CE CONFERENCE: “Beyond PTSD: The Moral Casualties of War” presented by Suffolk Division

Continuing Education, NASW-NYS/NYC, Suffolk Division

The NASW-NYS Suffolk Division is hosting a CE conference titled, “Beyond PTSD: The Moral Casualties of War” on Friday, November 17 at the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College from 8:15AM – 1:30PM.

Presentations at this conference  include:

  1. Reintegration: The Road Home from War, presented by Beth Brittman, LCSW-R, BCD
  2. Beyond PTSD: Moral Casualties of War, presented by Camillo Mac Bica, Ph.D.
  3. Experience of a Female Combat Veteran in U.S. War in Somalia in Reintegrating Home, presented by Sarah Mess

Registration is now open at https://naswnys.org/QQV3T

Pricing Fee: 

  • NASW Members: $40
  • Non-Members: $55
  • Student: Free
  • Veterans/Service Members: $20*
  • Long Island Peace Group Members and Retired Social Workers: $20

Registration by mail: Make checks payable to NASW and send to Susan Datri, PO Box 27, Bellport, NY 11713-0027. Call Susan Datri at 914-316-6301 for more information.

*Scholarships Available: A limited number of scholarships are available for veterans and active service members. Please contact us at info@naswnys.org for more information

 

NASW-NYS in the News: A.G. Schneiderman Issues Guidance For Federal Student Loan Borrowers Ahead Of 10th Anniversary Of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

NASW-NYS/NYC, Press

A.G. Schneiderman Issues Guidance For Federal Student Loan Borrowers Ahead Of 10th Anniversary Of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Borrowers Encouraged To Review Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Eligibility Requirements 

A.G. Urges New Yorkers Who Believe They Have Been Wrongfully Denied Loan Forgiveness To Contact His Office 

NEW YORK—Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued guidance for federal student loan borrowers, who seek to qualify for forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (“PSLF”) beginning on the program’s 10th anniversary next month. The bi-partisan program, enacted by Congress in 2007, was designed to encourage individuals to pursue public sector jobs by easing the burden of their federal student debt—forgiving student loans for people who work for the government and certain public interest organizations.

“My office is committed to ensuring that the Department of Education keeps its promise to every graduate who entered public service,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Whether a borrower served in the military, at a government agency, at a non-profit, or any other eligible organization, we want to make sure their hard work and financial sacrifice is properly rewarded. Any New Yorker who thinks they’ve been wrongly denied federal loan forgiveness should contact my office right away.”

Federal student loan borrowers should review the PSLF eligibility requirements before submitting an application for forgiveness. Borrowers who believe they have been wrongfully denied loan forgiveness or have concerns about their student loan servicer’s conduct can file complaints by visiting the Office’s website or calling 1-800-771-7755.

“Too many social work students and graduates struggle with high student debt to salary ratios and that needs to change,” said Ron Bunce, LMSW, Interim Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers – New York State Chapter (NASW-NYS). “The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has helped make public service a more attainable career option by allowing social workers to manage their student loan debt as they dedicate their careers to serving others. This is an effective incentive to encourage trained and educated individuals to accept and retain social work jobs in the critical human service areas.”

Bret Parker, Executive Director of the New York City Bar Association, said, “Public service and legal services lawyers are at the forefront of ensuring access to justice for low-income New Yorkers. We are thankful for their service to the public and the profession and we urge them to take advantage of the Attorney General’s informational materials and guidance as they now seek forgiveness of their remaining student loan debt under this program.”

“As a teacher shortage looms, loan forgiveness is a commonsense and welcome strategy for making public service more affordable for the next generation,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta.

Who is Eligible for PSLF?           

Borrowers with federal Direct Loans who work for the government or certain public interest organizations may have the remaining balance on their loans forgiven after making 120 on-time qualifying payments. There are three parts of the eligibility test for PSLF. You must meet all three criteria at the time of each payment:

  • You must be employed full-time by an eligible public service employer;
  • You must have an un-defaulted Direct federal loan; and
  • You must be enrolled in a qualifying loan repayment plan.

If you think you may be eligible for PSLF, we encourage you to submit an Employer Certification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Form to the Department of Education annually to receive information concerning your eligibility. While the government’s response to your Employer Certification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Form is not a final determination of your eligibility, it may help you identify problems that you are currently unaware of. Read the response you receive carefully, making sure that it includes all of your federal loans.

Who is a public service employer for purposes of PSLF?

Under the PSLF program, public service employers include:

  • Government organizations, including any federal, state, local, or tribal organization or agency and the armed forces;
  • Not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status; and
  • Private not-for-profit organizations that are not 501(c)(3) organizations but provide certain types of public service as their primary purpose.

How can I find out if my employer is an eligible public service employer?

You can submit an Employer Certification for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Form to the Department of Education to find out whether your employer qualifies as  a public service employer for purposes of PSLF.

Note that the Department of Education and FedLoans Servicing, the servicer that handles PSLF eligibility determinations, have, in a few cases, reversed eligibility determinations and found that certain non-501(c)(3) organizations that were previously characterized as eligible public service employers are no longer considered eligible public service employers. If you are employed by a not-for-profit that is not a 501(c)(3), we recommend that you submit an Employer Certification Form to confirm that your employer is a public service employer for PSLF purposes, even if you submitted one earlier.

What type of loan do I have to have to be eligible for PSLF?

Only loans received under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loans) are eligible for forgiveness under PSLF. Direct loans include Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans.

If you borrowed before July 1, 2010, some or all of your loans may have been made under a program called the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. FFEL loans do not qualify for PSLF, but they may become eligible if you consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan. FFEL loans include Federal Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, and some Federal Consolidation Loans.

Note that student borrowers cannot receive PSLF loan forgiveness for Parent PLUS Loans. However, parents that are working in the public sector that have Direct PLUS Loans may qualify for PSLF loan forgiveness based on their own employment.

What can I do if I have a FFEL Loan instead of a Direct Loan?

If you have a FFEL rather than a Direct federal loan, you can consolidate your FFEL loan(s) into a Direct Consolidation Loan. If other PSLF eligibility requirements are met, your subsequent loan payments will count as qualifying PSLF payments. Payments made earlier will not count, so it is important that you act promptly to maximize the number of qualifying payments you make. Contact your loan servicer for information on how to consolidate your FFEL loan into a Direct Loan.

If you have both Direct Loans and FFEL loans, keep in mind that if you consolidate your existing Direct Loans with the FFEL loans, you will lose credit for any qualifying PSLF payments you made on your Direct Loans before they were consolidated. To avoid this problem, leave your existing Direct Loans out of the consolidation and consolidate only your FFEL loans.

What if I don’t know what kind of loans I have?

You can find out what type of loans you have by logging into StudentAid.gov/login or by contacting your loan servicer.

What repayment plan should I choose to ensure that my payments are PSLF qualifying payments?

To qualify for forgiveness, you must make 120 separate monthly payments on the Direct Loans for which you are requesting forgiveness while enrolled in one of the following repayment plans:

  • Revised Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (REPAYE Plan)
  • Pay As You Earn Repayment Plan (PAYE Plan)
  • Income-Based Repayment Plan (IBR Plan)
  • Income-Continent Repayment Plan (ICR Plan)
  • 10-year Standard Repayment Plan
  • Other Direct Loan repayment plans where payments are at least equal to the monthly payment amount that would have been required under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan may be counted toward the required 120 payments.

It is important to note that the PSLF Program provides for forgiveness of the remaining balance of your eligible loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans. If you make payments under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan, you will not have any remaining balance after making 120 payments and therefore nothing will be forgiven. Likewise, if you enroll in a plan in which you are paying an amount equal to the monthly payment amount that would have been required under the 10-year Standard Plan, you will not have any remaining balance after making 120 payments.

Loans on Graduated or Extended repayment plans are not eligible, although changing the repayment plan to one of the ones listed above may make them eligible. To change repayment plans, contact your loan servicer.

What if I don’t know what repayment plan(s) I’m on?

You can find out what repayment plan(s) you’re on by logging into StudentAid.gov/login or by contacting your loan servicer.

What if I don’t know who my servicer is?

If you don’t know who your servicer is, visit StudentAid.gov/login.

For more information on PSLF, contact the Department of Education, the National Consumer Law Center or your servicer.

 

Source: A.G. Schneiderman Issues Guidance For Federal Student Loan Borrowers Ahead Of 10th Anniversary Of Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (September 28, 2017)

NASW-NYS Stands with Puerto Rico

NASW-NYS/NYC

UPDATE (9/29/2017): 

The NASW Risk Retention Group is pleased to provide policyholders with extended insurance protection outside of their practicing state(s) in order to participate in hurricane relief efforts in affected areas.  The NASW RRG has waived certain policy contract provisions to allow social workers insured with us to practice in the affected areas thru September 1, 2018. Click here to read their full statement.

 

As the leading social work organization in the state, we stand with Cuomo’s commitment to helping individuals, families, and communities in Puerto Rico due to its latest natural disaster.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has reaffirmed New York’s commitment to helping those in need, and we applaud the Governor’s swift response in helping our fellow Americans during this devastating and critical time of need. Hurricane Maria has devastated Puerto Rico, leaving 3.4 million people without secure access to drinking water and food, medical care and housing.

Social workers have a unique perspective to interpret the disaster context and advocate for effective services. We know that provision of basic needs is the foundation to begin the long healing process from the trauma of this disaster. Social workers not only attend to the psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of natural disaster victims, but we also mobilize our own communities to attend to the needs of the vulnerable.

We hope that social workers will lead the efforts in preventing such devastation in the future, by advocating on municipal, state and federal levels. In the wake of the natural disasters, NASW-NYS is committed to bolster the responsive skills of social workers to natural disasters through future programming. Please stay tuned.

For any social workers looking for information about how to volunteer or aid in the recovery and relief efforts in Puerto Rico, please visit the Governor’s website at: www.ny.gov/programs/empire-state-relief-and-recovery-effort-puerto-rico.

 

NASW-NYS in the News: Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative holds forum

Mohawk Valley Division, NASW-NYS/NYC, Press, VMHTI

Thank you to everyone who came out to “A Closer Look at Moral Injury: Existential Challenges faced by Returning Veterans” on Wednesday, September 20 at Rome Capitol Cinemas. This event was hosted by the Veterans Mental Training Initiative and the Mohawk Valley Division of the National Association of Social Workers.

A Closer Look at Moral Injury provided an overview of military culture and the challenges of transitioning into civilian life, with a particular focus on the concept of moral injury and the factors that can lead to a moral wound and its lasting implications for one’s spirituality, identity, and ethics. This event also featured a screening of the award-winning documentary,  ALMOST SUNRISE (2016) and a discussion panel featuring veterans and military service members.

See our event, featured by The Rome Sentinel: Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative holds forum


(Sentinel photo by John Clifford)

NEW Virtual Series: Social Workers and Adoption

Continuing Education, NASW-NYS/NYC

 

Social Workers and Adoption, with Marie Dolfi, LCSW

NASW-NYS has partnered with Marie Dolfi, LCSW to bring another Virtual Series titled, “Social Workers and Adoption”. This four-part series will begin Monday, October 30 and conclude on Monday, November 20.

This series of workshops will address how relinquishment and adoption impact adopted individuals, birth parents, and adoptive parents from both the social work and parental perspective. Webinars will include information on theory, assessment, clinical information & interventions to build competence in working with adoption triad members as well as practical information for parents.

 

Each workshop will take place on Mondays from 12PM – 1:30PM and is available for 1.5 Continuing Education Credit Hours (participants can earn up to 6.0 CE Credit Hours in total). Registration is available per workshop, or you can choose to register for the full series for a discounted rate. Sign up today!

Veterans Training Initiative Hosts ‘Moral’ Injury Forum and Film Screening in Rome

NASW-NYS/NYC, Press, VMHTI

 

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Aynisa Leonardo 
Email: aleonardo@milresilience.com
Date:   September 20, 2017

 

Veterans Training Initiative Hosts ‘Moral’ Injury Forum and Film Screening in Rome

ROME, NY – The Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative, in collaboration with the Mohawk Valley Division of the National Association of Social Workers – New York State Chapter, is hosting a veterans’ mental health forum on the topic of ‘moral injury’ on Wednesday, September 20 at Rome Capital Cinemas from 12:00PM – 4:30PM.

The forum, titled “A Closer Look at Moral Injury: Existential Challenges Faced by Returning Veterans”, is presented and moderated by Aynisa Leonardo, founder of the Military Resilience Project, Inc. The event is approved for continuing education credits for NYS licensed social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychoanalysts, and is free for veterans and service members to attend.

“I’ve worked with Veterans and First Responders for a decade now in inpatient psychiatric, outpatient mental health, and 28-day addiction rehab facilities. Moral Injury has been a consistent trend, and often emerges within these settings, as individuals start to examine their past experiences and subsequent identities,” said Leonardo. “From my experience, methods that are most helpful in processing and progressing with Moral Injury are based around ritual, expression, community, and peers.”

The event also features a documentary screening of ALMOST SUNRISE (2016), which follows two Iraq veterans, Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, both tormented by depression for years after they returned home and were pushed to the edge of suicide. Both veterans embark on an extraordinary journey – a 2,700-mile walk across the country from Wisconsin to California, in order to reflect on their haunting experiences of war and to ultimately save themselves. Directed by Michael Collins, this documentary explores the concept of “Moral Injury” as it relates to war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Moral Injury can be described as a wound to the soul,” said Susan Koniewicz-Everett, Chair of the Mohawk Valley Division of the National Association of Social Workers – New York State Chapter (NASW-NYS).  “As a clinician, helping clients understand that all wounds heal and that time is their friend not their enemy, I believe is the most effective practice for those experiencing this internal conflict. Practicing mindfulness and learning that the discomfort will pass is invaluable in treatment.”

Following the screening, there will be workshops and a discussion panel featuring veterans and military service members. The workshops will provide an overview of military culture and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, with particular focus on the concept of moral injury — the factors that can lead to a moral wound and its lasting implications for one’s spirituality, identity, and ethics.

Made possible by a grant from the New York Legislature, the Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI) is a collaborative endeavor of the Medical Society of the State of New York, New York State Psychiatric Association, and New York Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers to educate and train community mental health and primary care providers on veteran-specific mental health issues, including among others post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, suicide, suicide prevention and substance use disorders. Entering its fifth training cycle, the goal of the VMHTI is to build the capacity of New York’s community mental health workforce to better serve our returning veterans and their families.

For more information, visit www.naswnys.org/vmhti

 

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About the Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative

The Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative is a collaborative endeavor of the Medical Society of the State of New York, New York State Psychiatric Association, and New York Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers to educate and train community mental health and primary care providers on veterans-specific mental health issues, including among others post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, suicide, suicide prevention and substance use disorders. The initiative is made possible by a grant from the New York Legislature and is administered by the NYS Office of Mental Health.

 

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