Legislative Day

Patricia Anoskie, Shaneva Barnes, Barbara Carter, Billie Amanda Clark, Angela Cork, Courtney Crain Hampton, Minnie Hoey, Ludia Jackson, Wanda Jones, Virginia Lavallee, Shamir Lee

A Loan Forgiveness Program for Social Workers—$200 Million Is Available for Loan Repayment

The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSC LPR) offers fully trained and licensed clinical social workers $50,000 to repay student loans in exchange for two years serving in a community-based site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) that has applied to, and been approved by, the NHSC as a service site. There is more information available about the loan repayment program, eligibility requirements, employment opportunities in HPSAs, and NHSC . For inquiries about this program, contact CallCenter@hrsa.gov or 1-800-221-9393 (TTY: 1-877-897-9910), Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays), 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET.

The FTC has announced that it is again delaying enforcement of the Identity Theft “Red Flags” Rule until June 1, 2010. One of the controversial aspects of the Rule was its applicability to health care professionals, particularly small or solo practitioners. The Rule has been delayed previously on two separate occasions.

As the regulatory situation has grown more difficult, a number of health and other professionals have approached Congress seeking a legislative solution. Congress has responded with quick movement on a bill, HR. 3763, which would exclude licensed health practices with fewer than 20 people in a practice from reporting under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and from the Red Flags Rule. The bill was introduced in the House and passed the floor a brief three weeks after introduction. It is now pending before the Senate where momentum could slow down in response to the FTC’s action postponing implementation of the regulation.

NASW Assurance Services, Inc is now offering auto, homeowners, & renters insurance in addition to their malpractice coverage...see all their benefits at www.naswassurance.org !

Legal Issue of the Month Articles

For more information about NASW’s legal resources please visit the Legal Defense Fund webpage at www.socialworkers.org/ldf .

Clinical Social Workers and Private Practitioners Resources Directory

NASW resources for clinical social workers and private practitioners have been combined into one document, Managed Care Directory of Resources for Clinical Social Workers in Private Practice. It is available to NASW members online at the following link: https://www.socialworkers.org/practice/clinical/managedCare08/default.asp?back=yes


Social Work Reinvestment Act...Federal legislation affecting you and your practice....

NASW continues to need your support of the reintroduced the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795) in the House of Representatives. You may remember from the 110^th Congress that the act is designed to address challenges to the social work profession such as serious safety concerns, significant educational debt, and comparatively insufficient salaries, thereby helping to ensure that millions of our clients throughout the nation can continue to receive professional and quality care. This legislation will create the foundation for us to meet the ever-increasing demand for the services that we provide. We, as professional social workers, have the unique expertise and experience to help solve the social and economic difficulties that our nation is currently facing. Last year, we had a strong outpouring of grassroots mobilization through social workers' 50,000 letters to members of Congress; this year we need these again! Please contact your member of Congress and ask them to support these bills, and if they say no, ask for specifics information about their opposition. We hope you will share information with our office as well. Your Senators and Representatives are back at work in Washington need to hear from you....you can use our Legislative/Advocacy button to the left, above, and click on the CapWiz link to access contact information, and voting records for recent legislation affecting "equal pay for equal work" for women, children's health plan, and more. We strongly encourage you to review their voting record, and contact them. Thank you!

Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists

May 7, 2010 Meeting Report

This meeting was held at the Jackson Medical Mall First Steps Conference Room beginning at 10:30 a.m. Social Work Discipline Specific Committee (SW DSC) members in attendance: Kristi Plotner, Chair of the Board, Anna Lynn Whitt, Catherine Jones, and Pat Terry. Stella Johnson, SW DSC Chair, and Melinda Pilkinton were absent.

Billy Dilworth, MBOE Executive Director, presented the agency’s financial report. With 2 months left in the fiscal year, the budget is stable and within limits. He reported that the April renewal cycle had 595 renew and 109 lapse so far. He stated that he has seen a decrease in numbers being licensed overall. He discussed the office, and a possible move. He also reviewed the Complaint report, and no new complaints were filed this month. One case was dismissed, one case is scheduled for a hearing in September.

MBOE Chair, K. Plotner, discussed the status of committees of the board and their activities. She also reviewed the remaining meetings for this year to ensure a quorum will be present. As a result of that discussion there will be a combined November & December meeting to be held on December 10, 2010. She also stated that there is a tentative meeting scheduled with the Board of Psychology for October 8, 2010. The LPC Board is to be invited by the psychologists again. Kristi stated that any issue of concern for this meeting should be brought to her attention in advance of the meeting.

Jeff Hinton, LMFT Chair, reported that there is meeting of AAMFT-AMFTRB in Atlanta in the fall that all fourl MFTs want to attend, with board support. The MAMFT board is already beginning to plan for next year’s conference .

Stella Johnson,DS SW Chair was out this meeting. There was no SW report.

Gloria reported she would check on the “notice of return” that Pat received from the Senate. She was not confirmed.

The Board approved the following numbers of SW licenses:

2 LSW 1 LSW-Reciprocity 1 LMSW 1 LCSW-Reciprocity

Reinstatements 1 LMSW

1 LMFT 1 LMFT Reinstatement

The next meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2010 at the Jackson Medical Mall . Please contact the BOE office for directions, at 601.987.6806.

Federal employees can support NASW Foundation, CFC #12538, in the 2008 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). This pre-tax deduction is a great way to support charitable and educational social work projects. Learn more about the NASW Foundation and its work at www.NASWFoundation.org.

To view national job postings, click here To View MS listing click button on the left

"Publication of an advertisement does not constitute endorsement or approval of any product or service advertised, or any point of view, standard, or opinion presented therein. Mississippi Chapter, NASW is not responsible for any claims made in an advertisement appearing in its publications."