A talk on, “social work as a dissenting profession”

Michael Paul Garrett’s https://www.universityofgalway.ie/our-research/people/political-science-and-sociology/pmgarrett/ presentation to the the Indian Association of Social Workers Congress – fall of 2023, https://napswi.org/ helps us to put in context the evolving relevance of our code of ethics, practice knowledge and advocacy.  He provides a lay of the land on the tensions behind what can I say but to use the word neoliberalism, and the increasing push of care systems and the ensuing regulations to define compliance as professionalism, yet core to social work as a profession, is human rights.

The presentation provides some guides to building “progressive spaces” for our everyday practice, yet Garrett keeps it humble and aims for the local context, with his analysis and vision for social work.

See the presentation here:

 

In the context of entry to practice exams perpetuating structural barriers, “the three pillars of the profession – regulation, association, and education” are called upon to cooperate!

The article Clinical Social Work Practice in Canada: A Critical Examination of Regulation  helps in understanding our regulatory history and while a little Ontario centric, it captures the recent struggles of Canadian Social Work governance with licencing for clinical practice.   Again, this article is about the regulation of “clinical practice” in social work, recognizing that predominately this is now the activities most social workers are employed in rather than anything Jane Adams would have been up to, back in the day!  It makes recommendations that seek to strengthen regulation and protection of the public along with aims for evidence informed practice, founded in our knowledge base and values.

… The OCSWSSW has low entry to practice requirements (completion of SSW diploma or BSW or MSW degree) and no specific requirements for supervision, psychotherapy, continuing competence, and private practice. However, the OCSWSSW recently announced that an entry to practice exam will be implemented in 2027. It is unclear how the Ontario College will proceed with its plan for a licensing exam considering the recently revealed racial disparities in licensure exam pass rates. We are also unclear on how the other provinces that currently have licensing exams will respond to this important and pressing structural issue. We hope that provinces will re-evaluate the licensing exams and with transparency and community involvement will generate equitable ways of licensing competent social workers. …

My own experience of “the three pillars of the profession – regulation, association, and education” is that they remain siloed from each other with to be fair, occasional glimmers of cooperation.  The pivotal role of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), ultimately unexamined by most of us.  I went to a consultation on entry exams by them recently that left me believing they are creating another business arm of the social work industry, called entry to practice exam courses, rather than a life long learning, adult learner pedagogy that advances competence in our practice.

https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/what-social-work/three-pillars-social-work

Recommendations from the study:

…Based on the analysis of regulation and clinical social work practice in Canada, the authors propose the following list of recommendations to strengthen clinical social work practice across the country: (1) concerted effort from regulation, education, and association to strengthen clinical social work practice; (2) make standards of practice and codes of ethics uniform across the country for increased mobility, improved public trust, and enhanced clinical competence; (3) create a clinical social work designation in every province; (4) create entry to practice supervision requirements for independent clinical practice and for private practice; (5) specify the qualifications of clinical supervisors and require supervisors to complete training in clinical supervision; (6) set a minimum number of hours for continuing education and make it mandatory for members to submit an annual report; (7) evaluate the need for additional training for advanced clinical social work practice; (8) develop standards for private practice in all provinces and territories and include minimum requirements for private practice; (9) Distinguish between educational levels (i.e., BSW, MSW) and/or designations (i.e., RCSW) to ensure members are adequately trained for practice; and (10) demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation, equity, diversity, anti-oppression anti-discrimination, and anti-racism through acknowledgement of harms and historical trauma, recognition of non-Western worldviews, partnerships with community members, transparency about decision making, and openness to make changes. …

Kourgiantakis, T., Ashcroft, R., Mohamud, F., Benedict, A., Lee, E., Craig, S., Sewell, K., Johnston, M., McLuckie, A., & Sur, D. (2023). Clinical Social Work Practice in Canada: A Critical Examination of Regulation. Research on Social Work Practice, 33(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315221109486

Please see the article here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10497315221109486

Ontario budget, a set up to perpetuate crisis?

Below are some perspectives on the Ontario Budget of March 23/23. https://budget.ontario.ca/2023/highlights.html

While steady as it goes is a theme of the budget, how do we recon with the need to deploy plans to address the various crisis’ in housing, mental health, homelessness to name a few, with their underlying themes of declining capacity and lack of determination for a whole of government approach needed to dig into a systems approach?

I say a whole systems approach needed if we aim to shift away from perpetuating our siloed and fractured solutions to these issues and the Social Determinants of Health.

(Image: Social Determinants of Health (SDH) components listed such as: race, housing, social safety net, etc, from: (Mikkonen, J., & Raphael, D., 2010). Social Determinant of Health: The Canadian Facts. Toronto: York University School of Health Policy and Management.)

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From – Ontario office of the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives

Image: chart from CCPA “shows per capita program spending for each of the 10 provinces in 2021. Ontario is not only below the average of the rest of the provinces; it is dead last”  See article: https://monitormag.ca/articles/budget-2023-what-if-ontario-aimed-to-be-average/

…  The 2023-24 budget, released Thursday, spends $190.6 billion on public programs. Last year, the government spent $189.1 billion. In other words, overall program spending is set to go up by less than one per cent.

That’s not enough to keep up with inflation. Or population growth. Or the fact that the pandemic clearly showed us that Ontarians need more and stronger public services, not fewer and weaker ones.

Take these factors into account, and what seems like a small increase in funding is really a cut on a per person, inflation-adjusted basis. …  https://monitormag.ca/authors/sheila-block/

see the article here: https://monitormag.ca/articles/ontario-budget-2023-balanced-budget-leaves-ontarians-behind/

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Ottawa Area OASW Monthly Supper Club launches virtually

Lynn Sherwood will be hosting and topics are open.

To get rolling, icebreakers and conversation starters may be used to facilitate interaction and networking via the digital/virtual format. People will have an opportunity to share their contact information if they would like to stay in touch with one another. Post-pandemic the monthly group will choose restaurants in the Ottawa area.  All are encouraged to support local restaurants. 

The event is free and open to all social workers in the region. 

Wednesday, March 3 at 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Registration Link: https://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1125&EID=29126

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Keith Adamson in video below  briefly talks on the professional value of social worker’s associating. 

Don’t be put off by the ” “board” part of this post!

Announcement of reunification between OASW and CASW

…We are very pleased to announce that our work to elevate our voice includes rejoining the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) as a federation partner effective April 1, 2021. The reunification of OASW with the national federation is exceptionally exciting, as OASW will unite with social work associations across Canada to promote our profession, increase our impact on provincial and federal policy efforts, and provide additional resources to OASW members. …

…Effective April 1, 2021, the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW) will once again be a federation partner of CASW!The reunification of OASW to the national federation is exceptionally welcomed as CASW will once again have partner organization representation in every province and territory in Canada except for Quebec. … 

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After nigh on a decade, these two leading Canadian social work organizations have realigned themselves to advance our profession’s knowledge and values.  The fracture had centred around several provincial social work associations (Ontario and Alberta and Quebec earlier) withdrawing from the nationally focused social work organization Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).  The break was framed as CASW not effectively advancing the profession of social work by the two associations, for Quebec, nationalism was key.  Of course the provincial associations had some important points, though some thought, “follow the money,” as the funding for CASW came from provincial bodies.

Many of us from the Eastern Branch OASW advocated that a federal focus on policy was critical for the profession.   While there are various perspectives that can be brought to bear on federal and provincial view of the profession, generally the OASW Eastern Branch’s was based on our perhaps Ottawa centric view of social policy verses the OASW provincial office Toronto centric view.

I can’t pretend to know in any depth the ins and outs of it all but let’s just say at this time a decade ago, a lot of talk and presentations of evidence and experience occurred along with tangible and visionary aims for social work were shared.  One example of the energy at the time is that this website got launched and brought together various perspectives from across the country.  Although the ideals behind using social media to dialogue about our profession and governance didn’t actually move to an interactive conversation between parties, for example I had to use official statements from the OASW, yet important things were said and there was a record of sorts. 

Below are some samples of posts:

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/editorial-on-our-professions-shifting-terrain-colleen-lundy-therese-jennissen/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/members-of-the-alberta-college-of-social-workers-to-vote-on-resuming-membership-with-the-canadian-association-of-social-workers-casw/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/effective-march-31-2011-oasws-membership-in-the-canadian-association-of-social-workers-casw-will-be-suspended-for-a-period-of-one-year-oasw-communique-to-members/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2011/03/01/la-perspective-nationale-est-primordiale-et-le-retrait-de-lattso-ne-fait-que-renforcir-une-perspective-purement-provinciale-ou-regionale/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/the-real-question-is-in-what-organizational-form-do-individual-social-workers-regain-their-democratic-voice-at-the-national-and-international-level/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2011/02/17/oasw-has-responded-to-those-who-have-communicated-their-concerns-individually-and-has-provided-communiques-to-update-our-members-about-the-process-of-consultation-and-information-gathering-that-have-l/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/eastern-branch-board-letter-to-provincial-president-and-all-branches/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/the-difficulties-go-back-to-the-time-when-a-decision-was-made-to-turn-casw-into-an-organization-of-organizations-provincial-territorial-rather-than-of-individuals-quebec%e2%80%99s-withdra/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/to-suspend-its-membership-with-the-casw-will-impact-its-ability-to-meet-its-mandate-of-promoting-and-positioning-the-profession-advancing-the-interests-of-the-profession-and-meeting-emerging-tren/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/in-it-only-13-6-of-oasw-members-stated-that-oasw%e2%80%99-s-affiliation-with-casw-added-no-value-to-their-membership-glen-drover-explains/

https://socialhealthpracticeottawa.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/martha-wiebe-casw-has-helped-to-elevate-and-bring-credibility-to-the-profession-of-social-work/

 

“How We Helped,” 85 years of the Eastern Branch of the Ontario Association of Social Workers

With the 2021 reconfiguration of branch governance of the Ontario Association of Social Workers OASW resulting in the closing of branch boards, a historical review of the Eastern Branch’s role in advancing our profession was commissioned.  The five-part documentary communicates the Eastern Branch’s efforts to develop our profession and make relevant the principles and values of social work to community and Canadian society.

The podcasts provide a historical context to inform future milestones for our profession.

Part 1 – Growing our Practice: Education, Professionalization, & the Fight for Recognition

In the first part of How We Helped, we explore the Eastern Branch’s early days, its contributions to social work educational programs in Ottawa, and the push for certification and the establishment the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers.

Part 2 – A Human Touch: The People of Social Work

In this episode, we try to answer two key questions: who goes into social work? And what motivates them throughout their career?

Part 3 – Strength in Numbers: Building a Social Work Community

In this episode, we talk about the Eastern Branch’s role in creating a community of social work in the region and the support provided to members.

Part 4 – The Desire to Help: The Eastern Branch and Social Issues

In this episode, we explore how social workers in Eastern Ontario have addressed some of the biggest social issues over the past 85 years.

Part 5 – Raising our Voice: Advocacy and the Eastern Branch

In this episode, we explore the Eastern Branch’s advocacy efforts and some of their most effective advocacy strategies

Listen to the podcasts here: https://howwehelped.wordpress.com/

Creating the story of Social Work history in Eastern Ontario

The eastern branch OASW is documenting our profession’s historical role in social advocacy and development of social work practice in Eastern Ontario, seeking to bridge its relevance to today. Dr. Sean Graham, historian from Carleton University is working with the branch members and social workers beyond the branch to document our history and create a video.

Please join the conversation on how to tell our story on November 10th, on zoom.

Tuesday, November 10
7 pm – 8:30 pm
Please join us for an interactive
discussion on our documentary the
History of Social Work in Eastern Ontario

Register for the zoom meeting here: oasw.east@gmail.com 

OASW announces reform of the organization, strengthening the local, by ending local branch structures and centralizing activities.

Ontario Association of Social Workers OASW, move to further reform the organization – strengthening the local, by ending local branch boards and activities to a more centralized approach.

Personally, I’m unsure what to make of it.  It truly is a challenge to bridge the local context and make relevant to the broader provincial and I would say national context.  At the provincial office, it must have been hard to seek out relevant solutions to the challenge with the competing pros and cons, strengths and weakness.

(Photo of: Eastern Branch 82nd Spring Gala & AGM) https://www.oasw.org/Public/About_OASW/Eastern_Branch.aspx

I do feel the loss of a legacy, The Eastern Branch OASW, a group with a sharp local focus on social work policy and practice, in Ottawa. Over the years of my involvement with the Eastern Ontario OASW –the local side, I’ve very much appreciated the social workers I worked with -thoughtfulness, savvy, including those I felt on the opposite side of as we struggled to apply governance for our profession.

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New & Innovative Structure to Support Local Member Engagement

…The most significant change to our local structure will be the elimination of Regional, Branch and Branch board structures that will support the launch of a Local Engagement Ambassador (ELA) program in 25 communities across the province. …

Please see the news release and background document – FAQ here:

Announcement: https://www.oasw.org/Public/Announcements/New__Innovative_Structure_to_Support_Local_Member_Engagement.aspx

FAQs– https://files.constantcontact.com/5cda4eaa201/0e2d21a7-3855-49e5-8296-1826422f10e8.pdf

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Call for members of eastern branch OASW to learn and discuss the organizational changes

…” We want to open the board meeting to all our members. Beverlee, Lynn, Barbara and I will do our best to answer and clarify. Evelyn Weger, our provincial representative, will join us as well.

Please feel free to ask anyone who wants to join the Zoom meeting to email oasw.eb.board@gmail.com and I will send out the details on Wednesday morning.

Stay well, Wendy Birkhan, President, OASW Eastern Branch, On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Eastern Branch ”

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ODSP and Ontario Welfare budget impacts explained

From the Income Security Advoacy Centre http://incomesecurity.org/

Ontario Budget 2019 Announces $1 Billion in OW and ODSP Cuts

April 11, 2019

– Massive Cuts to Legal Aid Funding Also Announced –

The 2019/2020 Ontario Budget was announced today, and creates even more uncertainty for people who receive benefits from the Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) system.

While the Budget is short on details about changes to social assistance, it confirms many of the reforms that government has already announced. What is new is the government’s forecast of $1 billion in savings from these reforms:

“Reforming the social assistance system by simplifying the rate structure, reducing administration, cutting unnecessary rules, and providing greater opportunities to achieve better employment outcomes for social assistance recipients, resulting in estimated annual savings of over $1 billion at maturity” (p.9).  …

Please go to their site: http://incomesecurity.org/public-education/ontario-budget-2019-announces-1-billion-in-ow-and-odsp-cuts/

 

” …governments that are afraid of taxes have two choices: sell off public assets or take on a deficit. …”

Analysis of Ontario Budget in the context of the election by: Trish Hennessy, Ricardo Tranjan and Sheila Block, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – Ontario Office

 https://www.policyalternatives.ca/offices/ontario

…  Meanwhile, the decision to put off raising any significant new taxes in order to ensure fiscal health in light of long-term slow economic growth projections means the government heads into this election with a deficit-funded platform. The technical adjustment in the personal income tax system from surtaxes to adjusted brackets and rates will increase taxes paid by higher income Ontarians by $275 million. At most, higher income earners will pay $200 more per person. Otherwise, when it comes to taxes nothing much to see here.

The wise Alex Himelfarb, CCPA-Ontario advisory board chair and former clerk to the Privy Council, has said governments that are afraid of taxes have two choices: sell off public assets or take on a deficit. This government has already sold off public assets, including the majority share of Hydro One, which is one of the most unpopular things it has done. Keeping public assets in public hands makes more sense since it gives government greater control.

Going into deficit is the better trade-off between the two options, but we do pay the price for tax avoidance. Had the government turned to key revenue tools to raise taxes during these past few years of reasonable post-recession economic growth, it would have been better positioned to make these needed investments in hospitals, pharmacare, dental care, child care, and more. There would have been less catching up required.

See the analysis here: http://behindthenumbers.ca/2018/03/28/ontario-budget-placeholder/