While coronavirus has children home and families strained, abuse and neglect could rise
Board members, Michael Cappiello and Billye Jones address child abuse and neglect during COVID-19.
Social Workers Are Essential Workers
During the COVID-19 pandemic social workers have been designated “essential workers” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Association of Social Work Boards, the Council on Social Work Education, and the National Association of Social Workers are continuing to advocate for change. Take time to learn about our actions here: https://buff.ly/34cPMmO
NASW-NYS also have a COVID-19 Resource here: https://naswnys.org/covid-19/
FDA Bans the use of Electroshock Devices at the Judge Rotenberg Center
NASW-NYS applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruling to ban electroshock devices used at the Judge Rotenberg Center ending decades of torture and barbaric practice committed against some of our Nation’s most vulnerable populations.
In January, the NYS Chapter Advocacy & Government Relations Committee identified the support of Assembly Bill A1368 as one of our top legislative initiatives, with the primary purpose “to prohibit public funding to facilities providing aversive interventions, including but not limited to electric shock therapy”. In the opinion of the Chapter, aversive interventions are cruel, inhumane, and counter to social work values, and as such we have advocated for the elimination of referrals to the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC) or any other facility engaging in aversive treatment.
While this decision is an encouraging victory, we are cautious to celebrate. The JRC will attempt to delay or block implementation of the ban, and they are still permitted to use other forms of abuse thinly veiled as ‘aversive therapy’ as a method to punish and control the behavior of their residents. With this in mind, NASW-NYS met with multiple legislators today, and within the last week, to discuss how critical it is to continue to fight for the passing of A1368 and cease this State funded and endorsed suffering.
Ultimately, the true champions of this landmark decision are the survivors and families of the residents of the JRC that without their courage, testimonies, evidence, and decades of advocacy, this day would have never come. NASW-NYS is honored to support their efforts and will continue to fight for the dismantling of systems that allow, ignore, and perpetrate these unconscionable injustices.
We call on our members, and all 59,178 social workers across NYS, to join us in our advocacy for the passing of Bill A1368, standing with us firmly on the foundation of human rights and our Code of Ethics.
NASW-NYS would like to acknowledge and commend bill sponsors Hon. Victor M. Pichardo, Anthony D’Urso, Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Assemblymember Michael A. Blake, and Assemblywoman Carmen E. Arroyo, for amplifying the voices of the survivors, and for their commitment to human dignity for all New Yorkers.
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Welcome the New NASW-NYS Policy Team!
A Message From Your President
I am extremely pleased to welcome the two newest staff members to NASW-NYS: Evelyn Williams as Policy Coordinator, and Craig Moncho as Policy Assistant. Our new advocacy/lobbying team represents decades of successful social work practice and advocacy on both the macro and micro level. They bring unparalleled understanding of both the professional challenges facing members and the needs of those we serve. I am deeply appreciative of the efforts of our Executive Director, Sam Fletcher, to create a team that represents us and our values so well, and look forward to hearing of many successes. Please see Evelyn’s and Craig’s bios below and join me in welcoming them to the Chapter office.
Marcia Schwartzman Levy, LCSW-R
President, NASW-NYS
Evelyn Williams, MSW
Policy Coordinator
Evelyn G. Williams has over 30 years of progressive experience in health care administration, consulting, legislative advocacy, and teaching at the baccalaureate and graduate levels. Her primary professional direction was in community health care assisting in opening three community health centers (CHC) and providing technical assistance to CHC’s in the federal Region II locations. She also held several administrative positions in the NYS Department of Health. In 1999, after completing eleven years as the President/CEO of Whitney M. Young Jr. Health Center, Evelyn chose to pursue her consulting career, working with community-based organizations in the areas of program development, strategic management, and leadership.
Her consultant endeavors include providing consultant services to state and federal agencies, community-based organizations, and social/cultural groups. She assisted organizations in opening health care programs, developing short and long-term strategic plans, writing grants, conducting organizational performance evaluations, designing fundraising projects, facilitating governing board retreats, and planning and implementing statewide and national conferences and professional meetings.
Concurrent with the progressive experience in health care, Ms. Williams has had varied teaching positions since 1979. Completing her tenure in FORUM and the Center of International Programs within Empire State College, she is currently a lecturer within the School of Social Welfare, University at Albany.
Ms. Williams’ leadership skills are represented through serving on several statewide and regional professional organizations’ governing boards, as well as her role as legislative chair and chairperson of the community health care statewide association.
Ms. Williams, in addition to the above, is a certified yoga & Shake Your Soul/Dancekinetics instructor and a proud grandmother.
Craig Moncho, LMSW
Policy Assistant
Craig Moncho has years of experience leading not-for-profit organizations that serve highly at-risk individuals, couples, and families living in extreme poverty. Among them were those living with severe mental illness, substance use and abuse disorders and the dually-diagnosed; individuals living on the street; victims of domestic violence; the formerly incarcerated and individuals with criminal justice system exposure and their families; disabled individuals; homeless families with children, sheltered adult couples and single adults; and, the aged.
These experiences have provided Craig with a deep understanding of the nature and depth of the struggles confronted by our neighbors, as well as the strengths and limitations of the systems that seek to help them regain health, stability, and happier lives. As a complement to years of direct service, Craig has worked as an Adjunct Instructor in the BSW program at Mercy College and MSW program at Fordham University.
Craig has been an active NASW-NYS Chapter member and served until his hiring on the Advocacy and Government Relations Committee. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to work on a team of dedicated advocates in crafting legislative remedies that will complement the day-in-and-day-out “boots on the ground” work being done by so many impassioned social workers in our state and the teams of caring people they work with on behalf of those in need.
Craig is “the dad” in a blended family of six and enjoys walking and sharing stories. He is currently working on an original play following the struggles of three families in shelter in New York City as they attempt to rebuild their lives.
Lawmakers Introduce The Protecting Social Workers and Health Professionals from Workplace Violence Act of 2019
The National Association of Social Workers applauds a bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers for introducing The Protecting Social Workers and Health Professionals from Workplace Violence Act of 2019 (H.R. 5138 /S.2880), legislation that is a crucial step forward in curbing an epidemic of violence against social workers and other helping professions. The original sponsors of the bill include Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), who is a social worker, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
The legislation will provide grants to states to help employers improve facility safety, provide safety training to staff and purchase safety equipment. It also allows for support services, counseling and additional resources for staff who have experienced violence in the workplace.
“As a social worker, I’ve seen firsthand the critical roles that nurses, social workers, and other caseworkers serve in Arizona’s communities. Strengthening workplace safety shows our appreciation for social workers and health professionals and will help recruit and retain qualified specialists to serve vulnerable Arizona families,” Sen. Sinema said.
“Unfortunately, violence in the workplace is on the rise in America, with social workers and healthcare professionals facing disproportionate and alarming levels. These men and women have dedicated their lives to helping others, sometimes in dangerous and high-risk situations. We must ensure they have access to the necessary tools, training, and technology to keep themselves and others safe, as well as appropriate services to support employees that experience a violent or traumatic event,” said Sen. Murkowski. “Recognizing the need to address the safety and risk factors associated with these careers, I’m proud to help lead bipartisan legislation that will help states, as well as Tribes, provide critical safety measures to social workers, health workers, and human services professionals.”
Social workers are on the front lines in providing mental health and other services in a host of settings, including in people’s homes. However, they are often victims of violence when they are on the job – and the problem is getting worse.
More than 75 percent of social workers report that they have experienced violence at work. In the health care and social assistance sectors, 13 percent of days away from work were the result of violence in 2013, and this rate has increased in recent years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Become a CE Presenter!
NASW-NYS is releasing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to invite social workers to develop and present a workshop for our continuing education program.
In order to meet the needs of our members we offer a variety of avenues for engagement – both for participants and for presenters, we offer online live learning, self study and live in person courses.
Find out how you can become a Continuing Education Presenter!