Vol. 47, No. 9, October 2002

From the Director
Profession Should Value BSWs
By Elizabeth J. Clark, Ph.D., ACSW

*Assembly Takes Moderate Path on Structure
A more unified governance process is created.
Delegate Assembly reporting: John V. O'Neill, MSW
Delegate Assembly photography: Lyn Stoesen

*Three-Year NASW Goals Chosen
Higher salaries and better working conditions top the association's agenda.

*Assembly Adds Six Policies, Revises 15
Policies are reviewed every six years in an effort to keep them up to date.

*Bylaws Change Alters Election Rules
Single slating in some elections will be permitted.

*Chapter Staff Honored

*Resolutions Approved
Electronic technology would facilitate the policy review process.

*'Reconnecting to a Historical Foundation'
Rural Social Workers Embrace Challenge
By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

*Sept. 11, 2002, at NASW

*Cultural Competence Called Cost Effective
Commission members received NASW's cultural competence standards.
By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

*Effort to Boost Agency Wages Often Frustrating
All agencies didn't raise social work salaries.
By John V. O'Neill, MSW, News Staff

HIPAA
*Final Revised Privacy Rules Issued — HIPAA Regulations Lower Threshold for Consent, NASW Says
Providers must get written acknowledgement that information will be disclosed.
By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

*Compliance Extension Due Oct. 15

*Making Women Candidates Contenders
"I believe that every single day what I am doing is the very essence of social work."

*HIV, Ethics Curriculum Is Updated
Focus on Skills
Content is expanded to address issues for practitioners in diverse settings.

*Foundation
Foundation's 2002 Awards Total More Than $50,000
Many awards "represent an investment in the next generation of social workers."
By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

*2003 Foundation Awards Offered

*VA
Social Work Status at V.A. Enhanced
Fewer than 50 percent of V.A. health care facilities have centralized social work departments.
By John V. O'Neill, MSW, News Staff

*Social Work Pay at V.A. Is Elevated

*Retirements May Open Up V.A. Social Work
People choose to work at the V.A. for many reasons.

*Human Rights Measure Passes in Pennsylvania House
A state is asked to explore its human rights standards in light of a U.N. declaration.
By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

*NASW Turns Back 'License by Regulation'
Social work licenses would have been useless in some agencies.
By John V. O'Neill, MSW, News Staff

*$13 Million Center Named For Pioneer
Edinburg was "pivotal in securing federal funding" for the center.
By Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

*Social Work in the Public Eye

*Letters to the Editor