In the Zone for Self-Care

How do we know when we have practiced good self-care?? How do we know if we haven't? If we are self-aware (see Standard #2 of the NASW Standards for Cultural Competence for details), we will have a lot of clues and signals that tell us we are in trouble or are "in the zone." I have read a LOT of books and journal articles about when we are in trouble (burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary post traumatic stress), but I have not read much about the positive side of good self care.

What are the clues that we are doing well or "in the zone" for healthy social work practice? Here is my big clue: The last time I woke up at 3:00 am and couldn't go back to sleep was so long ago I can't tell you exactly when it was.

When I started this post, I imagined having a long list of clues. Hmmm. Not that easy. This will be a work in progress. Share your clues that you are "in the zone" and doing well.

P.S. I just discovered Amy Baird's Life in Brief blog (what a great example of how a Web 2.0 social worker). Keep up the good work Amy!

Get the Word OUT! NASW on YouTube

Check this out!  Gary Bailey's testimony last year to Congress about social work is on YouTube.  He explains the important work done by social workers across the country and the world.  This is just another reason why I appreciate my membership in NASW!  We need to support the ongoing effort to "get the word out" about social work.  Gary Bailey is doing a great job!  (Here is a shout out to Dr Dietz and Professional Communication - note how Gary responds professionally to the mispronunciation of his name and title given by a member of Congress.)

Gary visited Texas Christian University last year for the Green Chair and met with social work students, faculty, and TCU leaders across campus.  He set a powerful example for us about our responsibilty to the profession (see the NASW Code of Ethics for more details).  We all need to follow Gary's example and have the skills and knowledge to "get the word out" about social work!  Tell me how you have followed Gary's example and told the story of social work!  

Texas State Laws and Rules for Social Workers

This week, I attended a 6 hour workshop given by Vicki Hansen on the rules and laws that govern social work practice in Texas.  We met at the Union Gospel Mission - what a privilege to learn about their important work to serve the homeless in Tarrant County!  Some who drive down Lancaster and see so many homeless people want to roll up their windows and get away quickly.  I appreciated the opportunity to spend time with the dedicated staff 
at Union Gospel Mission and hear about their important work with hundreds of women, children, and men who live on the streets of Fort Worth.  The number of people who depend on Union Gospel Mission EVERY day is staggering.  The call for social justice is staggering here in our town.  If you haven't had the chance and are interested, send me an email and I'll connect you with the Program Director to learn more about their work.  Social Workers are called to serve the most vulnerable and the staff at Union Gospel are meeting that call for service every day, 24/7.  

So, what did I learn about Texas laws and rules and social work?  First, Vicki Hanse

n, Executive Director for the NASW Texas Chapter, did a great job of showing us the multitude of laws and rules t

hat govern social work practice in Texas.  It is mind-blowing and nearly mind-numbing.  But, she accomplished her goal which was to make us aware of these laws and rule and how to "keep  up" so that we reduce our risk of getting in trouble.  As a social work educators Dr Tracy Diets and I became acutely aware of our responsibility to my students and field instructors to help them understand their responsibility to know the rules and laws that govern professional practice of social work.  Based on all that I learned from Vicki's workshop, I strongly encourage any social worker who hasn't already attended this vitally important workshop to do so as soon as possible. Buy the book Texas Law for the Social Worker:  A Sourcebook - it is VERY helpful.  Next, I remind everyone that Vicki Hansen will be giving this workshop at the NASW Texas Conference in October.  Sign up now and check out Vicki's presentation.  The feedback from past confrences showed that Vicki was one of the top rated presentations at the conference.  

Social Workers in have to follow countless rules and laws.  Keeping up to date with that information is essential to reducing risk and managing ethical challenges.  

 

Staying Connected and Healthy

What keeps us going in social work? How do we reduce or avoid the impact of compassion fatigue and burn out? In my professional life, membership in the National Association of Social Workers has become a key piece of my support for professional mental health.

What is NASW? NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 150,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

Because I am actively involved in our state and branch activities, I have met other social workers who I wouldn't met in the course of my day-to-day work at TCU, teaching students, grading papers, working with field instructors, going to faculty meetings..... etc. This opportunity for professional networking would only happen at NASW Texas conferences or other professional conferences that only happen once a year. By volunteering to serve as the Tarrant Branch NLIC (national leadership identification committee) representative, I have joined a great group of local social work leaders who work to give our members a place and opportunity for professional development, networking, and support. I am re-energized for my work at TCU because of my professional network!!

When I talk with students about NASW, I tell them that their dues are worth every hard earned penny because they can meet and connect with other social work professioanals at the local, state, and national level. A hallmark of an effective and competent social worker can be measured by the extent and depth of their professional relationships with other social workers. As newly developing professionals, my students often ask, "How can I get a good start in a job after graduation?" My first answer is always, get involved with NASW. The informal networking that happens at NASW events provides a better opportunity to hear about job opportunities.

Being a member of NASW means that I get up-to-date information about local, state, and national issues that impact my work at TCU. I receive emails with announcements of job opportunities, continuing education workshops, legislative updates and more that I often can immediatley use either in a class I am teaching or in advising a student.

Finally, I see a clear link to the importance of networking to the value of the importance of human relationships as stated in the NASW Code of Ethics.

Ethical Principle: Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.

Clearly, this principle applies to our work with clients, but it also applies to our relationship to our colleagues and our profession. Doesn't it make sense that if we are to be healthy, competent, effective professionals, we have ways to take care of ourselves? Networking is one of many strategies I use to insure my professional health and protects or reduces the impact of compassion fatigue in my work as a social work professor and NASW is a big part of it all.

To join NASW, go to https://www.socialworkers.org/nasw/join/default.asp. Will you let me know if you have decided to become a member of NASW?