ADVOCATE ALBERTA C OLLEGE O F S OCIAL W ORKERS THE Volume 34, Issue 2, Summer 2009 Cover story: Conference highlights page 22 Meet our 2009 ACSW Award Winners! page 18

ADVOCATEA L B E R T A C O L L E G E O F S O C I A L W O R K E R S

THE

Volume 34, Issue 2, Summer 2009

www.acsw.ab.ca

Cover story: Conference highlights page 22 Meet our 2009 ACSW Award Winners! page 18 Acknowledge the past, look to the future page 26 A day in the life: At the heart of the matter page 36 The history of Alberta social work association involvement in social action and social justice page 38

2009 Conference - 100 Years of Change & Beyond

Conference writeup & photos, pages 22-33

The Advocate • Summer 20092

THE ADVOCATE EDITORIAL POLICY: The Advocate seeks to serve as a “meeting place” for Alberta social workers by publishing information about social work research, theory, practice, and education; professional affairs; social issues; the work of the College; books, journals, and other media of inter-est to social workers; continuing education and job opportunities; and the comings and goings of Alberta social workers. Members and the public are welcome to submit articles, stories, anecdotes, poems, thoughts and ideas. Letters to the editor, announcements, cartoons, artwork, and pictures are also welcome. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submitted material. Please call the ACSW office for a copy of “Writing for the Advocate” before submitting any material. Publication does not imply endorsement by the College.

The Advocate is published quarterly. Deadlines are JANUARY 15 for the SPRING issue (March publication), APRIL 15 for SUMMER (June publication), JULY 15 for FALL (September publication), and OCTOBER 15 for WINTER (December publication).

ALL SUBMISSIONS: The Advocate, ACSW, #550, 10707 - 100 Avenue, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1

ATTN: Lori Sigurdson • E-MAIL: [email protected] • PHONE: (780) 421-1167 • FAX: 421-1168.

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COVER STORY

Conference highlights ................................................. Cathy Vaessen and Rose Lamoureux ................ 22

FEATURES

Meet our 2009 ACSW Award Winners ............................. Joan Marie Galat ......................................... 18

Acknowledge the past, look to the future ...................... Joan Marie Galat ......................................... 26

A day in the life: At the heart of the matter .................. Rochelle Cristofori ....................................... 36

The history of Alberta social work association

involvement in social action and social justice ............... Barbara McPherson

Butch Nutter

and Grace Elliott ......................................... 38

NEWS

From our desk to yours ............................................... Lori Sigurdson ..............................................3

Letters: Front line social workers are exploited ............... Michelle Fearon .............................................5

The Faculty Beat: Farewell to two key Faculty members ... Lynne Dulaney ..............................................8

Book Review: We Generation ........................................ Peter Smyth................................................ 34

REGULAR FEATURES

New RSWs ................................................................. Membership as of May 14, 2009 ......................7

President Kennedy had it right… ................................ Randy Harris ............................................... 10

Stand Up for Public Health Care ................................... Rod Adachi ................................................. 11

Ethics in action: Employers’ obligations and

the Health Professions Act ........................................ Alison MacDonald ........................................ 12

Private Practice Roster member profile .......................... Laurie Fisher ............................................... 16

Diploma Dialogue: Audacity of Focus:

NorQuest College’s Social Work Diploma Program ........ Eugene Ip .................................................. 14

For Your Information .................................................. Announcements .......................................... 43

All material with bylines is ©2009 by author. ACSW retains copyright when no author is listed.

The AdvocateVolume 34, Issue 2, Summer 2009

Published by:The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)

550 10707 100 AVE NWEdmonton AB T5J 3M1Phone: (780) 421-1167

Toll-free in Alberta: 1-800-661-3089Fax: (780) 421-1168 or toll-free 1-866-874-8931

E-Mail: [email protected]: www.acsw.ab.ca

Executive Director & Registrar: Rod Adachi, MSW, [email protected]

Associate Registrar: Alison MacDonald, PhD (Cand), [email protected]

Professional Affairs Coordinator: Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSW, [email protected]

Coordinator, Finance and Administration: Gladys Smecko

Registration Coordinator: Brenda Gross

Executive Assistant to the Executive Director: Kim Chiles

Registration Secretary: Monica VasconezRegulatory Secretary: Desiree Hurst

Administrative Secretary: Nearint NeamPromotions Coordinator: Ilona Cardinal, BA, BFA

Competency Secretary: Jennifer Catt

ACSW Council:President: Randy Harris, MSW, RSW

Vice President: Bob Johnson, MSSW, RSWSecretary: Elaine Spencer, MSW, RSWTreasurer: Bonita Decaire, MSW, RSWMembers: Derek Chewka, BSW, RSW

Tera Dahl-Lang, MSW, RSWRichard Gregory, MSW, RSW

Barry Hall, PhD, RSWJolene Losness, MSW, RSW

Terry Wilson, BSW, RSWAboriginal Committee Representative:

Verna Wittigo, BSW, RSWPublic Members: Marija Bicanic, LLM

Lynne Davies, BScN, MEd Ralph Westwood, Dip Mental Deficiency Nursing, BEd, MEd CASW Representative: Emily Drzymala, PhD, RSW

The Advocate is published quarterly for members of ACSW and other interested parties.

Editorial Board: Papiya Das, MSW, RSW (Chair)Duane Burton, BSW, MEd, RSW

Eugene Ip, MSW, RSWLeslie MacKinnon, BSW, RSW

Anne Marie McLaughlin, PhD, RSWElaine Paras, MSW, RSWPeter Smyth, BSW, RSW

Trudy Wilson, SW Diploma, RSW

Editor: Joan Marie GalatProduction Editor: Jena SnyderDesign: Kyle Loranger Design

Advertising space is available; please call the ACSW office for details or to place an ad. The Editorial Board

reserves the right to reject any advertising.

FALL 2009 ISSUE DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2009

Canadian subscriptions are $24/year (outside Canada: $24 US/year) Please notify ACSW

office immediately of any address changes.

ISSN 0847 - 2890PM NO. 40050109

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO550 10707 100 AVE NWEDMONTON AB T5J 3M1

in the news

3Volume 34 • Issue 2

From our desk to yoursby Lori Sigurdson, MSW, RSWACSW Professional Affairs Coordinator

Lori SigurdsonSocial Workers Making a Difference in Women’s Lives National Social Work Week: March 1 - 7, 2009

Northwest RegionMany events were hosted across the province to celebrate National Social Work Week. The northwest region was particularly

busy with luncheons in High Level, Peace River, Grande Prairie, High Prairie and Slave Lake. Christine Ayling of the Virtues

Project gave a presentation encouraging adults to nurture children to reach their full potential. Grande Prairie Area Coordinators

Marianne Hartman, Ghislaine Boucher, and Sandra Guzzwell hosted the event.

Edmonton Edmonton Area Coordinators, with members of the

Continuing Competence Committee, hosted an evening

to assess our portfolio process. A passionate discussion was

accompanied by snacks, cake, and other refreshments. Also in

Edmonton, the Children’s Issues Committee hosted a pizza

lunch accompanied by a giant Happy Social Work Week! cake.

L to R, Grande Prairie Area Coordinators and hosts of the Social Work Week luncheon:

Sandra Guzzwell, Marianne Hartman, Ghislaine Boucher.

National Social Work Week luncheon in Grande Prairie

A bit further to the east, Portage College Community Social

Work Program students celebrated our profession in many

ways. First- and second-year students created posters, displays,

and presentations. Two second-year students, Melody Little and

Elizabeth Young, organized the Take Back the Night walk. This

fit well with our theme: Social Workers Making a Difference in

Women’s Lives. The Lac La Biche Post and Big Dog Radio ran

information pieces on social work. More “From our desk to yours” on page 4

Edmonton Social Workers from the Children’s Issues Committee

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From our desk to yoursContinued from page 3

St. AlbertSt. Albert area coordinator Sharon Mills planned a luncheon

with the mayor for local social workers. Approximately

25 social workers met with Deputy Mayor Gareth Jones.

Michelle Fearon read a letter to the mayor on behalf of the

group, outlining the concerns in the community (following on

page 5). The mayor applauded the work of social workers and

proclaimed the week for the City of St. Albert in a small City

Hall ceremony.

CalgaryIn the south, Alberta Health Services in Calgary hosted many

Social Work Week events. On March 3, the second annual

regional Social Work Week celebration was held with 115

social workers attending. Special guests included Bob Johnson,

ACSW vice president, and Betty Lynn Morrice, senior vice

president of Therapeutic Services, Alberta Health Services.

Dr. Kerry Bowman, Clinical Ethicist from Mount Sinai

Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Toronto

delivered this year’s keynote address. He spoke on “Ethical

Considerations in Social Work Practice Within a Changing

Health Care Environment.” The formal program was followed

by an opportunity to network and socialize with colleagues

throughout the region. In addition, Dr. Bowan presented

a full day workshop, displays were created and set up, and

lucky draw baskets were available at each site, including a

gigantic “death by chocolate” arrangement at the Rockyview

Hospital. Coffee parties were held at each hospital, where

each social worker received a ceramic ACSW mug.

Continued on page 6

Social Work Week in Calgary: Ron Richard, Linda Van Haar, Sue Ramsden,

Betty-Lynn Morrice

Social Work Week in Calgary: Kelly McLennan, Francine Abma-Vink, Christie Zayas

Social Work Week in Calgary: Erin Miller-McGovern, Sue Heron, Leon Mitchell,

Melinda Hatfield

St. Albert social workers along with Deputy Mayor Gareth Jones

in the news


Direct service workers are a direct link in our communities and

provide support to our seniors, youth, and families; whether

it be in mental health, rehabilitation, youth work, child care,

social work, or any other human services field. They liaise with

emergency services, medical services, government agencies,

legal services, and community programs in order to establish a

holistic connection for people within our community.

Front line workers are often exposed to personal dangers and asked to advocate on behalf of those who do not have a voice in society, and yet they themselves have lost their voice through exploitation by their agencies.

Even though the government contributes millions of dollars

towards social programs, this funding is not reaching the

direct front line worker, who is the person who will most

affect change in a client’s life and create a critical lifeline in a

person’s life.

Many social workers are forced to subsidize their families

with second jobs and many suffer burn out due to low staff

retention. It is disheartening that many social workers earn

less than a housekeeper and yet expose themselves to the

greatest tragedies and examples of human suffering within

our communities. Front line workers are often exposed to

personal dangers and asked to advocate on behalf of those

who do not have a voice in society, and yet they themselves

have lost their voice through exploitation by their agencies.

In my own experience as a front line worker, I was recently

involved in the planning of a funeral for a long-term client

because the family and agency were unable to provide a

personal element to the funeral service. Many front line

workers provide dignity and a personal connection to the

people that the agencies and government organizations

ultimately serve.

The business of serving people is undervalued in our society

and it is the responsibility of government to have a vision that

values marginalized individuals within our community and

those workers that are engaged to act on behalf of our society.

A letter to the Mayor of St. Albert, Nolan Crouse

Front line social workers are exploitedBy Michelle Fearon, SW Dip, RSW

March 5, 2009

Dear Mayor Nolan Crouse,

My purpose in coming to speak to you today is to bring awareness to the exploitation of many front line social workers.

As a front line worker, I can tell you that human services workers are not valued at the same level financially as workers

in the private sector. In most cases, workers are women who are expected to volunteer their time, and in many instances,

their caring nature is exploited.

I come before you today to speak on behalf of those who

work on the front lines of our community, supporting those

in need on our behalf. Their commitment to this cause needs

to be recognized by government and agencies to ensure that

workers are empowered and given professional recognition

for their contributions.

Sincerely,

Michelle Fearon, SW Diploma, RSW

Michelle Fearon is a social worker at Rehoboth Christian Ministries and regularly

attends St. Albert Area Coordinator Meetings.

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6 The Advocate • Summer 2009

National Social Work Week in CanmoreCloser to the Rockies, Canmore area coordinator Jen Geary

promoted our profession at a career fair. She also spoke to a

group of Girl Guides about being a social worker. Further

south again, Lethbridge area coordinators organized their

annual Social Work Week conference: It’s All in Your Head:

Neuroscience and Social Work. Those who attended enjoyed

Category A workshops, a luncheon, and networking

opportunities.

Minister of Child and Youth Services Janice Tarchuk

recognized our profession in the Legislative Assembly. She

introduced three social workers who were recognized on

behalf of our profession: Lina Filomeno-Melchionna, Sarah

Banick, and Rhonda McKinnon. Calgary Mayor Dave

Bronconnier recognized Social Work Week. and Edmonton

Mayor Stephen Mandel proclaimed Social Work Week. Other

cities and towns also recognized the social work profession,

while all Alberta daily newspapers ran advertisements

acknowledging our work (opposite).

Many thanks to area coordinators and leaders in the social work profession who organized events!

Welcome new ACSW council members!

From our desk to yoursContinued from page 4

Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald - 500 lines - 5 11/16” x 7 1/8”

Registered Social Worker (RSW):The professional standard in social work

The Alberta College of Social Workers regulates social work practice in Alberta. Its primary focus is toserve and protect the public interest by promoting skilled and ethical social work. www.acsw.ab.ca

Across the province, Registered Social Workers canbe found helping others. Much of our work is withAlbertans who are vulnerable and marginalized.Inequality makes many women our clients.

Usually, a woman takes on the role as primaryfamily caregiver. This often leads to fluctuatingemployment patterns that negatively impact awoman’s ability to be financially stable. Lowerpaying jobs, inadequate child care programs,narrow employment insurance eligibility criteriaand restrictive retirement income policiescompound the situation. Lack of accommodation

of women’s needs by government, business andothers pushes many into poverty.

As social workers, in addition to working on thefront lines, we are advocates urging government torepair major cracks in our social infrastructure andto adopt social policies that look after the needs ofvulnerable Albertans.

Access to resources to meet basic human needs isevery person’s right. Alberta’s 6,000 RegisteredSocial Workers are advocates for fairness and socialjustice. Advocacy is a fundamental aspect of ourprofessional ethics and at the heart of what we do.

Social Workers Make a Difference! March 1 – 7 is National Social WorkWeek in Alberta.You can find out more about the advocacy initiatives of ACSW at www.acsw.ab.ca.

Social Workers:Making a Difference inWomen’s Lives

Joleen Losness Richard Gregory

Barry Hall Emily Drzymala

New ACSW council members for 2009 are:

Joleen Losness, MSW, RSW, Red Deer

Richard Gregory, MSW, RSW, Medicine Hat

and Barry Hall, PhD, RSW, Lethbridge.

Emily Drzymala, PhD, RSW, a past president of ACSW, is our new CASW representative.

Recommended Reading

If you have read a good book that relates to social

work or social work issues, please send us the title

and author’s name for our upcoming Recommended

Reading section.

regular feature


New RSWsMembership as of

May 14, 2009: 6,124

Altaf Ahmad Ali

Karissa Grace Maria Andre

Logan Alexandra Argan

Marta Asensio

Gloria Auger

Kimberley Dawn Baltimore

Val Beauchesne

Yolanda Pauline Becker

Lori Ann Bell

Carolyn Gail Berry

Kaylin Janelle Betteridge

Angela Yvonne Blakely

Dale Bond

Courtney Georgena Brake

Jeanne Burden

Stephanie Card

Patricia Chemago

Shirley Edna Clement

Teresa M. Collins

Anna Maria Czapiga

Elaine Davie

Joy C. Dela Cruz

Sheila Dielissen

Tiffany Jean Doucet

Melissa Ann Elliott

Cara Louise Erlandson

Lindsay Erin Faul

Anna Leah Fedoruk

Kyle Gregory Fehr

Audra Foggin

Sarah Fotheringham

Jessica Christine Foulston

Jamie Garcia

Emily Gauthier

Paris Hayley Marie Gauthier

Claire Gavin

Paige Rae Georget

Cheryl Marie Giberson

Rachelle M. Gietz

Jenesse Carol Glenn

Holly Golanowski

Leonard A. Grannemann

Marleen Patricia Gray

Kristina Joanne Grue

Dana Robyn Guild

Amalia Marie Haberstock

Jaclyn Haddrell

May Haines

Colette Marie Harker

Sharon Lee Hayward

Carolyn Charlene Heerschap

Jaclyn Christie Anne Horne

Ashley Paige Howes

Paula Andrea Jaramillo

Christina Kahlou

Kayla Rae Klassen

Angela Kosch

Jennifer Labrecque

Amy LaRose

Rainbow Lau

Deanna Joanne Ledoux

Donna Elaine LeMoine

David Robert Lillico

Stella C. Lukinski

Lisa Lyda

Courtney Lynn Mabbutt

Glynis Wilfa V. Manginsay

Liz Ann Mathew

Janice Ann McKenzie

Lisa Jane Moisey

Christopher Aaron Morrison

Tanya Myrfield

Andrea Jennifer Ney

Theresa Phuc Nguyen

Maria Owens

Amable Baron Pardinas

Yvette Pedneault

Melanie Rose Perka

Lindsay Danae Peterson

Shelley Pompana

Tammy Angel Porsnuk

Kim Rathwell-Austin

Christina Redgun-Schultz

Carmen Ann Rodwell

Holly Elizabeth Ryan

Ciel Sander

Heather Schneider

Jennifer Ann Scott-

Munoz

Nadia Hana Seifeddine

Ken Shand

Samantha Lee Shovar

Baljot Sidhu

Lesley Adrienne Smith

Ivana Srsen

Erin Michelle Stadnick

Monica Lynn Stark

Amy Stewart

Lindsay Lianne Storm

Connie Lynn Straub

Kerri Lynne Sutherland

Ayda Tehrani

Nicole Dawn Thibeau

Suja Varghese Thomas

Ellen O. Thuringer

Candice Lynn Vallieres

Erin Melissa Visser

Averill Vogels

Sandra Leanne Wagner

Melissa Dawn Marie Wall

Robert Edward Wanner

Gina Warren

Laura Webb

Colin P. White

Mary Colleen Williams

Loren Charles Wog

Hannah Chung Man Wong

Joy Yanko

Kyla Jo Zimbowski


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The Faculty BeatLynne Dulaney University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work

Farewell to two key Faculty of Social Work membersElsie JohnsonThousands of students, alumni, field instructors and faculty members have had the pleasure

of working with Elsie Johnson over the past 21 years. Johnson, considered by many to be the

super-glue that holds the Faculty of Social Work together, is retiring in June from her position

as administrator of the Field Education Office and Dean’s Office.

“Elsie is every dean’s dream of the quintessential senior staff person,” says Dean Gayla Rogers.

“In addition to being incredibly capable in her position, she is ready, willing and able to pitch

in wherever and whenever needed. She advocates for her staff, offers her experience and

perspective, motivates others, has a positive attitude even in difficult times, and at the end of

the day, gets the job done. She has been an important part of making the Faculty of Social

Work an inspiring place to work and learn.”

Hired in 1988 as secretary to then-dean Ray Tomlinson, Johnson became the graduate student advisor in 1992. In addition to

her administration of the faculty’s busy field education office, Johnson serves as head of human resources and office manager.

Over the years, she has taken on projects such as curriculum self-studies, special reports, and until 2003, faculty publications.

“I was very fortunate in having the opportunity to carve out my job, which is probably unique on campus,” Johnson says. “I

really enjoy connecting with people, and as support to the field education office, I am in contact with a lot of our grads who

are working in human service agencies in the city.”

Dr. Timothy Pyrch Dr. Timothy Pyrch is also retiring from the Faculty

of Social Work in June.

Before joining the faculty in 2004, Pyrch was a

longtime professor in the Faculty of Continuing

Education where he served as associate dean of

research and director of the workplace learning

research unit.

Active in the adult education and community

development fields for more than four decades,

Pyrch has focused on the dynamics between

education, poverty, and social justice.

Elsie Johnson

Dr. Timothy Pyrch

Elsie is every dean’s dream of the quintessential senior staff person.

— Gayla Rogers, Dean, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

in the news


“I confront my students with a responsibility to be

defiant of those who would perpetrate inequality and

social injustice,” he says. “Social workers are agents of

social change and in order to be effective, they have to be

smart and strategic.”

Pyrch teaches Participatory Action Research (PAR)—an

intrinsically political process that has been one of his

research passions for more than 20 years. He believes

participatory action researchers and scholars must work

as equal partners with oppressed or marginalized peoples,

empowering them to realize they have inherent know-

ledge that can be used to reflect on local issues, gather

relevant information, and implement strategic solutions.

Pyrch tells his students, “You will be a better social

worker if you can look at your client as an individual

who has innate knowledge; somebody to learn with, not

to categorize or fix.”

As well as being a mentor to many undergraduate,

graduate, and doctoral students over the years, Pyrch

has been instrumental in organizing events such as the

faculty’s annual Encounter with Social Justice, “Voices

International” speaker series, and student-led Social

Action Day.

“Tim is a tireless advocate for social justice and human

rights issues within the university and in the wider

community,” says Rogers. “He has helped forge a new

awareness of community in Calgary by bringing together

like-minded social activists.”

On behalf of the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the

Faculty of Social Work, best wishes to both Elsie and Tim

for long and happy retirements. Both will be missed! n

Lynne Dulaney is the communications consultant for the Faculty of Social

Work at University of Calgary.

Mark your calendars: Fall professional development opportunities

The Centre for Social Work Research and Professional

Development is proud to offer two feature presentations

this fall. Other fall workshops will cover a variety of topics

including supervision, practice outcomes assessment, program

evaluation, adult mental health, loss and grief, support

groups, and others.

Visit fsw.ucalgary.ca/pd for more information.

n “Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for OCD and Anxiety: User-Friendly Treatment for Children and Adolescents”

Presented by Aureen Pinto Wagner, PhD

October 15 – 16, 2009 in Calgary

Dr. Aureen Pinto Wagner is clinical associate professor of

neurology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine

and Dentistry, director of the Anxiety Wellness Centre in

Rochester, NY, and member of the Scientific Board of the

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation. She is a clinical child

psychologist widely recognized for her unique approach to

making Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy (CBT) accessible to

children. She is a sought-after speaker, known for her depth

of knowledge, user-friendly conceptualization of CBT, creative

clinical innovations, and practical strategies

n “Spirituality, Suffering and Illness: What Clinical Practices Invite Individual and Family Healing?”

Presented by Lorraine Wright, PhD

November 19 – 20, 2009 in Calgary

Well-known international lecturer and author Dr. Lorraine

Wright is a University of Calgary professor emerita of nursing.

She is the author of seven books including Spirituality,

Suffering and Illness: Ideas for Healing (2005) and co-author

of Beliefs and Illness: A Model of Healing (2009). Dr. Wright

was bestowed an honorary doctorate by the University

of Montreal in 2008. A frequent speaker at national and

international conferences and workshops, she has 30 years of

direct teaching and clinical experience with individuals and

families suffering with serious physical and/or mental illness.

You will be a better social worker if you can look at your client as an individual who has innate knowledge; somebody to learn with, not to categorize or fix.

— Dr. Timothy Pyrch

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PresidentRandy Harris, MSW, RSW

Randy HarrisPresident Kennedy had it right…responsibility of citizenship

To paraphrase (with apologies) John F. Kennedy: “Ask not

what your College can do for you; ask what you can do for

your College.” We are not talking about the responsibilities

of citizenship but the basic responsibilities that we all need to

fulfil as members of a profession. One of those responsibilities

is paying our fees and renewing promptly every year.

In another area of responsibility, I have been approached

lately with reports of individuals who are either practicing

social work without being registered or who are working

as a social worker but deny that their duties fall within the

scope of social work practice (and therefore they don’t have

to register). It is clear that an individual practicing without

registration in Alberta is not meeting the responsibilities

of our profession or the requirements of the law. In other

provinces you might be able to do that, but not here.

So what should we do when we are aware of individuals

who should be registered but are not? The first thing is

to approach these individuals and advise them of their

responsibilities under the law. Their not being registered

could be the result of not realizing that registration is

required in Alberta—particularly if they have moved here

from a province where registration is not mandatory. If the

person chooses to not act on your advice, feel free to call the

ACSW office so that we can assist that person and his/her

employer to meet their respective responsibilities under the

law. In order to be an effective professional college that serves

and protects the public interest, we need to ensure that all

practicing social workers are registered.

Approaching a colleague in these matters is not easy—I get a

knot in my stomach just thinking about it. At the same time,

however, I wonder what the unregistered person is thinking.

Responsible professionals are accountable for their practice!

Another important responsibility for our members is

participating in ACSW elections. Having candidates

contesting for each position on Council is the ideal situation

but in some years, as we have just experienced, some

positions might not be contested. Our bylaws specify that in

cases where there is only one candidate for a position, that

candidate must receive 50% of the vote cast to be elected to

the position. So, whether or not a position is contested, voting

is important.

Sadly, only about 250 of our close to 6,000 members

exercised their right to participate in the last Council election.

Some of the reasons that members have given me include ”I

forgot about it” or “I couldn’t remember my password.”

Interestingly, some 700 members made use of the online

registration process for the conference but many did not

take the time to vote while logged onto the ACSW website.

My hope is that the poor voter turnout was partly due to

our initial trial of an electronic voting process and that our

members will participate in future elections in greater numbers.

I continue to remain open to meet with members to discuss

their concerns about fees or any other ACSW matters.

During these discussions, though, you might be asked about

what you can do for the College. n

Randy Harris is the president of ACSW. He can be reached through the ACSW office

at [email protected].

One benefit of being involved with the ACSW is the opportunity to meet members and discuss their concerns. In my

interactions with members a significant theme has been “What do we get for our $300.00?” We are all concerned about

getting value for our dollar and I am more than happy to discuss what you get. I would, however, like to change the

direction of the discussion.

regular feature


Stand Up for Public Health CareThe Stand Up for Public Health Care Rally organized

by the Friends of Medicare on May 9th attracted over a

thousand concerned Albertans from across the province.

Social workers attending the rally gathered around an

ACSW banner in front of the Alberta legislature with other

organizations and individuals to denounce plans to de-list

health services in this province.

The de-listing of health services in Alberta is one of many

health care issues of concern to social workers. The last

issue of the Advocate included an article about retired

RSWs speaking out against the government’s proposed

pharmaceutical strategy and continuing care strategy. The

negative reaction to these proposed strategies influenced the

government to re-think its plans to change the drug plan for

seniors.

On May 6, the Edmonton region of the Canadian Mental

Health Association and the Alberta Alliance on Mental

Illness and Mental Health (AAMIMH) co-sponsored a MLA

breakfast in support of Mental Health Week. As a member

of the AAMIMH, ACSW was included in this opportunity

to meet with MLAs to discuss issues and concerns related

to mental health. Amongst the MLAs in attendance were

Health and Wellness Minister Ron Leipert, Liberal leader

David Swan and Rachel Notley from the NDP. This event

provided an opportunity to enhance the awareness of MLAs

of the high incidence of Albertans faced with mental health

issues and the concerted effort required to ensure appropriate

mental health programs and services are made available.

Questions about the delivery of mental health services is one

of many arising out of the massive re-organization in health

launched a year ago to create Alberta Health Services (AHS).

An estimated 30% of ACSW members provide health related

services through a range of settings including hospitals, home

care, long-term care, mental health, addictions, community

services, private practice and primary health care. Given

the scope of this reorganization, it will be many months

before we are fully aware of the impact of the changes

that are taking place. In order to monitor the effect of the

reorganization on social work, ACSW held an initial meeting

with a senior AHS official in April. Given the ongoing

changes, we anticipate further meetings will be required to

fully discuss the contributions social workers bring through

their various roles within AHS.

Health issues add to the concerns of Albertans facing poverty.

The ACSW has been a strong supporter of Public Interest

Alberta (PIA) and its campaign to discuss a comprehensive

poverty reduction strategy for Alberta. This campaign

has particular importance during a period of economic

downturn when many families are struggling. This spring,

PIA conducted a number of forums on this topic across

the province and has scheduled forums for Edmonton and

Calgary in October. More information about this campaign is

available at: www.pialberta.org/events.

Rod Adachi is the Executive Director and Registrar of ACSW. He can be reached

through the ACSW office at [email protected].

Executive Director & RegistrarRod Adachi, MSW, RSW

Rod Adachi

The Stand Up for Public Health Care Rally

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Ethics in actionAlison MacDonald, MDipl, RSW

Alison MacDonald

Employers’ obligations and the Health Professions ActSocial work is a profession, not a job. We choose to go into social work for a variety of reasons. For some it is because of

experience “in the system” while growing up. Many of us are attracted to social work because we want to help people.

Others come into the profession on the heels of a friend or relative we look up to.

Regardless of what drew us, by the time our social work education is finished, we are clearly part of a community with

knowledge, values, and beliefs that are unique to the profession. I may work at the corner store and still be a social

worker, but a person employed within the scope of social work such as a family counselor, mental health therapist, child

welfare worker, or community developer who does not qualify for registration as a social worker is not a social worker,

regardless of what the public may think.

Under the Health Professions Act (HPA), Schedule 27, the

scope of social work is defined as follows: In their practice,

social workers do one or more of the following:

(a) enhance or restore the social functioning of individuals,

families, groups, organizations and communities by

improving developmental, problem-solving and coping

capacities of people and systems,

(b) promote effective and humane systems that provide

resources, opportunities and services to people and link

people to those systems,

(c) contribute to the development and improvement of social

policy, and

(d) provide restricted activities authorized by the

regulations.

If a person has a degree or diploma in social work from

an approved program and their practice involves any of

the above, that person is active in social work and must be

registered. This is not an exclusive scope of practice; that is,

people who are not social workers may be hired to do the

same or similar functions.

This approach to regulation, which is not unique to Alberta,

causes some confusion both for those who qualify for

registration and for employers. While employers may hire any

person felt to be qualified for a position, they cannot make a

person a social worker simply by hiring them into a position

normally held by social workers. On the flip side, they cannot

hire a social worker and make that person into something

else simply by changing the title. A person who is qualified

for registration and working within the scope of practice

must be registered, regardless of the title used or whether the

employer was specifically looking for a social worker. As a

result of this legislation you may have two people working

in the same position, one whom must be registered and the

other unable to be registered.

Specifically,

46(1) A person must apply for registration if the person

(a) meets the requirements for registration as a regulated

member, and

(b) intends to provide one or more of the following:

(i) professional services directly to the public;

(iv) the teaching of the practice of a regulated profession

to regulated members or students of the regulated

profession;

(v) the supervision of regulated members who provide

professional services to the public.

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We frequently hear social workers say they have not been reg-

istered because their employers did not require it. What many

employers do not understand is that it is not up to them to

determine whether or not registration is required.

The HPA states:

47(1) No person shall knowingly employ a person who meets the

requirements of section 46(1)(a) to provide services described

in section 46(1)(b) unless that employed person is

(a) a regulated member, or

(b) authorized to provide the services pursuant to another

enactment.

The legislation goes on to state that a person who qualifies

for registration must provide evidence of a practice permit in

good standing, or the authorization under 47(1)(b), prior to

being employed.

Failure to meet these requirements does have legal repercussions:

48(1.1) A person who knowingly employs a person in contravention

of section 47(1) is guilty of an offence.

(2.1) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1.1) is

liable

(a) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $4000,

(b) for a second offence, to a fine of not more than $8000,

and

(c) for a third and every subsequent offence, to a fine of

not more than $12,000 or to imprisonment for a term

of not more than 12 months or to both a fine and

imprisonment.

The HPA also includes requirements regarding information

sharing between the regulatory body (in this case, the ACSW)

and the employer. Any time a regulated member’s practice

permit is cancelled, suspended, or issued with conditions, we

must provide notice to the employer. Upon receipt of that

notice the employer is prohibited from requiring an employee

to undertake any activities that would be in contravention of

the notice.

Ethics in action

The employer must also provide notice to the college under

the following circumstances:

57(1) If, because of conduct that in the opinion of the employer

is unprofessional conduct, the employment of a regulated

member is terminated or suspended or the regulated member

resigns, the employer must give notice of that conduct to the

complaints director.

(2) On being given notice under subsection (1), the complaints

director must

(a) treat the employer as a complainant,

(b) despite not receiving a complaint under section 54, treat

the notice as a complaint in accordance with section 56,

and

(c) notify the employer and the regulated member

accordingly.

(3) For the purposes of this section, “employment” includes

being engaged to provide professional services on a full-time

or part-time basis as a paid or unpaid employee, consultant,

contractor or volunteer.

Professionals are held to a higher standard than the general

workforce. Social workers are accountable to our profession

through the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and to

the public through legislation. Employers benefit from the

professionalism and accountability social workers bring to the

worksite but also have a responsibility to ensure both they and

their employees meet the requirements of the law. n

Alison MacDonald is the Associate Registrar for ACSW.

If there are any topics you would like to see addressed in a future Ethics in Action

column, please send an e-mail to Alison at [email protected].

While employers may hire any person felt to be qualified for a position, they cannot make a person a social worker simply by hiring them into a position normally held by social workers.

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Diploma DialogueEugene Ip, MSW, RSWNorQuest College

Audacity of Focus:NorQuest’s Social Work Diploma Program Social Work Diploma Program – Multicultural FocusWhen NorQuest College’s diploma program

was launched in July 2008, the Edmonton Journal

reported: “The courses have the same structure

as other social work programs, but they are

threaded with themes such as human rights, racism,

oppression and multicultural politics.”

To borrow a phrase from President Obama, these

words betray an audacity of focus for social work

education. Further in the reporting, divisional dean

at that time Ruth Hunter-Moffat offered a social

context to the multicultural focus of the college’s

initiative: “(t)he face of Alberta is changing. There is a

strong Aboriginal component…. There are a lot more

immigrants coming to our communities, and they need people

with a high level of intercultural confidence and sensitivity.”

In September 2008, NorQuest’s program went live. If

multicultural focus had still been but a promise, the

extraordinary ethno-racial diversity of the college’s first 33

students would have lent a strong suggestion of deliverability.

This remarkable demographic has already proven to bring

fascinating and divergent life realities with experiences and

perspectives that inform learning and teaching. Yet despite

differing points of reference, there is a unity of worldviews.

One example of students’ common grounding is seen in

this stanza of the winning poem in the college’s recent Erase

Racism writing contest by student Nancy Villegas:

I hope “tolerance” would be more than an idea,

And I want to see my people sharing real friendship,

brotherhood,

Accepting all their neighbors and changing our destiny,

Living in peace and harmony, as a family of love.

While still attending to everyday teaching and student needs,

staff must also manage the hefty developmental agenda that

accompanies a new program. There are informational materials

to prepare, such as practice and policy manuals. Numerous

planning items must be completed in a timely manner, including

documents relating to the ACSW program approval process,

faculty development, student recruitment, and field education.

Existential needs, however, go beyond the here and now. A

mission to train social workers to competently address troubling

issues and unmet needs with an informed sensitivity to

multicultural relations and politics challenges the program with a

particular strand of long-term development planning questions.

One key concern is that educating with attentiveness

to oppression, racism, and multicultural relations means

addressing how to accomplish being multicultural through

curriculum, course syllabuses, faculty recruitment and

development, and pedagogical practices. There is no program

model to reference and borrow from.

Another consideration is what this training perspective means

in relation to practicum experience. In mainstream agencies,

social work practice with a multicultural focus as described

by NorQuest’s program is—at best—far and few between.

Eugene Ip

NorQuest College Social Work Program students and instructors Donna Rensen, MSW, RSW (middle

row, first from left), and Eugene Ip, MSW, RSW (back row, fourth from far right)

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Diploma Dialogue

Yet it seems essential to develop field training focused on

serving communities of difference, not only of diversity, as well

as to address service delivery and practice issues relating to

multicultural politics.

An esteemed colleague once romanticized a new social work

program as an artist’s canvas waiting to be created upon.

It is definitely a stretch for effect, particularly given the

regulatory regimes a new program is subjected to. However,

the metaphor may not be a bad reminder of how much there

still is to plan for and fill in—a thought that is at once both

daunting and deliciously fascinating.

Happenings elsewhere in the province…• Grant MacEwan College experiences continuing, strong

demand for admission to their social work program, and low

program attrition. This speaks to the finding that student

and employer satisfaction ratings continue to be high.

Other noteworthy developments include an increase of

full-time faculty from five to six people, the continuation

of Hinton’s program, and a successful partnership with

Catholic Social Services to offer a continuing education

series for human services professionals. Finding and

maintaining good field placements continues to be an

ongoing challenge.

• The Red Deer College program will commemorate 40 Years during 2009-2010 and celebration planning is

underway! The college needs help updating their contact

list of program graduates so that people can be officially

invited to the events. If you graduated

from the RDC program within the last 40

years, please contact Brenda Joyce, Chair, at

[email protected] or (403) 314-2478.

• The Medicine Hat College social work program is very proud to acknowledge second-year student, Jana Roose,

who received a Tier Two Canada Millennium Scholarship.

She is the only Alberta social work student to win, and

one of three social work students from across Canada.

Roose also received a $2500 bursary. At her request, it will

go toward a Palliative Care Society Hospice Committee

project, a Medicine Hat group she is involved with.

A single mother of two children, Roose organized the first

“Spring Sprint” fund raiser for the Brain Tumor Foundation

in Medicine Hat last year and is planning the second annual

event this June. Also involved in social work student society

activities, Jana is very respected by her classmates and her

instructors for all she is and does.

Medicine Hat College was well represented at this year’s

ACSW conference. Twenty-two students and all three social

work instructors attended the conference. The group also

took the opportunity to tour Calgary social service agencies.

• InApril,eightMount Royal College and six Medicine Hat social work students, along with Medicine Hat instructor Richard Gregory, traveled to Zambia for a

social work practicum. The students worked primarily in the

village of Mwandi on United Church of Zambia Mission

programs. The group is away until the end of June. n

Eugene Ip is the assistant coordinator/instructor of the Social Work Program at

NorQuest College in Edmonton.

Medicine Hat College students and instructors – ACSW 2009 Conference L to R: Richard Gregory, Medicine Hat College Social Work Program

Coordinator; Jana Roose, recipient of the Millennium Scholarship;

Dr. Nora Way, Dean, Division of Health Studies, Medicine Hat College

On behalf of the Alberta Association of Social Work Diploma Programs

(AASWDP) and its member programs, have a great summer!

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Private Practice PageLaurie Fisher, MSW, RSW

Private Practice Roster member profileIn an effort to introduce you to some of the members of the Private Practice Roster and their practices,

we will profile one or two members in each Advocate. If you would like to be profiled (and we do need

volunteers), please submit a brief description of your practice to Laurie Fisher at [email protected].

Judi Baron, MSW, RSW, Calgary

Judi Baron has more than 30 years experience working with individual, couples, and groups. She delivers workshops and

seminars on a variety of topics in both the United States and Canada, with clients coming from as far away as Europe. Baron

has been providing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services since 1993 and also ran a three-year training program for

therapists at the Gestalt Institute of Calgary.

With training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR),

a comprehensive, integrative psychotherapy approach, and Critical Incident

Stress Debriefing (CISD), Baron specializes in working with normal adult

development crises. She focuses on issues of identity and mid-life transitions,

personal development, family of origin issues, depression, anxiety, self-esteem,

grief and loss, divorce recovery, boundaries, stress management, adult survivors

of abuse, co-dependency, and conflict resolution.

Through both teaching and private practice, Baron’s goal is to help others

develop a more positive, communicative, and healthy lifestyle by providing a

supportive but challenging environment.

Private Practice Committee Annual Meeting

The Private Practice Committee held its annual meeting on Friday, March 27

at the ACSW Conference. It was well attended, especially by people new to

the committee. A lively discussion took place on the need for private practice

social workers to educate the public and other social workers about what we

do and the competency of therapists who have a clinical focus. Parity with

psychologists is a huge issue for us and several attending the meeting agreed

to start looking at how to approach this.

Linda MacKenzie agreed to co-chair the committee with Laurie Fisher,

while Brenda Duncan agreed to work with Laurie on the Private Practice

Page in the Advocate. We are pleased so many new people have shown an

interest in this committee! n

Laurie Fisher is the chair of the Private Practice Committee and can be reached at:

[email protected].

Laurie Fisher

Macadamia:Users:jenasnyder:Documents:ACSW:##SUMMER 09:advocate ad 2009.doc

A licensed open adoption agency is

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workers in Edmonton, Grande

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St. Paul, Vermilion, Lloydminster,

and Cold Lake to complete Home

Assessment Reports and provide

birth parent counseling on a

contract basis.

Please forward resumes to:

Ramone Kindrat, BSW, RSW

Program Director

Adoption By Choice

315, 908 - 17th

Ave. SW

Calgary, AB T2T 0A3

Fax: 403.245.8897 [email protected]

```8897

[email protected]

for your information


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Continuing Education


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By Joan Marie Galat, Advocate Editor

2009 Conference — 100 Years of Change & Beyond

Joan Marie GalatMeet our 2009 ACSW

Award Winners!

Rebecca Withers Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice

What led you to enter social work?

I’ve always valued justice and equality

and thought that being a social worker

would bring more of this to the world.

Your journey from graduation to present…

I graduated from the University of

Calgary in 2002. Since then, I have

worked in youth programming,

community advocacy, family enhancement, and mental health.

A short anecdote…

A few years ago, a client of mine committed suicide. After his

death, his wife came to tell me how much her husband had

enjoyed working with me and despite the tragic ending, she

was thankful for all the efforts I’d made to help him.

Fondest achievement as a social worker…

Assisting a man with untreated schizophrenia to get Income

Assistance, a psychiatrist, and housing.

What has surprised you during your career?

When I first started, I was hesitant to work in mental health

because I thought this might be a scary population to work

with. To my surprise, I’ve found that this is the most rewarding

area to work in. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

How does receiving the award impact you?

I am incredibly honoured as it has given me an opportunity

to appreciate my passion for being a social worker and for

working in mental health.

What advice do you have for those just entering into social work?

Take time to find an area of social work you love by

getting experience in a variety of settings.

n Rebecca Withers, BSW, RSW, is a Mental Health Social Worker at the Banff Mineral

Springs Hospital.

Rebecca Withers

The ACSW Awards recognize those who have exhibited exemplary skills and commitment to the Code

of Ethics and ACSW mission while providing direct service to clients. Nominees working in a variety of

practice settings are considered to ensure that over time, those from a variety of practice settings are

recognized. Awards were presented at the annual conference.

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Megan MacLeod Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice


Family modeling, helping out others,

crossing paths early with a memorable

social worker, and finding it was a great

blend of sociology and psychology.


I’ve studied at the University of

Lethbridge, University of Calgary,

Institute for Integrative Body

Psychotherapy, and EMDR Canada. Work roles include

Family and Social Services (adoptions and foster care),

counseling in the areas of mental health, trauma, and domestic

violence.

A short anecdote…

In my first BSW practicum I was keen to help seniors in a

lodge develop a resident council, believing this would greatly

benefit them. Through meetings with residents I learned they

did not see a need for such a council. Thankfully I learned

early that rather than imposing my beliefs and values on

clients, I needed to take the lead from them.

Your fondest social work achievement…

Being a small part of clients’ success as they redefine their

lives after years of living with abuse.


Patience and acceptance—both in myself and with clients,

and just how much I learn from my clients.


I am both honoured and appreciative.


Maintain balance, practice good self-care, and remain open to

learning.

n Megan MacLeod, MSW, RSW, is a Clinical Supervisor with Jewish Family Service

in Calgary.

Mary Shillington Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice


As a woman and counselor I have

provided social work all my adult

life, but only in 1991, as a mature

woman, did I begin formal social work

education at the Lethbridge Division of

the University of Calgary.


As a bachelor of social work (BSW) graduate, I worked for

a year as an off-campus counselor for the Lethbridge College.

In 1995, now with a master of social work degree from

Calgary, I began to work for Lethbridge Family Services as

a bereavement counselor. I will do bereavement and trauma

work until I retire in mid-June 2009. In these 14 years I

have facilitated 25 closed bereavement therapy groups and for

13 years continuously ran an open-ended suicide bereavement

group. I have supervised 15 BSW practicum students and

co-supervised 16 practicum students working on various

master degrees.

A short anecdote…

People joining the suicide bereavement group have often been

amazed at how they could laugh together in the midst of their

pain and really feel understood by others in the group.


How very resilient our clients are.

Your fondest social work achievement…

Having the opportunity to mentor beginning social workers

and grow with them!


I am very honored to receive this award but even more

honored to be nominated by my Lethbridge Family Services

team!!

Megan MacLeod Mary Shillington

Continued on page 20

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Award winnersContinued from page 19


Be true to the social work ethics and to your own knowing!

n Mary Shillington, MSW, RSW, is a Clinical Social Worker/Counselor with

Lethbridge Family Services.

Lynn King John Hutton Memorial Award for Social Action/Policy


Social work is something I always wanted

to do, though I didn’t have a name for it

until seventh grade guidance class, where

I learned about it as a profession.

Your journey from graduation to present.

Red Deer College, the University of

Victoria, and the University of Dalhousie.

Work in community support, financial

benefits, adoptions, foster care, child

protection, supervisor, trainer, manager, and consultant.

A short anecdote…

One day, I was visiting a farm family and was offered some

rhubarb. The hostess was very sincere in wanting to give me

this gift, but I was nervous because I was a young worker

who had just been to a course that warned against accepting

gifts. Her arms were full and we were in the middle of a very

muddy yard. I relented and for months afterward, the family

smiled very big smiles whenever rhubarb was mentioned.

Your fondest social work achievement?

Working with a team of bright professionals to design

learning programs for Alberta Children and Youth Services.


The number of people who live in poverty and isolation

throughout our province. There also is richness in diversity

that continually challenged my thinking on the meaning of

helping. I’ve learned that collaboration and creating great

results can look a myriad of different ways.


I am grateful. It is a reminder of all the people who engaged

and collaborated with me in our work and projects over the

years. For that I am thankful.


At times it may feel like you are alone—you are not alone!

Think “team” and doing what needs to be done—together.

n Lynn King, MSW, RSW, is the Management Development Consultant with

Corporate Human Resources.

Barb Scott ACSW Honorary Membership

What led you to enter politics and work as a Citizenship Judge?

Frustration at city inaction regarding day

care and housing issues.

Briefly describe your educational and career background.

BA at Colby College, Waterville, Maine;

MA at Boston University; and research

at Social Planning Councils in Toronto,

Edmonton, and Calgary.

A short anecdote…

In a low-income area of the city, where opportunities for

different forms of children’s play were extremely limited, I

argued with council for a year to get a budget for a wading

pool in one of the area’s few playgrounds. Finally got it, but

once built, the little pool became a place to toss empty beer

bottles. Not safe for children. I had to have it removed, as it

was a hazard to children.

Once it was removed, I heard from a mentally challenged

chap who had made it his job to fill the pool with water; this

was his job, his pride and I had removed the pool and thereby

removed his sense of achievement. Clearly, prior to removal, I

should have been in the area, identified this chap and worked

with him to explain the reasons for the removal and to find

another “job” for him.

Lynn King

Barb Scott

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Volume 34 • Issue 2 21

What has surprised you during your interactions to achieve social change?

The common sense approach to problem-solving that home-

less people, or people experienced with homelessness, have.


As I have been out of commission for some years (illness as

well as some limitations that came with age) it pleased me

that work done earlier is still bearing fruit.

What advice do you have for people who want to advocate for social change?

Know all the communities/leaders/players in the issue and

work with all positively.

n Barb Scott, CM, MA, is a Citizenship Judge.

Frank Hoebarth CASW National Social Work Week Distinguished Service Award

What led you to enter the field of social work?

The sixties were a time of concern for

the welfare of the broader community.

Maturing during this time gave me the

desire to help others.


I began a two-year program at the

University of British Columbia and

obtained a masters degree in social work.

A family counseling field placement directed me to that

aspect of practice for a couple of years, first in Vancouver and

then in Hamilton. Job prospects as a social planner brought

me to Calgary. I became the Manager of Neighbourhood

Services and then the Manager of Social Planning and

Funding. Since retiring I have served as a volunteer on several

boards of agencies serving senior citizens.

A short anecdote…

One of the most interesting experiences was working with

several members of the FCSS Association to gain support for

a resolution requesting the province to sign on to the United

Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child. The province

had been the lone provincial holdout but did sign shortly

after the resolution went forward from the FCSS Association.


How groups, with a degree of encouragement, can focus and

work together to effect change.


This award not only acknowledges my contribution to the

social work profession but reminds me we do not work alone

to benefit Alberta citizens.


Keep the philosophy of service to others as a guide and place

business principles in this context.

n Frank Hoebarth, MSW, RSW, is a retired social worker.

Joan Marie Galat is the Advocate’s contributing editor, as well as a full-time writer

and presenter. Her latest book is Day Trips From Edmonton.

Frank Hoebarth The Health Sciences Association of Alberta represents more than 17,000 professional, technical, and support employees in Alberta’s health care system. We bargain for fair wages and decent working conditions for our members.

We also raise public awareness about the important role of allied health professionals including social workers.

www.hsaa.ca

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Conferencehighlights

100 Years of Changeand Beyond

At 5:00 pm March 28, organizers declared the 2009 ACSW conference a success! The Aboriginal

Acknowledgement Ceremony officially opened the conference with Aboriginal elders leading the

procession. The ceremony saw social work representatives take responsibility for our role in the

implementation of government policies on residential schools.

This historic event follows the Government of Canada

apology in 2008. It is ethically and morally appropriate that

Pope Benedict XVI, head of the Roman Catholic Church,

also offered his apology to the Aboriginal people of Canada

in April 2009. A group of Canadian Aboriginals attended

Pope Benedict XVI’s general audience on Wednesday, April

28, before a private meeting where the Pope expressed

concern about the former policy of forced attendance of

Aboriginal children at Christian-run schools.

At the conference, the Women’s Panel told stories on marginalized women and children, as well as women who

have exited the sex trade. They presented a closing dramatic

vignette illustrating changing women’s roles over the past

Cathy Vaessen, MEd, RSW, and Rose Lamoureux, BSW, RSWACSW Conference Co-chairs

Cathy Vaessen and Rose Lamoureux

Beverly Jacobs, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada,

greeting Charles Weasel Head, Grand Chief of Treaty 7

2009 Conference — 100 Years of Social Work —

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hundred years. The panel effectively interacted with the audience and each other, taking turns to

respond to a number of questions.

The keynote presentation was extremely well attended and received positive reviews from many colleagues. Gary Bailey spoke on reshaping the image of the social work profession, as well as the intersection of human rights, social justice, and role of social workers, in promoting equity and

fairness in a multicultural, multiracial, and gender diverse environment.

The story boards were well received with many conference participants enjoying

the opportunity to record their personal

stories, as well as their historical knowledge

of social work policies and agency changes.

It was suggested we enable more social

workers to write their stories by making

the storyboards into a travelling road

show to go to various social work events,

including the 2010 ACSW conference.

Sorrel Riders drum group

Actress Nicole Zylstra and author Susan McClelland, speakers

at the Women’s Panel on Friday

Round Dance

Mary Valentich writing a story for the story board

Veronica Marsman, CASW President, and Eugenia

Moreno, Executive Director of CASW

Keynote Speaker Gary Bailey

More on the conference!

pages 24-25 and 30-33

Susan McClelland at the

Women’s Panel

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Participants enjoying a sunny lunch break

Participants at one of the many wonderful presentationsRalph Westwood, one of ACSW Council’s

Public Members, having stew and bannock

At the registration desk

Another idea was to commemorate the 100 years of social work

by making the storyboards into a book.

The self-care activities were well received as complimentary to the many informative and stimulating workshop sessions. Many

received a very good workout!

The success of the conference can be attributed to the many

social work volunteers, presenters, vendors, ACSW staff, and well-organized and dedicated 2009 ACSW Conference

Planning Committee — You Guys ROCK! And a special thank you to the 1200 social workers in attendance, for without you, there would be no conference.

It is our committee’s privilege in Calgary to pass the organizing

and planning of the 2010 ACSW conference to our Edmonton

colleagues.

The best to all members of the ACSW in 2009!

Cathy Vaessen is a Team Leader in the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Rose

Lamoureaux is a Community Social Worker with the City of Calgary.

2009 ConferenceContinued from page 23

Lori Sigurdson, ACSW Professional

Affairs Coordinator

Conference volunteers

Guadalupe Salgero and Rose Lamoureux, Conference Planning

Committee Volunteers

Bob Johnson, ACSW Vice President; Joe Ceci, City of Calgary Alderman;

and Rod Adachi, ACSW Executive Director

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Bernadette Iahtail, presenter for Reclaiming and Restoring the Aboriginal Family: Circle of Understanding

Workshop attendees

Alison MacDonald Associate Registrar,

presenter for Simple Steps to Avoid a Complaint

Presenters Andrea Silverstone and Marlette Reed, Listening for Meaning:

Spirituality in Treatment

Group discussion

Presenter Steve de Groot from Winnipeg

– A Relationship Based Strength

Approach to Discipline with Youth

Workshop attendees


In a historic ceremony that began with drumming by the Sorrel Riders drum group and ended with a

closing prayer and invitation to join in a mini round dance, Aboriginal people and social workers came

together to hear powerful statements that acknowledged the role social workers played in implementing

the government policies that negatively impacted Aboriginal people.

By Joan Marie Galat, Advocate Editor

Joan Marie Galat

The Sorrel Riders drum group open the ceremony L to R Job Johnson, Veronica Marsman, Bev Weber, Charles Weasel Head, Beverly

Jacobs (hidden) and Pete Standing Alone

2009 Conference

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theÊ pasttheÊ future

Acknowledge

lookÊ to

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Emceed by social worker and

University of Calgary profes-

sor Betty Bastien, the event

was attended by nearly 300

participants at the 2009 Alberta

College of Social Workers con-

ference, held March 26, 2009,

in Calgary. CASW President

Veronica Marsman and ACSW

Vice-President Bob Johnson

delivered statements, excerpted

here and available in full on the

ACSW website.

During the delivery of the

acknowledgement statement,

Marsman described the colonial

mindset that saw Aboriginal

culture and beliefs as inferior to

those of Europeans, noting that

“the residential school system was

only one of many intrusions into

Aboriginal communities.” She

expressed the wish that people

“work together to make the

next century one that safeguards

human rights and social justice.”

Ceremony educates social workers“The acknowledgement cer-

emony gives a space for indig-

enous people to actually speak

about the atrocities of their

experience,” says Bastien. “When

there’s a conspiracy of silence or

societal denial, there’s no room

for people to heal or recover and

the first step to healing is telling

the truth about what happened

and having committed listeners.

And this is where social workers

can play a huge role.”

The acknowledgement ceremony served to educate social

workers about the issues Aboriginal people face. Bastien hopes

those impacted by the actions of social workers following

government policies will experience healing. ACSW Executive

Director and Registrar Rod Adachi shares this outlook.

“I hope this event was viewed as a welcome step in the

reconciliation and healing process for Aboriginal people,”

says Adachi. “Hopefully, social workers gained a greater

appreciation of both Aboriginal history and social work

practice in Canada that will help to improve their practices.”

Bastien feels that the level of understanding and truly

knowing what has happened is very rare in Canadian

society. “We still think in individualism but look at it

intergenerationally. The impact continues to amaze me.”

While long term effects of the ceremony cannot be predicted,

Bastien suggests a wait and see approach. “The impact will

come with time. In the western world we make a big deal

out of something in the moment. For us indigenous people

it’s the other way around. Time will tell.”

Marsman described feeling mixed

emotions during the event. “As an

African Canadian, I could relate to

the Aboriginal experience, in terms

of what it was like to have lost their

culture, to have their families torn

apart and to be displaced. It was

resonating with me. But it was a

wonderful opportunity for people to

be aware that as a national social work

association, we acknowledge what

has occurred. I felt very moved and

positive about the fact that we need to move on.”

After Marsman spoke, representatives from three Aboriginal

groups responded, encompassing Charles Weasel Head, Grand

Chief, Treaty 7; Beverly Jacobs, President, Native Women’s

Association of Canada; and Bev Weber, Regional Vice-

President Region 3, Metis Nation of Alberta.

Betty Bastien

Charles Weasel Head

Beverly Jacobs

CASW President Veronica

Marsman

Continued on page 28

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Attach actions to the words“The response challenged us,” says Marsman, who hopes that

there will be some activity through Aboriginal committees in

every province that has one, as well as the CASW Aboriginal

Social Workers Interest Group. “We can’t speak for the

Aboriginal people but we can partner with them, review

policies on placing children, ensure there is proper education

for Aboriginal people to become social workers, and ensure

there the curriculum is culturally reflective. ”

The acknowledgement ceremony provides a pivot point to

address issues and develop meaningful actions and supports to

help Aboriginal people recover from injustices.

“I’d like to think that it’s an opportunity for Aboriginals

and non-Aboriginals to work together, strategize, and make

a difference,” says Marsman. “I hope it doesn’t become a

statement that gets shelved. Alberta made a statement. They’re

the trendsetters who have set the example for other provinces.

“Now let’s see some activity across the country,” says

Marsman. “This issue is on the agenda for the CASW

joint presidents and board meeting to be held in June in

Manitoba.”

“The danger of acknowledgements or apologies is that they

become words without action,” agrees ACSW president

Randy Harris, who is also the Project Manager at the Calgary

Addictions Initiative. “In future, we need to be a louder voice

against injustice wherever it happens and an active partner

with other social justice organizations.”

Harris feels the ceremony was generally received with interest

and respect, but notes that organizers entered the planning

knowing there would be different responses from all those

involved.

“Aboriginal people are diverse and I think the impact will

also be diverse. Some people will no doubt feel that the

ceremony did not meet their needs or hopes. Others will

feel that it was a start for change and others might feel that

it was unnecessary,” says Harris. “For me, the impact for the

Aboriginal community is that the ACSW will become a

more vocal and public partner in advocating for changes that

benefit Aboriginal people.”

Like Bastien, Harris finds that many social workers are

unaware of some of the events that were mentioned during

the ceremony.

“While we tend to focus on what social work has contributed

to improving communities, we also need to acknowledge that

there have been significant examples of misjudgment as well.

We need to be vigilant as individual social workers and as a

profession to our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

whenever we have doubts about the direction to take.

Additionally, when in doubt, consult

with other social workers to develop

clarity.”

Bastien describes watching the round

dance at the end of the ceremony,

seeing people participate, and feeling

honored to be part of a momentous

event. “The acknowledgment is a

celebration.”

“It is important to learn from the past

in order to do better in the future,” says

Adachi. “We must continue to improve

how we practice our profession.”

Celebrating the round dance

Acknowledge the past...Continued from page27

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Excerpt from closing remarks delivered by Bob Johnson, ACSW vice president. Looking back on social work’s

role in these situations, we are not

referring simply to historical events.

The outside influences on Aboriginal

culture and society continue—we

only need to look at the residential

school system and the 60s sweep to

appreciate examples of those outside

influences.

How do we explain why so many Aboriginal people live

in such challenging conditions on reserves? Why is it that a

disproportionate number of Aboriginal people are in prison

or, if a child, in care? How is it that so many of us might not

have a friend or neighbor of Aboriginal ancestry?

We all need to reflect on how this could be possible in a

country that values diversity and respect and dignity for so

many.

As social workers, we can find ourselves with many

conflicting responsibilities. As government employees or as

government funded social workers, as many of us are, we are

expected to carry out government’s policies.

However, those policies must be implemented in concert

with our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Our

primary duty, as social workers, is to our client. If we are not

in a position to change policies, we need to be vocal in our

concerns and advocacy on behalf of our clients.

As President of the Alberta College of Social Workers, to our

Aboriginal guests and colleagues, we recognize the impact of

our profession on your communities, families, and society and

its impact on your painful history. We truly regret events that

undermined your community and culture. The purpose of

today’s acknowledgement is to prevent this from happening in

the future.

Excerpt from CASW Acknowledgement Statement Today we acknowledge that social workers were participants

in activities that negatively impacted our Aboriginal citizens.

Today we express deep regret for those actions.

Although we cannot change the past we can recognize the

lessons learned from it and we can prepare for the future. As

we consider what has occurred over the last century we must

learn from the past to ensure that negative practices are not

repeated in the future. The historical treatment of Canadian

Aboriginal Peoples reflects both social justice and human

rights concerns. Many Aboriginal children, families, and

Aboriginal communities continue to suffer.

Today social work practice is supported by a professional

Code of Ethics that is founded upon the values and principles

of social justice and human rights. Today our professional

standards have moved social work beyond the colonial mind-

set of a hundred years ago.

The lessons of the past are often-times painfully learned.

We know that much pain continues to exist and that much

work still needs to take place to heal the damage that was

done. Recognizing our own part in history is an important

step in the evolution of the social work profession. Today’s

acknowledgement represents the social work profession’s

commitment to learn from the past and work towards a just

society for Aboriginal people and all Canadians. n

Joan Marie Galat is the Advocate’s contributing editor, as well as a full-time writer

and presenter. Her latest book is Day Trips From Edmonton.

Round dance participants

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Art therapy workshopMarilyn Magnuson, who presented

Experiential Introduction to the field

of Art Therapy – Come and Play!

Art created at session

A popular education workshop, Interconnecting WebInterconnecting Web participants

Workshop participants Pol Ngeth, one of our presentersWorkshop particpants

Conference highlightsContinued from page 25

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Presenter Jeannette Waegemakers SchiffWorkshops

Workshop participant

Powerful Play workshop Powerful Play workshop

Workshops

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Self-care activity - Laughter Yoga

Self-care activity - Capoeira

feature article


ACSW AGM

Self-care activity - Tai Chi

Self-care activity - Belly Dancing


in t

he n

ews

Book Review

We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible KidsBy Peter Smyth, BSW, RSW

We Generation: Raising Socially Responsible Kids

by Michael Ungar, PhD

McClelland & Stewart, 2009 (226 pages)

Teen girls swarm and rob a woman at a bus station. Youth are arrested for a gang-related drive-by

shooting. Junior high students are in court for torturing a cat. These disturbing offences contribute

to the belief that youth crime is on the increase, that today’s youth show little respect, and that the

future is in peril. It seems rehabilitation is not working, and as law and order agendas surface, people

discuss enforcing tougher sentences.

Internationally recognized expert on resilience in youth, as

well as clinician and research professor at the School of Social

Work at Dalhousie University, Michael Ungar has a much

more optimistic view of today’s youth. He believes adults

would do well to observe young people more closely, and in

fact, learn from them.

Unger is the author of We Generation: Raising Socially

Responsible Kids, published by McClelland & Stewart.

“Despite the moral panic of the press…” Unger writes, “Our

children are less likely to be criminals today, less likely to be

violent.”

ambiguous as we might think, nor as destructive as the media

portrays.

Ungar goes into great detail sharing his experiences in work-

ing with youth and hearing how they long for “genuine

flesh-and-blood, eye-to-eye connections.”

He describes how superficiality is out and how young

people are crying out for authenticity. They want be noticed

and know they count! Youth want unconditional love and

connections, and have a profound wish to belong. They want

to be touched physically and emotionally.

Peter Smyth

The author’s refreshing look at

youth shows a trend of young

people moving away from the

“me generation” to build a “we

generation” where t