Vote Now!

Want to help out an honorable charity? The All-State Foundation is donating $100,000 to the charity you decide needs it most. Following up on last year’s successful click campaign on ClicktoEmpower.org, The Allstate Foundation has created another “click” campaign program that lets voters decide which charity, out of the four below, will receive a $100,000 grant. The organization that receives the most votes will receive the $100,000 grant and the remaining finalists will receive $10,000 each. The highlighted organizations include:

· Safe Horizon: Provides support, prevents violence, and promotes justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families, and communities

· YWCA USA: Works to eliminate racism and empower women

· Charity Cars: Provides disadvantaged families with a free vehicle and vehicle support services to assist in their transition from dependency to self-sufficiency

· National Family Justice Center Alliance: Works to provide training and technical assistance to existing and developing Family Justice Centers in the United States and around the world

To learn more about each of the non-profit organizations and their domestic violence programs go to www.ClicktoEmpower.org or www.facebook.com/clicktoempower, then vote for your favorite charity. When you’re done voting, there are easy share buttons to help you spread the word to your family and friends via text messaging, Twitter, and email.

With the economy the way it is right now, I know this can be a major boost to the organization you choose to receive the money! Please vote and let your voice me heard!

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

In the field of social work there are times that caseworkers will work with clients making some decisions that are very uncomfortable for the worker. Many times workers will be faced with ethical dilemmas that are difficult to navigate. One that I know is difficult for me is the idea of who is my client when my client is pregnant?? Do I protect the unborn child who is being negatively impacted by my client's neglect or do I support the self-determination of the client as she chooses not to receive prenatal services or continues toxic behavior for the child? I know in my heart that I could never holistically work with a client without also educating her on the impacts of the choices she makes on the child she is carrying. I feel as though if I present the information and the consequences, some of the dissonance I feel over the embryo's care can be alleviated as I give the mother the information and support her right to self-determination. One area of great concern to me is that of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Drinking may seem harmless to the mother, however it has great affects on the child. Physical disfigurations and behavior affect changes are all present with FAS and can limit the quality of life for the child. I do not often hear about this particular disease and wanted to share what I found about this topic. On the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website, I found a lot of information on FAS from basics to signs of FAS in children. Also, I wanted to post this video I came across. Please watch it and consider what you would do if you were working with clients who were continuing to drink and do not think that it affects anyone but themselves. Alcohol can have great impact on an unborn child, and proper recognition to this issue should be made. Enjoy the video and remember why we do this work.


Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - More free videos are here

Certificates

Have you looked into the certificates that are offered from the School of Social Work? Where ever your interests lie there is sure to be a certificate that can help you further your educational and career goals. One of the most recent certificates is the Certificate of Trauma and Bereavement (CTB). What is really great about this certificate program is all the options regarding the classes that can be taken to complete this degree. In the brochure is talks about how this is great for those working in healthcare, but the way the program is set up a student could choose to focus on wars and natural disasters, abusive traumas or on healthcare related traumas. Some of the other certificates are in treating animal abuse, gerontology, Latino culture and so on. Check out the School of Social Work website for more information if you are looking to further your knowlege in a specific area of Social Work, there may be a certificate program for you!

Graduation 2009

Graduation has come and gone, and doors are now open to the class of 2009. I am fortunate to be part of this fabulous graduating class, and am sharing my graduation video with you! This truly is a new day in my life and the beginning of some many new experiences. Congrats to my fellow graduates, and I wish you all the very best!

Domestic Violence

Did you know that in Arizona 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence of some form in their life? Even more shocking, 1 in 33 men will attempt or complete a rape or sexual assault. These are some absolutely shocking stats from the Az Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and there are many others as equally shocking as these.

Domestic Violence is getting to be ever more prevalent in our society, and with the stress building of a rough economy and people at wit's end, occurences are sadly increasing in Arizona homes. With the prevalence of this issue I began to wonder, do people know where to go for help? Luckily, most cities in this state have special units for family violence which help to handle this issue and give referrals to services that may be needed. Along with this I came across this really cool website called Click to Empower. It gives a ton of information for someone who is being abused, might have experienced abuse in the past or for service professionals that might be working with someone who is experiencing abuse. My most favorite part of the website is there is a special link in the top corner of the webpage that allows someone to exit quickly and in a way that their history on the page cannot be traced. I love this feature because it helps to keep the victim safe as he or she are able to find the information they may need to get out of their situation. If you work with individuals and families dealing with this issue, please check out this website, I'm sure you will love it too!

I came across this public service announcement that shows the affect domestic violence can have on the children and illustrates the cycle of violence that can be created. Kids really do learn things from their parents.

At-Risk

Too often we rely on labels to describe individuals. One label I absolutely loathe is that of "At-Risk." There is nothing more disheartening for a teenager than to hear that they are at-risk. For work, I run the activities for a youth program for teens who live in public housing (the projects). I spend all my breath and energy trying to instill in them hope and self-worth, but then they get slapped with a label such as: "At-Risk." Why do we do this to them? Are they not just kids who need support and compassion?

Another thing I hate is when society decides they will only help and support those they deem are "at-risk." Well how do you know if a child is at-risk? Is it based on skin color or economic status? What about the kids who do not fit the normal stereotype of the at-risk definition? Do they not need support and services just as much?

I put together a video using a technique called photovoice. Photovoice is an awesome way to use photography and artistic mediums to illustrate a certain stance on an issue or a point. I'm editing it right now, so keep your eyes open for that!

The Theory of Sock Puppets

When I was in the first semester of my internship I found myself really struggling with the new organizational environment and specifically one of the other interns. I was in a bad position because as an intern I did not want to voice my opinions and concerns and "rock the boat" so to speak, so I chose to instead to bottle everything up and search for a more appropriate release. While in the StAR office one day an idea popped into my head while I was on a (sadly) usual rant about my struggles dealing with these conflicts. I was so frustrated that I just could not say the things I really wanted to say and felt almost stifled that I was not able to say what was on my mind. So my idea was this, if I had a sock puppet of this individual I could say everything I wanted to in the safety of my own home while inducing laughter rather than perpetuating my upset emotions.

As I have thought more about this idea, I have seen more and more positives come from this idea. How often do we all feel like we wish we could hit the rewind button and say what was really on our mind rather than what is acceptable and less contentious? Or how often are we just too scared to stand up for ourselves when someone is saying things about us that are rude or not true? The theory of the sock puppet is this: by role playing with a situation in a safe environment, we are able to in essence hit the rewind button and replay the situation that is causing stress in our lives. The positive affect is that we are able to have a sense of humor about the situation, laugh off our troubles and release the upset emotions that might be plaguing us at the time. Now I'm not saying we should belittle our situations and struggles, I'm just saying that this is a good way to say what is on our minds while ending up on a happier note rather than venting and venting until our anger boils over.

This technique is something that would be great for youth and kids who do not feel as though they have a voice or the right words to express how they feel. Especially with younger kids, they do not quite understand what they feel or how to explain how they feel. This is a win-win situation, they have a great time making a sock puppet of the person they wish to "talk" to (which also will help the therapist see how that child envisions the person), talk out their feelings, and have a good laugh when they are through. Honestly, who could in their right mind have a conversation with a sock puppet and not end up laughing??!!

What started as a funny fantasy of saying all the things that I wanted to say but was afraid to get punched in the face, ended up with a new technique to use in my life and with the clients I will later serve. I have yet to test this theory, but co-workers be warned, there may be a sock puppet of you floating around somewhere! :-)