NC Action for Children recently released an issue brief regarding the state of child welfare in NC. The report indicates both successes as well as areas for growth in this tremendously important program. After reading the report, I was most struck by the information surrounding children who age out of foster care and what becomes of them once they are no longer the responsibility of the state. Reportedly, North Carolina does not have a system of transitional supports for children aging out of the system and last year 623 foster children aged out of foster care without a permanent family or supports to guide them into adulthood.
North Carolina does, in fact, have transitional foster care services. NC LINKS is the program to assist children who are making the transition from foster care into adulthood, yet according to Action for Children's report, a child's access to these services varies by county and even by caseworker. With 623 children left adrift last year alone, it is startling to learn that all 100 counties are not providing equal access to these services on behalf of these children. 1 in 5 foster children will experience homelessness, and many more will have psychological and legal issues as a result of their stay in the foster care system. It is imperative that we as a state not release ourselves from responsibility of these children simply because they turn 18. Child welfare workers need support to assist these children and to access the funding to ensure that ALL of North Carolina's foster care children are supported to become successful, healthy adults.
Want to read the entire report?
http://www.ncchild.org/images/stories/CPS_Outcomes_Report_final.pdf
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Social Workers donate more money politically
In the Sept-Oct 2007 NC Psychologist newsletter, Dr. Jennifer Snyder writes Political Giving-Whither Psychology? In her article, Dr. Snyder states that "Even social workers contribute more, overall, than psychologists." (p. 4)
The article discusses several possible rationale for the lack of giving in psychology. It is my opinion, that social workers give more because we are inherently more political in nature. Our profession, born out of the Industrial Revolution, reared in the Depression, and educated in times of plenty and times of need. Social Workers began in the movements of the Hull House and the Charity Societies.
We have evolved to be a profession of grassroots organizers to politicians. From child welfare scholars and practitioners to academic researchers. Ours is the profession of meeting clients, organizations, communities, consumers, where they are.
Our professional ethos and ethics brings to bear the ideals of right to self determine, dignity and worth of people, need for boundaries and practicing within one's scope of practice.
For all these reasons, I believe, and many more, Social Workers give more politically.
The article discusses several possible rationale for the lack of giving in psychology. It is my opinion, that social workers give more because we are inherently more political in nature. Our profession, born out of the Industrial Revolution, reared in the Depression, and educated in times of plenty and times of need. Social Workers began in the movements of the Hull House and the Charity Societies.
We have evolved to be a profession of grassroots organizers to politicians. From child welfare scholars and practitioners to academic researchers. Ours is the profession of meeting clients, organizations, communities, consumers, where they are.
Our professional ethos and ethics brings to bear the ideals of right to self determine, dignity and worth of people, need for boundaries and practicing within one's scope of practice.
For all these reasons, I believe, and many more, Social Workers give more politically.
Cherry Hospital won't loose federal funding
Mental hospital in Goldsboro won't lose its federal financing
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, September 29, 2007
GOLDSBORO
The federal government won’t cut off financing to treat patients at a state mental hospital here after officials dealt with concerns about the quality of patient care, a state spokesman said yesterday.
Inspectors from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told officials at Cherry Hospital that they would recommend lifting its “immediate jeopardy” status, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The center told the department earlier this month that it was considering an end to reimbursing expenses for Medicaid and Medicare patients effective Sunday because of incidents at the hospital.
One involved a patient escape, and another involved failing to provide timely emergency care to a patient. None of the incidents resulted in injuries.
State mental-health officials presented a plan to correct problems that were uncovered, but the inspectors visited the hospital again yesterday before making the decision, said Mark Van Sciver, a spokesman with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
“The staff of Cherry Hospital worked diligently to correct the deficiencies” said Dr. Jack St. Clair, the hospital’s director, adding, “We remain committed to providing the finest mental-health care to the people we serve here in the eastern region of the state.”
Meanwhile, the state mental-health division is trying to restore Medicaid and Medicare patient payments to Broughton Hospital in Morganton after a patient death and fall. The state said this week that hospital staff will be reorganized to improve clinical staff supervision.
The state announced on Aug. 31 the payment suspension at Broughton, which could cost the state $1 million a month.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, September 29, 2007
GOLDSBORO
The federal government won’t cut off financing to treat patients at a state mental hospital here after officials dealt with concerns about the quality of patient care, a state spokesman said yesterday.
Inspectors from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told officials at Cherry Hospital that they would recommend lifting its “immediate jeopardy” status, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
The center told the department earlier this month that it was considering an end to reimbursing expenses for Medicaid and Medicare patients effective Sunday because of incidents at the hospital.
One involved a patient escape, and another involved failing to provide timely emergency care to a patient. None of the incidents resulted in injuries.
State mental-health officials presented a plan to correct problems that were uncovered, but the inspectors visited the hospital again yesterday before making the decision, said Mark Van Sciver, a spokesman with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
“The staff of Cherry Hospital worked diligently to correct the deficiencies” said Dr. Jack St. Clair, the hospital’s director, adding, “We remain committed to providing the finest mental-health care to the people we serve here in the eastern region of the state.”
Meanwhile, the state mental-health division is trying to restore Medicaid and Medicare patient payments to Broughton Hospital in Morganton after a patient death and fall. The state said this week that hospital staff will be reorganized to improve clinical staff supervision.
The state announced on Aug. 31 the payment suspension at Broughton, which could cost the state $1 million a month.
Fitzsimon file link
In the 10/8 NC Policy Watch article, Chris Fitzsimon discusses choices regarding doctors and healthcare in the US. Follow this link to the full article.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Child Fatality Task Force Meeting
by Melissa Ahrens, MSW Intern
On Monday, October 1, 2007, I attended a Child Fatality Task Force meeting at the legislative building in Raleigh. The task force is led by executive director, Selena Berrier and chaired by Tom Vitaglione. There is currently an opening for a co-chair position. The task force has three committees: Intentional Death Committee, Unintentional Death Committee and Perinatal Health Committee. There are several members of the task force and also several interested parties at the meeting, so it was very well attended.
The CFTF was very pleased to announce the lowest infant mortality rate in 2006 in North Carolina’s history, despite record numbers of babies being born; additionally, overall child deaths were at an all time low, at a rate of 73.2 per 100,000 children. The committees were all given a chance to report out on their statistics, and copies were provided to all those in attendance. These statistics demonstrate that the CFTF is effective at studying child death in our state, and that they have been able to use this information to assist with interventions to prevent child fatality.
The committees continue to work on issues such as endangerment/child abuse statutes, gun safety, safe sleep awareness and breastfeeding support and promotion. Additionally, they will be undertaking new research in child abuse underreporting and investigating other states which have a 1-800# for reporting suspected child abuse, and determining if this would be an appropriate course of action for North Carolina.
The next meeting is December 3, 2007 from 10:00am-12:00pm in room 1228 at the Legislative Building in Raleigh.
On Monday, October 1, 2007, I attended a Child Fatality Task Force meeting at the legislative building in Raleigh. The task force is led by executive director, Selena Berrier and chaired by Tom Vitaglione. There is currently an opening for a co-chair position. The task force has three committees: Intentional Death Committee, Unintentional Death Committee and Perinatal Health Committee. There are several members of the task force and also several interested parties at the meeting, so it was very well attended.
The CFTF was very pleased to announce the lowest infant mortality rate in 2006 in North Carolina’s history, despite record numbers of babies being born; additionally, overall child deaths were at an all time low, at a rate of 73.2 per 100,000 children. The committees were all given a chance to report out on their statistics, and copies were provided to all those in attendance. These statistics demonstrate that the CFTF is effective at studying child death in our state, and that they have been able to use this information to assist with interventions to prevent child fatality.
The committees continue to work on issues such as endangerment/child abuse statutes, gun safety, safe sleep awareness and breastfeeding support and promotion. Additionally, they will be undertaking new research in child abuse underreporting and investigating other states which have a 1-800# for reporting suspected child abuse, and determining if this would be an appropriate course of action for North Carolina.
The next meeting is December 3, 2007 from 10:00am-12:00pm in room 1228 at the Legislative Building in Raleigh.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
ADAP Update
As prepared by Kathryn Schley, MSW Intern, NASW-NC.
As of October 1, 2007 the financial eligibility criterion for the NC ADAP will increase to a gross family income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL); $25,525 for a single person and $34,225 for a family of two. This news is a great success for NC’s HIV community. Historically, NC has paled in comparison to other state ADAPs, with some states doubling, even tripling the financial eligibility criterion. In 2004, NC was 50th in the nation in ADAP financial eligibility at 125% FPL with over 700 North Carolinians on waiting list to receive the life sustaining medications ADAP provides.
The increase to 250% FPL brings NC closer to parity with neighboring states, Tennessee, SC, and Virginia, all having a 300% eligibility criterion.
This increase is a result of hard work and advocacy from members of HIV community throughout the state. The improvement will certainly make a difference in the lives of many North Carolinians living with HIV/AIDS who previously did not qualify for ADAP, but could not afford the expensive anti-retroviral medications.
As of October 1, 2007 the financial eligibility criterion for the NC ADAP will increase to a gross family income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL); $25,525 for a single person and $34,225 for a family of two. This news is a great success for NC’s HIV community. Historically, NC has paled in comparison to other state ADAPs, with some states doubling, even tripling the financial eligibility criterion. In 2004, NC was 50th in the nation in ADAP financial eligibility at 125% FPL with over 700 North Carolinians on waiting list to receive the life sustaining medications ADAP provides.
The increase to 250% FPL brings NC closer to parity with neighboring states, Tennessee, SC, and Virginia, all having a 300% eligibility criterion.
This increase is a result of hard work and advocacy from members of HIV community throughout the state. The improvement will certainly make a difference in the lives of many North Carolinians living with HIV/AIDS who previously did not qualify for ADAP, but could not afford the expensive anti-retroviral medications.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Legislative Conference for October 6 Cancelled
NASW-NC 2007 Legislative Conference scheduled for October 6, 2007 at the UNC School of Social Work has been cancelled. We did not have enough registrations in order to hold the event. We are planning on rescheduling the conference for sometime in January and will get that date out when it is confirmed. Those who have pre-registered will be contacted by us in the next 2-3 business days to discuss your wishes.
Thank you to all the volunteers as well as the staff and faculty of UNC School of Social Work for their help in planning the event. Please contact our office if you need assistance or have questions.
Thank you to all the volunteers as well as the staff and faculty of UNC School of Social Work for their help in planning the event. Please contact our office if you need assistance or have questions.
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