2019 Article Archive

November/December 2019 Issue

features

Diversity & Artificial Intelligence — A Social Work Challenge
AI is everywhere, there’s no getting around that. However, moving forward in a just society, AI design must include input from more people of color, women, social workers, and others in the social sciences and humanities. 

Do Atheists Have End-of-Life Spiritual Needs?
Spirituality is experienced in various ways, and end-of-life care professionals can help those with nontraditional or no spiritual beliefs navigate that difficult time.

DNA Test Kits in a Digital World: Social Work’s Role
With the holidays approaching, DNA test kit companies will be doing heavy-duty marketing, so social workers should prepare to work with clients who have received unexpected, sometimes life-changing results.

Aging Out of Foster Care — Why It Happens and How Social Workers Can Help
Leaving the foster care system involves many challenges for which youth can be unprepared due to inadequate guidance and education from adults in their previous situations. Social workers can help provide the support, tools, and even digital direction to help avoid risk in their new environments. 

departments

Editor’s Note
Artificial Intelligence Demands Diversity

Children and Families Forum

Technology Trends
Mental Health Apps — Finding the Right One for Your Clients and You

Addictions Advisor
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention — A Middle-Ground Approach

Health Care Review
Social Determinants of Health — A Positive Impact on Care Delivery Models

2019 Annual Social Services Directory

Behavioral Health Brief
Finding Effective Treatment in the Criminal Justice System

News Brief

Datebook

September/October 2019 Issue

features

Juvenile Justice Journey — Social Work Role Returns in New Era of Reform
Shifting policies and priorities require social workers to reclaim their rightful place as advocates in a system first established to protect children from risks adults face in the criminal justice system.

The Grand Challenges for Social Work — An Update
A major professional initiative began nearly five years ago involving research, policy recommendations, advocacy, curriculum integration, and more. Read about its progress and future directions.

Medicine Joins Forces With Social Work — Blueprint for the Future
A new, first-of-its-kind social work department is integrated within the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, establishing a hopeful path to the future.

Professional Development and Interprofessional Practice — Social Workers Share With (and Learn From) Colleagues in Other Disciplines
Growing emphasis on interprofessional practice invites increased educational collaborations and conversations.

departments

Editor’s Note
Interprofessional Practice Pumped

Evolving Education
School Social Workers: Vital, Valuable, Visible

Social Services Innovations
Equity and Inclusion in Digital Mental Health Literacy

Education Spotlight

Health Care Review
Free Rides Could Lead to Better Health Outcomes for Older Adults

Datebook

July/August 2019 Issue

features

Cannabis Conundrums — Dissecting Policy Changes
As cannabis policy changes, many legal, clinical, and social justice questions arise. What are the issues and how can ethical social workers respond?

Sports Gambling: Here, There, and Everywhere — Increasing Risk for Gambling Addiction
Legal sports betting will present greater risks for individuals already affected by problem gambling and those who may be especially vulnerable to intense marketing campaigns and newly available outlets.

Climate Change Reverberations — Public Health Fallout
It’s not just about the weather. Climate change can result in a panoply of public health issues affecting people in vulnerable areas due to radical and devastating events.

Recovery in a Digital World — Evaluating the Options
Addiction recovery online and through apps offers alternatives for those who, for a range of reasons, do not connect with traditional in-person models.

departments

Editor’s Note
Marijuana Mixed Bag

Aging Advocate 
Education, Intelligence May Delay Alzheimer’s

Technology Trends
Bridging the Digital Divide in Native American Communities

Addictions Advisor
Supervised Injection Facilities — An Uphill Battle

Children and Families Forum
Advancing Equity for Black Girls

Health Care Review
Supporting Clients With Type 1 Diabetes

Datebook

May/June 2019 Issue

features

Telebehavioral Health — New Digital Directions for Social Work Education
Schools of social work are developing programs and initiatives to help prepare students for their future with commitment to evidence-based practice and ethical standards.

The Behavioral Health Care Workforce Shortage — Sources & Solutions
What are the factors contributing to the current behavioral health care workforce shortage and what is the outlook for solutions?

Trauma and Betrayal — Complex Combination
Betrayal complicates the already difficult challenge of PTSD, but social workers can grow their understanding and practice more effective and compassionate care.

Moving Toward Value-Based Care — What It Means for Social Work
Health care is slowly moving from volume- to outcomes-based practices, and social work plays a key part in the transition.

departments

Editor’s Note
‘Screen Time’

Letters to the Editor

Behavioral Health Brief
Advocating for Earlier, Better Sex Education

Health Care Review
Supporting People With Seizure Disorders

Eye on Ethics
When Politics Enters the Room

Addictions Advisor

Datebook

March/April 2019 Issue

features

Evaluating Technology Use in Client Assessment — The BPD Technology Assessment Checklist
A new tool helps social workers understand client technology use as an essential part of what clinicians need to know.

Clergy Sexual Abuse — Innocence Lost, Faith Damaged, Trust Betrayed
Decades of hidden sexual abuse have ignited outrage at the clergy perpetrators, but will this last after the scandals fade, in a new era of awareness of the pain of survivors?

Social Work Field Education — Changing With the Times
Cultural and professional trends in a digital society are reflected in innovative field education programs and projects.

Understanding the Social Work Role in Integrated Care — Taking a Seat at the Table
As interprofessional collaboration grows, social workers must ensure they have a place at the table and are able to explain and advocate for their role.

departments

Editor’s Note
Elevate, Innovate, Educate

Social Services Innovations
Evaluating Health Apps

Evolving Education
Defining the Terminal Degree

2019 Annual Education Guide

Eye on Ethics
Pushing the Ethics Envelope

Datebook

January/February 2019 Issue

features

Suicide Prevention Is Every Social Worker's Business
Social workers don't need to specialize in suicide prevention to screen clients for risk and warning signals, but they must be prepared. Social work education must step up to better train students for this aspect of practice.

Using Health Information Technology in Transitions of Care
Communication in transitioning patients from one care setting to another is invaluable, and health information technology is making that more efficient and effective.

Meaningful Relationships in Long Term Care — Helping Residents Make Their House a Home
A qualitative study of long term care residents shows cultivating meaningful relationships between residents and between staff and residents may be one of the most important ways to help them feel at home in long term care.

10 Dedicated and Deserving Social Workers
Each year Social Work Today recognizes 10 social workers nominated by their colleagues for outstanding service.

departments

Editor's Note
Be Prepared

Aging Advocate

Technology Trends
Information Technology Challenges — Buy In, Connection, Billing

Children and Families Forum
Study Focuses on Bias-Based Bullying

Addictions Advisor
Peer-Based Recovery Support Specialists — Is a New Direction Needed?

Behavioral Health Brief

Datebook