gym, an easier to keep it is moving in the successes areprogress causinggoing youronce motivation to dip.

Motivation is accountability partner helps keep motivation right direction. Feeling the dip? DON’T STOP! Pushing Theordor is the owner/therapist of Body and the byproduct of consistent action. Keep chipping away Alexandria at and momentum going. This is someone who through the pain is the most important part of change, as Mind Counseling LLC, which provides telehealth serthe goals haveNew set Year’s for yourself and fall in time often thisyou is where resolutions apart.you We will gain you can therapists, celebrateand wins with butinwho will also vices to individuals, caregivers the state momentum buildhowever motivation. are gung-howhich for thewill gymininturn January, onceOnce Febru-you get give you a kick in the seat when you are of New Jersey. Her mission is to help individuals know ary momentum hits, the weather is colder, theSTOP! work isItharder, andeasier old to that going, DONT is much idea offeel having to check in their worth,slacking. believe inThe theirsimple strengths and confident habitsprogress return. going once it is moving in the right direction. keep in their abilities to tackle challenges; not just today but for us with someone often is enough incentive Feeling the dip? DON’T STOP! Pushing through the pain forisyears toto come. prioritize a task. I recommend meeting with Find an Accountability Partner the most important part of change, as often this is where your accountability partner weekly to discuss Like having a workout buddy at the gym, an accountabilNew Year’s resolutions fall apart.

We are gung-ho for the your successes, barriers, and plan for the next ity partner helps keep motivation and momentum going. gym however once February the who weather is Thisinis January, someone who you can celebrate wins hits, with but week. Accountability partners can be will also give you a kick in the seat when you are slacking. colder, the work is harder, and old habits return. coworkers, therapists, friends, or family; The simple idea of having to check in with someone often essentially, anyone who has your best interest is enough incentive for us to prioritize a task. I recomat heart and is willing and able to give you mend meeting with your accountability partner weekly honest feedback when you need to discuss your successes, barriers, and plan for the next encouragement. week. Accountability partners can be coworkers, therapists, friends, or family; essentially, anyone who has your best interest at heart and is willing and able to give you Make this the year you finally keep your honest feedback when you need encouragement. resolutions. Start planning your 12WY today Make this the year you finally keep your resolutions. Start and be ready to be blown away by how much planning your 12WY today and be ready to be blown you can get done in 12 weeks. I did it and I away by how much you can get done in 12 weeks. I did it know you can to. Happy New Year! and I know you can to. Happy New Year!

Mind Your Mindset

Find an Accountability Partner

46 | NJFOCUS • January 2021

UPCOMING

Unit Events 2021

Jan. 13

Feb. 11

Morris Unit Event TEAM-CBT: A New Approach to All Modalities of Therapy 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Bergen Private Practice Shared Interest Group 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Jan. 14

Essex Private Practice Shared Interest Group 10:00 AM - 11:00AM

Bergen Private Practice Shared Interest Group 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Essex Private Practice Shared Interest Group 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Monmouth Ocean Private Practice Shared Interest Group 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Feb. 15

Monmouth Ocean Private Practice Shared Interest Group 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Mercer Burlington Private Practice Shared Interest Group 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Jan. 18

Mar. 15

Mercer Burlington Private Practice Shared Interest Group 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Mercer Burlington Private Practice Shared Interest Group 12:00 PM 1:00 PM

Jan. 21 Monmouth/Ocean Unit Event Looking Back at 2020 and Moving Forward in 2021 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Additional events are being scheduled, be sure to check our calendar for the most recent information.

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 47 Register for these programs and more on our website.

Share your Interests. Share your Voice.

NASW-NJ SHARED INTEREST GROUPS The beauty of our profession is that it is diverse. From academia to private practice, macro social work to healthcare, there is no area that social work does not touch in some way. While we often come together in larger groups—sharing our different perspectives and from different places—sometimes its good to find your smaller group of “people”—social workers with shared interests or areas of practice. These smaller places are a great place to discuss unique challenges and needs in the field, as well as brainstorm on programs and help shape specific learning events that the Chapter hosts.

Over the last several months our Chapter has expanded our Shared Interest Groups to meet your needs—giving you more opportunities to connect and collaborate. These dedicated spaces meet on various schedules (virtually for now) and are busy sharing best practices in school social work, healthcare, and more. We invite you to check out the Shared Interest Groups and join a conversation or program. You can sign up for Shared Interest Group information here.

48 | NJFOCUS •January 2021

PROVIDING THE SKILLS TO GET AHEAD

NJFOCUS • January 2021 | 49

A FULL DAY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.

2021 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

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Next Course Coming in 2021 -

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-

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N A S W- N J C L I N I C A L SUPERVISION CERTIFICATE Become a Clinical Supervisor Next Course Dates Feb. 6 & Apr. 15 MORE INFO 50 | NJFOCUS •January 2021

Upcoming CE Programs

2021 Somatic Therapy for Trauma January 13, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM 2 Clinical CEUs Register ADVANCED CLINICAL: Trauma Re-defined: Best Practice Considerations January 27, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 2 Clinical CEUs Register Prescription Opioid Misuse and Dependence in New Jersey January 29, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 1 Opioid Continuing Education/General Credit Register Clinical Supervision Course February 6-9, 9AM-1PM Daily 20 CEUs Register

ADVANCED CLINICAL Grief - A Paradigm Shift: For When Grief Doesn’t Fit Our View February 10, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 2 Clinical CEUs Register What a Mask Can’t Cover: The Effects of Food Insecurity on Mental Health during the COVID 19 Pandemic February 24, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 1 Social/Cultural CEU Register Mind-Body Therapies (Free to members for Social Work Month. Non-members may attend for a fee) March 18, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 2 Clinical CEUs Register Prescription Opioid Misuse and Dependence in New Jersey April 08, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 1 Opioid Continuing Education/General Credit Register

Add CE credits to your professional development course.

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Recognized by the NJ State Board of Social Work Examiners as an approving entity for social work CEUs in the State of NJ.

To learn more & apply visit: naswnj.org/ProfessionalNJFOCUS • January 2021 | 51

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52 | NJFOCUS • January 2021

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54 | NJFOCUS •January 2021