The case for title protection in Philly

We, at NASW-NC, believe social work is a degree and not a title just anyone can use. Here is a case example from Philadelphia.

Click here to view the article from Social Workers Speak.

Disability Rights North Carolina wants you to weigh in!

Disability Rights North Carolina is North Carolina's protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities living in North Carolina. We provide individual and systems advocacy, including legal representation, to people with disabilities when their rights are violated. We uphold the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal and state laws.

Each year, we establish Targets which guide the expenditure of Disability Rights NC's resources for the coming year. The Targets drive the work that we do. They influence which cases we take and to whom we will provide direct representation. In 2010, we received more than 2,100 calls for assistance but had the resources to provide direct advocacy for only 870 callers.

On June 17, 2011, the Board of Directors of Disability Rights NC tentatively approved its Targets for 2012. Those 2012 Targets are now out for public comment. The Board will carefully consider all public input we receive before finalizing our annual Targets.

Our 2012 Targets focus on the impact of the state budget cuts to services for people with disabilities. They also reflect the requirements of our federal funders.

Please let us know what you think about the proposed 2012 Targets by responding to this brief survey at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012Targets

If you need assistance in completing this survey, contact Janice Willmott at 919-856-2195.

Federal housing cuts: Illogical and harmful

Great article from NC Policy Watch on the housing situation. Click here to read it.

We want to hear from you!

How were you affected as a social worker in North Carolina by this year's legislative session- what was cut from your budget, what legislation affected your practice, what will you be doing differently now?

Let us know by emailing Kay Paksoy at kay@naswnc.org!

Gov. Perdue vetos abortion bill

Gov. Perdue has vetoed her 11th bill this legislative session. Yesterday, Perdue vetoed the very controversial abortion bill- HB 854 A Woman's Right to Know Act. NASW-NC was opposed to this legislation because of the state's interference with doctor-patient relationships imposed in this bill. This bill also stated that patients would have to under go "counseling" that is, in fact, not actual therapeutic counseling. We support Governor Perdue's veto of this bill.

For more information about the veto, click here.

Gov. Perdue signs Corporal Punishment Bill into law

Yesterday, Gov. Perdue signed Senate Bill 498: Modify Law Re: Corporal Punishment into law. This bill is long supported by NASW-NC. As many as 17 counties still administer corporal punishment as discipline. Under this measure, parents can state in writing that they want to exempt their children from this practice and schools can not use corporal punishment on those children.

NASW-NC is opposed to the use of corporal punishment in schools. We commend the Governor for her signature on this bill!

Gov. Perdue signs gun bill into law

In the heat of legislators introducing legislation, we saw a lot of gun bills being introduced- including 3 called the Castle Doctrine. From the beginning, NASW-NC was opposed to these bills because of the already dangerous task of social workers making home visits and providing therapy in the homes of clients. These bills would give residents, motorists and workers more protection if shooting someone they perceived to be a threat.

Towards the end of session, all the gun bills were rolled into one- Amend Various Gun Laws.

Though we oppose of the Governor signing this bill into law, we are still proud of how the Governor is handling other legislation being presented to her.

For more information about the Governor's signature, click here.