Social Work Podcast

Hi Social Workers,

Found this website on all things social work, including a podcast on negotiating your salary.

http://socialworkpodcast.com/

Article: After Abuse, Changes in the Brain

After Abuse, Changes in the Brain, by Benedict Carey.

Here's a snipet and the link to the entire article is below:

"The researchers found that the genes that code for these receptors were about 40 percent less active in people who had been abused as children than in those who had not. The scientists found the same striking differences between the abused group and the brains of 12 control subjects, who had not been abused and who died from causes other than suicide. “It is good evidence that the same systems are at work in humans that we have seen in other animals,” said Patrick McGowan, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Meaney’s lab at McGill and the lead author of the study."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/health/research/24abuse.html?ref=research

Job Fair!

This year's Master's Level Social Work Job Fair is going to be held at Columbia University-Lerner Hall, on Friday, April 24 (11am-3pm). I remember that alumni came to the job fair last year . . . the website only mentions students, but I would assume alumni can go too.

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/jobfair/

Article: In Turnabout, Children Take Caregiver Role

Here's an article from the NY Times about children taking on the role as caregiver.

Below is a portion from the article:

"Across the country, children are providing care for sick parents or grandparents — lifting frail bodies off beds or toilets, managing medication, washing, feeding, dressing, talking with doctors. Schools, social service agencies and health providers are often unaware of those responsibilities because families members may be too embarrassed, or stoic.

Some children develop maturity and self-esteem. But others grow anxious, depressed or angry, sacrifice social and extracurricular activities and miss — or quit — school."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/health/23care.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

Recession Girl NYC

Recession Girl NYC is a cute and clever website for those of us living in NYC with a hankering to get out and have some fun on a budget (especially useful for those of us living on a social worker's salary). Tips are given on how to get more for the money you spend ("Swindle of the Day"), free/low-cost events ("Low Roller Fun"), cheap or free items being given out ("Curb Alert"), and much more.

Check it out!!!

http://recessiongirlnyc.blogspot.com/

Prince of Broadway

Does anyone know where or when the Prince of Broadway might be playing? I noticed that it's playing at BAM Rose Cinema on Tuesday at 4pm, but sadly I can't make it and it seems this is the only time to see it. It looks like an interesting story. And, BAM is currently having a film festival entitled: Best of the African Diaspora Film Festival

http://www.princeofbroadway.com/

Here's a synopsis:

Prince of Broadway is the story of Lucky and Levon, two men whose lives converge in the underbelly of New York's wholesale fashion district. Lucky, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, makes ends meet by soliciting shoppers on the street with knock-off brand merchandise. Levon, a Armenian-Lebanese immigrant, operates an illegal storefront with a concealed back room where counterfeit goods are showcased to interested shoppers. Lucky's world is suddenly turned upside down when a child is thrust into his life by a woman who insists the toddler is his son. While Lucky copes with his new domestic dilemma, Levon struggles to save a marriage that is falling apart.

Article: hildren in the Mental Health Void

This article by Judith Warner, Children in the Mental Health Void, is an interesting look at our country's failing mental health care system.

http://warner.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/is-there-no-place-on-earth/

Check it out.

REMINDER!! LMSW study session

Hey everyone,

Just a quick reminder that we will be having another lmsw study session/chat session on Saturday, February 28 at 11:30am. We plan to meet at the Barnes & Noble Cafe in Union Square.

See you then!

Suze Orman

As a recent graduate looking at a new year ahead of me, I have been trying to put together the pieces that will build a healthy financial future. Trying to figure out all the pension, deferred compensation, loan repayment options, savings, and a regular budget has been a tad overwhelming thus far.

I was really excited to get notice from a friend that Suze Orman's latest book is available for FREE in a pdf file. I think it is only for a limited time, so save a copy for later if you can't get to it now.
I am hoping reading it and taking the actions she outlines will bring me some clarity and confidence!

Here is the link:
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20081119_tows_bookdownload

Moira

Nonprofit finance workshop

Non-profit professionals often find themselves at the precarious juncture of following their passion and being financially stable. It is especially important in these economic times when the financial markets are uncertain. Please, join YNPN-NYC for a panel discussion entitled:

How to live on a non-profit salary: The In's and Out's of Personal Finance for the Non-Profit Professional

This panel will cover personal finance issues such as:
Investing/Retirement
Credit
Taxes
Dealing with Debt
Student Loan
Consolidation & Management
Personal Budgeting
Federal Legislation on Non-profit Loan Forgiveness
Tips for managing a non-profit professional budget in NYC: From rent to non-profit professional deals

This event details are as follows:
Date: January 22nd
Time: 6 - 8 PM
Location: The Support Center for Nonprofit Management (305 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor (@ 27th Street))
RSVP: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/250167257

We look forward to seeing you on the 22nd!

The YNPN-NYC Professional Development Committee

Job posting

Hi everyone!

I have just received a job postings for the SUNY-Research Foundation. Here are some details and if you want more just email me:

TITLE: ATTAIN Instructional Technology Coordinator

OFFICE: Farragut Community Center ATTAIN Lab

LOCATION: Brooklyn, New York

SALARY: $40,000 - $42,000

FUNCTION & SCOPE: ATTAIN (Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking) is a Statewide technology initiative funded by New York State. ATTAIN’s goal is to provide urban and rural communities access to state-of-the-art technology. Through innovative technologies ATTAIN provides under-served and under-educated community residents academic, vocational, life skills and workplace readiness training.

Skills

Hi Everyone,

I was thinking that it has been six months since I started my job and a little more since we've graduated (yikes!) and was trying to recall all the projects I've worked on and skills I've gained at work so far. I really couldn't remember much off the top of my head, which scared me;);) But when I started to think, a few things came to mind. So, I decided to create an ongoing doc where I could record all the things I've worked on/skills I've learned so far. I figure it will be good to refer back to if I ever want to look for a new job or need to describe what I do for professional purposes ('analyst' isn't the clearest job title). Also, it was kind-of a nice new years self-esteem boost because its easy to forget day to day that I've learned a ton since starting work.

Hope this is a helpful idea:)

Article: Enlisting the Aid of Hairstylists as Sentinels for Domestic Abuse

I thought this was a great article. Stylists are being taught how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse and how to refer their clients for help. This seems like such a smart and effective way of reaching women who really need help!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/nyregion/20salons.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=domestic%20violence%20and%20hair&st=cse

Article: Suing to Raise a Payment of Last Resort

Interesting article from nytimes.com regarding NYS welfare.

Here's a blurb:

New York State has not raised its basic payment for people on welfare since 1989, forcing many recipients to skip meals, wear hand-me-downs and spend many days confined to their homes because they lack the $4 needed for a subway trip, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday.

For the entire article, go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/nyregion/09welfare.html?pagewanted=1&ref=nyregion

LMSW Prep Class

So, a few of us went to the lmsw prep class yesterday at Hunter College. I think I can speak for all of us and say that the class is well worth the money. The instructor was fantastic and alleviated some of my fears over the test.

If you were thinking about taking the class I would say go for it.

Now I just have to sign up for the test!!!!