April—June 2015

NASW/CT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

SOCIAL WORKERS

President’s Column 2

Executive Director’s Column 3

Important LMSW Update 4

Welcome New Members 6

Article on Social Work and the Ethics of Solitary Confinement

9

Classifieds 19

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Special Interests

Save The Date

PACE Silent Auction

Insomnia ...Z.Z.Z.Z.

Legislative House Party a

Success

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Page 2 CONNECTIONS

Amy Di Mauro, President

Greetings Fellow Social Work-ers, Happy Spring! It has been a busy few months for the chap-ter given the legislative session and Social Work Month hap-penings. This year's theme is Paving the Way for Change. It couldn't be more fitting for what social workers do and es-pecially for this chapter over the last year. I couldn't get to every event but here are some highlights:

Springfield College School of Social Work had a great turn out for their career fair celebration. There were sev-eral agencies from CT in at-tendance and many stu-dents and professors that came up to the NASW table. We spoke of the importance of membership for students and several had plans to join our association before graduation. I'm proud to say that I will be featured in their magazine as their first NASW CT chapter President alumni representative.

The Latino Network had an amazing celebration at a

new venue this year at Central CT State University and as always the food and the peo-ple in attendance were fun and inspiring. Community Organizers were the recipi-ents of recognition this year and Mayor Segarro was among those recognized as he proudly accepted his award from the chapter.

UCONN School of Social Work featured Heidi McIntosh, Deputy Director of Programs from the NASW national office who discussed the current trends in social work. It was informative and sparked great discussion amongst the crowd.

And lastly, I closed out social work month at my own agency, Rushford Center. Harriet McDonough pre-sented on preventing staff burnout using energy psy-chology with some great in-teractive experiences includ-ing EFT.

We have started a positive trend of an increase in membership! This means many of you have not let your membership lapse and others are new members. Thank you!! I am aware that some of you have taken my challenge of recruiting at least one member and I thank you as well. Now I ask that you recruit one more. Every time you recruit one mem-ber please email me the name of the new member and I will per-sonally thank both of you. In the subject line please type "NASW Raffle" and you will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 gift card.

Being a Social Worker requires passion, dedication, and com-mitment. I thank all of you for the hard work you do each and every day in your efforts to assess, advo-cate for, and treat people in need. Rest assured that the NASW CT Chapter is diligently working on securing your fu-ture as a social worker and en-suring that your career is in-sured. I look forward to telling you about our trip to Washing-ton DC and what we were able to accomplish at Capitol Hill. Please don't forget to like our Facebook page.

Lt, Governor Nancy Wyman receives 2014

Elected Official of the Year Award.

NASW Board Member Kurt Fuchs and

Chapter Executive Director Steve Karp

presented the award.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COLUMN

Steve Karp, Executive Director

Page 3 CONNECTIONS

The Legislature and Us – Will Social Work Be

Heard? The state Legislature began its 2015 session in early January with many new members and changes in leader-ship. We have a new President of the Senate and new Minority Leaders in both Senate and House. Some of the key committees that bills of interest to social work originate or process through also have new chairs and rank-ing members. In some cases we need to build new relationships with key play-ers that we have not worked with much, or at all, in the past. It is a big job that we are undertaking with a staff that no longer has a Political Director due to fiscal constraints, and a lobbyist that is contracted to monitor bills for us, but does not actively lobby for NASW/CT. I am a registered lobbyist, however my time at the Legislature is limited by the many aspects of the ex-ecutive director’s job, including lobby-ing the administrative branch of gov-ernment. Given this scenario how do we assure that social work is being heard at the Capitol? The best way, and I would argue the only really effective way for our profes-sion’s voice to be heard is through you, our member. Legislators listen best to constituents. After all, they all face the voters in bi-annual elections. When legislators hear from voters in their district they are going to take notice. That does not mean they are going to agree with every voter, but they will pay attention. So let me ask you this; when is the last time you contacted your state senator and/or representa-tive? If your answer is not yet this leg-islative session than now is a great time to get started. As you no doubt are aware the state faces a significant deficit for the cur-rent fiscal year of roughly $171 million by at least one estimate. The Governor has responded to the deficit by making budget rescissions that have been mostly at the expense of social services and education. The coming two-year budget may have a billion dollar short-fall of revenue over current spending levels. Bottom line is this will be an ugly budget that will hurt the least

powerful segments of our state, many of whom social workers work with. How bad will the final budget be? That will depend on how much noise legislators hear as to the need to protect safety net programs and services that work. Are you a noise maker? I sure hope so! Amongst the priorities that NASW/CT has taken on is opposition to cuts in Medicaid. The Governor has proposed a 5.6% reduction in Medicaid provider re-imbursement rates and proposes drop-ping over 34,000 parents of HUSKY chil-dren from HUSKY coverage. As awful as this sounds there actually is not a lot of noise being heard by legislators as to why they should oppose these cuts. According to Jane McNichol, Executive Director of the Legal Assistance Resource Center that advocates on Medicaid issues, legis-lators are not getting enough calls and emails supporting preserving current Medicaid services. Jane has asked NASW/CT and NAMI-CT to mobilize our members as we are the two groups with effective grassroots mobilization capacity. NASW/CT has sent out two all-member email alerts, one on each of the Medicaid issues. We have also sent a letter to all 187 legislators urging opposition to the Medicaid cuts. Our two interns and a couple of volunteer members are now calling our members in key legislative districts to get those constituent calls and emails going to legislators. But will it be enough? That depends on whether you, our member, responds to our Call by call-ing your legislators. There are other key issues that we are pursuing at the Legislature. We support the Paid Family Leave bill that passed the Labor Committee. We are working to pass a bill that would offer an option of parole to juveniles tried as an adult and sentenced to life without parole. We are advocating for at least holding spending at current levels for school based health and mental health services. A bill that the House Democrats sought our input on creates a grant program (loan payment) for social workers who work in geo-graphic areas where there is a shortage of mental health professions who will work with lower income populations. We sup-port this bill and will be putting signifi-cant efforts toward its passage. And we are opposing a bill that would mandate at least 2 hours of continuing education per license year on the topic of veterans is-

sues. All of these bills have made it through initial committees and are very much alive at the Capitol. In past years NASW/CT has been rec-ognized for our ability to turnout con-stituent calls and emails. We know how to do this. We send out an alert and we follow it up with calls to our members who have legislators that we can influ-ence. Every major piece of social work legislation we have passed was done with this organizing model. Yet this year seems different. Our model is still intact but we have had nearly no one willing to make the phone calls to members. Yes, we are all too busy these days. But without phone bankers our effectiveness is much diminished and the voice of social work goes from a roar to a whisper. So let me be honest here, I am frustrated as to the lack of members and students who are willing to spend a couple of hours calling our members. I need your help! The Legislative session ends on June 3rd. The final budget decisions will likely not be made until the end of ses-sion. There is still time to be an effec-tive advocate and noise maker for our profession. If you have not acted on our Alerts for Medicaid please do so now (if you need a copy email me at skarp@naswct.net ). If you have time to make calls to members, an hour or more of your time would be perfect, let me know. Policy drives practice – help us drive policy.

LMSW DEADLINES APPROACHING C O N N E C T I O N S P A G E 4

There are two important dates for the LMSW that come up in 2015. Please read each carefully so that you are

aware of the new LMSW law and how it may impact on your ability to practice clinical social work in Con-

necticut.

Starting on May 1, 2015 it is required that all clinical social workers are practicing as a licensed social

worker. This means that to perform clinical social work in Connecticut you must have either the LMSW or

LCSW (MSW internships, certified school social workers, nursing home settings and practicing under another

license are exemptions). If you have the LCSW you do not need to get the LMSW as the latter is a lower level

of license. Of particular importance, if you are working toward your LCSW your experience hours as of

May 1, 2015 will only count if performed as a LMSW. Hours prior to May 1st will count whether you a

LMSW or not.

We want to remind our members that the LMSW Grandfathering expires on October 1, 2015. The Depart-

ment of Public Health (DPH) must issue your license before this date thus we do not recommend waiting past

July to apply. To be eligible for grandfathering (no test required) you must have received your MSW before

October 1, 2013. The LMSW application is on the DPH website and it is an online application. The applica-

tion must be submitted and an official MSW transcript sent to DPH.

When applying for licensure in CT keep in mind that DPH renews licenses on the month you were born, thus

your first renewal may be less than one year from when you first were licensed. Continuing education units of

15 hours per license year, to include at least 1 hour on cultural competence, is required for license renew.

Continuing education is not required until you renew the license for the first time. Up to 6 hours of continuing

education may be online or home study.

SAVE THE DATE! Social Workers

Rollin’ on the River

ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER October 1, 2015, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, CT

Consider your educators, your mentors, your colleagues, and those in the community who are making a differ-

ence in the lives of others and nominate them for an award this year. You’ll find the Call for Nominations in

this issue of the newsletter. We are seeking nominations for a BSW Student, a MSW Student, an Educator,

and a Public Citizen, as well as a Social Worker of the Year and a person to receive the 2015 Lifetime

Achievement Award. Students may include those who graduated in 2015. Nominees, with the exception of

Public Citizen, must be NASW/CT members in good standing who have contributed to the social work profes-

sion and exemplify the commitment, spirit, advocacy, and integrity of a social worker. We ask that you submit

your nominations by August 15, 2015 to phartman@naswct.net or to NASW/CT, 2139 Silas Deane Highway,

Suite 205, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

Active Year for NASW/CT at the Legislature P A G E 5 C O N N E C T I O N S

The CT Legislature is in full swing and social workers are having their voices heard through NASW/CT. Members

and staff have testified at public hearings, submitted testimony (go to http://naswct.org/advocacy/legislative-

testimonies/ to read our testimony), and phone banking to members have activated our grassroots mobilization.

What follows is a brief summary of key bills that we have been supporting or opposing. Given that the legislative

process is quite fluid please contact the chapter if you want an updated report on any of these bills. The bill titles

are descriptive rather than the actual bill title.

HB 6932 Paid Family Leave: NASW/CT supports this bill that would create a program for paid family leave in

Connecticut. Many caregivers cannot use the current family leave law due to the unaffordability of being on leave

without pay. This bill would offer a percentage of the employee’s salary and would be funded by a small deduction

in payroll. The bill passed the Labor Committee.

HB 5528 Provision of Behavioral Health Services: This is a very exciting bill for social workers as it would cre-

ate a grant program to pay educational loans for licensed social workers who work in areas that have shortages

of professional providers serving low income and vulnerable populations. Funds for the grants would be done

through bonding. The bill would also create a fund for up to 5 school social workers to be funded for 2 years. Two

or more Boards of Education would have to submit a grant request for the positions. Other mental health services

are enhanced under the bill. The House Democratic leadership reached out to NASW when developing the work-

force portions of the bill. The bill passed the Public Health Committee.

HB 7006 Birth Certificates Changes for Transgender Persons: Currently a transgendered person can only have

their gender marking changed on a birth certificate if they have surgery. This bill creates other processes for gender

marking change on a birth certificate. The bill has passed the Public Health Committee.

SB 796 Youth Sentenced Without Parole Given an Opportunity for Parole: This is the third year NASW has

supported this bill and we believe it has a good chance to pass. Certain youth under 18 were tried as adults and sen-

tenced to life without parole. The Supreme Court has declared this unconstitutional. The bill sets up strict parole

criteria for these inmates. The bill has passed the House for the past two years with wide support, but has been held

up by Senate Republicans. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee.

SB 1089 School Based Health Centers: Supported by NASW this bill creates a definition of a school based

health center that includes provision of behavioral health services. This bill passed the Public Health Committee.

SB 7015 Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill: This bill would allow certain terminally ill persons to make their

own decisions on the timeliness of their own death. The bill died in the Judiciary Committee where no vote was

taken. NASW supports this bill.

HB 6780 Continuing Education Requirement for Veterans Issues: The bill would require licensed social work-

ers and certain other licensed professionals to attain 2 hours of continuing education each year on veterans and

their families. The bill passed the Veterans Committee and Public Health Committee and in the House. NASW op-

poses this bill as we do not support the annual CE requirement.

NASW/CT is also working on aspects of the Governor’s proposed budget. We are particularly concerned that cuts

to spending in order to address the state deficit is falling most heavily on social services. See articles in this news-

letter on cuts to HUSKY Parents and Medicaid reimbursement rates. Other aspects of the Governor’s budget that

we are focused on include mental health funding and support for older adults for aging in place. The chapter typi-

cally tracks 50- 100 bills per legislative session.

P A G E 6

Dawn Harris-Jackson Barbara Harrison Dernsta Honore Mary Jean-Byk Joseph Johnson Erica Johnson Miranda Jones Brianna Joyner Erica Kapiloff Beth Keenan Stefan Keller Katherine Kinzie Kathryn Kowalsky Kate Kraines Aaron Krikorian Desiree LaPorte Kevin Lardner Julie Lemelin Jonathan Lerner Alexia Levin Kathryn Libal Emily Lifanda Christiana Lifanda Kiley Lombardo Ellen Maranca Jessica Marshall Erin Martin Valerie Martin Jeanette Martinez Sonya Mastersen Sophie Masur Caitlin Mather Dina Maulucci Christina Maxwell Megan Maynard Christopher McDowell Christopher Mignosa Kofi Mintah Joy Mitchell Donielle Montague Deisy Morales Wendy Moreno Eleanor Murihead Krosten Mulhearn Esther Mwangi Berthe Ngomba Renesha Nichols Stephanie Nickerson Lamar Norris Melissa Olinger Bethany Onofrio Cailin Ornousky

Carmen Ortiz Diane Ortiz Carolyn Owen Katelyn Palermo Kyle Parkinson Bianca Payne Dana Petersen Shenandoah Pettit Shaina Pierce Johanna Piper Linda Preato Alexandra Ramsteck Kristy Rancourt Deval Raval Jill Reiling Lauren Renstrom Erica Reshard Brooke Rivera Jessica Rizzo Sugehitled Rodriguez Dianna Rodriguez Sonia Roe Marie Roman Jessica Roman Moriah Ross Shalita Sampson Estefania Santos-Normandie Katherine Sasso Avery Schena Jennifer Schmitt Gabriel Scrivani Jessica Seixas Angela Silva Paris Silvestri Barbara Silvia Lindsay Slosser Jessica Smith Julie Smith Kylee Smith Wendy Somers Myrta Soto Ryan Sullivan Sarah Synott Silvia Taveras Brianna Taylor Chelsea Van Alst Elia Vecchitto Martha Walker Jennifer Walsh Melissa Williams Jessica Wolber Amy York

C O N N E C T I O N S

Katelyn Adams Kathryn Adams Robert Altschuler Felicia Aresco Caitlin Barber Sara Barber Kelsey Barringham Katie Bassoli Abigail Beaumont Ashleigh Betso Nadine Blackwood Marc Blazejowski Douglas Bolduc Jade Bray Madelyn Briggs Hannah Buckley Melissa Burton Rosa Campbell Lauren Carabetta Krystina Carver Jaclyn Catanzaro Kaileah Christie-Fogg Gretchen Clauser Christina Coelho Abdulla Colón Kathryn Crosby Heather Curley Deidre Crowley Stephanie Cruz Rose D’Amico Kimberly Davis Laura DeLucia Robert DiRoma Nadiya Dolce Peter Doria Amy Dorsey Maureen Doyle Mary Doyle Jessica Ferraria Christina Fitton Karen Flanagan Sherylin Fontaine Adrianna Foreman Wilmarie Freire Donna Melissa Garman Jeannine Gemma Noor-jehan Ghaffar Cristina Giarratano Diane Greenhill Patricia Griffin Dianne Gutierrez Andrea Hammerling

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS C O N N E C T I O N S P A G E 6

Chapter Opposes Medicaid Providers Rate Decrease C O N N E C T I O N S P A G E 7

Governor Malloy’s budget proposal included reducing Medicaid rates by 5.6% for most providers.

This decrease includes LCSWs and other behavioral health providers in independent practice. How-

ever the Governor’s budget excludes certain providers, including behavioral health clinics and pri-

mary care services provided by APRN’s and Physician Assistant’s, maintaining primary care rate in-

vestment for these providers. Once these cuts were made known to us NASW/CT took action aimed

at maintaining the current rate.

NASW/CT called on the Legislature to extend the excluded providers list to include LCSWs and

other behavioral health providers in independent practice. In that call we pointed out that DSS just

opened HUSKY C & D to behavioral health providers in independent practice effective July 1, 2014.

We believe that this investment in behavioral health providers deserves protection too!

The Chapter took an extra step by enlisting the Mental Health Association of Connecticut (MHAC)

to support our position. NASW/CT distributed our Chapter’s legislative alert to the other mental

health professional associations, through MHAC. Our strategy is to have all of the mental health pro-

fessional organizations call upon their members to take action against the mental health services rate

reduction.

We are concerned that a decrease in Medicaid rates for LCSWs and other behavioral health providers

in independent practice will reverse the recent increase in access to mental health providers for the

HUSKY population, especially HUSKY C & D. Long waiting periods at clinics have been eased by

expansion of providers, however to now reduce the Medicaid reimbursement rate will discourage cli-

nicians from becoming a Medicaid provider and will lead to some current providers dropping Medi-

caid. The Chapter’s efforts are to assure that the gains made in access to mental health care are not

undone by a rate reduction.

In 2013 Medicaid rates were increased for primary care providers and by that year’s end there was a

37% increase in participating primary care providers. Adequate reimbursement rates directly impact

on the number of providers willing to accept Medicaid.

The Governor’s budget recognizes the importance of behavioral health services in clinics by main-

taining clinic rates. NASW/CT told legislators that behavioral health providers in independent prac-

tice are just as important for access to mental health services. Clinics alone cannot handle the service

needs of all HUSKY recipients. Waiting periods of weeks to months will re-occur if we lose inde-

pendent mental health providers due to a rate decrease.

If you have not contacted your state legislators on this issue it is not too late. Constituent contacts are

the most effective means to achieving an exclusion from the rate decrease for LCSWs and other men-

tal health providers in independent practice.

You can contact your state legislators through the CT Legislature’s website www.cga.gov where you

can get legislators contact information and directly email them. If you do not know who represents

you go to http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

C O N N E C T I O N S P A G E 8

PRESERVE HEALTH CARE FOR 34,000 HUSKY PARENTS

OPPOSE the Governor’s Proposed Budget to Eliminate HUSKY

for Low Income Parents

PHONE CALLS TO YOUR LEGISLATORS NEEDED!

The Governor has proposed to eliminate HUSKY health insurance coverage for parents with incomes be-

tween 138% and 201% of the federal poverty line ($27,724 to $40, 381 for a family of three), beginning

July 1, 2015. The Governor’s budget assumes that these low-income individuals can afford to purchase

health insurance through commercial plans offered by Access Health CT, Connecticut’s insurance market-

place.

The Governor’s plan reverses the successes in CT of covering low-income individuals so that everyone can

have health coverage. It also falsely assumes that the affected adults can afford the combination of a subsi-

dized health insurance premium, co-pays and deductibles.

HERE IS WHY NASW/CT OPPOSES THIS PLAN:

Cost for commercial insurance plans will be too high for many HUSKY parents, even with a federal

subsidy. Researchers at UMASS estimate that these parents will have to pay at least $1,900 per

year and for those with chronic conditions far more. Even though some parents may be able to af-

ford the premium they may not be able to use the coverage due to not being able to pay the co-

pays and other out-of-pocket costs.

Recent experience in Rhode Island, where this occurred found that only about half of the adults had

submitted an application for commercial coverage through that state’s marketplace.

HUSKY is tailored to the needs of low-income families. Not all commercial plans offer this kind of

comprehensive care.

Cutting the parents will cause children to lose HUSKY coverage too. Research has demonstrated that

taking the parents off of health coverage leads to fewer children receiving covered health care.

When the parents are covered the children are more likely to get care too.

CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS THIS WEEK!

PHONE CALLS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS TO STOP THE CUTS FROM TAKING EF-

FECT.

Call: Senate Democrats: 800-842-1420 or 860-240-8600

Senate Republicans: 800-842-1421 or 860-240-8800

House Democrats: 800-842-8267 or 860-240-8585

House Republicans: 800-842-8270 or 860-240-8787

Not Sure Who Represents You? Click here: http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

Tell your legislator’s office that you are a constituent and a social worker.

NASW/CT HAS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION OPERATIONS

AMONGST ALL HUSKY ADVOCATES. OUR CALLS WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE!

NASW Chapter Letter C O N N E C T I O N S P A G E 9

Social Work and the Ethics of Solitary Confinement

Moya Atkinson, former NASW-MD executive director, and members of the

Social Workers against Prolonged Solitary Confinement Task Force (SWAPSOL-TF)

1. Background: More than 80,000 prisoners are detained in solitary confinement in U.S. prisons at any

one time, some for months, years and even decades. They live inside cramped, concrete, windowless

cells for 22 to 24 hours a day and are frequently deprived of telephone calls, educational programs, con-

tact visits and restricted exercise, often living in handcuffs and shackles. Suicide and self-harm are high,

as is the rate of recidivism, and the cost of maintaining prisoners in isolation is much higher than that for

prisoners in the general population. It is a torturous, cruel, and inhumane practice that violates United

Nation conventions. Its prolonged use (over 15 days, according to Juan Mendez, the U.N. Rapporteur on

Torture) is damaging to all prisoners, and its use at all is especially damaging to juveniles, transgender

women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with mental illness.

Recommendation: The SWAPSOL Task Force members support the following recommendations that

were made by the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT): "(a) Limit the use of solitary

confinement as a measure of last resort, for as short a time as possible, under strict supervision and with

the possibility of judicial review; (b) Prohibit any use of solitary confinement against juveniles, persons

with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, pregnant women, women with infants, breastfeeding moth-

ers in prison; (c) Ban prison regimes of solitary confinement such as those in super-maximum security

detention facilities; (d) Compile and regularly publish comprehensive disaggregated data on the use of

solitary confinement, including related suicide attempts and self-harm (sec. 20, a-d).”

2) Background: NASW has a representative on the National Commission on Correctional Health Care

(NCCHC), whose Board members represent national organizations in the fields of health, law and correc-

tions. The mission of NCCHC is to improve the quality of health care in jails, prisons and juvenile con-

finement facilities. In 2010, Jeffrey L. Metzner, MD and Jamie Fellner, Esq., authors of Solitary Confine-

ment and Mental Health Illness in U.S. prisons: a challenge for medical ethics, advised NCCHC Board

members to acknowledge that it is not ethically defensible for health care professionals to acquiesce si-

lently to conditions of confinement that inflict mental harm and violate human rights, and that practitio-

ners are ethically obligated, not only to treat segregated inmates with mental illness, but also to strive to

change harmful segregation policies and practices and to mandate that mentally ill prisoners be excluded

from extreme isolation. They should also help to implement: (a) Adoption by states and localities of their

responsibility to ensure qualified and sufficient mental health staffing to provide the requisite screening,

evaluation and treatment to aid in stabilizing patients’ mental health conditions and placement in the least

restrictive environments; (b) Quality ongoing training of correctional staff at all levels; (c) Accreditation

of facilities by experts; and (d) Rehabilitation of prisoners.

Recommendation: Task force members urge NASW to include the requests above as priorities in its

“2015 Focus on Priorities”, with the goal of eliminating all prolonged solitary confinement and mass in-

carceration. This will require using considerable resources at the National and chapter levels.

Social workers and allied professionals are very welcome to join the SWAPSOL Task Force and to pro-

vide other support by contacting moyaatk@yahoo.com), 703-941-3707. Our web site (a work in pro-

gress) is www.swapsol.org

P A G E 18 C O N N E C T I O N S

“Developing Expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia”

Part of the Clinical Solutions Series hosted by NASW/CT’s Clinical Social Work Network

On April 10, 2015, over 70 clinicians gathered at the Copper Beech Institute in West Hartford to hear

Gregg Jacobs, PhD give a presentation on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. Dr. Jacobs is an

Insomnia Specialist at the Sleep Disorders Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and

a leading authority on the treatment of insomnia. He wrote Say Good Night to Insomnia and his work has

been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, on the BBC, Good Morning America, and

the Today Show. He has been described as a “pioneer in the use of CBT for insomnia”.

He started his presentation with a description of the dilemma of insomnia, how troubling it can be, and the

various types of insomnia whether it be having a problem falling asleep, to lying awake in the middle of

the night, to poor quality sleep. He reviewed the many drugs available for those with sleep issues and

how this has become a multi-billion dollar industry. Unfortunately, medication to aid sleep issues often

becomes a secondary problem—for, not only do they not solve the problem, but dependency issues arise

with risks such as daytime sleepiness, cognitive impairment, dizziness, memory lapses, and elevated mor-

tality risks. Many people take sleeping pills long term despite the fact that most medication has never

been tested or approved for long-term use.

Dr. Jacobs provided a very thorough background on the use and misuse of sleeping medications before

describing how to assess the insomnia patient and then treat the patient using the CBT-I model. Discus-

sion followed on sleep medication withdrawal, sleep scheduling techniques, the value of naps, stimulus

control techniques, relaxation response, and sleep hygiene techniques. He provided material for Sleep

Logs clinicians could use with patients and then reviewed a few case examples. Written material provided

by Dr. Jacobs is very illustrative of the therapy model and offers much information that would be helpful

in treating a person struggling with insomnia. The workshop was well received and NASW/CT and the

Clinical Social Work Network look forward to providing more day long workshops of this nature.

P A G E 19 C O N N E C T I O N S

Call For Nominations

NASW/CT ANNUAL AWARDS 2015

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ∞ SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR STUDENT OF THE YEAR, MSW & BSW ∞ EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR ∞ PUBLIC CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The Connecticut Chapter of NASW annually honors individuals who have made valuable contributions to the social work profession.

Anyone who appreciates a Social Worker is eligible to make a nomination. NASW/CT’s 2015 Annual Awards Dinner Committee considers

all the nominations and the selected honorees are recognized at the Annual Dinner. The awards give the Chapter an opportunity to

show appreciation to the members of the profession who exemplify the commitment, spirit, advocacy, and integrity of a social worker.

Those wishing to resubmit past nominations are encouraged to do so.

To Submit Nominations

Send to: NASW/CT, 2139 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 205, Rocky Hill, CT 06067

ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED by 8/15/15

Nominations should include:

● A statement explaining why you are nominating the individual AND the award for which the candidate is being

nominated. (Please include clear and specific description of the nominee’s outstanding contributions)

● Supporting documentation (i.e. letters of support from colleagues, newspaper clippings, AND her/his resume or

c.v.).

● The CANDIDATE’s name, place of employment, address and phone.

● YOUR name, address, and phone number.

Criteria For Awards

The LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT award is given to a person having a career-long

history of exemplary performance representing the mission of social work.

She/he should be a role model to other social workers.

The SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR should have made a recent outstanding contribu-

tion to the profession. She/he should demonstrate exceptional qualities that make

her/him exceed the expectations of her/his job.

The STUDENT OF THE YEAR, either a MSW or a BSW student, should have an above

average academic record in addition to having made noteworthy contributions to

the professional community beyond the expectations of the field experience. May

include students who graduated in 2015.

The EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR award is given to an educator who has excelled in the

field of social work education. The LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR award is given when a legislator demonstrates out-

standing leadership and commitment to social and economic justice. The PUBLIC CITIZEN OF THE YEAR award is given to someone who is not a member of

the social work profession but who has advanced the profession’s aims and ideals.

All nominees must:

●Be a member of NASW/CT in good standing (with the exception of the Public Citizen of the Year and the Legislator of the Year); demonstrate notable ability to take a leading role in contributing to the growth and development of the social work profession; and stimulate the contributions of others ●Contribute to the positive image of the social work profession ●Effectively integrate experience and education to promote the development of social work practice to meet human needs ●Represent the professional ethics of social workers as defined in the NASW Code of Ethics ●Demonstrate a willingness to take risks for improved social services

NASW/CT CONNECTIONS C O N N E C T I O N S Page 10

Visit the latest online Classifieds and

Continuing Education information

at www.naswct.org

Bi-Lingual Social Worker Position

Company: Ann's Place, Inc.

Contact Name: Su Murdock

Email: su@annsplace.org

Phone: (203) 790-6568

Address: 80 Saw Mill Road Danbury, Connecticut 06810

Ann’s Place, Inc., a regional cancer support agency in Danbury, CT, is seeking an experienced bi-lingual

(Spanish and English) Licensed Clinical Social Worker to provide support services to those living with cancer

and their loved ones. The position is part time with the potential for increasing to full time. Reporting to the

Clinical Director, the social worker is responsible for community outreach, providing psycho social assess-

ments, short term counseling, facilitating support groups and providing resource coordination. This position

will be primarily offsite, working in a collaboration with a non-profit community agency.

Required Education/Experience/Skills

• Masters degree in social work

• 2-5 years post-graduate and relevant clinical experience

• CT LCSW, current or within 1 year of hire

• Group and individual counseling experience working with people with illness

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team

• Must be able to communicate effectively in verbal and written form in English and Spanish. Fluency in Por-

tuguese a plus.

• Effective public speaking and outreach skills

Website/Link: http://www.annsplace.org

MILFORD: Furnished Psychotherapy Office. Shared waiting room with other psychotherapists. Rent by day or half day. Ideal for 2nd office. Call 203-334-0653.

Page 11 C O N N E C T I O N S

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE 2015 ADVOCACY FUND

We thank the following members that have donated to the chapter’s 2015 Advocacy Fund. All donations go

directly to NASW/CT’s lobbying at the Legislature and with the Malloy Administration. This list reflects do-

nations from February 1 – April 6, 2015. Our goal is to reach $5,000 between now and June 30th. At April 6th

we had raised $4110!

HELP US REACH AND SURPASS OUR GOAL BY DONATING TODAY.

Adrienne Benjamin Debra Benveniste Kathleen A. Brown Rita Brzozowski*

Diane Cady Jean Carosella Toby Coit CT Association of School Social Workers

Mary Cutler Tish Dayan Amy DiMauro* Michie Hesselbrock Gene Hickey

Winston B. Johnson David Jones Stephen Karp Liz Keenan Hillary Keller

Mary Ellen Killeen Ros Kopfstein Irwin Krieger Tangley C. Lloyd

Paul Mayglothing Julio Morales Denise Novak Lana Oberman Judi Orlando Sophie

Helen Rasmussen Renee Rocklin Janit Romayko June Roy Maureen Salerno

Kathleen M Sauer Beth Sharkey* Vickie Smith Sophie Tworkowski

*denotes member of NASW/CT Board of Directors

YOU CAN HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF $5,000 BY DONATING TODAY!

HELP US REACH OUR 2015 GOAL - MAKE A DONATION TODAY!

YES I WANT TO BUILD THE POWER OF SOCIAL WORK!

$500____ $250____ $100____ $5____

$25____ $10____ Other____

Name:__________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

Email:__________________________________________________________________

MasterCard, Visa and Discover Accepted (circle one) or checks payable to NASW/CT.

Name on Card:___________________________________________________________

Card No._______________________________ 3 digit on back of card______________

Exp. Date_______________

Card Holder’s Signature:_____________________________

Mail To: NASW/CT Advocacy Fund, 2139 Silas Deane Hwy. Ste. 205,

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Contributions are recognized in the chapter newsletter. Check here if you DO NOT want your name

printed:____

Contributions are an investment in your profession but regretfully not tax deductible.

NASW/CT

2139 Silas Deane

Highway, 205

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Who do you call?

Change Membership Data

National Office, DC 800-638-8799 x 304* Serving the Profession and

Advocating for Responsive

*Members can make Changes online at Social Policy

www.socialworkers.org

NASW Assurance NASW

800-421-6694 Connecticut Chapter

asi@naswasi.org 2139 Silas Deane Highway,

LCSW Exam Application Suite 205

Department of Health 800-509-7603 Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Ethical Questions Phone (860) 257-8066

Stephen Karp 860-257-8066 Fax: (860) 257-8074

Email: naswct@naswct.net

Committee Participation website: www.naswct.org

Chapter Staff 860-257-8066

Continuing Education Information Pat Hartman 860-257-8066

Newsletter Advertising & Labels and Website

Desiree’ Floyd 860-257-8066