NASW NEWS

From the Director

Social Work Pride Improves Image

By Elizabeth J. Clark, Ph.D., ACSW, MPH

NASW just completed another successful Social Work Month campaign. Governors, legislators and other elected officials issued proclamations about the importance of the profession. At the Social Work Gala honoring child welfare workers, the six social workers who are federal legislators — Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Sen. Deborah Ann Stabenow (D-Mich.), Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D- Calif.), Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-Texas) and Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-N.Y.) — sent a combined letter that underscored how critical professional social work services are in meeting the needs of vulnerable populations.

Newspapers across the country ran articles about Social Work Month. Examples of the headlines are “Social Workers Deserve Recognition”; “Social Workers Make a Difference”; “Social Workers Provide Opportunities, Goals”; “Social Workers in Schools Combat Dropout Rate”; “Social Workers Advocate for Improved Health Care Coverage.” And “The Power of Social Work.”

Since Social Work Month was formally established in 1984, we have seen increased media attention about social work each year. What most of our members don’t realize is that social workers are mentioned frequently in the national media. The Public Affairs Office at NASW receives hundreds of media clippings each month; over 80 percent of these are positive. Not infrequently, the negative clips identify someone as a social worker, but on closer inspection, the individual mentioned has no social work degree nor any professional training in social work.

This misunderstanding underscores several things. First is the need for education of the public and the media about what social workers do and what education, training and licenses are required to be professional social workers. Many state licensing laws do not include title protection for social workers. In these states, anyone can self-identify as a “social worker”; they just can’t call themselves licensed social workers.

In fact, during the 2000 Census, 845,000 individuals self-identified as social workers. This number stands in contrast to the approximately 600,000 persons holding social work degrees who are practicing today. That leaves over a quarter of a million people who want to align with our profession. We all need to encourage these individuals to acquire the education and skills necessary to become professional social workers.

What the Census can’t tell us is how many professional social workers did not list social work as their profession. While no hard data exist, there appears to be a disturbing trend. The more educated and credentialed the social workers, the less likely they are to identify their professional title as “social worker.” Instead, they list “psychotherapist,” “professor,” “researcher,” “administrator,” “community organizer” or “legislative aide.” They may be case managers, marriage and family therapists, directors of foundations or agencies, or attorneys. The list could go on and on.

While it may be less appropriate to use the title “social worker” in some work settings, it almost always is acceptable to use your MSW or other social work degree or credential on a business card or after your signature. When an individual uses only “Ph.D.” as the identifying credential, others don’t know the specialty area. But if the business card includes “MSW” as well as “Ph.D.,” it tells the public that this is a person with social work training. More important, it signifies pride in being a social worker.

If you finish a joint program such as an MPH/MSW or a J.D./MSW program, why not list both degrees, even if your work title is officially “public health specialist” or “attorney”?

Every time the public learns that a therapist or case manager or legislator or administrator or other expert is a social worker, that positively advances social work’s image. Every time you write a letter to a newspaper, to a politician or to any public group and identify yourself as a social worker, you help others understand social work activism and the profession’s legacy for speaking out against injustice.

At Social Work Summit II last December, participants from 42 social work organizations identified the need for a public awareness campaign about the profession of social work. This will need to be a collaborative undertaking and will require significant funding. NASW is beginning the planning for such a campaign. But it will take each and every one of us working together to expand the value and image of social work.

To comment to Elizabeth J. Clark: NewsColumn@naswdc.org