5740 Executive Drive, Suite 208 • Baltimore, MD 21228-1979 410.788.1066 in Baltimore / 800.867.6776 (MD only) E-MAIL: [email protected] • Web page: www.nasw-md.org FAX: 410.747.0635 The mission of the NASW-MD Chapter is to support, promote and advocate for the social work profession and its clients, for just and equitable social policies, and for the health and welfare of the people of Maryland. Tribute to a Pioneer: Isabelle Fisch BY PEGGY POWELL She didn’t give up on anyone, no mer Director of Baltimore Coun- matter the circumstances. “She ty DSS, remembers well this spe- elfless. Pioneering. All- was one of those people who just cial woman who was a giant in embracing. These are the fought for everyone,” Muriel re- the profession, a shining exam- IT’S TIME.... S kind of words that come to members. “She fought for the ple for all social workers; Camille Here’s Your Last Chance to Register mind when people think of Isa- underdog and nothing would worked with Isabelle for some 19 for the 2007 Social Work Month belle Fisch. Isabelle, a long-time stop her; not poverty, not men- years. “Isabelle was an outstand- Annual Conference! member of the Maryland Chap- tal illness, nothing. No problem, ing example of a committed and March 23 at the ter, lost a valiant battle with can- no matter what, she was there for ethical social worker. She was a Marriott Hunt Valley Hotel cer in December. These words everyone who needed help,” she role model for people coming into See Page 6 for full conference are repeated time and time again continued. the profession and a conscience schedule and registration form by the many people whose lives Yet, the same woman who for those of us who worked with Don’t Miss It! Isabelle touched—whether client would go to the ends of the earth her,” Camille says. Camille also or colleague. for anyone, never spoke openly says that Isabelle was the cream Isabelle began her career in about her own needs or her ac- of the crop when it came to so- Maryland as Assistant Director complishments; she was a quiet cial work and consistently made INSIDE: of Adult and Adolescent Services warrior who preferred to shine herself available to colleagues with the Baltimore County De- the spotlight on the needs of oth- when they needed guidance and President’s Column ............... 2 partment of Social Services; she Isabelle Fisch at work. ers. “She never told me about insight, whether fresh from aca- Executive Director’s would later ascend to Deputy Di- all the good works she had done. demia or seasoned professionals. Column ............................... 2 rector there. In her semi-retired formal social services channels or She was modest, humble, but te- “Her practice was very sound,” years, she would go on to become nacious when she needed to help Camille noted. “You could trust History Column .................... 4 serving her community through Interim Director of the Dorches- her quiet volunteer work. Her somebody,” Muriel recalls. “I her judgment, her integrity, her Annual Conference ter County Department of Social long-time friend and colleague, must say,” Muriel continued, caring, and her ability to essen- Registration ...................... 6-7 Services and, later, Director of Muriel Silverman, remembers “that she was the most unusual tially be available to all kinds of 2007 Award Winners ............ 8 Social Services for the Dorchester a woman who never gave up on woman I have ever met. And she people, staff and clients alike. Her Social Workers and Same-Sex County DSS. Isabelle earned her those in need, no matter the place, would go [the extra yard]. But commitment to public and social Marriage and Adoption .........10 MSW at the University of Penn- time or the difficulty of fulfilling she was also fiercely independent service and her commitment to sylvania. a need. The two began their ca- and would never say if she ever quality were very important to Continuing Education Isabelle was well-known in so- reers together when they met at needed anything or if she needed her.” Workshops .................... 11-14 cial work circles as the consum- Baltimore County DSS in 1967; help.” Even after ‘retiring,’ Isabelle’s Classifieds ......................... 15 mate social work professional, but, they became fast friends and that And she helped colleagues in generous spirit never waned. She more than that, she was known as friendship never lapsed. her own quiet way as well. Ca- had a home on St. Michael’s Is- the consummate advocate for her Isabelle was known as a de- mille Wheeler, a Past President of Baltimore, MD Baltimore, 21228 5740 Executive Suite Drive, 208 Maryland Chapter Association National of Workers Social clients, whether working through termined fighter for her clients. the Maryland Chapter and for- FISCH Continued on page 4 Chapter Public Education Campaign Efforts are Ready, Set, Go! Chapter Launches All-Out Efforts to Reach the Public t’s launch time for the Maryland Chap- each of our Branch areas. also run during March in several St. Mary’s ter’s part in the National NASW Public As a special promotion to help members County newspapers IEducation Campaign to help educate the celebrate Social Work Month, an auto public about the social work profession. The decal has been inserted in this issue of The ■ For the first time ever, the Chapter will Chapter’s Public Relations Task Force, led by Maryland Social Worker! The decal is clear have king-sized Mass Transit Ads running Board President Judith Schagrin, has worked and removable, and intended for the inside of for a period of three months, from March diligently these last months on a multi-level car windows. through May; the highly visible ads are sized plan to promote the profession. All through Look for the Maryland Chapter’s other at 30 feet x 144 feet. There will a total of eight March and during the summer months, you promotional efforts in the following venues buses, with two buses each running in four will see the national-themed “Social Work- and formats: broad geographic areas. MTA buses cover the ers. Help Starts Here.” promotions in a vari- state from Mt. Washington to Reisterstown, ety of formats. This marks the first time that ■ “Help Starts Here” advertisements in Penn Station to Greater Baltimore Medical the Chapter has undertaken a large scale pro- The Gazette newspapers in Montgomery, Center, Locust Point to Linthicum, and DATED MATERIAL DATED Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE Baltimore, MD Permit #5507 motional effort; chapters around the coun- Prince Georges and Carroll Counties on Johns Hopkins Hospital to White Marsh, just PLEASE RUSH PLEASE try are engaging in promotional activities up March 21. The three community newspapers to name a few; all buses head into downtown PAID and down the spectrum. The promotion- reach a total of 20 communities covering al efforts are designed to reach members in nearly 500,000 households. The ads will PUBLC EDUCATION Continued on page 3 Page 2 The Maryland Social Worker MARCH | APRIL 2007 to be invited by the Baltimore City Pub- This month you should be noticing some Chapter Member Wins lic Schools and Springfi eld Hospital to their changes in our Chapter newspaper. In the Drawing in ‘Re-Name Our Executive Social Work appreciation luncheons. Both last issue we invited people to vote on a new Newspaper’ Effort Director’s were lovely occasions and well-deserved name: overwhelmingly you chose “The recognitions of work done. I hope that this Maryland Social Worker.” You will see that C h a p t e r month each of you will have one of those title on our new masthead. We have also member Jessica Report moments when you realize how appreciated gone to full-color on some of our pages to Sleep has won you are for the hard work that you do. make the paper more visually interesting. one of the By Daphne McClellan, Perhaps you will be driving down the This is the one vehicle which reaches all of special silver Ph.D., MSW street and see a sign across the roadway our members six times a year. We want it Social Work pins which says March is Professional Social to be YOUR paper. During the past year produced by the Work Month! You may look at a passing we have been introducing more regular National Offi ce. appy Social Work Month!! Last bus or be exercising at Curves and see a features to keep you up to date with what Jessica was chosen year about this time I was attend- “Help Starts Here” sign. You may turn is happening in social work in Maryland. from those who Hing a meeting at DHR in down- on your radio and hear an ad about social Please let us know how we are doing and voted for our new newpaper title, The town Baltimore. I walked off the elevator work on NPR. All of this is part of our how we could best serve you. Submit Maryland Social Worker! Thanks to and right before me was a big sign on an public education campaign which we are articles, letters to the editor, or story ideas. everyone who participated! easel which said something like: March is launching this month. Through a variety Please call, mail or e-mail them to nasw. Social Work Month, We appreciate our So- of media across the state, we are getting out [email protected]. cial Workers! I don’t remember the exact the word about Social Workers; be part of Finally, I hope to see each of you at our Annual Conference and Awards Luncheon words but I do remember that it made me the campaign by putting the enclosed decal on March 23rd! In the meantime, Happy smile and it caught me pleasantly off-guard.