Social Work: A Growing Profession

What is Social Work? The primary mission of the social work profession is to “enhance human well­being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty” (NASW, 2008, p.1). This profession is committed to the pursuit of social justice to enhance the quality of life, and the development of individuals, groups, families, and communities to its full potential.

About Social Workers Each social worker is uniquely trained and qualified to assess people and their environments that they are influenced by. Social workers work to enhance the overall well-being of the individual to create positive opportunities for the future. Social workers use a large network of resources to link the person to community services to help them overcome life’s most difficult challenges.

How Do Social Workers Help? Poverty Stress Mental Health Addiction Abuse Disability Death Physical Illness Discrimination Social workers work with a variety of different issues that can greatly impact individuals, families, and communities. Some of these issues include:

Where Do Social Workers Work? Hospitals Schools Mental Health Agencies Retirement and Senior Communities Government Drug and Alcohol Facilities Hospice Family and Children Services Juvenile and Adult Corrections Social workers can be employed virtually anywhere! There are a range of different fields of practice that social workers can work in. Here are just a few of them:

NASW Code of Ethics The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth values, principles, and standards to guide social workers’ conduct. This is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve (NASW, 2008).

Six Core Values Service Social Justice Dignity and Worth of the Person Importance of Human Relationships Integrity Competence The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective (NASW, 2008).

How to Become a Social Worker Social workers are trained with proper education, experience, and dedication to help individuals whenever and wherever they need it. It takes a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral social work degree — with a minimum number of hours in supervised fieldwork — to become a social worker (NASW Help Starts Here, 2008).

What is a BSW? The BSW is a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree. This is the only bachelor’s level human service degree whose educational programs are accredited by a national body, which is the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE accreditation process insures that the programs meet national standards on all levels. Through this process, social work students receive appropriate education and training to better serve our clients.

Schools of Social Work – BSW Programs Eastern University Edinboro University Elizabethtown College Gannon University Juniata College Kutztown University La Salle University Lock Haven University Alvernia College Bloomsburg University Cabrini College California University of Pennsylvania Carlow College Cedar Crest College Chatham College

Schools of Social Work – BSW Programs -- Continued Mansfield University Marywood University Mercyhurst College Messiah College Millersville University Misercordia University Philadelphia Biblical University Saint Francis University Seton Hill University Shippensburg University Slippery Rock University Temple University University of Pittsburgh West Chester University Widener University

What is a MSW? An MSW is a Master’s of Social Work degree. This prepares students to move from a generalist approach to a more advanced practice. Students will concentrate more on their particular area of interest and will be able to perform an advanced range of roles upon graduation.

Direct Practice Social Work Direct practice involves providing direct services to individuals and families. Social workers are generally employed in clinical or direct practice settings. Supervisory, administrative, and staff training positions usually require a MSW.

Macro Practice Social Work Macro social work involves practice at the society and community level. This can include roles in public policy that perform grassroots advocacy on a state, national, or international level. Other roles would include community organization, community development, and public health.

Schools of Social Work – MSW Programs Bryn Mawr College California University of Pennsylvania Edinboro University Kutztown University Marywood University Millersville University Shippensburg University Temple University University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh West Chester University Widener University

What is a LSW? A LSW is a Licensed Social Worker. An individual with a LSW will be able to perform a wide range of roles specifically focusing on direct practice services. To receive this license, an individual in Pennsylvania must complete the following: Graduate with a Masters degree in Social Work or Social Welfare from an accredited university. Pass a general Master’s level exam.

What is a LCSW? A LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. An individual with a LCSW will be able to provide direct mental health or health services and/or open a private practice. To receive this license, an individual in Pennsylvania must complete the following: 3,000 hours (2-6 years) of clinical supervision experience after completing the Master’s degree in Social Work. Pass a clinical level exam.

LCSWs as Mental Health Providers Clinical social workers generally provide mental health services for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders. The main goal is to enhance an improved quality of life and to maintain physical, psychological, and social functioning of individuals, groups, and families who are in direct need.

Future of Social Work According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for social workers is expected to grow twice as fast as any other occupation. This especially focuses in gerontology, home healthcare, substance abuse, private social service agencies, and school social work (NASW Help Starts Here, 2008).

Jenna Mehnert, Executive Director E-mail: exec@nasw-pa.org Questions? Please feel free to call NASW-PA to discuss the social work profession or any other concerning issues. Jenna Mehnert, Executive Director Phone: 717-232-4125 E-mail: exec@nasw-pa.org

References National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics. Retrieved November 25, 2008 from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/Code/code.asp National Association of Social Workers, Help Starts Here. (2008). About social workers. Retrieved November 25, 2008 from http://www.helpstartshere.org/About_Social_Workers.html