Editor’s Note: Elevate, Innovate, Educate
By Marianne Mallon
Social Work Today
Vol. 19 No. 2 P. 4

March is Social Work Month, and as always, it is a time to focus attention on the contributions of social workers in every aspect of society and educate on why they are so valuable to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. This year’s theme, “Elevate Social Work,” reflects that goal and by doing so, supports why raising social workers’ salaries is so important. Despite the vital work that social workers do, their salaries are not comparable to those of other helping professionals including psychologists, registered nurses, and police, to name just a few. Fair compensation for social workers has long been an issue in the profession, and this year, hopefully, through increased self-advocacy and public support and understanding, we can start to change this longstanding professional inequity.

The March/April issue spotlights social workers who are elevating the profession through innovation and education. Technology has become a facet of nearly everyone’s daily lives. It makes sense that clinicians should evaluate how it impacts clients’ quality of life. The cover story on evaluating technology in client assessment discusses a new tool that will guide social workers in understanding technology use as another important aspect in clients’ lives. According to coauthor Nathalie P. Jones, PhD, MSW, an assistant professor of social work at Tarleton State University, the BPD Technology Checklist encourages social workers to “assess strengths and needs as well as risks and challenges with technology use.”

Responding to the growth of virtual learning, social media, and interprofessional collaboration, social work educators are also innovating in field placements. In the feature on field education in changing times, educators describe how video calls, telehealth, and virtual meeting mediums are models for virtual placements for social work interns. Social work educators have also developed the Social Media Toolkit for Social Work Field Educators, a resource that offers educators and agency staff research-informed tools to help inform students and staff how to navigate ethical dilemmas often associated with social media use in professional settings. Lastly, reflecting the increase in the interprofessional dynamic with other disciplines, field programs are now providing opportunities for interprofessional education to students through the use of simulation, interprofessional field placements, and partnerships within a college or university system.

Every day, social workers are elevating their profession through innovation in practice and education.

Celebrate Social Work Month!

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Marianne Mallon
SWTeditor@gvpub.com