National Organization of Forensic Social Work

Transcription

1 National Organization of Forensic Social Work 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

2 1 Contents Executive Summary... 2 Membership... 3 Educational Programs... 5 Journal of Forensic Social Work... 6 NOFSW Executive Council... 7

3 2 Executive Summary The National Organization of Forensic Social Work (NOFSW) has a long and vibrant history. It was incorporated in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1983 with the objective of advancing the education and practice of forensic social work. This included the establishment of a Code of Ethics, the development and delivery of curriculum in social work and the law, the advancement of best practice guidelines, and the promotion and publication of evidencebased research for the purpose of improving and developing the capabilities of its membership, as well as informing the public on issues faced by forensic social workers. The NOFSW logo is a tree in a circle that symbolizes our interprofessional collaboration. NOFSW continues to enhance the professional activities of forensic practitioners, administrators, policy makers, and advocates by providing an annual conference, a quarterly newsletter, and the Journal of Forensic Social Work. In 2013, NOFSW performed another audit of its operation and management. A strategic plan was developed to address ways of meeting the needs of members in the twenty first century. NOFSW remains a strong and viable membership organization and celebrated its 30th anniversary in Seattle in Website: Mission Statement The mission of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work is to support the professional development of its members by: constructing and maintaining forensic standards and best practices producing quality materials for interprofessional forensic education and practice conducting and disseminating forensic research and scholarship advocating for court involved children, youth, adults, and families Vision Statement The National Organization of Forensic Social Work endeavors to advance social justice through the interprofessional collaboration of human services and legal systems.

4 3 Membership NOFSW membership has more than 300 active members in the following membership categories: Full Members Associate Members Allied Professional Members Student Members Retired Members Founding Members Members receive print and online access to the Journal of Forensic Social Work, an online copy of the newsletter Open Court, free participation in webinars, discounts at the annual conference and participation in our online discussion boards. What is Forensic Social Work? Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to law and legal systems. This specialty goes far beyond clinics and psychiatric hospitals for criminal defendants being evaluated and treated on issues of competency and responsibility. A broader definition includes social work practice within legal issues and litigation, both criminal and civil on topics including interpersonal violence across the lifespan (offenders & victims); criminal, juvenile and restorative justice; specialty courts; child, adult and elder welfare as well as end of life issues; mitigation in capital cases; family and community mediation; mental health and substance abuse treatment in forensic settings; legal and ethical concerns related to work with forensic populations; and risk management for service providers. Can Any Social Worker Be a Forensic Social Worker? Forensic social work is based on specialized knowledge drawn from established principles and their application, familiarity with the law, impartial evaluation, and objective criteria associated with treatment outcomes. It is imbedded in a framework that can be utilized by the court and legal professionals. The conclusions and recommendations of forensic social workers must withstand critical review and rebuttal from opposing parties. The training of social work practitioners has not traditionally included familiarity with the adversarial process or the issues that civil and criminal justice systems confront. Without such training, social workers called onto provide forensic services may find themselves at a disadvantage.

5 4 Functions of the Forensic Social Work Practitioner Providing consultation, education, or training to: Social services, health and mental health professionals and students Criminal justice, juvenile justice, and correctional systems Law enforcement personnel Attorneys, law students, and paralegals Colleges and universities faculty and students Policy and law makers Members of the community Diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations: Diagnosing, assessing, and treating criminal and juvenile justice populations Diagnosing, treating, or making recommendations about interests, mental status, or incapacities of child and adults within a variety of forensic settings Serving as expert evaluators and witnesses Screening, evaluating, or treating community service workers, law enforcement, and other criminal justice personnel Other services: Policy and program design, development, and evaluation Community and agency needs assessments Mediation, advocacy, and arbitration Teaching, training, and supervising Behavioral science research and analysis Many forensic populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, at risk youth, the elderly, veterans, immigrants, LGBTQ persons, persons with disabilities, or those living in poverty or communities of violence often lack access to quality services and cultural justice. Forensic social work practitioners engage only in forensic activities within their areas of competence and expertise.

6 5 Educational Programs Annual Conference NOFSW believes forensic practice best serves clients when it functions from an interdisciplinary perspective. NOFSW conferences offer a unique opportunity for social workers and allied professionals to learn from one another while enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the interconnectedness of the law, policy, and practice. Attendees include social workers, psychologists, attorneys, judges, law enforcement, physicians, nurses, child custody evaluators, and various other mental health, medical, and legal professionals. 21st Century Forensic Practice: Moving Beyond Cultural Competence July 25 27, 2014 Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus New York, New York Webinars Over the past year, NOFSW has presented eleven webinars for members and nonmembers. The topics include: A Guide to Forensic Social Work and Advancing Justice and Fairness in the Courts Aging in the Criminal Justice System, three webinars plus bonus presentation Old Behind Bars with Jamie Fellner, Senior Advisor, Human Rights Watch Ethical Practice in Forensic Social Work Write A Prisoner Latin@s and the Criminal Justice System Unraveling Macro Tensions to Expose Silent Forms of Oppression Lifers & Long Termers Organization (LLO) at Otisville Correctional Facility, NY Anyone Can Paint The Release Process in a Federal State of Germany Understanding Correctional Nurses: We Are Your Friend

7 6 Journal of Forensic Social Work AIMS The Journal of Forensic Social Work is the principal journal guiding practitioners and researchers involved in day to day practice issues with the legal system. The journal is devoted to increasing the general knowledge base, promoting evidence based and ethically informed practice, improving services for victims and offenders of crime, and setting guidelines and practice standards for the provision of forensic mental health services. GOALS The Journal of Forensic Social Work addresses a broad range of issues faced by social workers and other professionals who practice in the judicial arena. The journal was established to provide a forum for the discussion of important policy and social justice issues within forensic practice as well as the dissemination of empirical research on legal issues, systems of care, and on the management and treatment of victims of crime and alleged offenders. The journal addresses contemporary forensic practice issues to provide practitioners, social researchers, and students with leading edge information in an ever evolving field. CO EDITORS VIOLA VAUGHAN EDEN, PhD, MJ, LCSW ROB BUTTERS, PhD, LCSW Child and Family Resources College of Social Work Patrick Henry Drive University of Utah Suite C South 1500 East Newport News, VA Salt Lake City, UT violavaughaneden@cox.net rob.butters@socwk.utah.edu The Journal of Forensic Social Work is a Routledge Taylor and Francis Group publication. It is seeking submissions of scholarly articles and essays dealing with all aspects of forensic social work. Recognizing that social workers are fundamental participants in the justice system, the journal covers topics such as: family and domestic violence custody disputes criminal evidence and proceedings criminal justice policy victim services treatment for offenders child maltreatment and child welfare expert witness status The journal publishes original articles that are theoretical, empirical, practice oriented, or based on comprehensive reviews of the literature. Website:

8 7 NOFSW Executive Council President NOFSW National Office Viola Vaughan Eden, PhD, MJ, LCSW Child and Family Resources, Newport News, VA Executive Director Vice President Paul Brady Susan McCarter, PhD, MS, MSW 460 Smith Street, Suite K University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC Middletown, CT smccarter@uncc.edu Phone: (860) Fax: (866) Secretary pbrady@nofsw.org Valarie Mitchell, MSW, LICSW Website: The Defender Association, Seattle, WA valarie.mitchell@defender.org Treasurer Steven Hartsock, PhD, LCSW C, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD shartsock1@mindspring.com Councilors Tina Maschi, PhD, LCSW, ACSW (Past President) Fordham University, New York, NY tmaschi@fordham.edu Rob P. Butters, PhD, LCSW University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT rob.butters@socwk.utah.edu David A. McLeod, PhD, MSW University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK damcleod@ou.edu Stacey Hardy, PhD, JD, LCSW George Mason University dr.stacey.hardy@gmail.com