tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60584459849440613882024-03-05T08:48:49.893-05:00Michigan Girl's CafeA macro-practice social worker reflecting on graduate school, careers, and social justice.Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-574866058153270182021-05-26T08:00:00.060-04:002021-05-26T08:00:00.168-04:00Review: 101 Careers in Social Work - Third Edition (2019) <p><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=0826129056" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><b>101 Careers in Social Work - Third Edition</b> (2019) by Jessica Ritter, Ann Obermann and Kirstin Lindsay Danhoff, is an expanded career guidebook that addresses the breath of the social work profession and the different career options available with a social work degree. The goal of the book is to help readers assess whether they are suited for a career in social work, describe more than 100 distinct career paths for social workers, and provide readers with the tools and resources they need to plan their social work careers, based on their skills and interests. It builds upon the <a href="https://michgirlcafe.blogspot.com/2015/09/review-101-careers-in-social-work.html" target="_blank">second edition</a> with updated information and new features, such as:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKszvKw9EvwIJ5NXLC52Hfx_vNBt1Jni4cXeE2V5tROwsJmL7JWx35E7sZ81hMj_7Ifuh2ZBRx-1WUPzJ5L9B6gON38YkEIiV0m5xys131uWAWTmdVDz_YL6UoAOUQdLrnJnMJivilVXy/s499/101-careers-social-work-third-edition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKszvKw9EvwIJ5NXLC52Hfx_vNBt1Jni4cXeE2V5tROwsJmL7JWx35E7sZ81hMj_7Ifuh2ZBRx-1WUPzJ5L9B6gON38YkEIiV0m5xys131uWAWTmdVDz_YL6UoAOUQdLrnJnMJivilVXy/s320/101-careers-social-work-third-edition.jpg" /></a></div><br /><ul><li>Fifteen new personal narratives describing the rewards and challenges of different social work practices</li><li>A new section highlighting important social and political issues relevant for each social work practice</li><li>New data on employment opportunities and salaries from the U.S. Department of Labor</li><li>New resources (books, essays, films and websites) for additional career exploration</li></ul><div>The book begins with dispelling myths about the social work profession and how it is different from related fields and disciplines, such as psychology, sociology and counseling. The book is categorized under three sections: a) The Profession of Social Work (which includes an overview and future outlook of social work); b) Careers in Social Work (featuring 14 practice domains); and c) education and job hunting tools and websites (from earning a degree in social work to preparing your future career). </div><div><br /></div><div>The featured practice domains comprise of the following:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Child Welfare</li><li>School-Based Social Work</li><li>Social Work with Older Adults (Gerontology) </li><li>Social Work in Healthcare </li><li>Mental Health and Addiction</li><li>Crisis Intervention</li><li>Criminal Justice and the Legal Arena </li><li>International Social Work and Human Rights</li><li>Poverty and Homelessness</li><li>Advocacy and the Political Arena</li><li>Community Practice</li><li>Human Service Organizations</li><li>Research and Academia</li><li>Nontraditional Careers in Social Work (including Dual Degrees) </li></ul></div><div>Each practice domain chapter includes a wealth of information about various job titles and career paths (e.g., nonprofit agencies, research, and government), core competencies and skills, educational and licensing requirements, best and challenging aspects of the job, compensation and employment outlook, self-assessment questionnaires and checklist to see if the job would be a good fit based on interest and skills.</div><div><br /></div><div>I enjoyed the section on nontraditional careers in social work because the social work degree is versatile in a variety of professional settings. Social workers can be found as filmmakers, consultants, mediators, journalists, attorneys, and much more! Social workers can pursue a myriad of dual degrees in fields such as law, public health, public policy, nonprofit administration, education/higher education, and so forth. Part of my blog has been to highlight nontraditional careers in social work, particularly for those who specialized in macro practice as administrators, researchers, and advocates/organizers. The social work profession is deeply committed to social justice and helping those in need regardless of practice. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a macro practice social work student, this career guidebook was a wonderful resource to help me plan my career path. Social workers can be found creating positive change with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. I highly recommend this new edition to prospective and current students as well as working professionals and practitioners who want to explore the array of career options in social work. </div><br />Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-68814485623638923302021-03-01T07:00:00.000-05:002021-03-01T07:00:01.715-05:00Social Work History Month 2021: Social Workers are Essential<p>March is National Social Work History Month. The 2021 theme is " Social Workers are Essential.” </p><p>From the NASW <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=etD90pK30Bg%3d&portalid=0" target="_blank">website</a>:</p><p></p><blockquote><p><i>Social workers are essential to community well-being.</i></p><p><i>As practitioners, social workers are trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living. They are employed to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities.</i></p><p><i>As a profession, social workers frequently use their collective power to pass laws and establish policies that give more people access to community services and benefits, improving the quality of life for everyone.</i></p><p><i>Social work is the only helping profession which requires social justice advocacy as part of its professional code of ethics, and is therefore a large workforce mandated to advance the rights of the most vulnerable in society.</i></p><p><i>For more than 120 years, the social work profession in the United States has helped bend the arc of justice, making our nation a more equitable and inclusive place. </i></p></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p>Read the proclamation <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=wPVs0OsRD4w%3d&portalid=0" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>Social workers aim to improve the lives of children, the elderly, minority groups, disadvantaged populations. The social work profession accomplished major milestones throughout American history. Social workers and allied professionals (from human services to social policy) have:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Achieved the minimum wage and safer workplaces for poor people (Progressive Era)</li><li>Fought for civil rights and voting rights (Civil Rights Movement)</li><li>Expanded employment and reproductive rights for women </li><li>Supported marriage and employment protections for LGBT people</li></ul><p></p><p>Social workers can be found in many different specializations, industries and fields requiring different levels of training, education and licensing to fulfill the various roles of advocate, therapist, mediator, researcher, educator, manager, evaluator, facilitator, case manager, administrator, and community change agent. Social workers play a vital role in helping to create programs and policies that make society a better and more equitable place for all. </p><p>The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has revealed major racial, gender and socioeconomic disparities in access to health care, employment, and critical supplies. This is a crucial time for social workers, especially macro social workers, to enhance the lives of the disadvantaged through advocacy, research, education and support. </p><div>For more information about National Social Work History, browse the websites below:</div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/news/facts/social-work-history" target="_blank">National Association of Social Workers: Social Work History</a></li><li><a href="https://nationaltoday.com/national-social-work-month/" target="_blank">National Today: National Social Work History Month</a></li><li><a href="NABSW Celebrates Social Work Month" target="_blank">National Association of Black Social Workers: NABSW Celebrates Social Work Month</a></li><li><a href="Influential Women in the History of Social Work" target="_blank">Rutgers University: Influential Women in the History of Social Work</a></li><li><a href="https://mswcareers.com/a-short-history-of-social-work-the-roots-of-your-profession/" target="_blank">MSW Careers: A Short History of Social Work</a></li></ul><div>For more information about the social work profession's response to COVID-19, check out these websites:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.cswe.org/About-CSWE/Responding-to-Coronavirus" target="_blank">Council on Social Work Education: Responses Addressing Coronavirus (COVID-19)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Infectious-Diseases/Coronavirus" target="_blank">National Association of Social Workers: Coronavirus Disease </a></li><li><a href="https://naswde.socialworkers.org/News/COVID-Resource-Center" target="_blank">National Association of Social Workers: COVID-19 Resource Center</a></li><li></li><li><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10615-020-00780-x" target="_blank">Responding to COVID-19: New Trends in Social Workers’ Use of Information and Communication Technology</a></li><li><a href="https://www.socialworkguide.org/resources/the-role-of-social-workers-during-covid-19/" target="_blank">Social Work Guide: The Role of Social Workers During COVID-19 </a></li></ul></div><p></p>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-37702591153500335852020-07-16T08:00:00.000-04:002020-07-16T08:00:08.917-04:00Review: The CQ Press' Career Guide for Public Sector Students (2020)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsswiWjat7yzDx6HOOl0PY74VDj2mS91RR-NbRBaXfU7XzEpoRugkeiBC29R0RqYXcueV1yRq7Y4K69TuagfbFbImr-PxqWgfhdJO9m-SE31h7rXUy7dm_RzxQeqCU47LbrjWq-posB6a/s1600/CQ-career-guide-pubilc-sector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="150" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsswiWjat7yzDx6HOOl0PY74VDj2mS91RR-NbRBaXfU7XzEpoRugkeiBC29R0RqYXcueV1yRq7Y4K69TuagfbFbImr-PxqWgfhdJO9m-SE31h7rXUy7dm_RzxQeqCU47LbrjWq-posB6a/s320/CQ-career-guide-pubilc-sector.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>The CQ Press' Career Guide for Public Sector Students</b> (2020) by Michelle C. Pantz is an informative book on careers in government and the nonprofit community. Geared towards undergraduate and graduate students, the booklet provides essential steps on finding your passion and the steps to pursue it. Professor Pautz (who has a background in public administration) guides the reader through an introduction to the public sector, recommended curriculum considerations, supplemental opportunities and experiences outside the classroom, and career profiles of individuals currently working in the public sector. Lastly, the book provides a career checklist with valuable insights on resume building, social media strategies, and networking.<br />
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This book has two major strengths. First, the application activities encourages readers to set personal and professional goals. These activities are motivating because you can discover new ideas and identify your academic and professional interests. Second, the curricular and co-curricular options enable students to develop a better understanding of how to tie their major and interests to the workplace. Too often, students believe they must major in traditional fields such as political science to pursue a successful career in the public sector. The truth is any major is sufficient as long as you gain knowledge and skills in the area that you wish to work. For example, a student who wants to specialize in social policy can major in, for example, sociology or social work, and link their research interests and co-curricular activities (e.g., internships, volunteer service) to a particular area within social policy (e.g., access to health care, poverty reduction, education, or labor). Employers care more about how your academic, research, and professional experiences can enhance the organization.<br />
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Once students have chosen their research area of interest, they should create an e-portfolio or master resume of their accomplishments in college. Professor Pautz suggests also graduate and professional school as an option to gain new skills and specialized knowledge as well as accelerate career growth. Examples form the booklet include earning a Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) for example. I would go one step further and recommend other applicable fields such as a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in macro practice, Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialization in health education or health policy, or a Master of Arts in Education (MA) with a specialization in public policy. These programs exist and require extra diligence and effort on your part. Research the different programs' websites for admissions requirements, attend graduate school and career fairs in your region (e.g. Idealist Graduate Fair), or speak to career services at your alma mater.<br />
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Overall, this is a useful guide for any student or early career changer who is new to the public sector. It is well organized, practical with action items, and easy to follow. I would have found this book (less than 50 pages in length) very convenient during my undergraduate studies. Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-71177702396369042032020-06-24T08:00:00.000-04:002020-06-24T08:00:03.229-04:00Personality Test Update: I am a Defender (ISFJ) It has been nearly <a href="https://michgirlcafe.blogspot.com/2016/09/update-i-am-advocate-infj.html" target="_blank">four years</a> since I had last taken a personality test. At the time, my results came back as an Advocate (INFJ). However, my employment history changed since that time frame -- new job, more responsibilities, and greater confidence in my skills and abilities. My specialty area narrowed from higher education to legal education. Thus, I believed this was the right time to complete another personality test. <br />
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According to the <a href="http://16personalities.com/">16Personalities.com</a>, I am a Defender (ISFJ-A).<br />
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<center>
<b>ISFJ: Intuitive, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging-Assertive</b></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<b>Role: Sentinel
</b><br />
<b>Strategy: Confident Individualism</b><b> </b></center>
<blockquote>
<i>Defenders are true altruists, meeting kindness with kindness-in-excess and engaging the work and people they believe in with enthusiasm and generosity.
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Combining the best of tradition and the desire to do good, Defenders are found in lines of work with a sense of history behind them, such as medicine, academics and charitable social work.
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Few personality types are as practical and dedicated as Defenders. Known for their reliability and altruism, Defenders are good at creating and maintaining a secure and stable environment for themselves and their loved ones. Defenders’ dedication is invaluable in many areas, including their own personal growth.</i></blockquote>
Below is a breakdown of the ISTJ personality type: <br />
<ul data-slot-rendered-dynamic="true">
<li><u>Introversion</u>: Defenders tend to spend time alone or with small, familiar groups of friends. They expend energy in social situations, but need to recharge when by themselves.</li>
<li><u>Sensing</u>: Defenders tend to focus on immediate needs rather than future possibilities. They value realism and common sense, and they like ideas with practical applications.</li>
<li><u>Feeling</u>: Defenders make decisions based on their principles and values. They give more weight to social implications than logic, especially in cases where personal considerations or feelings are concerned. </li>
<li><u>Judging</u>: Defenders prefer to make decisions early,
predict outcomes, and stick to plans. Their lives are structured -- predictability is their preference over spontaneity. </li>
<li><u>Assertive</u>: Assertive Defenders are generally more confidently proactive and thus are more visible. They have a greater likelihood of receiving recognition for accomplishments.</li>
</ul>
Defenders have a strong desire to serve and protect others. People with the ISFJ personality type are known to be hardworking, reliable, supportive, organized, observant, and emotionally intelligent to feelings around them. They are kind, loyal, and considerate. Furthermore, they value traditions and history highly in their decisions. <br />
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While Defenders prefer to work in solitary environments, they also appreciate working with others. They also thrive in service-oriented occupations that require caring for others and utilizes their exceptional skills in problem-solving tasks. While they prefer to avoid the limelight, they want to be appreciated for their contributions. Lastly, they get satisfaction from closure and enjoy completing tasks.<br />
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By their very nature, Defenders are humble, persistent, and dedicated workers. They are also not afraid of mundane and necessary tasks, especially if it means those small tasks can help lead them to a greater goal. As for weaknesses, people with the ISFJ personality type tend to dislike change, prefer to work with people over numbers, have trouble with conflict, may neglect their own needs (e.g., shy away from expressing their own emotions), and may take criticism too seriously. <br />
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These results underscore the progress I have made in my own personal and career development in the last five years. I was a young idealist in graduate school, but I was not sure on what I wanted to do with my life. Since then, I gained skills and experience at several mission-driven nonprofits. I am more self-aware of my own work style. After reflecting on my career history to date, I listed these strengths: <br />
<ul>
<li>I am selfless, resourceful, empathetic, and imaginative. </li>
<li>I flourish in positive work environments that provide stability.</li>
<li>I prefer organizations whose missions align with my values.</li>
<li>I enjoy providing practical solutions to problems. </li>
<li>I consider myself a detailed-oriented person who takes it upon herself to make sure the job gets done well. </li>
<li>I like feeling appreciated for the work that I put into improving processes within the organization.</li>
</ul>
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<i>What is your personality type? Share in the comments section. </i><br />
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<br />Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-50946268973449705692020-06-10T08:00:00.000-04:002020-06-10T14:47:53.404-04:00EPI: The Devastating Impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Black AmericansThe Economic Policy Institute, a progressive-leaning research think tank, released a report entitled "<strong><a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/black-workers-covid/">Black workers face two of the most lethal preexisting conditions for coronavirus—racism and economic inequality</strong></a>" (June 1, 2020). The report examines the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on black workers (click <a href="https://www.epi.org/press/racism-and-economic-inequality-have-predisposed-black-workers-be-most-hurt-by-coronavirus-pandemic/">here</a> for the press release). Key findings revealed that:
<ul>
<li>Black workers are less likely to continue working from the safety of their homes;</li>
<li>Black workers are more likely to be classified as essential workers and face health insecurity as a result; </li>
<li>More than one in six black workers lost their jobs between February 2020 and April 2020;</li>
<li>Black workers are disproportionately more likely to live in areas experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks;</li>
</ul>
Black workers are more likely than other workers of other races to be employed in front-line occupations (e.g., public transit; child care and social services; trucking, warehouse, & postal service). The devastating effects of COVID-19 are a reflection of persistent economic and health disparities in the black community. Underlying factors exacerbating the economic and physical well-being of Black Americans include historically higher unemployment rates, significant black-white wage gaps, benefits gaps, lower shares of black households with multiple wage-earners, higher shares of households with single parents, less cash reserves, higher incidence of pre-existing health conditions, less access to medical care and health insurance, higher proportion of families living in densely populated housing, and higher proportion of multigenerational households with older family members at risk of contracting the virus. Although Congress passed the CARES Act in late March 2020 to ameliorate the disease's economic impact on workers and families, the response has yielded uneven results because of differential access to the resources. Racial disparities also exist in who has access to computer and broadband Internet subscription in their home and access to bank accounts.
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Black Americans continue to make up a disproportionate number of reported COVID-19 deaths. Congressional leaders, municipal leaders, health care experts, and community organizations should use these findings to develop interventions that will help reduce the disparate racial impact of the COVID-19 disease. These factors revealed how the ongoing effects of racism can produce unequal outcomes in access to employment, health care, and housing. For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on Black Americans, check out the links below:
<ul>
<li>American Medical Association: <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/population-care/why-african-american-communities-are-being-hit-hard-covid-19"> Why African American communities are being hit hard by COVID-19</a></li>
<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/racial-ethnic-minorities.html">COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups</a></li>
<li>Pew Research Center: <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/06/04/black-americans-face-higher-covid-19-risks-are-more-hesitant-to-trust-medical-scientists-get-vaccinated/">Black Americans face higher COVID-19 risks, are more hesitant to trust medical scientists, get vaccinated</a></li>
<li>The Washington Post: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/06/study-finds-that-disproportionately-black-counties-account-more-than-half-covid-19-cases-us-nearly-60-percent-deaths/">Disproportionately black counties account for over half of coronavirus cases in the U.S. and nearly 60% of deaths, study find</a>s</li>
</ul>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-49667865809605638732020-06-01T08:00:00.000-04:002020-07-01T08:46:41.151-04:00Higher Education's Response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) from an Equity FrameworkMany countries have temporarily shut down many anchor institutions during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is nowhere more apparent than in the higher education sector. The respiratory disease compelled many colleges and universities to cancel in-person classes, close residential halls and food courts, suspend in-person events and athletic competitions, and shift to remote learning and work arrangements mid-way through the spring terms. Campus leaders are grappling everyday with how to properly direct their students, faculty, and staff through such unprecedented times. While many college campuses announced plans to reopen in the fall with social distancing policies in place according to municipal, state, and federal guidelines, other institutions are considering virtual or hybrid (a combination of virtual and in-person) classroom formats.
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Below is a list of relevant online resources that will aid provosts, senior administrators, department chairs, faculty, and student affairs professionals during this catastrophic crisis. It is essential that colleges and universities include an equity framework in their COVID-19 response. Our most vulnerable populations--African Americans, Latino/as, senior citizens, and the economically disadvantaged--are at a higher risk of contracting and dying from the disease. <b><a href="https://michgirlcafe.blogspot.com/2020/04/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19.html">Click here</a></b> to read an overview of federal resources to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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<b>Higher Education Guidance, Resources, and News</b>
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<ul>
<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-ihe-response.html">Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Institutions of Higher Education</a></li>
<li>U.S. Department of Education: <a href="https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus">COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel</a></li>
<li>American Association of University Professors (AAUP): <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=" https:="" issues="" www.aaup.org="">Coronavirus Resources: Statements, Guidance, Webinars, Chapter Action, and Collaboration with American Federation of Teachers (AFT)</a></li>
<li>Midwest Higher Education Council: <a href="https://www.mhec.org/coronavirus">Coronavirus</a> (an expansive listing of federal, state, and association responses to COVID-19) </li>
<li>National Conference of State Legislatures: <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/higher-education-responses-to-coronavirus-covid-19.aspx">Higher Education Responses to Coronavirus</a> (COVID-19)</li>
<li>Inside Higher Ed: <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/coronavirus" target="_blank">Live Updates: Latest News on Coronavirus and Higher Education</a></li>
</ul>
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<b>COVID-19 and Equity Considerations </b>
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<ul>
<li>American Medical Association: <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/health-equity/covid-19-health-equity-resources">COVID-19 health equity resources </a></li>
<li>American Public Health Association: <a href="https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/communicable-disease/coronavirus/equity">COVID-19 and Equity</a> </li>
<li>Center for Urban and Racial Equity: <a href="https://urbanandracialequity.org/covid19equitableresponse/">Equitable Response Community Commons</a></li>
<li>The Education Trust: <a href="https://edtrust.org/resource/a-higher-education-equity-agenda-in-response-to-covid-19/">A Higher Education Equity Agenda in Response to COVID-19</a></li>
<li>National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: <a href="https://naacp.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-equity-considerations/">Coronavirus Equity Considerations</a></li>
<li>Inside Higher Ed: <a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/learning-innovation/challenge-equity-higher-education-under-covid-19">The Challenge of Equity in Higher Education Under COVID-19</a>
</li>
</ul>
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-34084786567845625292020-05-21T08:00:00.000-04:002020-05-27T13:59:49.505-04:00Professional Certificates for Macro Social Workers Lifelong learning is is important for personal and professional development. First, it enhances our understanding of the world around us. Second, it provides us with more opportunities for career advancement. Social workers and allied professionals in particular are required to obtain continuing education units (CEUs) for licensing renewal. CEUs are typically offered as a course, workshop, or webinar by universities, agencies, and associations. However, practicing macro social workers may encounter challenges in finding relevant content in macro practice settings (e.g., administration and leadership; advocacy and organizing; community-based initiatives; policy analysis and implementation; program development for organizations and communities; and research and evaluation). However, the majority of social work continuing education offerings are targeted for social workers in clinical or psychiatric settings. Generally, topics will focus on issues related to mental health and wellness with individuals and small groups. As a result, practicing macro social workers have to pursue a strategic approach towards continuing education that meets our needs.<br />
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What is the difference between a certification and a certificate?<br />
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<b>Certification typically </b>involves an exam administered by a third-party organization, such as the <a href="https://www.aswb.org/" target="_blank">Association of Social Work Boards</a> (ASWB). The ASWB offers five different types of exams for early-career social workers: Associate, Bachelor, Master, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical. The exams allow social workers to qualify for licensure in the states where they will work, depending on their level of education and practice area. For most professionals, certifications must be renewed on a regular basis. Obtaining relevant CEUs is part of the licensing renewal process. Certification recognizes achievement among professionals who meet the established knowledge, skills, and competencies in their industry. <br />
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<b>Certificates</b> are designed to respond to demand in a specific industry. These programs, which are offered for-credit or non-for-credit by educational institutions, follow a designated curriculum, have intended learning outcomes, and lead to an earned credential upon successful completion of the coursework. Certificate programs are typically shorter than master's programs. Since certificates are narrow in scope, the goal is for professionals to acquire specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies.<br />
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For example, two top-ranked social work programs--University of Maryland and University of Michigan--offer several innovative macro-oriented professional certificate programs for social workers:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/cpe/certificate-programs/" target="_blank">University of Maryland School of Social Work</a><br />
<ul>
<li>Financial Social Work Certificate Program</li>
<li>Human Services Leadership and Management Certificate </li>
</ul>
<a href="https://ssw.umich.edu/offices/continuing-education/certificate-courses" target="_blank">University of Michigan School of Social Work </a><br />
<ul>
<li>Online Certificate Program in Mixed Methods Research</li>
<li>Online Certificate Program in Political Social Work</li>
</ul>
I provided examples of the broad range of professional certificates available at educational institutions. CEUs can also be obtained at conferences and events sponsored by industry-specific associations. The following areas may be of interest to macro social workers:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Global health and social development</li>
<li>Higher education and student affairs </li>
<li>Intergroup relations and conflict resolution </li>
<li>Law and legal methods </li>
<li>Nonprofit management </li>
<li>Program evaluation and assessment</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-54368814925899343392020-04-13T08:00:00.000-04:002020-06-02T01:13:27.834-04:00Guidebook: Human Service Management Competencies for Social WorkersSocial workers and allied professionals need access to best practices on managing public and private service organizations. In 2018, the Network for Social Work Management (NSWM) composed and released a guidebook (2018) of human service management competencies that every experienced and academically trained social worker should know for the successful management of both public and private nonprofit organizations.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>For <strong>Professionals</strong>, the guidebook provides the framework to four domains: Executive Leadership, Resource Management, Strategic Management and Community Collaboration.</li>
<li>For <strong>University Staff</strong>, the guidebook offers a curriculum check-list (coursework, field education, and other educational opportunities) to ensure that social work (MSW) programs offer leadership development for students and professionals.
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
From the NSWM <a href="https://socialworkmanager.org/competencies/">website</a>:
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<em>"These are not intended to be minimum competencies, but are descriptions of the level of practice that are expected of experienced and academically trained professionals. Social workers practicing management at any level are encouraged to review these competencies, making use of the Self-Assessment form available through the Network office, to determine their own skill level and to develop an individual plan for upgrading their management performance."</em></blockquote>
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<br />
<br />
As a MSW graduate who specialized in management and community practice, these competencies would help professionals, universities, and even state licensing boards develop uniform practice standards for human service management. While prominent organizations such as NSWM and ACOSA (Association for Community Organization and Social Administration) exist to assist macro-practice social workers, more information is needed to better prepare social workers for careers in nonprofit and public management. Many social workers enter the field without considering management as an option. Click <a href="https://socialworkmanager.org/competencies/">here </a>to explore and download the guidebook.
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-21666787718951588072020-04-01T07:00:00.000-04:002020-06-15T09:49:56.078-04:00Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources<div>
The United States and the global community are experiencing unpredictable and challenging times to combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Also known as novel coronavirus, COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It is contagious and has affected people around the world. The most common symptoms include coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include pain or pressure in the chest, lost of taste or smell, inability to wake or stay awake, and bluish lips or face. Senior citizens and people with pre-existing medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure) are most at risk of becoming severely ill from the virus. As of March 31, 2020, there is no known cure (vaccine) for the COVID-19 virus.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Doctors, health experts and elected officials have warned the public to stay indoors, wash their hands frequently with soap and water, and avoid contact with infected people. Additionally, workplaces have shifted to remote work environments. On the other hand, thousands of workers have either been furloughed or laid off from their jobs. Several governors have instituted stay-at-home orders to slow down the spread of the disease among the population. In general, these are unprecedented circumstances that require focus, support, and relief, particularly for those in need. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The federal government is helping workers, families, and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus. On March 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into the law the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3548/text" target="_blank">Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act</a> (CARES) Act. This stimulus package is meant to address the economic failout of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, here are a list of recommended sources for Americans to stay up-to-date on the evolving outbreak:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html" target="_blank">Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)</a></li>
<li>Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/checklist-household-ready.html" target="_blank">Checklist to Get Ready for COVID-19</a></li>
<li>Johns Hopkins University & Medicine: <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/" target="_blank">Coronavrius Resource Center</a></li>
<li>NASPA - Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education: <a href="https://www.naspa.org/project/covid-19-resources" target="_blank">COVID-19 Resources</a></li>
<li>National Association of Social Workers: <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Infectious-Diseases/Coronavirus" target="_blank">Coronavirus (COVID-19)</a></li>
<li>National Council of Nonprofits: <a href="https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/nonprofits-and-coronavirus-covid-19" target="_blank">Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19</a></li>
<li>National Governors Association: <a href="https://www.nga.org/coronavirus/" target="_blank">What You Need to Know about the Coronavirus</a></li>
<li>National Institute of Health's National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases: <a href="https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus" target="_blank">Coronaviruses</a></li>
<li>Society for Human Resource Management: <a href="https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/Pages/coronavirus-resources.aspx" target="_blank">Coronavirus Resources</a></li>
<li>U.S. Department of Education: <a href="https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus" target="_blank">COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel</a></li>
<li>U.S. Department of Labor: <a href="https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus" target="_blank">Coronavirus Resources</a></li>
<li>U.S. Small Business Administration: <a href="https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources" target="_blank">Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
Finally, follow your state's guidelines on essential services, social distancing, and travel. Be safe and stay well!</div>
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-31675775908801343522019-10-28T08:00:00.000-04:002019-10-28T08:00:07.855-04:00Webinar: CSWE's Macro Social Work Practice Curricular GuideThe Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) presented a webinar on its publication, <b><a href="https://cswe.org/getattachment/Education-Resources/2015-Curricular-Guides/2015-Macro-Guide-Web-Version.pdf.aspx" target="_blank">Specialized Practice Curricular Guide for Macro Social Work Practice</a></b> (2015). The 300-page guide book categories macro social work under three primary focus areas: organizational administration; community organizing, and policy practice. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the nine professional competencies for macro social work practice.Each competency contains vignettes, case studies, classroom exercises, and additional resources for social work professors. The final section presents guidelines and frameworks for macro practice field education. The nine professional competencies for macro social work practice include the following:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior</li>
<li>Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice</li>
<li>Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice</li>
<li>Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice</li>
<li>Engage in Policy Practice</li>
<li>Engagement with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities</li>
<li>Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities</li>
<li>Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities</li>
<li>Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities </li>
</ol>
<br />
This guide book is part of CSWE's Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Printed copies are available for purchase at info [at] cswe.org. The webinar recording (September 4, 2019) can be viewed <a href="https://www.cswe.org/Education-Resources/CSWEducation-Connections" target="_blank">here</a>. Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-78373902298539755192019-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:002019-10-26T08:00:07.685-04:00The Atlantic: The Disciplines Where No Black People Earn Ph.D.s<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/04/lack-of-black-doctoral-students/587413/" target="_blank">The Atlantic</a> published a piece about the obstacles in enrolling in doctoral programs in the U.S. The more prestigious Ph.D. programs have more funding, resources, and greater likelihood placing graduates into tenure-track faculty positions. But black doctoral students are few in number. The reason why students from underrepresented backgrounds--black applicants in particular--face obstacles in Ph.D. admission has to do with having the right research topic to having the right social connections.<br />
<blockquote>
<i>Before experience becomes a material issue, though, a student must first get into a doctoral program, which can be a chore all its own. It is typically up to departmental faculty to decide who does and who does not get into a Ph.D. program, and “there can be a lot of politics in play that keep black students from being admitted,” Commodore told me. There could be a lack of enthusiasm about an applicant’s topic or research interest, or some students might not come with the same social capital—recommendations from noted or well-connected faculty in the field—that others might.
</i></blockquote>
Once they are admitted into a Ph.D. program, black students are more likely to borrow to finance their graduate education:<br />
<blockquote>
<i>Then, after they are admitted, there is the question of cost. Black college students borrow at higher rates than any other racial group, and they are more likely to default on those student loans. “Imagine coming out of school with a bachelor’s degree, with such a debt burden,” Lorelle Espinosa, vice president for research at the American Council on Education (ACE), told me. “Students are thinking, I don’t have a safety net for this debt. Am I really up for going for an advanced degree where I’ll find myself in even more debt?”</i></blockquote>
In 2017, there were more than a dozen fields in which not a single
doctoral degree was awarded to a black person anywhere in the United
States. If Ph.D. programs are not admitting black applicants and those who are lucky to attend must borrow to survive, this trend could have repercussions for the future of black faculty in higher education. When minority students are demanding higher education institutions to hire more faculty who share similar cultural experiences, Ph.D. programs are not admitting enough black applicants. This is a lost opportunity for research on issues that could inform and improve the well-being of black communities. <br />
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-26168168344704545212019-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:002019-05-13T08:00:18.020-04:00Review: Toxic Inequality (2017)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Inequality-Americas-Destroys-Threatens/dp/0465046932/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=toxic+inequality&qid=1556378108&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=li3&tag=michgirlstore-20&linkId=951d3b5980d06db3d8f729596129d00e&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0465046932&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=0465046932" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<b><a href="https://amzn.to/2GMLic8">Toxic Inequality: How America’s Wealth Gap Destroys Mobility, Deepens the Racial Divide, and Threatens Our Future</a></b> (2017), by Thomas Shapiro, is a professor at the Heller School for Social Policy and the Director of the Institute on Assets and Social Policy Brandeis University. He is the leading figure on racial inequality and public policy.
<br />
<br />
From the book cover:
<br />
<blockquote>
<i>
Since the Great Recession, most Americans' standard of living has stagnated or declined. Economic inequality is at historic highs. But inequality's impact differs by race; African Americans' net wealth is just a tenth that of white Americans, and over recent decades, white families have accumulated wealth at three times the rate of black families. In our increasingly diverse nation, sociologist Thomas M. Shapiro argues, wealth disparities must be understood in tandem with racial inequities--a dangerous combination he terms "toxic inequality."
<br />
<br />
In Toxic Inequality, Shapiro reveals how these forces combine to trap families in place. Following nearly two hundred families of different races and income levels over a period of twelve years, Shapiro's research vividly documents the recession's toll on parents and children, the ways families use assets to manage crises and create opportunities, and the real reasons some families build wealth while others struggle in poverty. The structure of our neighborhoods, workplaces, and tax code-much more than individual choices-push some forward and hold others back. A lack of assets, far more common in families of color, can often ruin parents' careful plans for themselves and their children.
</i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
i an a fan of Shapiro's work, which has generated much discussion on the widening racial wealth gap and economic inequality in the U.S. He uses a sociological lens to examine how years of homeownership, household income, and unemployment created racial disparities in wealth between white families and black families. Although the Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited housing discrimination on the basis of race, it has not stopped the practice of redlining. Black neighborhoods tend to have lower home equities than white neighborhoods which has huge implications on intergenerational wealth. Black families also tend to live in neighborhoods with higher proportion of blacks (or adjacent to working-class neighborhoods) than white families. For the past fifty years, black families have been playing catch-up to white families but neoliberal policies and the Great Recession eliminated much of black wealth. Overall, I highly recommend the book because it is easy to understand for the general audience to see that black families are NOT on an equal playing field with white families when it comes to wealth accumulation.
<br />
<br />
I would even further argue that this data supports why affirmative action is still necessary in elite college admissions. With fewer assets, black families are less likely to afford test preparation programs that can boost their child's scores on the SAT (which is poor predictor of college success) and must rely on student loans to finance their children's college educations. As the recent <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/us/college-admissions-cheating-scandal.html">college admissions cheating scandal</a> revealed, these racial inequities create an unfair advantage to already privileged students who do not have to financially struggle to gain admission into elite colleges and universities.
<br />
<br />
If you have not read Thomas Shapiro's previous books, I highly recommend his other phenomenal books, <a href="https://amzn.to/2PCY3Jq">Black Wealth/White Wealth</a> (2006) and <a href="https://amzn.to/2DBBVKm">The Hidden Cost of Being African Americans</a> (2005).
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<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0415951674&asins=0415951674&linkId=d1a4eaec8644c22ed88c5bbffee321cf&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-42798166243325301302019-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:002019-04-29T08:00:04.331-04:00Review: The Gilded Years (2016)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gilded-Years-Novel-Karin-Tanabe/dp/1501110454/ref=as_li_ss_il?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1500746677&sr=1-1&keywords=the+gilded+years&linkCode=li3&tag=michgirlstore-20&linkId=e2b99e296705d6d9f7d495b0855dff2f&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1501110454&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=1501110454" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<b><a href="https://amzn.to/2UYkLkZ">The Gilded Years</a></b> (2016), by Karin Tanabe, is a historical fiction novel. It is based on the true story of Anita Florence Hemmings, the first African American woman to attend Vassar College, a prestigious women's college, in the 1890s. As the descendants of slaves, Hemmings passed as white so that she could enter Vassar and finds herself in the elite world of aristocrats and capitalists. She is treated as an wealthy, highly-educated white woman until she got attached to the wrong person--who could unravel everything she risked to accomplish for a better life. <i>Passing</i> meets <i>House of Mirth</i> in this best-selling historical novel on how race, gender and class intersected to influence social mobility and access to higher education during America's Gilded Age.
<br />
<br />
From the book cover:
<br />
<blockquote>
<i>Since childhood, Anita Hemmings has longed to attend the country’s most exclusive school for women, Vassar College. Now, a bright, beautiful senior in the class of 1897, she is hiding a secret that would have banned her from admission: Anita is the only African-American student ever to attend Vassar. With her olive complexion and dark hair, this daughter of a janitor and descendant of slaves has successfully passed as white, but now finds herself rooming with Louise “Lottie” Taylor, the scion of one of New York’s most prominent families.
<br />
<br />
<i>Though Anita has kept herself at a distance from her classmates, Lottie’s sphere of influence is inescapable, her energy irresistible, and the two become fast friends. Pulled into her elite world, Anita learns what it’s like to be treated as a wealthy, educated white woman—the person everyone believes her to be—and even finds herself in a heady romance with a moneyed Harvard student. It’s only when Lottie becomes infatuated with Anita’s brother, Frederick, whose skin is almost as light as his sister’s, that the situation becomes particularly perilous. And as Anita’s college graduation looms, those closest to her will be the ones to dangerously threaten her secret.</i></i></blockquote>
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<br />
I read this historical novel for a graduate-level course on the history of higher education. I had no idea that this novel would bring back memories of my own undergraduate courses on African American Literature. The early 20th century was considered the "nadir era" where both legal segregation (Jim Crow laws) and increasing racial violence were common occurrences against African Americans. For example, Harlem Renaissance writers such as Nella Larsen ("Passing", "Quicksand") and James Weldon Johnson ("The Autobiography of the Ex-Colored Man") knew about the dangers of passing for American Americans of mixed-race ancestry. Some made this choice to achieve upward social mobility and to escape the racial terror that limited educational and employment opportunities for African Americans. Those who did pass successfully had to completely detach themselves from their former lives, including their relatives and acquaintances who might expose their hidden secrets. Tanabe adds to this literary tradition to portray the danger and loss that occurs when one decides to pass and never look back.
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<br />
I was so thrilled to read <i>Gilded Years</i> because I could apply my background on race and educational inequality in a historical novel that intrigued me. Tanabe, who is also a Vassar alumna, does an excellent job of creating the setting for the Gilded Age. Anita's story takes her from her working-class neighborhood of Roxbury, Boston to the wealthy parts of Boston and New York City. The Gilded Age was a period of industrialization, the rise of modern capitalism, and imperialism abroad. It was also a dark, racist period in American history where African Americans were largely excluded from attending elite colleges. It is remarkable then that the real <a href="https://vq.vassar.edu/issues/2002/01/features/passing-as-white.html">Anita Florence Hemmings (Class of 1897)</a> (see picture on the right) represented one of the very few black women who was able to pursue an elite college education. Although she was a descendant of slaves, her light complexion was often mistaken for a Mediterranean look. Had she marked down "colored" on her application, her admittance surely would have been rejected. Despite this physical advantage, as the book reveals, her college peers start to question her ancestry weeks before graduation and her true racial identity is discovered in a tragic way. The real lesson then is, despite her academic accomplishments, not even Anita could escape America's obsession with race and the toll it would have on her family.
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<br />
I highly recommend this novel. Meanwhile, I heard <a href="https://stories.vassar.edu/2018/180126-vassars-first-black-graduate.html">great news</a> that Tanabe's novel may soon hit the big screens. Sony’s TriStar Pictures has won the worldwide rights to the psychological thriller “A White Lie,” produced by Reese Witherspoon and staring Zendaya as the first African-American woman to graduate from Vassar College. Stay tuned for further updates!
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<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1420952366&asins=1420952366&linkId=6191b27c38744335d60157573c6e10de&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-39851235629626763362019-04-22T06:00:00.000-04:002019-04-22T06:00:03.903-04:00CSWE Releases Report on the Careers of Social Work Graduates In April 2019, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) recently released a report on the careers of social work graduates. The report, <b><a href="https://www.cswe.org/CSWE/media/Workforce-Study/2018-Social-Work-Workforce-Report-Final.pdf?platform=hootsuite">From Social Work Education to Social Work Practice: Results of the Survey of 2018 Social Work Graduates</a></b>, The George Washington University's Health Workforce Institute surveyed graduates of more than 100 MSW and BSW programs across the country to better understand the job market for social workers and the demographic background of new social workers, their educational and career pathways, employment outcomes, and job satisfaction. Below are the key findings from the report:
<br />
<ul>
<li>Social workers are employed in a wide variety of settings
serving clients with diverse needs. More than a third of MSW graduates focused on children and families, and a quarter focused on mental health issues.
</li>
<li>Most social workers are employed at private not-for-profit organizations, health-care organizations, and government agencies.
</li>
<li>Most new MSW graduates are providing direct services to individuals, families, and groups. <b>Relatively few (7.8%) are providing indirect social work services, such as public policy, administration, management; planning; program evaluation; and research.
</b></li>
<li>More than three-quarters of MSW graduates are entering social work jobs, although not all such jobs require an MSW. More than 17% of MSW graduates are
going into positions that do not have social work titles but in which they are using their social work education and skills.
</li>
<li>The profession is largely female; there are some differences in practice patterns by race and gender.
</li>
<li>Salaries of new MSWs are relatively low for individuals with a master’s degree.
</li>
<li><b>Online education offers access to educational opportunities in rural and semi-rural areas and to African Americans.
</b></li>
<li>The job market for new MSWs is mixed: There are opportunities, but many are not what the new graduates are looking for and the pay is lower than desired.
</li>
<li>More than one of three jobs taken by new graduates were with organizations with which the graduates had field placements during their social work education.
</li>
<li>The majority (80 percent) of new MSWs plan to become licensed clinical social workers.
</li>
</ul>
Not surprisingly, macro social work practice ("indirect social work") is severely underrepresented in the social work profession. This reflects social work curriculum primarily focusing on clinical practice (I have nothing against clinical work, but we also need more social workers doing advocacy work in addition to providing direct assistance to high-need populations). This reflects two factors: (1) schools' unwillingness to invest in macro social work curriculum, and the (2) state licensing boards refusing to offer licensure in macro social work. Some states, such as Michigan, do offer a macro practice licensure, but the vast majority of states do not offer this option. For example, the ASWB (which is the equivalent of a state bar exam for lawyers) offers the Clinical and Advanced Generalist exams. Clearly, the latter option could incentivize states to offer macro practice licensure.
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Another surprise is the increasing use of online education ("distance learning") in social work education, especially among African Americans. Rural students who live more than 30 miles from a social work school would benefit under online education. But why are more African Americans shifting to online education? Researchers need to look into why students are seeking online education over brick-and-mortar schools. Is it cost? Is it convenience? The urban areas, in particular, tend to offer many social work schools. Does online education provide a means for some students to keep their day jobs and attend school at the same time? A problem with most social work schools is that they generally offer daytime instruction and prioritize full-time enrollment. While this scheduling works for young college graduates with few family responsibilities, it is not feasible for working parents who need full-time employment to cover child care expenses and transportation.<br />
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Overall, this report was timely and necessary to gain a better sense of the social work profession. More work needs to be done to promote macro social work practice and provide more scheduling options for working parents. My recommendation for macro practice social workers is to pursue another degree (e.g., public policy, law, business, education) in your field that will give you a leg up both in terms of salaries and career advancement. Macro social workers have to be entrepreneurial to employers on how the skills they learned in social work can transfer into a non-social work-title position. It is my hope that policymakers use this report to improve social work education. Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-70335742129016795242019-04-14T08:00:00.000-04:002019-04-14T23:55:40.198-04:00New Short Film: Segregated by Design by Richard Rothstein <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Color-Law-Forgotten-Government-Segregated/dp/1631492853/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li3&tag=michgirlstore-20&linkId=0f6bdf09e46039ed737b420c915a0f99&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1631492853&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US" /></a>This short film was just released on August 8, 2019!! <br />
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"Segregated By Design" examines the forgotten history of how our federal, state and local governments unconstitutionally segregated every major metropolitan area in America through law and policy. This legacy of segregation in cities across the country (through a practice known as redlining) had deep social and economic repercussions on African Americans, in terms of where they could live, where they could attend school, and how they could generate wealth. The short film (about 18 minutes) is based on the best-selling book, <a href="https://amzn.to/2InHa4L">The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America</a> by Richard Rothstein, by Richard Rothstein. The book is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and your local bookseller.
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From Economic Policy Institute (EPI):
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<blockquote>
<i>“Segregated by Design,” a short film based on The Color of Law by EPI distinguished fellow Richard Rothstein, examines the forgotten history of how federal, state, and local governments used law and policy to segregate every major metropolitan area in the U.S. The film illustrates how racially explicit, unconstitutional policies created patterns of residential segregation that persist today, driving Rothstein’s conclusion that we are obligated to remedy it. “Segregated by Design” premiered at the American Documentary Film Festival on March 29 in Palm Springs, California.</i></blockquote>
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The key takeaway is that segregation was not by choice. Discriminatory public policies at the local, state and federal level forced African Americans to live in segregated neighborhoods not of their own choosing. This legacy has led to structural inequalities that persist to this day. <a href="https://www.segregatedbydesign.com/?utm_source=Economic+Policy+Institute&utm_campaign=6fede9f436-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_22_11_12_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e7c5826c50-6fede9f436-59122345&mc_cid=6fede9f436&mc_eid=4bcd89168e">Click here</a> to watch the film.
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NPR also created an excellent short video on the history of race and redlining in the United States:
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O5FBJyqfoLM" width="480"></iframe>
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<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=1631492853&asins=1631492853&linkId=f2d75aefe6828a7554755fa161d58576&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-38162322486193426482019-04-09T19:06:00.001-04:002019-04-14T23:57:06.131-04:00Review: Great Job for Sociology Majors - Third Edition (2009)<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Jobs-Sociology-Majors/dp/0071544828/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li3&tag=michgirlstore-20&linkId=7ae37d86e3d7d203fc8c7ad982dc0fe8&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0071544828&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=0071544828" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2Ko7yxb">Great Job for Sociology Majors - Third Edition</a></b> (2008) by Stephen Lambert is a comprehensive career guide book that highlights the myriad of careers that someone can do with a sociology major. I picked this book because sociology was one of my specializations in college. This book helps students and recent college graduates on how to present a major in sociology as a workplace asset during an interview, how to conduct a job search, and ways to use the major in sociology in the real world. The advice on cover letter and resume are very useful for recent college graduates on how to craft their skills and work experience in sociology for future employers.
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The book covers five common career paths with a major in sociology:
<br />
<ol>
<li>Human Services (Community Organizations and Social Services)
</li>
<li>Human Resources Management
</li>
<li>Public Employment
</li>
<li>Social Research and Data Analysis
</li>
<li>Teaching with an Advanced Degree (Master's and Ph.D.)
</li>
</ol>
The major in sociology, as you can tell above, is an ideal preparation for careers in social work, education, public policy, law, and the private sector. Lambert, who is a career counselor by training, does an excellent job breaking down sociological concepts to real-world application. If you think your sociology major has on real value, Lambert helps you re-think that idea. If your specialization is sociology of the family, then it's ideal background for work with children and youth in social service agencies. Do you like learning how human relations operate in the workplace? That sociology of labor coursework is ideal for careers in human resources management. Sociology has portable skills; thus, the possibilities are endless. Lambert outlines how to conduct a self-assessment of your personal values, skills, areas for improvement, and long-term goals. Then he identifies what it is like to work in that career path from recommended skills to employment outlook. He also provides a listing (directory) of organizations in the common career paths. Overall, I believe this book is a great resource for those who are seeking ideas on what career to pursue. The content is still relevant even a decade later.
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<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=0071544828&asins=0071544828&linkId=652aae8239cb332c91b31881fad94eaf&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-68162373374390320392019-03-15T07:00:00.000-04:002019-04-14T23:57:37.532-04:00Review: SAGE Guide to Social Work Careers (2019)<a href="https://amzn.to/2SBIql6" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://amzn.to/2SBIql6" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1544324715&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US" /></a><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=1544324715" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="https://amzn.to/2SBIql6">SAGE Guide to Social Work Careers: Your Journey to Advocacy</a></b> (2019) by Melissa Bird, PhD is a career book about macro social work practice. Unlike the other career books, this book does not focus on clinical work. Rather, it provides guidance for social work students whose dreams and aspirations are leading them toward a career in social justice and advocacy work. In macro social work, students learn this under other names such as community practice or policy practice. Ultimately this book provides students and professionals with a strategy that can be used to effect broad policy change in all political climates: community engagement, policy and legislation.
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Each chapter has stories from the profession, job descriptions from the practice area, as well as advocacy and policy examples in each practice area. I am thankful for this book because there is little literature out there that focuses specifically on the needs of macro social workers. Macro social work practice is underrepresented in the social work profession, yet the origins and foundation of social work is rooted in macro-level processes (e.g. the settlement house movement, Progressive era, and New Deal policies such as Social Security, disability insurance, workers' compensation, and so forth). This timely book, based on the author's own experience as a social worker in political advocacy, is needed to encourage more social work students that they can have a career in macro social work practice. While the career path is more entrepreneurial than the typical requirements for a clinical social worker, the experiences gained can be rewarding and life-changing, particularly if you work on a policy that will benefit a population in need. Overall, I highly recommend this invaluable resource for anyone who is considering macro social work practice. I believe that everyone should follow their passion and use the available resources to turn those aspirations into a career, whether it's through direct work with individuals or advocating on behalf of groups in the policy arena. Social work is not simply clinical work; it a microcosm of the different ways in which we as a profession effect social change.
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This book contains the following chapters:
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<ol>
<li>Follow Your Passion, Not Just a Path
</li>
<li>Poverty
</li>
<li>Child Welfare
</li>
<li>Health Care
</li>
<li>Disability
</li>
<li>Mental Health
</li>
<li>Substance Abuse
</li>
<li>Aging
</li>
<li>Criminal Justice
</li>
<li>Advice for Moving Forward (resume, interview, etc.)
</li>
</ol>
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<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=1544324715&asins=1544324715&linkId=af3125c9fca3314dbb12716806abd028&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-63457611649637831632019-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:002019-04-15T00:01:09.611-04:00Review: Careers in Human Services (2015)<a href="https://amzn.to/2EG2wHh" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://amzn.to/2EG2wHh" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1619257785&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US" /></a><b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=1619257785" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="https://amzn.to/2XrwMx7">Careers in Human Services</a></b> (2015) by Michael Shally-Jensen, PhD is a comprehensive occupational guidebook that contains 25 chapters describing specific fields of interest in the human services. It provides the necessary insight into potential careers and instruction on what job seekers can expect in terms of training, advancement, earnings, job prospects, working conditions, relevant associations, and more. Each chapter comes with fun facts, famous firsts, photos, and charts and tables, including projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and median annual salaries or wages for those occupations profiled. A highlight of each chapter is the interviews with a professional working in a related job sharing their personal career paths, detail potential for career advancement, and advice for students. The guidebook is specifically designed for undergraduate students or those changing careers.
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Social Work is one of the chapters in the guidebook. The first section provided a snapshot with career cluster, interests, earnings, and employment outlook. The overview focused on the sphere of work ("Social workers are social service professionals committed to improving the social and behavioral lives of individuals, families, and communities." Macro social workers are labeled as "administrative social workers" who engage in research, policy, and administration. Interestingly, the profile section includes the type of people drawn to the social worker profession and the Holland Interest Score, a career inventory that measures your personality under six occupational categories. This makes me want to take a Holland Interest Test! There is extensive coverage on the duties and responsibilities of social workers by practice area (child welfare, school, psychiatric, etc.) as well as relevant skills and abilities in the physical and human environment. The second section focused on education and training. It starts with high school/secondary preparation and continues with recommended college majors. There is detail on the professional licensure requirements and the importance of joining a professional social work association. All of this information is helpful and conducive for someone who is new to careers. The third section focused on earnings and advancement. The guidebook offers a hourly wage chart for social workers by metropolitan areas which is useful when one must consider regional economic differences. It concludes with an interview with a clinical social worker, selected schools that offer MSW programs, and websites of professional social work associations.
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<br />
Overall, I found this guidebook to be wonderful for young readers who might be intimidated by career books and want a gradual introduction to human services. It doesn't only focus on social work but related fields like psychologist or the clergy. For someone who wants to help individuals and communities but have not decided on a precise occupation, this is the right book for you to explore and learn. I highly recommend it.
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<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=michgirlstore-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=1619257785&asins=1619257785&linkId=8d7f8cb7962c5ebf05b23abcf8dce6f2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-53699773327481251772019-03-01T06:00:00.000-05:002019-03-01T06:00:01.046-05:00Social Work Month 2019 Theme: Elevate Social WorkThe 2019 theme for Social Work Month is <b>Elevate Social Work</b>. From <a href="https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month">NASW website</a>:
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<blockquote>
<em>Every day, the nation's 680,000 social workers work to empower and elevate millions of people, including some of the most vulnerable in our society.
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<br />
National Professional Social Work Month in March 2019 is an opportunity for social workers around the nation and world and their supporters to educate the public about the invaluable contributions of the profession.
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And we will also use the month to begin a conversation on how to boost the pay of social workers, which continues to lag behind that of other helping professions.</blockquote></em>
March also has World Social Work Day. The 2019 theme is "Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships." From IFSW website:
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<blockquote>
<em>The 2019 world social work day highlights ‘Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships’.
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World Social Work Day is on the 19th March 2019. It is the key day in the year that social workers worldwide stand together to celebrate the achievements of the profession and take the theme message into their communities, workplaces and to their governments to raise awareness of the social work contributions and need for further action.
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This year’s theme focuses on the social relationships between people’s essential relationships with each other, their environments and their futures.</blockquote></em>
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-74448890687208497252019-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:002019-01-26T08:00:06.425-05:00NPQ: The Organic Role of Libraries as Centers of Inclusiveness and SupportThe Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ) has a very interesting story on the evolving role of public libraries as community centers. As a result, librarians are increasingly finding themselves in the role of social service provision, even though that was not their primary responsibilities (and certainly not their training in graduate school!). Public libraries are forming partnerships with social workers to become more inclusive and supportive in addressing the diverse needs of marginalized populations in the community. I remember San Francisco became the first major public library system to hire a social worker on their staff. Public libraries are more than just books--librarians and paraprofessionals must be cognizant of social problems in the community like affordable housing and other adverse challenges. Below is an <a href="https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2019/01/24/the-organic-role-of-libraries-as-centers-of-inclusiveness-and-support/">excerpt</a>:
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<blockquote><em>People may check out fewer books from libraries than they used to, but libraries have continued to grow as their role as community hubs deepens. Here at NPQ, we have profiled libraries that have become maker spaces, supported gardening, and rented out musical instruments. In some cities, librarians have been trained to administer Narcan to interrupt opioid overdoses. In Ferguson and in Baltimore, as those cities were in a state of unrest after the killings of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray, respectively, the libraries served as sanctuaries, remaining open to the community. They have, in some cases, even been affordable housing partners. </em></blockquote>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-90754357021939170602019-01-19T11:23:00.000-05:002019-01-19T11:41:28.087-05:00Sign up for Smartbrief NewsletterEver wonder how you can find the latest industry news in one place? Smartbrief is an excellent website that brings the most important industry-specific news to you! Smartbrief editors curate top stories from more than 10,000 credible sources and summarize them for you. I receive their emails daily on industry topics such as <a href="https://www.smartbrief.com/industry/education">education</a> for instance. The news comes to me rather than me searching through individual websites. Sign up today!
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smartbrief.com/industry/education/educational-leadership">Educational Leadership</a>
<li><a href="https://www.smartbrief.com/industry/education/k-12">K-12 Education</a>
<li><a href="https://www.smartbrief.com/industry/education/higher-ed">Higher Education</a>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.hercjobs.org/">Higher Education Recruitment Consortium</a> (HERC) has their own <a href="https://www2.smartbrief.com/getLast.action?mode=sample&b=herc">Smartbrief </a>newsletter focused specifically on higher educaiton careers and employment trends. I haven't forgotten about social workers. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has their own <a href="https://www2.smartbrief.com/getLast.action?mode=last&b=NASW">Smartbrief</a> newsletter. This is a great resource for social workers who work in clinical and/or policy settings. Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-21171912270694278132019-01-01T13:30:00.000-05:002019-01-01T15:48:56.340-05:002018: A Year of Commemorating Civil Rights Happy New Year! 2018 was an incredibly busy year for me. It marked a major comeback for me in education. I am looking forward to spending more time building up this blog. I have exciting things planned for 2019. Expect more updates and posts on this blog. Before we start the new year, I want to reflect on an incredible year. 2018 was also a year to commemorate important events in civil rights history in America. More importantly, they were related to my research interests. Check them out below!
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<ol>
<li>50th Anniversary of the <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2SuPK2L">Kerner Commission Report</a></strong>: Formally known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, the Kerner Commission, named after its chair, Governor Otto Kerner, Jr. of Illinois, was an 11-member Presidential Commission established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in Executive Order 11365 to investigate the causes of the 1967 race riots in the United States and to provide recommendations for the future. This report was significant because Detroit was one of the cities that influenced the establishment of this government study.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K5uHe5LkkQw" width="459"></iframe>
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<li>50th Anniversary of the <strong><a href="https://amzn.to/2Vm3LBE">Fair Housing Act</a></strong>: Known as the Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination by direct providers of housing whose discriminatory practices make housing unavailable to persons because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IDo9mb6-su4" width="459"></iframe>
<li>50th anniversary of the <strong><a href="https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/poor-peoples-campaign">Poor People's Campaign</a></strong>: The Poor People's March on Washington was a 1968 effort to gain economic justice for poor people in the United States. It was organized by Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and carried out under the leadership of Ralph Abernathy in the wake of King's assassination.
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TJ4Knip-uAo" width="459"></iframe>
</ol>
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<br />
In 2018, my alma mater, Northwestern University, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/bursars-takeover/">Bursar's Office Takeover</a>. I visited the campus last summer to learn more about the legacy and impact of the student sit-in on the university. In 1968, more than 100 Northwestern students peacefully occupied the Bursar’s Office to protest the black student experience. It led to increasing black student enrollment and financial aid, to revised housing policies, to the expansion of “studies of black history and black culture,” among others. I would argue that this event inspired me to learn more about civil rights and social justice in college and beyond.
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<center><a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FCT5RW7/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07FCT5RW7&linkCode=as2&tag=michgirlstore-20&linkId=15b1aac67ddec4e2191483a357bfabfe"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07FCT5RW7&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&tag=michgirlstore-20" ></a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=michgirlstore-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07FCT5RW7" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> </center>
<p>To learn more about the history of the black student experience at Northwestern University, please check out this recent book release, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FCT5RW7/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=michgirlstore-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07FCT5RW7&linkId=b84b4d4d5eeff28c9e2e37a934debd4a"><em><strong>Voices and Visions: The Evolution of the Black Experience at Northwestern University (2018)</a></em></strong>.
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<blockquote><em>This volume shares the experiences of African American students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni who studied, worked, struggled and triumphed at Northwestern University from the late 19th century to the present. Through over fifty first person accounts, the stories of individuals and groups critical to the progression of the Black experience at Northwestern are used to reveal that evolution."</blockquote></em>
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-51977898351931990172018-09-30T13:21:00.000-04:002018-09-30T13:22:47.989-04:00Michigan, Harvard partner to solve poverty in DetroitThis is fantastic news for my hometown, Detroit. <a href="https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2018/09/harvard-president-bacow-michigan-poverty-opioids"></a> and <a href="https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2018/09/harvard-umichigan-partnership">Harvard University</a> have formed new partnerships to bring actionable change through research and community engagement. With Harvard's new president, Lawrence Bacow, a native Michigander, supporting the effort, this project will bring immense opportunities for researchers to study and propose effective interventions that help the residents of Detroit.
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From the alumni magazine, <a href="http://michigantoday.umich.edu/u-m-harvard-join-forces-2/">Michigan Today</a>:
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<blockquote><em>The University of Michigan and Harvard University are forming two new partnerships designed to spur economic mobility and reduce poverty in Detroit, as well as combine resources and expertise in response to the national opioid crisis.
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The Equality of Opportunity Project — led by Harvard faculty members Raj Chetty and Nathaniel Hendren and Brown University’s John Friedman — will work with U-M’s Poverty Solutions initiative, led by Luke Shaefer, U-M faculty member and Poverty Solutions director.
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The universities will collaborate with the city of Detroit and local partners on an action plan to identify promising, results-based interventions for improving the livelihoods of low-income Detroit residents.</em></blockquote>Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-13832711554924898032018-04-01T15:44:00.000-04:002018-04-01T15:45:05.114-04:00AP study: Blacks largely left out among high-paying jobsThe black unemployment rate is still problematic fifty years after both the release of the <a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/50-years-after-the-kerner-commission/">Kerner Commission Report</a> and Martin Luther King's assassination. In one of his final speeches, King described the “Other America,” where unemployment and underemployment created a “fatigue of despair” for African-Americans. Today, this "Other America" has extended into the highest paid occupations, notably in the STEM fields, in cities ranging from a history of racial discord (Boston) to high cost-of-living (Silicon Valley).
<blockquote><strong>An <a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2018/03/31/black-professionals/33457979/">Associated Press analysis of government data</a> has found that black workers are chronically underrepresented compared with whites in high-salary jobs in technology, business, life sciences, and architecture and engineering, among other areas. Instead, many black workers find jobs in low-wage, less-prestigious fields where they’re overrepresented, such as food service or preparation, building maintenance and office work, the AP analysis found.</blockquote></strong>
Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6058445984944061388.post-45239496803549501932017-12-17T11:12:00.003-05:002017-12-17T11:12:58.159-05:00HuffPost: Millenial Generation Faces Scariest Financial Insecurity Greetings. I know that I have not maintained this blog frequently but I still exist! I wanted to share an interesting by Michael HObbes on the financial insecurity of the millennial generation in the <a href="http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/poor-millennials/">Huffington Post</a>. I agree with the premise of the article that millennials are facing the scariest financial future of any generation since the Great Depression. by Michael HObbes, who claims himself among the older side of millenials at the age of 35, debunks common myths and stereotypes associated with this generation as entitled an lazy.
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But the reality is that most young adults under 40 struggle with financial insecurity that their parents and grandparents never encountered in their lifetimes. This population of 70+ million is Saddled with staggering student loan debt, high cost of living (where half your monthly earnings goes to housing expenses), marrying at a later age, and less likely to own a home. We grew up during a time when wages became stagnated, looked for affordability and convenience in the shared economy. The vast majority cannot depend on their parents; almost 20% of adults between the ages of 18 and 34 lives in poverty. Hobbes writes:
<blockquote><em>What is different about us as individuals compared to previous generations is minor. What is different about the world around us is profound. Salaries have stagnated and entire sectors have cratered. At the same time, the cost of every prerequisite of a secure existence—education, housing and health care—has inflated into the stratosphere. From job security to the social safety net, all the structures that insulate us from ruin are eroding. And the opportunities leading to a middle-class life—the ones that boomers lucked into—are being lifted out of our reach. Add it all up and it’s no surprise that we’re the first generation in modern history to end up poorer than our parents.</blockquote></em>
In many ways, we graduated from college during a recession that caused the housing bubble and wages have stagnated while the cost of essentials such as housing and healthcare have increased exponentially. Our retirement savings look grim because many work in the low-wage service economy that does not offer retirement benefits. We also look to the shared economy for affordability and convenience. The lost decade for the millennial generation will have long-term implications for the future of the middle class in American society if nothing is done to reverse this trend of financial insecurity. Michigan Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01680355011059008968noreply@blogger.com0