volume 26, issue 2, summer 2001 ADVOCATETHE ALBERTA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS ConferenceAnnual www.acsw.ab.ca 2001

A report from the annual conference – who was there, what was discussed, and where things are at.

An evening with Pamela Wallin page 20

On the front line page 16 2001 Conference pages 18-27 Social Work Week page 28 COVER STORY The Advocate Volume 26, Issue 2 2001 Annual Conference ...... 18-27 SUMMER 2001 In the news

FEATURES Published by: had 1,700 children in its legal care. Of these, 739 were over The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) Discontinued Gold Stickers #550, 10707 - 100 Avenue 14 years of age, and 110 were 18 or 19 and received extensive Conference overview...... about the conference ...... 18 Edmonton AB T5J 3M1 Rod Adachi, ACSW Executive Director and Registrar support from Rocky View. This support ends by their twentieth An evening with Pamela Wallin ...... Hazel Sangster...... 20 Phone: (780) 421-1167 birthday. Negative life experiences and life conditions are the

The ACSW office has received a few queries from members asking the in Social Work Week...... around the province ...... 28 Toll-free in Alberta: norm for the majority of these youth. Success is a great challenge 1-800-661-3089 why they no longer receive the gold stickers for their membership Fax: (780) 421-1168 for them and they are less likely to succeed in school, the NEWS E-Mail: [email protected] certificates. The decision to discontinue the stickers reflects the Website: www.acsw.ab.ca workplace, relationships, and the community. In the news ...... 3 evolution of social work to a fully-regulated health profession. Executive Director & Registrar: issue Changing of the guard...... new Council members ...... 4 Rod Adachi, MSW, RSW In Canada and Alberta today, almost half of all unmarried young news [email protected] Prior to the amendment to the Social Work Profession Act (SWPA) in New name, new look ...... Kyle Loranger Designs...... 5 adults aged 20 to 34 live at home with their parents. They 1999, which introduced mandatory registration, individuals could And the winner is… ...... award winners ...... 6 Associate Registrar: choose to stay at home, for economic reasons, to complete their Alison MacDonald, MSW, RSW apply to become a registered member or a member-only. Both [email protected] university and college studies. Continued support is part of the June is Seniors Month ...... 8 categories were voluntary. Members-only received a membership process of school success, employment, and a better future. This is Social Work Education Summit ...... 8 Professional Affairs: in this certificate. Registered members received both an RSW certificate Elaine Paras, MSW, RSW very different for wards of the crown who, despite their need, are An SFI Update...... 36 [email protected] and a membership certificate. The membership certificates had forced to leave care by legislation that prescribes independence Mark your calendars! ...... 2002 Conference...... 36 Finance and Administration: spaces to place the gold stickers. Gladys Smecko by age 20. Discontinued gold stickers ...... Rod Adachi ...... 36 When the amendment to the SWPA introduced mandatory regis- Membership Services: Youth and young adults (18 - 24) who no longer have active Child REGULAR FEATURES Brenda Gross tration, qualified practicing social workers were required to become Monica Vasconez Welfare status but who are trying to overcome their challenges registered, which made the membership category redundant except President‘s report...... Jake Kuiken...... 10 Administrative Secretary: and further their education should be considered for a bursary for student, retired or honorary members. Therefore, for the past Ethics, values, and personal dynamics...... Marg McCulley ...... 12 Florence Reinhardt committed to helping youth whose guardian was the state. year we have no longer been issuing membership certificates and Opinion: Social work and poverty ...... Timothy Wild...... 13 The Advocate is published quarterly for members of the Alberta College of Social Workers have discontinued sending out the gold stickers. The Calgary Foundation has agreed to set up the scholarship/ Committee reports ...... 13 & 14 and other interested parties. bursary fund account and manage the investing of the funds News from the faculty ...... U of C Edmonton campus ...... 15 The new Health Professions Act (HPA), which covers 28 health Editorial Board and issue charitable tax receipts for all donations to the fund. On the front line ...... Hazel Sangster...... 16 Papiya Das, MSW, RSW (Chair) professions, including social work, deals with regulated members. Duane Burton, BSW, MEd, RSW The Legacy committee is responsible for promoting and raising Erin Gray, MSW, RSW When the HPA is proclaimed for social work, the ACSW will issue Children’s Mental Health University Educational Initiative...... 17 contributions for the fund. The committee is also responsible for Bill Kirwin, PhD, RSW new registration certificates to all RSWs referring to the new Trudy Lundvall, SW Diploma, RSW reviewing student applications and recommending candidates for The Advocate Editorial Policy Leslie MacKinnon, BSW, RSW legislation. The HPA was developed to better serve and protect the awards from the fund. It is our intent that this fund will exist in Editor public interest. Under the HPA, the registration certificate indicates The Advocate seeks to serve as a “meeting place” for Alberta social workers by publishing Hazel Sangster perpetuity for youth who were raised by Calgary Rocky View that the regulated member has met the requirements for information about social work research, theory, practice, and education; professional affairs; Child & Family Services. Production Editor professional registration. The current wallet-sized registration social issues; the work of the College; books, journals, and other media of interest to social Jena Snyder workers; continuing education and job opportunities; and the and goings of Alberta social certificate will be redesigned in accordance with the HPA as an If you would like more information please call Derek McGregor Typesetting & Design workers. Submissions from members and the public are welcome: articles, stories, anecdotes, Clear Lake Ltd. annual practice permit. This practice permit is meant to be carried @ (403) 297-5830. poems, thoughts and ideas. Letters to the editor, announcements, cartoons, artwork, and by health professionals to verify that they remain in good standing Advertising space is available. Advocate rates are pictures are welcome. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit submitted material. Please $400 per full page. Please call the ACSW office with their respective professional regulatory bodies. Late-breaking news call the ACSW office for a copy of “Writing for The Advocate” before submitting any for details, or to place an ad. The Editorial Board material. Publication does not imply endorsement by the College. reserves the right to reject any advertising. Legacy Fund for Youth from Care Council update FALL 2001 ISSUE DEADLINE: JULY 15, 2001 At the April 27th Council meeting, Anne-Marie McLaughlin, The Advocate is published quarterly: deadline is JANUARY 15 for the SPRING issue (March Judy Todd Canadian subscriptions are $24 per year (Outside MSW, RSW, a sitting Council member, was appointed Vice publication), APRIL 15 for SUMMER (June publication), JULY 15 for FALL (September Canada: $24US per year) The “Legacy Fund for Youth from Care” is a bursary program publication), and OCTOBER 15 for WINTER (December publication). President for the rest of the current term. Canadian Mail Product Sales Agreement established by an independent group of Calgary Rocky View No. 0528803 ALL SUBMISSIONS: Child & Family Services child protection staff. The program Karen McCullough, MSW, RSW, also a current member of The Advocate, ACSW, #550, 10707 - 100 Avenue, Edmonton AB T5J 3M1 ISSN 0847 - 2890 benefits youth who were raised in the care of Child Welfare in Council, was appointed Secretary for a two-year term. Please notify the ACSW office immediately ATTN: Elaine Paras. of any address changes. Calgary. E-MAIL: [email protected] Council has now asked the Nominating Committee for their PHONE: (780) 421-1167 • FAX: 421-1168. On June 1, 2000, Calgary Rocky View Child & Family Services recommendations to fill these vacancies. •

2 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 3 Changing of the guard… New name, new look

There are three new Council members for the upcoming You’ve all notice the streamlined new look of The Advocate and other year: associated publicity materials. This new “visual identity” is the work of in the in

Al Hagan, MSW, RSW, is already well known to Council, Kyle Loranger of Kyle Loranger Design, an Edmonton full-service graphic news having represented ACSW on the Mount Royal Advisory design business. “A cohesive visual identity reflects the personality and Committee and the University of Calgary Faculty of Social news Work Faculty Council. He is also chair of the ACSW professionalism of an organization and raises awareness and confidence,” Communications Committee and a member of the ACSW Kyle told The Advocate. Registration Committee and the 1999 and 2001 ACSW Conference Committee. Kyle’s growing client base comes from the government, corporate and private sector, with clients as varied as the University of Alberta, the Edmonton Art Gallery, the in the Council members at the retreat Officially “retired,” Al’s social work experience included Public Front row: Vince Steinhauer (public member), Anne-Marie McLaughlin, Ronnie Provincial Health Ethics Network, and many new small companies. Mental Health in rural Saskatchewan, Day Care Consultant and Wassill, Eugene Ip, Marilyn Jeske. Back row: Rod Adachi (Executive Director), Lori Manager of Planning for the City of Calgary, Commissioner of Sigurdson (Secretary), Richard Shelson (Treasurer), Karen McCullough, Lana Wells, Kyle has a BFA from the University of Alberta and is now national treasurer for the Brenda Gladue (Vice President). Missing: Jake Kuiken (President) and Margot Community Services in Medicine Hat, and Manager of Social Society of Graphic Designers of Canada. He and his two staff create visual identities, Al Hagan, Chair of the Communications Committee, Herbert. logos, and visual systems producing a variety of print work and some web design. One unveils our new visual image at the AGM Services for the City of Edmonton. Goodbye and thanks to Eugene Ip, Marilyn Jeske, Lori Sigurdson, Lana Wells and Brenda Gladue. exciting change in The Advocate is the use of a different color scheme for each “season” Al’s main interests for ACSW for 2001-2003 include ensuring of the newsletter: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Watch this spot for further develop- the smooth implementation of the Health Professions Act benefits technology in education and practice, professional ethics and ments as The Advocate Editorial Board continues to work with Kyle. for the profession; streamlining ACSW’s new organizational social policy. Pam has had past involvement with the National structure, and creating a higher profile for the profession. Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) in the United States. Pam’s “The primary goal for the new visual identity is Recipient of last year’s ACSW Award of Excellence, Dr. main interests for ACSW for 2001-2003 are to actively promote Elizabeth Hazelwood divides her time between responsibilities social policy and professional development and to actively to establish a ‘signature mark’ for social work as Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and explain the profession to the community. • her work at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. Recently in Alberta.” appointed as Professional Practice Coordinator of Social Work at ACH, she is the manager for all social work activities at the hospital. Ongoing research around the area of clinical practice A note of thanks… About our new logo remains a focus in her university work. While on Council About our new visual identity A very special note of thanks and gratitude to the Council Elizabeth wants to concentrate on the dual role of advocacy— The new visual identity for ACSW was officially unveiled at the 2001 Annual General The “flame” is a stylized S & W Members who retired this past year: Lorna Gaultois, Eugene “advocacy on behalf of our clients and on behalf of the Meeting. Al Hagan, Chair of the Communications Committee, outlined the symbolizing the passion and energy profession.” She is also interested in exploring and strengthening Ip, Marilyn Jeske, Brenda Gladue, and Lana Wells. All background of this initiative and creative decision-making process. Promotional items of our members and our profession— the whole area of standards and the clinical registry as they relate of them have made their contribution to the College in with the new colors and logo were made available to those in attendance. past, present and future. The use to the profession. recent years as they’ve served on Council during a period of magenta for the flame emphasizes The primary goal for the new visual identity is to establish a “signature mark” for social of incredible transition and rapid growth. Many difficult and our professional integrity, commitment Pamela Miller, PhD, RSW, is an Associate Professor with the work in Alberta. With Kyle’s creative assistance, we achieved a professional look that uses time-demanding issues have occupied their time, not only to humankind and symbolizes those University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, Lethbridge clean lines and current colors. To date, the feedback on our new look is universally colors that represent tradition, courage at Council meetings but in the numerous related activities Division. She moved to Canada in 1999 from the USA, where positive; achieving the ultimate goal, however, will depend on individual members and innovation. Warm slate blue-gray between the monthly meetings. All of them have moved on she was an associate professor in the Department of Social Work proudly promoting our profession in the day to day contacts that provide the truest compliments the magenta and is strong at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Pam’s areas of to new challenges and opportunities and we wish them well “sphere of influence.” ACSW Council and the Communications Committee are actively but not hard-edged—in keeping with practice include community development and child welfare in these new endeavors. making plans for initiatives that promote social work to the general public as a benefit- our intent as a profession. • services. Her areas of current interest in teaching, research and added profession. We welcome your feedback in this regard. • service are community development, child poverty, the use of —Jake Kuiken

4 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 5 And the winner is… And the winner is… More winners in continued from 6 the news While every dedicated social worker is a winner, the public acknowledgement of outstanding achievement Greg Campbell wins the the homeless and to create affordable in order and make the public more aware 2001 Rotary Integrity honors both the individual and the profession. Choosing from the many deserving ACSW members is always housing. of the profession.” There will be some

difficult, and this year was no exception. internal reorganization in the College, to Award the in At the government level, she has worked manage the sheer volume of work created Greg Campbell, MSW, RSW, has been a to work to form a local coalition of by such an increased membership. For the news social worker for 30 years, developing federal, provincial and municipal politicians first time ever, a member of the public will and providing innovative programs for news ACSW Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice and their officials. This coalition has not be appointed to Council. only identified the size and complexity of families. For the past 18 years, Greg Heather Moon, BSW, RSW the crisis, but more importantly has moved The recent ACSW newspaper advertise- has been Executive Director of Catholic Family Services in Calgary. During this Heather Moon, the winner of the ACSW Excellence in Social Work Practice, on to develop an action plan and begin ments are part of an awareness-raising time, the organization has quadrupled exemplifies the qualities of a great social worker. Heather is a front line social worker at implementation. The coalition has gained campaign for the College. Now one of the in the in size in an effort to meet the Red Deer Regional Hospital and within the wider David Thompson Health District, support from both the provincial and largest health professions in the province, diverse needs of Calgarians, and has providing support to maternity and peri-natal/pediatric patients. municipal government for the construction social workers have a powerful voice. Jake been recognized locally and nationally of two major facilities for the homeless in feels that now is the optimum time to When The Advocate caught up with her having lunch at 3:00 on a busy afternoon, for excellence in the development Calgary as well as an increase in the focus on advocacy. Individually, social Heather’s first remark was that she was “overwhelmed” by the honor, going on to say and delivery of innovative programs, Private Rent Supplement program workers have always been advocates, but how important it was to be recognized. Heather is one of three social workers in this especially in the area of early throughout the province. the strength of the profession now lends 300-bed hospital and she misses the camaraderie and feedback from peers, especially on intervention programs for parents with itself to more powerful advocacy from the those days when politics threaten to stifle the most energetic of plans. young children. Kay’s advocacy for housing the homeless organization as a whole. has always been conducted with the help “This award is a particularly nice Heather is particularly recognized for work as a clinical specialist in the area of of and respect for the homeless themselves, one to get,” Greg told The Advocate. bereavement and grief work. Her steady and ongoing support and counsel have and the recognition of their brave struggle “Integrity is what we are all about, facilitated families to move beyond the grief state, integrating that grief into new life. Heather Moon, winner of the ACSW Award for Congratulations to all the award winners! • accountable for our actions in private Excellence in Social Work Practice for survival is inherent in Kay’s award. In her 14 years with the Red Deer Hospital, Heather has been and continues to be and in practice. The award reflects the involved with professional support and upgrading programs, system analysis, and CASW Award of Excellence people that work here and our clients. community liaison. “The drive to learn and grow is an inherent part of Heather…” (Alberta) You can’t get anywhere without good people behind you.” states Cathy Morrison, who nominated her. “She pursues knowledge actively, modifies Jake Kuiken, MSW, RSW her practice accordingly, seeks and takes direction and constructive criticism whole- Jake Kuiken, the winner of the CASW heartedly, and does it all with a presence of humbleness.” Award of Excellence (Alberta) scarcely Sturgeon Community needs an introduction on these pages. Just Hospital and Health starting his fourth term as President of the John Hutton Social Policy/Social Action Award Alberta College of Social Workers, Jake has Center Receives Reach Kay Wong, MSW, RSW worked tirelessly on our behalf on many Award fronts, the main one being the implemen- Kay Wong is this year’s winner of the John Hutton Social Policy/Social Action Award. A tation of mandatory registration. In February 2001 the Sturgeon fierce advocate for the homeless in Calgary and across the country, Kay’s life work is Community Hospital and Health Centre social action/social policy on the front lines and behind the scenes. “The profession has come of age,” Jake Social Work and Discharge Services told The Advocate as the membership nears group received a Reach Award from A central figure in many Calgary initiatives to establish emergency shelters and to begin 5,000. Dramatic growth like this has its the Capital Health Authority for a system of tracking usage and availability of housing, she also played a role in challenges, and Jake is committed to outstanding teamwork. Congratulations establishing the Calgary Homeless Foundation. The Foundation brings together people working through these issues during his to Valerie Jungkind, Theresa Jake Kuiken, winner of the CASW Award of in the community, landlords, private consultants, individuals, and members of the faith Robertson, Myrna Boily, and Vivian Kay Wong, winner of the John Hutton Social next term. “We need to get our own house Excellence (Alberta) community, to continue the process of planning and raising funds to meet the needs of Policy/Social Action Award Colacutt, as well as Wendy Gillespie, Administrative Support•

6 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 7 June is Senior’s Month Social Work Education New Registrants as of May 24, 2001 OWLS: Older Women’s Long-term Survival Society Summit Members as of May 24, 2001: 4,175 of Calgary Strategies for the future Remedios C Acedera Diana Broekaert Dubien Shirley Joy Patrick Allen Langlois Nicholson Jacqueline Valerie Smith Karen L Acuna Jason Dean Brown Rachel Dubrule Herrington David Alfred Yrsa D Nielsen Janette Marjorie Smith Jeanie Frances Adams Jennifer Bruno-Mark Beverly Dunn Debra Ann Heydari Languedoc Nancy Barbara Susan Lee Smith The Older Women’s Long-term Survival Society of Calgary Catherine Aguirre Kelly J Budd Heather Lynne Paula Ellen Hirson Marjorie Laplante Nimmon Suzanne Smitna

Some 130 participants participated in the Social Work Education Kevin Francis Shannon Mary Edelman Jo-Lynn Dawn Bruce Gregory Melody Karen Oram Donna Lee Spencer the in (OWLS) has recently produced a resource package intended to Ahenakew Bullough Robert Ehman Hodgson LaRocque Yvonne Margaret Robyn Alana Spencer Summit held at the Nisku Inn on May 3. The purpose of the heighten awareness of impact of abuse in the lives of older Terry G Aho Judy Mary Evelyn Janet E Elder Diana Lynne Hodson Shannon Howie Oshanyk Patricia J Sproule Janne Lee Aikins Butler Pearl Florence Elliott Brian Michael David Laycraft Ellizabeth Ruth Pace Kim Louise Stanley

summit was to collaborate to address the workforce, workplace, news women. The package includes a 30-minute video, a viewer’s Donald Hugh Aird Paula Lucy Caines Jacqueline V Fabian Hoffart Brenda Ellen Lefebvre Valerie Angela Panas Sheila Dawn Stauffer and educational challenges and opportunities in the health and guide, and a handbook for survivors. Allan Richard Alcock Tracy Michelle Caines Megan R Falk Patricia Teresa Lisa Jolene Leslie Lucie Paquin Suzanne Elizabeth news human services sector; and to develop strategies to meet the Renee Kathleen Nancy Lynn Merrie JoAnne Fiddler Hoffarth Jacqueline Lucille Gurvinder Singh Stelmack Aldred Callio Andrea Nancy Jill-Anna Holberton Letendre Parmar Darren Lee Steves OWLS is one of the longest standing support programs for growing need for social work professionals in Alberta. Linda Dianne Yvonne Cameron Fielding Paul James Holloway David Letts Shannon Terry Pavan Cynthia Joanne Stewart Aldridge Denise Patricia Sandra A Flamond Thomas A Kim Lindberg Sharon Pelletier Nicol Rae Stone older women survivors of abuse in North America. In the After an opening prayer from Leo Cattleman, Resident Elder at Bonnie Raye Almon Campbell Trina Dawn Floberg Hollywood Sandra June Loades Sarah Jane Perala Patricia Dawn Story course of its ten years of operation, much has been learned Faye Ellen Anderwert Kim Ann Cappis Barbara Gayle Flowers Robert James Hooey Spencer Lee Logan Terilyn Pettefer Leah N Stroh the Maskwachees Cultural College, the delegates were welcomed Barry Lynn Andres Joan M Carriere Wendy C Fothergill Gary Wayne Debra Elizabeth Long Elaine D Phillips Stella Hilda Supernault

in the about the long-term consequences of abuse and the impact that by Iris Evans, Minister of Children’s Services, and by Gayla Maureen Gail Carolyn Renee Cass Cheryl Darlene Huckabay Paul Loo Emilee Pinette Lisa Ruth Sutherland it has on the quality of later life. Andruschak Kavery Ka Wai Chan Foulkes James Roy Hunter Corrine Wanda Lorne Patricia Joan Pope Teresa Trudy Sutherland Rogers, Dean of the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Michael Robert Lan Wai Chan- Anna-Joyce Fox Susan Marie Hunter Marjorie Lynn Luger Janine Marie Barbara Rae Swan Work. Following a keynote address from Maria David-Evans, Anhorn Marples Heather Fox Lisa Hynes Mark Mackey Prefontaine Lori Anne Tanner However, in spite of the growing concern about domestic Sherry Dawn Valerie D Chipman James Douglas Francis Joan Carolyn Irvine Sheri Maclaren-Ross Karen Quigley Dennis Matthew violence and its far-reaching effects, there has been very little Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, the delegates divided into Antoniuk Dorothee Chretien Avril Frost Susan Lynn James Rachael D Maclean Elaine Rabin Templeman eight small groups to participate in focused discussions around Janet Catherine Richard Blair Chubb Marianne Josephine Maria Anne Jarman Dana Darlene Denine Rainey Mesghina Teweldebrhan research to date which specifically examines older women’s Arsenault Peter Todd Churchill Garritsen-Secora Bjorn Mikael Filip MacNeil Jo-Ann Lynn Rasch Stacey Theriault experiences. three themes: Carmen Arth Milton MacKenzie Corinne Gayton Johansson Glen Stanley Manyluk Maxine Reidel Victoria Thornton Priscilla Asamoah Clark Ryan Scott Geake Glenn-Michael RJ Eva Marchand Mel Reimer Katherine Anne Marie 1. The vision, educational content and delivery options for Rosemarie Aspden Bobbie Cochrane Wendell Gelderman Johnson Troy Marsh Tasneem Remtulla Tippe It is hoped that the OWLS resource package will help fill this Patricia Joanne Babyn Joy Elizabeth Cohen Gary Richard Gerber Karen Dawn Johnson Alana Dianne Martin Jurden Garfield Rice Vivian P Torrens void and assist service providers working with domestic accessible and transferable social work education in Alberta, Patricia Faye Baceda Susan Conn Erin Keely Gillespie Michelle Lee Johnson Heather Lillian Pamela Robbenhaar Patricia Tsang 2. Human resource needs from the perspective of social work Maria E Badyk Shauna M Conroy Nicole Lynn Gillies Randy Lee Johnson Martin Paul Arnold Robbins Andrea Elizabeth Turner violence to respond more sensitively and proactively to this Betty Jean Bastien Rossall Carolyn Goard Catherine V Jones Micheline Jeanne Elizabeth Jane Robert C Unsworth ever-growing segment of the population. employers, employees, private practitioners, educators and Beverley Joan Batty Derek Ian Cook Linda M Goddard Jody Lynn Jones Massini Robinson Catherine Joan Vaessen students, and Trevor John Bearance Charlotte Donna Susan J Gould Vivian Jones Sharon Mary Leigh Robinson Deborah L Van Camp Christine M Becker Anne Cooper Daryl Ray Grant Susan Patricia Jubien Matheson Catharine Gloria Herman Vanderburg It is also hoped that older women survivors of abuse accessing 3. Ensuring social work practice welcomes and includes Saori Beer Polly Louise Rachel Alice Mae Alvera Merlin Kelly Richard May Rogowski Kristin Kamp the material will derive a level of comfort and strength from traditional Aboriginal methods to enhance the health of all Clyde Lawrence Cooper Gray Kahmahkotayo Julie Kathryn Angelica Lorena Vandermolen Bellerose Shamanthi Cooray- Susanne Jane Jennifer Lee Kain McAuley Rojas Mari Jo Vanidour having of their experiences named and talked about. communities. Teresa Ellen Bellinger Bergstrom Gudmundson Graham Alexander Laura McGill John Ferguson Bonnie Vankoughnett Laurie Benwell Debra Ann Mona Lisa Gunderson Kay Sidney McGillicky Ronald Elizabeth E Veitch The cost of the complete resource package is $32.00 plus $6.00 The groups identified issues in the morning and discussed Yasmin Minaz Bhanji Courtoreille Joan Guse Paulette Killam Sommer Kathleen Susan Sneh Lata Pascal Vettraino Naaz Sadrudin Bhatia Lorrie Ann Cowan Windchill Ha Kimberly Ann King McLauchlin- Ruben-Wilson Jenifer Lee Vuch shipping and handling. Handbooks can be purchased separately strategies in the afternoon. Each group listed their top three Grace Doreen Clifford Johnny Crier Jae Melanie Donna Theresa Marie King Benwood Elma-Lois Avernal Pamela Laurie Wagner for $12.00 plus $2.00 shipping and handling. issues and strategies and presented them to the entire group later Bilobrowka Steven Edward Cross Haacke Stanley Wayne Susan Kathleen Ryan Doris Jean Wakefield David Howard Blois Anne B Cunningham Karin Hadfield Kipling McLaughlin Leslie Ann Ryan Kathleen Erin Walker in the afternoon. The summit generated many ideas and Annette Cheryl Maria Danuta Lavonne Therese Glenda Ethel Helen Jean McLean Janette Kathleen Rocky Bernadette Ward You can reach OWLS at (403) 253-2912. strategies; this information will be compiled by the planning Blondin Czweryn Marie Hailes Knowles Carrie Lynn Rybie Patricia Anne Warren Lisa Rae Boag Jaclyn G Daily Kirsty Elaine Hannah Dwayne Koch McMartin Rhonda A Sahulka Brenda Wasylik Phillips Hang Up On Fraud committee in order to determine follow-up activities. The Vincent Edward Tammy Dalrymple- Lana Dee Hansell Leanne Shirley Kohn Alice D McNeil Hayley Sallis Karina Webb summit was intended to be a first step in initiating a variety of Bodnar White Heather M Harding Linda Kongnetiman Edith M McPhedran Tiffany Saxton Debra Gail Weltzin June is Seniors’ Month. To recognize this significant month, the Donna J Bonertz Douglas Allan Darwish Glenda Jane Harms Marlene Konynenbelt Anthea Messier Lisa Renee Schafer Elizabeth Mary Jean collaborative activities related to social work education. Ghislaine Boucher Katherine Davies Aleisha Dawn Denise Kathleen Colleen Miller Dianne Scobie Westbury Hang Up On Fraud Steering Committee has produced an Sarah Boucher Susanne P Debney Harrington Korinetz Julie-Ann Miller Jayeson Shaffer Dennis L White Lillian Bouclin Heather LA Demish Shannon Joy Hart Shannon Nicole Kimberly Dawn Cheryl Lee Shepherd Roberta Michelle information package (available from ACSW office) designed to During the lunch break, Linda Mattern, Acting Director of Stefanie Antonia Sarita K Dighe- Tammy Lorraine Hart Kostur Miller Katherine Joyce Whitlock help seniors avoid fraud; for example, telemarketing and home Health Workforce Planning from the Department of Health and Maria Bovenmars Bramwell Christina Marie Orhan Koyuncu Patricia Michele Sheppard Laurie Widmark Christine Joan Brady Sheri Lee Disney Harvey Christopher Joseph Miller Lara Lee Sheppard Cindy May Wiebe renovation fraud. • Wellness presented an update on the Health Professions Act. Paula Sheilla Kerry Brake Leona Denise Doig Diane C Healy Kristiansen Sandi Misselbrook Cindy Susanne Stella Wolf Child Tyler, Deputy Minister of Children’s Services, provided closing Erica Lesley Sara Lori Doiron Jennifer Lynne Hebert Jennifer Anne Kuntz Brian Mitchell Shyback Chad Gordon Woodard Braun Doris Mary Ann Errol W Hedin Pamela Ann Kuruliak Gwenyth L Moncrieff Esther L Silver Lisa S Woodman remarks to end the summit. Debra M Bray Domak Eugene Karl Ernest Danielle Sandra Terrance Alan Moore Sylvia Ann Simmons Neil Ross Wright Diana Lynne Maren K Donig Heinemann Ladouceur Dan Mullen Linda Jean Simpson Lillian Yankowski The summit was sponsored by Alberta Children’s Services, the U Bredstrand Jennifer ET Drake Stephanie Grace Priscilla Lalonde Beverley Diane Linda Sirko-Moyles Sheila Gail Yaremko Donna Brickett Michelle Cindy Helm Marilynne Theresa Nackoney Darwin Lydell Gill Marie Yearous of C Faculty of Social Work and ACSW. • Wayne R Brockington Dridgepaul Susan Marie Herman Lambert Cheryl D Nelson Skretting Clara Tak Yee Yuen Joni Brodziak Shirley Rosalba Marie Dale Allen Herrington Tara Nicole Lane Shelly Darlene Pauline Smale

8 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 9 A letter to the MLAs of Alberta A letter to the MLAs of Alberta Jake Kuiken, MSW, RSW, President of ACSW continued from page 10

The Annual ACSW Conference held in Calgary this year was a singular success. Not only were the workshops, banquet, lunches

and speeches much appreciated, the attendance and participation that I witnessed was outstanding. Many, many thanks to the earned through employment. The the full amount of this federal benefit National Child Benefit to its current volunteers and staff who organized this exceptional event. Minister, the Honorable Clint Dunford, targeted to help the poorest of young levels. The Federal National Child Benefit put it this way in a 2001 letter to the Albertans—infants and children of parents presently amounts to $81.00 per month regular Next year’s conference is in Red Deer—plan now to attend! ACSW: “As SFI is a program of last resort, on SFI. Directly or indirectly, these federal for a single child.

we must ensure recipients are not better funds, intended for the poorest and feature feature off than other low-income Albertans.” The youngest of our fellow citizens, become An additional benefit of $428.00 is AGM resolution on increasing To date, the requests have been steadfastly income were five times more likely than “Welfare” rates fact that some of Alberta’s children live in part of Alberta’s annual budgetary surplus. provided to this family of two persons for refused, a matter not without its own those from the highest income groups to a shelter allowance, which includes: In response to the resolution adopted at consequences. report their health as only fair or poor, the March 15, 2001, Annual General two times more likely to have a long term “Directly or indirectly, [the National Child Rent, payments on mortgages or Meeting, the following was sent as a letter For example, a recent Alberta-based study activity limitation, and only one-third as agreements for sale, utilities, municipal regular regular to all MLAs prior to the opening of the entitled Child Welfare Caseload Growth, likely to have dental insurance.” Benefit], intended for the poorest and taxes, homeowners’ fire insurance, Legislative Assembly in April. It also Connecting the Dots, sponsored by the condominium fees, lot rentals for formed the basis for an advertisement that Ministry of Children’s Services, reports a On an international scale, using data youngest of our fellow citizens, become part mobile homes, a homeowner’s main- appeared in the Edmonton Journal, the relationship between income levels provided by the World Bank, the World tenance allowance ($19.00), damage Calgary Herald, the Lethbridge Herald and (including families in receipt of SFI), and Health Organization, and British sources, of Alberta’s annual budgetary surplus.” deposit and the shelter portion of the Red Deer Advocate. In the Throne the growing number of children in care— J. W. Lynch, G. D. Smith, G. A. Kaplan, and room and board. Speech, the government has indicated a nearly 13,000 of Alberta’s children have J. S. House from the Universities of the Minister of Childrenís Services as their Michigan and Bristol, demonstrate that With dramatically escalating utility rates, review of income support programs will circumstances where their parents’ income In Alberta, a single parent with one child legal parent. “…the political and economic processes AHRE has also developed a policy, take place in the summer. No further is so low as to increase the risk of harm, under the age of 11 years receives a that generate income inequality influence approved as Order in Council 05/2001, details are yet available. ACSW will be and/or to affect negatively child health, Standard Allowance for two persons from A similar finding was described in the individual resources and also have an which permits it to decide whether or not asking for the opportunity to contribute has not seemed to be a factor for the Alberta government amounting to Globe and Mail on March 14, 2001, in a impact on public resources such as to assist a family with the additional cost to the discussion. influencing AHRE policy. $305.00 a month. This allowance amounts national study reported under the schooling, health care, social welfare, and of utilities on an “arrears” basis. However, headline, “Poverty increases child abuse to $4.92 per day for her child. (In point of To the MLAs of Alberta: working conditions.” Directly related to this issue is the fact that this family must first face the shame and risk, U of T study finds.” This study fact, the allowance for a young child is In late 1993, the Alberta government Alberta’s minimum wage continues to be embarrassment of having the utility reported that 36% of child maltreatment In the same study, others are noted for actually significantly less than half of the reduced welfare allowances by nearly 20% near the bottom in Canada. Even though, company first threaten to shut off the heat involved children from families receiving reporting that perceptions of “social place” $305.00 amount, because of the National as part of the debt and deficit elimination as has been pointed out, there are and power for non-payment. This special social assistance or some other form of produce negative emotions such as shame Child Benefit—$81.00 per month.) It is strategy. Since 1993, Alberta Human relatively few Albertans whose market- provision ends on April 30, 2001, benefit. Another 10% of the investigations and distrust that are translated “inside the expected to cover the following expenses: Resources and Employment (AHRE) has based earnings are at the minimum wage apparently based on an assumption that involved children from families with body into poorer health via psycho- made some minor adjustments to welfare level, the application of the “least …food; clothing including cloth and the 30,000 Albertans receiving welfare various forms of part time employment, neuro-endocrine mechanisms and stress- program allowances. At the same time, it eligibility” principle under the conditions disposable diapers; household needs allowances should then be able to afford i.e., with a likelihood of a low-income. induced behaviors…” Similarly, these same has also introduced a 100% clawback of a of such an unnaturally low minimum including furniture, appliances and their essential utilities on the 1993 rates. negative emotions “…are translated federal benefit designed to reduce child wage acts as the policy control for keeping household supplies; personal needs; Similarly, the Statistical Report on the Health ‘outside’ the individual into antisocial As a Member of the Legislative Assembly poverty. Consequently, the current level of welfare allowances artificially low. installation and use of a telephone; of Canadians (1999) reports income as a behavior…” of Alberta, the Alberta College of Social welfare allowances and the Federal Child significant determinant of health and well- laundry; and transportation including Another consequence of the principle of Workers respectfully requests your support Benefit combined provide relatively the being. The report’s Advisory Committee Notwithstanding a wide array of recent school transportation, vehicle registra- “least eligibility” is that AHRE claws back for making these matters the subject of same benefit as the much-reduced 1993 was chaired by an Assistant Deputy scientific data, AHRE steadfastly holds to tion, insurance, fuel, maintenance/ other funding received by Albertans public debate and discussion during the allowance levels, even though inflation has Minister from Alberta Health and the principle of “least eligibility.” This repairs and moves within Alberta. receiving welfare. For instance, while the Session beginning April 09, 2001. For now further eroded their value by more Wellness. This report notes: “There is a principle, first articulated in 1794 by federal government has taken the salutary The Alberta government’s funding of the approximately 30,000 Albertans, mostly than 18%. ACSW has repeatedly requested strong association between income, other Baron Kaspar Von Voght of Hamburg, step of introducing the National Child Standard Allowance was reduced to $4.92 women and children, this is a matter of that AHRE review and increase the health determinants, and health status. For means that no one on welfare receives a Benefit as its contribution to help reduce per day for a child under 11 years of age pressing public interest • allowances to reflect the real cost of living. example, Canadians with the lowest benefit that is greater than what can be child poverty, AHRE eagerly claws back as the Federal government phased in the

10 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 11 Ethics in action Our members speak out Ethics, values and personal dynamics Social work and poverty Committee

Marg McCulley, MSW, RSW Timothy Wild, BSW, RSW reports

In the recent election, little if any attention was given to poverty. Both main right- Private Practice Roster In Ethical Decision for Social Work Practice, Loewenberg and about some of her own behavior. As soon as the words were wing parties were largely silent on the issue; even the New Democrats could only Fee Schedule

Dolgoff state that every decision made by a social worker spoken, I realized that Betty had no previous knowledge of regular Cassandra’s behavior; I had gained this knowledge through sessions make a promise that was limited to increasing AISH amounts and returning SFI Private Practice Committee entails ethical risks. with Beverly. I knew that I had breached confidentiality, that I had rates to the (already patently inadequate) 1993 levels. Little hope or assistance was feature As an “old” social worker working on the front line, I considered breached my own value/ethical system, not outside of the confines feature offered to people experiencing the daily grind and tears of poverty. myself highly aware of ethical issues, particularly confidentiality. of my work where I was always so careful, but in a session with a The following fee schedule Imagine my horror when I discovered that in the context of my client. (Fortunately there was no serious negative impact in this The media also ignore the increase of poverty in the midst of plenty. Certainly there are was approved by Council work, I had breached confidentiality. When I realized what I had family, as they were able to deal with the shared knowledge.) occasional stories about how the “deserving poor” need our donations, but little attention is given to the causes of the social crime of poverty in a wealthy province. done, I followed my ethical responsibility and reported myself to It did force me to examine the dynamics that led to such a graphic March 15, 2001: my supervisor and ACSW. The aim of this article, requested by Instead, society seems to have chosen to accept the tired cliche that the rising tide of regular regular disclosure. Who did I consider to be my client? I realized I was wealth will, eventually, lift all the boats; that is the great lie of capitalism. ACSW, is to educate myself and others to the dangers that can trying to ameliorate a problem between two clients without both befall social workers in the field. being present. I identified with the client who was under attack This oversight is hardly new. After all, poverty is not a sexy issue. Unemployed males Individual, couple, family per hour: Ethical Principal 6 from Ethical Decisions for Social Work Practice states and perhaps was even annoyed at the other two women for with mental health problems and teenage runaways mired in drugs and prostitution that “A social worker should make practice decisions that strength- putting undue pressure on her. As a result, I was aggressive rather make us uneasy or sanctimonious. It is much easier to blame the victim and his/her $80.00 - $130.00 than cautious in my intervention. I forgot about basic social work en every person’s right to privacy.” Keeping confidential informa- choices in life rather than look at structural issues of racism, sexism, and classism. Group Sessions per person: tion inviolate is a direct derivative of this obligation. The NASW practice skills, which would have helped me ask questions rather Code of Ethics on confidentially and privacy states “The social than supply information. And I forgot about the least harm rule, Attempts are made to deal with the symptoms of poverty. But an expansion of the $40.00 - $60.00 which suggests that choices be made that will result in the least shelter franchise in Calgary and the largely unquestioned institutionalization of Food worker should respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence (May include standby and/or travel Banks across the province should be unacceptable to social workers. The eradication of all information obtained in the course of professional service.” harm, the least permanent harm, the most easily reversible harm. time) Siegel states that “Confidentiality affirms an explicit promise or poverty must be the primary focus of social workers. We must work on advocacy, What do I need to consider to avoid such an error in the future? Disbursement Fees Actual Cost contract to reveal nothing abut an individual except under condi- community development and social justice, and reclaim our proud heritage as a radical Loewenberg and Dolgoff state that even though values are meant tions agreed to by the source or subject.” occupation. Additional charges may be applied on to serve as guides for selecting desirable behavior, they do not an hourly fee basis for: Loewenberg and Dolgoff state that the terms value and ethics are always lead to these results, since a person’s behavior is not always This calls for the profession to revisit and apply the works of neo-Marxist, Critical, often used interchangeably, although they are not identical. They consistent with his or her professed values—perhaps because values Marxist-Feminist and Structural thinkers. We must abide by the imperatives of our code • telephone calls further state that ethics are deduced from values and must be in are usually stated at a very high level of generality while behaviors of ethics. We must go back to our Settlement House roots. We must challenge the • electronic communication consonance with them. The difference is that values are concerned are very specific. Professional ethics provide the guide that enables structures that cause poverty and oppression, and not only deal with causalities of brutal with what is good and desirable, while ethics deal with what is a social worker to transform professional values into practice individualism. We must get beyond billing practices and well-appointed offices, and move • reports right and correct. activities. Ethical principles do not describe ethical practice. out into the communities. We must make choices, and explicitly side with those in • letters poverty. We must live up to the “rule book” of social work. In order to form some conclusions about what went wrong in my In the NASW Code of Ethics, Charles Levy said, “To be a • other case, it is important to examine my values and the ethics of professional practitioner is to give up some one of one’s auton- I know, this is idealistic and may seem out of touch with the current post-industrial Revised 2001/03/09 confidentiality in the context of my inadvertent breach. omy and to relinquish some of one’s right as a freely functioning capitalist “reality,” which accepts—indeed promotes—poverty. It is also out of step with being.” In order to ethically fulfill the job requirement, we must the current clinical focus of social work that attempts to deal with the intrapsychic “Betty” and her daughter “Beverly” were my clients (names changed be in close connection with ourselves, our thoughts, and problems of the victim largely to the exclusion of larger variables. But this ideal should to protect identities.) During an appointment with Betty, she revealed Fee Schedule is to be reviewed every emotions. We must ensure that our own “stuff” does not drive social work in Alberta. some concern about Beverly, (expressed to her by Beverly’s interfere with that which we offer the client, our objectivity. two years. daughter “Cassandra.”) I informed Betty that I could not and Careful examination of myself and my own dynamics revealed Social work has a lot to offer. Why are we silent on poverty? Let’s speak up; we can be would not discuss Beverly with her, thus taking care of the the areas where I over-identified with Beverly and, as a result, both professional and activists; after all, that is social work. • confidentiality issue between my two clients. But as were discussing became too closely involved in the conversation with her her concern, I tried to help Betty understand that Cassandra had no mother. My own dynamics, not carefully examined, made me right to make demands on Beverly. In doing so, I gave a graphic vulnerable to ethical error. The solution? Of thine own self be example outlining how Cassandra would not be consulting Beverly aware. •

12 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 13 News from the Children’s Issues Committee News from the Faculty Margot Herbert, MSW, RSW University of Calgary

The committee has drafted letters in response to a recent review most beneficial in optimizing the life chances of vulnerable chil- of the Office of the Children’s Advocate and Connecting the Dots, dren and families. Professional Development Summer Seminars 2001 a study of child welfare caseload growth. In both instances,

Who Workshop When (all 9 am - 4 pm) regular Council has approved these letters, which have gone to the Objectives of the project: Premier and the Minister of Children’s Services under the 1. To identify and describe impediments to good practice in Lance Taylor & Gene Harvie Solution Focused Therapy June 14 & 15, 2001 (12 hours) signature of the President of ACSW (see President’s Report, page child welfare settings, including practice and organizational feature feature 10). Additional advocacy strategies include the recent report of issues; Daniel W. L. Lai Promoting Diversity in Human Service Organizations June 19 & 20, 2001 (12 hours) the Quality of Life Commission, which documents the 2. To describe successful initiatives, practices, or policies across Linda Fehr Working with Families Based on Level of Need June 20, 2001 (6 hours) experience of children living in some inner-city neighborhoods. Canada that encourage good practice in child welfare; 3. To describe strategies to improve good practice in child James Gripton Private Practice: Planning, Organizing and Conducting a June 25 & 26, 2001 (12 hours) The committee is currently concentrating on launching the Can- welfare; Private Practice in Social Work regular regular adian Association of Social Workers (CASW) child welfare project. 4. To develop advocacy strategies for social work practitioners; Jeff Chang Narrative Therapy: Constructing Therapeutic Realities July 3 & 4, 2001 (12 hours) The questionnaire was widely distributed at the ACSW conference 5. To provide CASW with national data to enable evidence- in Calgary in March, and will soon be mailed to all members of based advocacy on behalf of child welfare social workers Wayne A. Hammond & Karl Solvent Abuse within Native Communities July 9 & 10, 2001 (12 hours) ACSW (front line staff, supervisors and managers) who deliver across the country; and Melting Tallow services to children in Alberta under the Child Welfare Act. We 6. To inform and encourage organizational changes that sup- encourage all of our colleagues to participate in this very port good practice through the sharing of recommendations Judi Baron Gestalt Group Therapy July 10 & 11, 2001 (12 hours) worthwhile project, which represents an opportunity for social with employers, policy makers, and practitioners. workers in child welfare settings to have a national voice. Di Gursansky & Carol Austin Case Management Practice: Ethical Considerations July 12, 2001 (6 hours) Potential significance of the project Background of the Child Welfare Project Mary Valentich & Jim Gripton Dual Relationships: Decision-making for Practitioners July 17, 2001 (6 hours) This project will promote, at every level, advocacy for CASW and its member organizations have long been aware that environments that support social workers to do good practice in Allan Barsky Mediation Skills: A Transformative Approach to Conflict July 18 & 19, 2001 (12 hours) social work practice in child welfare has become increasingly child welfare. The data collected will provide tools for social Harry Park & Simon Nuttgens Assessment and Intervention for Adolescents Experiencing July 26 & 27, 2001 (12 hours) complex and demanding. From many parts of the country we workers in child welfare to use in their ongoing efforts to Mental Health Problems hear that: provide ethical and competent services to vulnerable children and families. Leaders of child welfare agencies will find the Janet Janzen & Carolyn Barker In-Home Family Support: A Case Management Approach August 13 & 14, 2001 (12 hours) • practitioner morale is poor, results useful in determining priorities and advocating for • caseloads are too large, Margaret Williams “Do-It-Yourself” Program Evaluation August 22 & 23, 2001 (12 hours) appropriate solutions, including funding. Policy makers can use • there is a shortage of qualified social workers, the information to craft policies congruent with good practice in • many qualified practitioners are poorly paid, child welfare. Politicians can use the data to seek support from • the attrition rate is high, and their colleagues for the promotion of good practice in child • there is a major “image” problem regarding child welfare work. welfare. Information on common impediments to good practice The good practice of many practitioners is hampered by lack of Upcoming Continuing Education Offerings in child welfare across Canada along with recommendations and resources, or inability of organizations to provide the support strategies to address these barriers will be made widely available. required to meet the needs of children and families. This project What When Where Contact Lastly, the findings from this project will be presented and further has evolved out of our wish to advocate for environments that strategies discussed at the next national social work conference, Fatherhood—Past, Present and June 15-16, 2001 University of Calgary Dan Varvos support social workers to do good practice in child welfare Future (403) 714-8228 to be held in Moncton, New Brunswick, in June 2002. settings. The project focuses on the experiences of child welfare Dialectical Behavior Therapy for September 11-12, 2001 Calgary Leta Hart (AADAC) workers themselves, and a primary purpose is the identification Note: The survey is located on the CASW website (www.casw- of strategies these professionals can use to reduce or eliminate Borderline Personality Disorder (403) 297-3015 acts.ca) or may be accessed from our website (www.acsw.ab.ca). September 13-14, 2001 Edmonton barriers to good practice. Please respond by July 31, 2001. Please direct any questions about this project to the CASW office in Ottawa ([email protected]) For the purpose of this project, good practice in child welfare is or Margot Herbert MSW, RSW ([email protected]) defined as what we know through research and experience to be For more news from the faculty, see “Children’s Mental Health University Educational Initiative,” CASW Child Welfare Steering Committee Chair • page 17

14 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 15 A typical Tuesday with Lina On the front line… On the front line… 8:15 Check e-mail with Lina Boily, BSW, RSW, and Tracey Courneyea, BSW, RSW continued from page 16

8:30 Regular Tuesday discharge planning Hazel Sangster meeting 9:30 Take call from FCSS worker who has been contacted by community On the front lines would be more appropriate for these two busy social workers from Until August 2000, Lina was the only After her son is tucked up in bed, Tracey is Group in the evening. They also try to member looking for financial Peace River. Lina and Tracey provide social work services for the Peace Health Region social worker in the program. Born in usually to be found doing some match individuals to provide mutual regular assistance to go to Edmonton for McLennan and raised in Peace River, Lina handiwork. “The more stressed I am, the support. “Smaller communities do the best cancer treatment. Provide information Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP). Regionalized in July 1995, Alberta Health

completed her BSW in Lethbridge but more I knit,” she told The Advocate. they can with local resources,” explained feature regarding the Alberta Cancer Board, determined then that CRP would consist of five core disciplines (physiotherapy,

feature was happy to return “home” in 1991, Lina. the Canadian Cancer Society and Hope Air. occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology and respiratory therapy). The Peace “For example, a nursing home will Health Region then added social work, recreation therapy and early childhood 9:45 Book appointments for the next day provide respite care or a day program. We in McLennan development. “No two days are the same.” have to stretch the mandate sometimes to 10:00 Attend a family conference for a meet our clients’ needs,” says Tracey. regular regular long term care resident with the Tracey and Lina provide services to well. Manning is a smaller center but is interdisciplinary team individuals in long-term care (nursing traditionally higher-need. Access to Thank you, Tracey and Lina, for taking 10:30 Meet with family from the long term homes), acute care (hospitals), home care services, particularly rehabilitation where she began her social work career in They both would like to be able to time to share your stories and your care conference privately to discuss and community (outpatients). Lina travels services, is limited. McLennan, with its Child Welfare in Peace River, moving into schedule more things in the evenings to commitment with your colleagues and sensitive issues, e.g. guardianship or to the Smoky River/McLennan area 1-2 large francophone population, has its own a position with Handicapped Children’s accommodate their clients’ needs, but with Advocate readers. • money (mis)management. days per week on Wednesdays and/or unique needs. In both centers, Tracey and Services before joining the Community young families this is just not possible. Lina 11:00 Work on in-service for long-term care Thursdays, and Tracey travels to Manning Lina are responsible for surrounding Rehabilitation Program in August of has been running an Alzheimer’s Support staff on “Families Reactions to Long once a week on Thursdays. communities, often involving additional 1995. Her local roots mean that she is Term care Placement.” travel for home visits. related to half the people in McLennan 12:00 Lunch Lina and Tracey are multi-taskers par and knows the other half! And of course, 12:30 Follow-up with a depressed patient excellence. In Peace River, they share “No two days are the same.” “You never being bilingual is a definite asset for the Children’s Mental Health University in acute care, identified at discharge responsibilities for acute care (inpatients) know what you are going to face that area. “Many of the seniors prefer to speak Educational Initiative planning rounds. She is recently and community (outpatients) while Tracey day.” This diversity is the appeal for both French,” says Lina. separated, between jobs, concerned provides services to Home Care, and Lina Lina and Tracey. See “A typical Tuesday about finances. Refer to SFI for short provides services to Long Term Care. In with Lina” (sidebar). Tracey hails from Southern Ontario, term, immediate assistance. The social work faculty at U of C is pleased to announce that the development of McLennan and Manning, they are each moving to Alberta in 1988 and 1:00 Social Work Department meeting with the interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate courses in children’s mental health responsible for all four sectors. This is Tracey’s Tuesday would differ in that she completing her BSW at the University of Tracey to discuss department policies would probably have at least one home Calgary. She lived in Canmore, working is now completed. Writers from both academic and community settings worked and procedures, client concerns, joint even more complicated than it sounds! In care client visit in her appointment book, very hard to produce 22 quality modules on the following topic areas: projects and outcome measurement. Peace River, long-term care and acute for AFSS for a year before transferring to sometimes conducting a mini-mental Child Welfare in Fort McMurray. After 2:00 Meet with a long term care resident care are handled by two different multi- • interprofessional practice in children’s mental health review or answering questions regarding maternity leave, she took a position with and their family member to discuss disciplinary teams. In Manning and • cultural and legal issues personal directives or guardianship issues, the geriatric pre-admission team at the Personal Directives and Enduring McLennan, one team handles all four • children and youth from a pharmacological viewpoint Power of Attorney. access to special needs and financial Alberta Hospital, Ponoka, before moving sectors, but these teams are different from • pre-school children: development, assessment and intervention services, helping clients with paperwork, to Peace River and her current job. 3:00 Work on the educational component the Peace River teams! Add the fact that • school-aged children: development, assessment and intervention for upcoming Alzheimer’s Support identifying resources, making referrals, and they both work .8 (Lina Monday to • adolescents: development, assessment and intervention Group evening meeting. Tracey is the mother of a two and a half Thursday; Tracey Tuesday to Friday)—and much more. year old and Lina has two children aged • critical thinking as a children’s mental health practitioner 3:30 Meet with outpatient who is on the fact that Tuesday is often the only day Add other regular meetings, including six and four, so their after-work activities CPP Disability but does not qualify of the week they are in one place Both an undergraduate and a graduate course are being offered during the Spring/ for AISH due to income. Provide Regional Home Care, Single Point of center around them. Lina loves the together—then you begin to get the Summer session and course material will be presented by the module writers. client with information regarding Entry Placement, Community outdoors, spending most of the summer Students will thus gain first-hand knowledge in interdisciplinary practice. subsidized Alberta Health Care, AADL, picture. Interagency and Accreditation meetings camping and the other spare time reading Full Benefit assistance and Meals on then you understand just how busy these Wheels. The differing demographics of each or walking. As part of the initiative, a website is also being produced. Further details on how to community plays an important role as two are. access it will be provided at a later date. • 4:30 Paperwork, more meetings…

16 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 17 The effectiveness and efficiency of the registration committee was outstanding and they are to be commended for doing so well, Annual registering some 329 people, 161 from Calgary and 169 from out of town.

Al Bailey from the Calgary Convention Centre was a surprise

Conference feature attendee at the opening ceremonies, where he presented guest speaker Pamela Wallin with the traditional “white hat,” making her an honorary Calgarian.

MC Laurell Hamilton introduced David Westelmajer, who created the beautiful stained glass panel featured on our conference program book, and which is now displayed in the Calgary, March 15-17, 2001 ACSW office. The artwork, commissioned by the 2001 2001 Conference Committee, was described as “symbolizing the David Westelmajer and the stained glass panel he designed for our conference feature Overall, this year’s conference was an outstanding success! The conference hosted the largest number of attendees ever for a diversity of social work practice, which bonds through the Calgary conference. For the most part, conference evaluations were glowing, using words like “fabulous,” “outstanding,” “great,” common commitment to improve the human condition.” •

“wonderful,” “stimulating,” “informative,” “well-organized,” and “inspirational.” A few people found the conference “busy,” “full,” — Laurell Hamilton, Chair of the ACSW 2001 Conference Committee “packed,” and “rushed.”

Keynote speakers Pamela Wallin (see below) and Howard Rainer were extremely well received. It would be hard to find a replacement

equal to Carlton Munson, who was unable to attend, but many attendees commented that “The CHEERS Project” a great job.

We were not able to attend all the workshops and presentations, but we’re pleased to share “An evening with Pamela Wallin” (page

20) and some brief reports on workshops on page 22.

Above : Portage College social work students in the hospitality suite L to R: Diane Charles, Edward Sandberg, and Gayle James at the registration desk

The 2001 Conference Planning Committee Students on the Planning Committee Front Row (left to right): Laurell Hamilton (committee chair), Wendy Renaud, From left to right: Nadia Fougere, Jeff Gilchrist, and Connie Bird. Missing from Cheryl Johnston, Gayla Rogers, June Churchill the photo is Barb Remple. Back row: Lucy Pascal, Ronnie Wassill, Shae Lynn Sjoberg, Jane Matheson, Al Above: More delegates enjoying the hospitality suite University of Calgary social work students at the conference Hagan, Judy Todd, Darleen Brandt

18 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 19 Annual An evening with Pamela Wallin continued from page 20

Conference feature

nothing like a hanging at dawn to help focus the mind.” And Perspective can be simple Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest of the species, nor the The big picture always makes daily problems insignificant. most intelligent, but the one who is the most adaptable who survives.” If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, An evening with Pamela Wallin When she spoke to her father the day she was fired, he asked her it would look something like the following: 2001 if she was angry or hurt. When she replied that she was angry, he feature There would be: Conference committee member Jane Mathieson introduced conference keynote speaker Pamela Wallin and urged her to “keep it ice-cold, not red-hot.” Ms. Wallin urged social workers to continue thinking like that, to stay focused, • 57 Asians outlined her illustrious career in the media, telling the audience that Ms. Wallin “almost became a social using their skills and the courage of their convictions to make a • 21 Europeans difference. worker,” as she began her career as a Correctional Officer at the Prince Albert Penitentiary. She lauded Ms. • 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south Wallin’s ability to make real connections with all kinds of people and pointed to the importance of asking the • 8 Africans right questions to get the full story, to bear witness. “It is not the strongest of the • 52 would be female species, nor the most intelligent, • 48 would be male Throughout her inspirational speech, Ms. Wallin emphasized the • 70 would be non-white common thread between her career and that of social workers— but the one who is the most • 30 would be white the belief that you can change the world through your action or • 70 would be non-Christian intervention—the only difference being that she had “the luck” adaptable who survives.” • 30 would be Christian to reach a wider audience through the media. Charles Darwin • 89 would be heterosexual “Anything is possible” • 11 would be homosexual Brought up in rural northern Saskatchewan, Ms. Wallin told the A collective shared vision • 6 people would possess 59% of the entire world’s wealth, and audience that she was “reared with the expectation that anything all 6 would be from the United States. is possible.” Giving back to the community has always been important, but in today’s global world, it is difficult to keep local imperatives in • 80 would live in substandard housing Quoting from an eclectic variety of sources, she emphasized play. Social workers act on the belief that something they do in • 70 would be unable to read shared beliefs: the short run will make a difference in the long run. Responsible • 50 would suffer from malnutrition journalism is the same, reflecting this back out to the public, “Moral virtues come from habit. The habits of childhood 1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth trying to maintain a collective shared vision as opposed to a make no small difference. They make all the difference.” • 1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education partisan one. —Aristotle • 1 would own a computer “Regret for things we did can be tempered by time,” Pamela “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, said. “It is regret for the things that we did not do that can be —Yogi Berra. inconsolable.” the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent. • Focus and survival In her talk, Pamela also referred to the thought-provoking She talked openly about the crisis of her public firing from CBC “Perspective Can Be Simple,” which we share with you here. and how that shaped her life, quoting from her father: “There’s Thursday evening keynote speaker Pamela Wallin

20 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 21 Highlights from some of the workshops and presentations Annual

Friday’s workshops provided a variety of themes and choices for conference participants. The energy level was

Conference high and the buzz was heartening. In Saturday’s new format, presenters delivered three papers or perspectives feature within 90-minute time slots on predetermined themes. The idea aimed to provide ample opportunity for participants to come and go in order to hear a wide variety of topics within a short period of time. The experiment had merit and, from the feedback received, a modified version is recommended for future conferences.

The CHEERS Project Prior to the banquet, the fireside chat with four “retired” social workers was an absolute delight. Tim Tyler, 2001 The CHEERS Project (photos this page) was a late feature former Dean of the University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, moderated and Mavis Marteinson, Paddy recruitment when Dr. Carlton Munson had to Mulloy and Laura Taylor impressed us with the ways they continue to use their social work knowledge. cancel out. Derek Wilken, MD (“Manic Depressive”) and his wife, Melanie Grace, BA (“Bipolar Associate”), both self-described “mental Paddy, at age 79, is involved in social action via environmental theatre; Mavis, after selling several successful health consumers,” promote the benefits of humor human service businesses, maintains an active consulting business; and Laura is developing practical social in all aspects of our lives. Participants had first-hand care supports in Eastern Europe. With the support of her church, Laura is also using her social work skill to experience that there is a bright side to any problem. The CHEERS Project showed us how to carry out community social needs assessments. They are great role models for the rest of us. bring laughter and humor into our lives and our work to increase communication and social bonds, This session was videotaped and we hope it will become part of the resolve conflict and inspire hope. Check out their website at www.cheersproject.com. Alberta Social Work Pioneers series. •

Derek Wilken (left) and Melanie Grace (above)of The CHEERS Project, making us laugh Praying for Humor

God grant me the levity

To make fun of the things

I am powerless to change,

The wit to alter reality

When possible

And a sense of humor

So I can laugh either way!

A delightful fireside chat with some of our social work elders. Left to right: Laura Taylor, Tim Tyler; Paddy Judge Herb Allard and Diane Charlebois, one of the — The CHEERS Project Mulloy, and Mavis Marteinson workshop leaders

22 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 23 feature • conference. the of highlight the workshopas his rated participants Many ideas. new out try to and team a workas togetherto them encouraged he as participants the for downbarriers bring to movementhumor wellas as empowerment. personal on seminar Dr. physicalused Rainer half-dayinteractivehis attend workers who wordssocial by used “Engaging!” the “Inspirational” of and few“Humorous” a were youth. New,Peopleof workwith his well recognizedfor is Aboriginal Dr. HowardNavahoRainer,the rootsin with educator an Dr. Howard Rainer, Saturday Keynote Speaker practice.and worktheory social of direction the on impacts havesubstantial had others and feminism, as such constructivism, paradigms that demonstrated makedecisions and Lynn’s learn howpeople of discussion knowledge.useful of area an into topic intellectual highly a turn approachcan down-to-earth whose someone as Calgary in Universityof Toronto, daysteaching well knownfromher is but Social of Faculty the Workin teaching the currently at Lynnis epistemology. of field the in paradigm current and historical Dr. comprehensivea presentedreviewLynn McDonald of Dr. Lynn McDonald spiritual practice—acceptance, forgiveness, hope and serenity. spirituality into the process of treatment, and the cornerstones of included how to assess the spiritual dimension, incorporating interest between our professional practice and spirituality. Topics Dr. Peggy Rodway took us on a journey that addressed the growing Dr. Peggy Rodway pagecontinuedfrom Highlights Thanks to Ronnie Wassill for reporting on the conferencethe reportingWassillon forRonnie to Thanks • 24 Dr. Howard Rainer, our Saturday keynote speaker Workshop leader Lise Jacko (center, looking down), with Medicine Wheel 24 The Advocate Advocate The • summer 2001 summer dents at Grant MacEwan stu- work social second-yearPallard, all Marlene and Birkett,Debra Smith, Randy Volume 26 26 Volume Bill Cunes and Arnold Thiessen at the registration table Donna Smith and Edith McPhedran • Isssue 2 Isssue 25 Charles, and two more unidentified delegates L to Diane R: Cathy delegate, Brenda Joyce,Morrison, conference an unidentified Margaret Brown, Susan Robblee, and Barbara Taylor however, and for this we do apologize. Conference photo album photo Conference as possible with you. We are missing a few names, Marilyn Jeske many wonderful pictures, we wanted to share as many

, our conference photographer, took so feature feature Unidentified delegates enjoying the banquet Celine Gauthier and Marilyn Ashby of a free registration to the 2002 conference! with social work students. Marilyn, our conference photographer, was the winner Sharon Harewood, Marilyn Jeske, and Grace Elliott, all sessionals who are involved Chris Hanson, Linda Golding, Marilyn Wilson, and Dr. Jean LaFrance Conference photo album photo Conference An Pam Klein and Leslie Gayle Thompson 26 Greg Robinson and Margaret Miles The Advocate Advocate The • summer 2001 summer Wahl Shae Lynn Sjoberg, another “host with the most,” with Celine Gauthier, and Linda background) and Ejeke Ohuegbe in MC, (our Churchill June most”), the with “hosts the of (one Brandt Darlene of the many prize-winners. Shae Lynn and Darleen did a fantastic job of finding prizes! Shown here are just a all! winners Prize few Volume 26 26 Volume • Isssue 2 Isssue 27

Ingrid Harvie was the winner of the Debaji’s fruit basket Darleen Brandt and winner Brenda Joyce feature feature VancouverCalgary,and were received greetings far and fromas from arrived Guests Toronto, Ottawa, Brandon, Saskatoon, evening.memorable the planned sevenworkersthen of social celebration. the inviteattend overto individuals 90 committee A ago,to well-honednetworkingmonths skills her used then and employee Social celebrate to and WorkHospital Week. Long-time Universityof the workat Alberta social of anniversary 40th the mark to workemployees23 social March on gatheredcurrent and former as overconversation 60 the room and filled Laughter Hospital 40th Anniversary of Social Work at the U of A provincearoundthe WorkWeekSocial office—ACSW work.social professionof promotingthe in effort yourand interestfor thanks Many yearwehope Next province.fromaroundwerethe activitiesThere celebration the of few a “happenings.”butare pictures and following reports The workplace.the workersin social havingaccountable valueof added the professionalsabout other and public the educate weregoals to simple.Our and do that you the work celebrate more ways to or one find youto Weof each encourage wantedto to names as we met many of you. good display and many sales at the Annual Conference. The bonus for us was the opportunity to put faces into a quasi-warehouse as Florence and Monica filled over two hundred member/agency orders. We had a with us. The order form was given wide distribution and was well used. For several weeks our office turned resources and developed a unique poster to celebrate our profession and the many volunteers who partner We had a great Social Work Week—how about you? This year we arranged for a greater variety of promotional Social WorkSocial Fran Benner Fran your enthusiasm for promoting the workthat promotingthe for enthusiasm initiated the idea for this reunion some reunion this for idea the initiated week National you ACSW website. Benner (committee chair). A photo of all 60 participants can be found on the Front row, left to right: Irene James, Sharlene Craig, Glenda Fuglem and Fran Back row, left to right: Janie Lindsay, Diane Versue, Amanda King U of A Hospital 40th Anniversary Organizing Committee 28 do will only increase.only will do The Advocate Advocate The • summer 2001 summer students benefited from information and networking on and from information benefited students minute.last the at MacEwanattend Grant to wasunable who speaker,replace to in stepped ACSWPresident McLaughlin Anne-Marie eagle.” soaring organizations, numerousvolunteerlocal for wasrecognizedas “a a 2-yearand programthe MacEwanin Grant at instructor workersocial honored fromthe arising issues addressed the on ACSWgroup and conferencethe updated presentation Services. Family and Child byco-sponsored luncheon The weather,inclement SlaveDespite the Lakeattended people 35 Slave Lake workers.social honor to treats cakeand providedspecial who a staff Services Family and Child local by Gazette the and registration Selig Aralee workers have throughgrandparenting. who joined members Social new include welcomeand to ACSW opportunity an wasalso It interest.mutual of areas about learn and discuss professionalsto health other with partner to plan workersalso butsocial of group a as both meeting Social celebrate to together Work Weekcontinue to plan and came communities fromsurrounding PeaceRiverthe and energy.new this of example PeaceRiveran is workers Social Peace River overyears.hospital the this working in workershaveenjoyablesocial while together the that had times eveningthe reflectedreceived that committee comments many wereemployeesdecade interviewed.fromeach organizing The story.their era, telling the to appropriate songs Introducedby Craig worker.social a as gained had she that leadership for lessons management, the upper about in spokeeloquently speaker social worker. site first the involved chief Guest medical hiring in representing CASW;ACSWand and Lahey Michele awaySwedenand as included guests honoredAfrica. Other Volume 26 26 Volume , current Professional Practice Leader,, ProfessionalPractice in group current the led . Organizer Mary Federau Mary TraceyCourneyea • explained the ramifications of mandatory mandatory of ramifications the explained Isssue 2 Isssue , current site COO; , site current Joan Wahl Health Professions Health Act Brenda JoyceBrenda , an employee during the 80s who is nowis who 80s , the employee an during juggled child care responsibilities and responsibilitiescare child juggled , was gratified by the support shown support the by wasgratified Deb Samek Deb Health Professions Health Act Margot Herbert Margot Dr. Snell Bernard . Brenda, an is who to the to , Lina Boily Lina JakeKuiken Peace River RecordRiver Peace Sharlene . also They , and , the , 29 Committee. gift, Planning receivesmall the to bypurchaseda luncheon the memories. celluloid morewere names drawnat staff yearsix This eat, Ellen, to together enjoyedlaugh, theyhours few createa and Carlisle Ellen Glenrose.the at faces foreverchanging preserving the to Thanks photograph. Weekgroup traditional their waywith a of is This Social GlenroseHospital The WorkersSocial celebrated Work Glenrose Hospital 459-1699. (780) at SharonMills or 459-1278 St. in (780) at Albert. Collier Dilys information, moreForcontact monthly a Coordinator’sArea forming in group interest is There stress.Kosovopost-traumatic on 1999, in expertise his shared in and 1994 in Bosnia overseasCroatiaand and in Canada Crossin Red Canadian the to consultant trauma a workas workerfellowsocial event featuring St. In Albert, Social Workluncheon a with weekwascelebrated St. Albert cream. whipped tablecloths”! Linen juice,workers—“freshlyorange social squeezed with crepes for breakfast special a on put example,workerswho clerical the from co-workers;gratitude of expressions by for gratified Organizers workopportunities. social local upcoming Social Work Week at the Glenrose Hospital Anne Gauthier Anne , keep.receivedcopyto each theya to thanks Also continues on page 30 page on continues and Gail Ungstad Gail Neil Deringer Neil were also

. Neil, whose feature Social Work Week Social Work Week continued from page 29 continued from page 30

part of their Social Work Week celebrations. Close to 100 Throughout the day, information displays from agencies and During the early 1980s, her then thirteen-year-old daughter professionals from private practice, health care, mental health private practitioners dominated the main floor of the Exhibition’s became ill with a debilitating and mysterious illness later

boards and children’s services authorities covered a broad Heritage Hall. The day concluded with an entertaining exhibition diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or feature range of skills and responsibilities. An icebreaking exercise of hypnosis by social work student Aaron Bourelle. Encephalomyelitis (ME). Her own family’s struggle with the medical system with multiple misunderstandings and misguided tabulated close to 1,100 years of combined experience for Alberta Children’s Hospital those attending. interventions, and the day-to-day challenges of living with a Social Work Week at Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) focused chronic illness were the impetus to pursue research in this area. “The amount of experience and high degree of on raising the professional profile of social workers. This was professionalism exhibited by this group makes me proud to successfully accomplished in two ways. First was an official Her thesis for her Master’s Degree, utilizing a grounded theory be associated with them,” said Gwen Noble, regional launching of Naida Brotherston’s recently published book, methodology, examined the life experiences of four young manager for Sun Country Child and Family Services Adolescence and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: women with ME/CFS. The poignant stories told by these women feature Authority and an organizer of the event. “One of the goals of Journeys with the Dragon, which is described below. became the rich data for understanding this stigmatizing chronic Social Work Week at the Glenrose Hospital this forum was to raise awareness for the career and the great illness and its impact on the lives of these women and their work that social workers do in the community, regardless of The second was an attractive display highlighting social work families. One randomly drawn volunteer who assists with social work where and how that work is done.” profiles, skills, and expertise within our discipline. Mr.Hume Naida’s book validates the experiences of these women, provides service was presented with a gift as a symbol of the “gifts” that Martin, Executive Director, Child and Adolescent Health much needed clarification about the myths surrounding this ill- volunteers bring to clients at the Glenrose. It went to a dedicated Alberta College of Social Workers representative Lorraine Portfolio at Alberta Children’s Hospital officially opened Social ness, and offers families and professionals direction and support. volunteer working in the Pediatric area. Thanks again to Letkemann welcomed the group on behalf of the College, Work Week. Naida speaks from her own experiences and on behalf of those Elizabeth Makepeace of the 1,2,3 GO Program. “We want to collaborate and build relationships so we aren’t doing things in isolation. In helping families and children, we The Social Work Discipline at ACH profiled a three-section display women whose voices are seldom heard. Her book has become a Southern Alberta want to coordinate our activities.” of our many contributions both within and outside our hospital reference in our medical library. • site. The scope of expertise and practice was very significant, further Making personal and professional connections was the theme of a Keynote speaker for the day was Dr. Mary Valentich, affirming the many strengths of our profession. resource and networking forum held by Southern Alberta social Professor Emerita from the University of Calgary’s Faculty of work professionals at the Lethbridge Exhibition on March 21 as Social Work. Dr. Valentich provided her insights into social Naida Brotherston, MSW, RSW, was a much-respected secretary work based on her experience as a faculty member, private in our Social Work Department who returned to the University practitioner, sex educator, counselor and therapist. of Calgary to complete both a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Social Work. continued on page 31

Lorraine Letkeman (left) and Gwen Noble (right) speak with two forum partici- Lethbridge FCSS’s Rosalind Annis leads one of the small group sessions L to R: Naida Brotherston and Debra Carnat L to R: Dr. Elizabeth Hazelwood and Naida Brotherston pants.

30 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 31 Conferences, Symposiums Conference on Canadian Social Welfare Policy, IFSW World Conference Women’s Mental Health Conference Network Against Violence Call for Proposals being held at the University of Calgary. “Building Effective Strategies in “Issues in Psychiatry through the Conference: “Ending Violence One National Social Work Conference 2002 Conference – Alberta Play Therapy Social Life Cycle” Step at a Time” “Celebrating Social Work from Sea Association Contact Margaret-Anne Stroh, Conference Work Practice in a New Era” September 20 & 21, 2001 November 1 & 2, 2001 to Sea” June 8 – 9, 2001 Coordinator, University of Calgary Conference July 28 – August 2, 2002 Regina, Saskatchewan Slave Lake, Alberta June 8 - 11, 2002 Calgary, Alberta Management Services at [email protected]. Harare, Zimbabwe Topics will include: mood disorders in preg- The Network Against Violence (NAV) is Moncton, New Brunswick Topics at the Alberta Play Therapy For more information, please e-mail nancy; postpartum mood & anxiety disorders; hosting a conference focusing on the The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2001. Association’s two-day conference with Sylvia 3rd International Conference your for the Conference Secretariat at perimenopause/menopause and much more. themes of violence and abuse prevention. For more information about proposal topics or Simonyi-Elmer will include: Child and Youth on Social Work [email protected]. Topics may include: awareness of violence submission requirements, please contact the New Violence and Understanding Eating Disorders. in Health & Mental Health

and abuse; violence and vulnerable popu- Brunswick Association of Social Workers at (506) information

information For more information, please call (306) Registration deadline is June 1st. For more July 1-5, 2001, Tampere, Finland 766-4234. lations; issues in primary and secondary 459-5595 or visit their Web Site at www.nbasw- information, please contact the APTA at IFSW Asia Pacific Seminar 2001 For more information on this international schools. atsnb.ca/conference2002. (403) 242-1878 or visit their website at “Millennium Challenges and gathering of professionals concerned with www.cadvision.com/apta. Action for Social Work Education 13th National Conference on education research, management and practice & Practice” Learning Disabilities For more information, please contact Workshops, Courses of social work in health and mental health, Brenda Joyce at 1-780-849-8644, e-mail: Conference – Critical Incident Stress July 31 – August 3, 2001 “Time to Learn—Time to Celebrate” contact: Andre Roy, Hotel-Dieu de Levis, 143 September 27-29, 2001 [email protected], or Janet Ross at Diversity Summer Institute for for your Management Singapore rue Wolfe, Levis, Quebec G6V 3Z1 or visit (780) 849-7359. July 31 - August 2, 2001 June 13 – 16, 2001 Halifax, Nova Scotia www.uta.fi/~swhealth/. For more information about registration, Calgary Seattle, WA please e-mail the Seminar Secretariat at The conference will see an estimated 1,000 Call for Papers For those of you anxiously awaiting details of our This training opportunity, presented by 3rd Canadian HIV/AIDS [email protected]. delegates over a three-day period at the 6th World Conference on Injury World Trade and Convention Centre in upcoming Diversity Summer Institute 2001, July the International Critical Incident Stress Skills Building Symposium Prevention and Control downtown Halifax. This conference will be of 31 to August 2 in Calgary, you’ll be pleased to Foundation, will be an invaluable experience July 6-9, 2001 3rd Annual Summer Institute May 12 - 15, 2002 interest to any helping professional or lay for any professional working in the fields of Delta Centre-Ville, Montreal, PQ Friday, August 24, 2001 Montreal, Quebec crisis intervention, mental health, traumatic Red Deer College person who work to help individuals with This national skills-building event offers stress, emergency services and disaster learning disabilities reach their full potential. The organizers of the 6th World continued on page 34 training and networking opportunities to the Central Region’s 3rd Annual Summer services. For more information, please Conference on Injury Prevention and professionals and lay people working/living Institute will be held Friday, August 24, contact the ICISF at (410) 750-9600 or visit For more information, contact Paige McDicken Control are calling for papers. with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Several learning 2001 at Red Deer College. www.icisf.org. at (902) 423-2850 or check out the confer- streams will be available for participants and ence web site at www.nsnet.org/ldans. For more information about submitting an the symposium will also include an exhibit hall For more information, contact Area abstract, please visit their web site at 10th Biennial Conference on Coordinators Colleen Palichuk (403) and self-care centre. Call for Presentations www.trauma2002.com/abstracts.htm. Canadian Social Welfare Policy 340-5479, e-mail [email protected] or 7th Annual Dreambuilders Education June 17-20, 2001 Derryn Yeomans (403) 342-2252, e-mail: For more information, please contact Lilja Conference 5th International Conference University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Jonsdottir at 1-800-499-1986 Ext. 116 or (613) [email protected] November 1 & 2, 2001 on the Child “Wealth, Health and Welfare: Tensions and 230-3580 Ext. 116 or visit www.cdnaids.ca. Calgary, AB “Children & Poverty: The Impact Passions” is the theme of the 10th Biennial IFSW European Seminar 2001 of Economic, Social & Political “Managing Conflicts in Social The Bethany Care Society is calling for pre- Choices” Work” sentations for their 7th Annual Dreambuilders May 23 - 25, 2002 August 27 – 30, 2001 Education Conference. This event showcases Dorval, Quebec Vienna, Austria & Bratislava, innovation and leadership in health, housing DIVERSITY SUMMER INSTITUTE 2001 Slovakia and lifestyle services for seniors and persons The Organization for the Protection of with disabilities. Children’s Rights Conference on the Child The International Federation of Social July 31 - August 2, 2001, The University of Calgary (Alberta, Canada) in May will bring together experts and Workers is sponsoring a conference in “Getting to the Heart of Diversity: Individual and Organizational Commitment” For more information about this opportunity, professionals who work for the best Vienna, Austria, and Bratislava, Slovakia Best practices, research and reflection for private, public, and not-for-profit please contact the Conference Coordinator at interests of children around the world. (two capital cities only 66 km apart), on (403) 277-7377. sectors. Interactive, in-depth, inclusive. August 27 - 30, 2001. For more informa- For more information, please contact the tion about registration, please e-mail the Contact: OPCR at (514) 593-4303 or visit their Seminar Secretariat at [email protected] or website at www.osde.ca visit their Web Site at www.sozialarbeit.at. Cultural Diversity Institute, phone: (403) 220-4689; email: [email protected]; website: www.ucalgary.ca/cdi continued on page 33

32 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 33 continued from page 33 For an information package, please call Peggy BSW/MSW Distance Education continued from page 34 and 2) child support. Download your copy from Voth, MSW, RSW, or Blair Collins, BA, BTh, RSW, http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/cca or order Opportunity in San Diego (June 2001) and the DEADLINE at (403) 286-3177. a copy from 1 (888) 373-222. Your comments know you can check our website at Dalhousie University – Maritime Lausanne, Switzerland Marathon (October will form part of the background to the Report www.ucalgary.ca/cdi/SI2001 for the latest School of Social Work 2001). for submissions Professional Development Workshops to Parliament. information and registration form. The Maritime School of Social Work is AIDS Calgary offering a distance education program for For more information, please call (780) to the FALL issue of Please return your comments by June 15. The theme this year is ”Getting to the Heart AIDS Calgary Awareness Association is offering undergraduate and graduate social work 424-1740 (Edmonton) or (403) 228-2571 of Diversity—Individual and Organizational a number of professional-development education. (Calgary). The Advocate your for Commitment.” We have a selection of great workshops. Topics include: “Stigma & Information workshops, along with special activities like Discrimination in the Workplace” and “Caring Directory of Community Services is For more information, please contact Make A Dream Come True (Lions) information information our community drumming circle, Barnga for the Caregiver—HIV/AIDS and Healthcare Dalhousie University at (902) 494-3760 Society (Support Network) simulation activity, and Diversity Educator’s Professionals.” or visit their Web Site at www.is.dal.ca/ The Support Network’s Directory of Community JULY 15, 2001 reception! Attend our August 1st dinner This society’s mission is to serve those socialwork/distance. terminally ill adults who are without Services includes a subject and alphabetical with dynamic speaker, Ms. Jane Elliott, For more information, call (403) 508-2500 or index with current information on over 1000 facilitator of the well-known ”Blue Eyes - financial means make their final wish come see www.aidscalgary.org. Professional Development agencies in the Capital City Region (Edmonton). Brown Eyes” simulation activity! true. All monies collected are placed in an Opportunity endowment fund to assist men and women ALL SUBMISSIONS: for for your Addictions Studies 18 years or older who are terminally ill and Call (780) 482-0198 for more information on Hope you’ll join us for this inclusive, inter- The Canadian Centre for Mediation Inc. Certificate Program have a final wish for a particular journey how to purchase this invaluable compilation. The Advocate active, and in-depth learning experience! offers a number of professional develop- If you are interested in obtaining training or experience, but cannot afford to carry You’ll come away refreshed! ment opportunities for social workers. ACSW, #550, 10707 - 100 Avenue in the area of addiction treatment and it out. Registration for counseling, please contact the Faculty of 2001/2002 School Year Edmonton AB T5J 3M1 Contact: Lillian Nakamura Maguire, Associate Call (403) 245-2828 for more information Extension (University of Alberta) at (780) For more information, please contact Elves Child Development Centre Director (Programs), Cultural Diversity or visit www.ccmediation.com for more ATTN: Elaine Paras. 492-1857 or visit their web site at Samuel Tam, MSW, RSW, at (780) Institute, University of Calgary, Earth details about available workshops and Edmonton, Alberta www.extension.ualberta.ca/addictions. 438-0608. E-MAIL: [email protected] Sciences 614, 2500 University Drive N.W. services. The Elves Child Development Centre, a private Calgary, AB T2N 1N4. Phone: (403) school for disabled children, is now accepting PHONE: (780) 421-1167 220-3945. Fax: (403) 220-2400. Specialized Courses in Play Therapy Overseas Opportunities for Social Family Violence Prevention in registrations for the upcoming school year. “Advanced Play Therapy” Workers Alberta FAX: (780) 421-1168 Enstasy Spiritual Process The Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute is VSO Canada has a number of professional If you are looking for information on For more information, please call (780) family violence prevention in the province The word “enstasy” comes from the Greek offering a specialized course in play therapy volunteer placements for social workers 454-5310. • of Alberta, then information is available and means “to stand within.” This workshop for fall 2001. “Advanced Play Therapy” will be (minimum of BSW with 2 years through the Office for the Prevention provides the time, space, process and available at the Institute in Calgary. post-qualification experience) to work of Family Violence, 11th Floor, Seventh atmosphere to allow you to do significant in Eastern Europe, Africa or Asia. Street Plaza, 10030 - 107 Street, spiritual work. This workshop is ideal for For more information, please call (403) Organizational support for volunteers Edmonton, AB T5J 3E4. The office provides clinicians who wish to ground their work in 245-5981. includes: accommodation, return airfare, various materials (i.e. brochures, booklets, spirituality or for anyone desiring to develop health coverage, pre-departure training, information sheets) free of charge. or strengthen a spiritual identity. and a modest living allowance. For more information, visit their web site at www.vsocanada.org. Call (780) 422-5916 for more information. Volunteering Opportunities Information Territorial Consultations on Custody, Access and Child Support Wood’s Homes’ Eastside Family Centre offers volunteer opportunities and accepts www.gov.ab.ca/jobs Alberta Joints in Motion Training in Canada experienced clinicians at a graduate level in the social services (Social Work, Psychology, Team for the Arthritis Society You are invited to participate in the Nursing, Medicine, Education, Pastoral care) to participate in a unique form of brief For an exciting new career Join the fight against arthritis by paper-based Federal-Provincial-Territorial therapy in the company of experienced colleagues and professionals. This volunteer becoming a member of the Joints Consultations on Custody, Access and opportunity provides enhanced learning in a clinical team format for the provision of click on your future in Motion Training Team, which will Child Support in Canada. A consultation single session therapy. Limited opportunities For chartering psychologists and AAMFT participating in two marathons in document, Putting Children’s Interests supervision. 2001—the Suzuki Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon First: Custody, Access and Child Support in Canada, presents the issues and discusses For further information contact Diane Bird (manager) at 299-9692 continued on page 35 1) parenting after separation or divorce; or Harry Park (299-9692)

34 The Advocate • summer 2001 Volume 26 • Isssue 2 35 IF UNDELIVERABLE PLEASE RETURN TO: Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) #550, 10707 - 100 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3M1, Canada Canadian Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 0528803 ISSN 0847 - 2890 Date of Issue: JUNE 2001

An SFI Update news

Jake Kuiken, ACSW President

Since the ACSW advertisement on SFI allowances appeared in major newspapers, the government has announced a review of income support programs for this summer. The announcement was made during the Throne Speech in all of two sentences. in the Social assistance rates have received more attention in the first three days of the current Session than in all of the Sessions in the past three years.

The government’s plan appears to be to conduct the review, and then incorporate the changes into AHR&E’s business plans for 2002/2003. The only way changes in allowances are likely to come earlier is if there is enough public pressure.

Please write your MLA, and the editors of local newspapers. The government can afford it. Moreover, MLAs have just given themselves another 3.34% raise.

Mark your calendar right now! 2002 Annual Conference “From Insight to Action: Stepping Stones to Change”

Red Deer’s Capri Conference Centre, March 14-16, 2002

“From Insight to Action: Stepping Stones to Change” is the theme for ACSW’s 2002 Annual Conference, to be held at Red Deer’s Capri Conference Centre, March 14-16, 2002. The primary focus will be on gaining practical, adaptive skills for practice. Using the Conference as a time for emotional “recharging” is also a major planning goal. Keen interest and involvement are evidenced by this Committee, as they are aiming to provide their colleagues an excellent conference experience.

Elizabeth Radian and Pam Rolston, co-chairs, thank the many individuals who completed the 2001 evaluation survey; the responses are a great assistance in planning the content areas for the Conference program.

3rd Annual Summer Institute Central Region’s 3rd Annual Summer Institute will be held Friday, August 24, 2001 at Red Deer College.

For more information, contact Area Coordinators Colleen Palichuk (403) 340-5479, e-mail [email protected] or Derryn Yeomans (403) 342-2252, e-mail: [email protected] . To register, call Angie Moore at (403) 343-6074. •

36 The Advocate • summer 2001