Social Work

Welcome to the Social Work Section of NCPHA

What the Social Work Section can do for you:

• Connect to a statewide network of public health social workers
• Gain valuable information and access to continuing education, by attending the NCPHA annual conference and events sponsored by the Social Work Section, such as the annual Public Health Social Work Conference.
• Make an impact on legislation and crucial public health issues
• Benefit from discipline specific training as well as opportunities to participate in training pertinent to public health, presented by other professional groups
• Participate, collaborate and network with colleagues from all public health disciplines
• Experience a place where good friendships are fostered

Social Work Section Meetings in 2008-09

The NCPHA Social Work Section will hold the following meetings:

• Friday, September 25, 2008 at the annual conference
• other meetings TBA -- conference calls

The Section is subject to the bylaws and practices of the larger NCPHA organization and is largely composed of social workers in local health departments, CDSAs and regional offices. Membership is open to all interested social workers.

Social Work Section Session at the 2008 NCPHA Annual Education Conference

Thursday, September 25, 2008
8:45am - 11:45am

Showcasing North Carolina's Public Health:
People, Pride, and Professionalism

Quality Customer Service

with Bill Browder and Teme Levbarg

This will be a dynamic and participatory session that will send you home with renewed commitment to great customer care and with good ideas for how to accomplish that.

Bill Browder, MPA
Senior Advisor
NC Institute for Public Health

Teme Levbarg, PhD, MSW
Continuing Education Specialist
NC Institute for Public Health

Beginning at 11:45 there will be a combined luncheon/business meeting/awards/raffle drawing

• Make your reservation for the Social Work Section luncheon by September 10
• Send in your awards nominations by August 20
• Sell raffle tickets to benefit the Social Work Section

Barbara Stelly, Chair (2007-2008) Regional Social Work Consultant 910-488-3098

Deborah Maxwell, Membership Chair dmaxwell@brunsco.net

The network of public health social work practitioners in North Carolina is connected by three key component groups:

• NCPHA Social Work Section
• NC Continuing Education and Training Advisory Committee for Public Health Social Work (CETAC)
• NC Association of Public Health Social Workers (NCAPHSW).

More About CETAC

The Continuing Education and Training Advisory Committee for Public Health Social Work (CETAC) delivers training opportunities designed by public health social workers for public health social workers, in North Carolina. Keep your eye out for a new CETAC display on exhibit at various conferences and statewide meetings and be sure to get a copy of the new Public Health Social Work brochure.

And while you're at it, take a look at the updated PowerPoint presentation which promotes public health social work careers to social work students. The CETAC volunteer speaker's bureau is actively using these materials in presentations to social work students throughout the state. You can use these same materials in your agency to orient your non-social work colleagues to the contributions of public health social work.

Because of this initiative, social work students have field placements in public health settings. We anticipate that by increasing the public health opportunities for social work students, we will draw them into the field of public health social work, when they graduate.

To learn more about other CETAC sponsored activities go to: www.sph.unc.edu/oce/cetac.

More About NCAPHSW

NCPAHSW is the only independent organization focused on advocacy for public health social workers.

The work of the Association includes:

• Advocacy for the profession
• Providing an organized network for social workers across the state
• Monitoring, influencing and publicizing significant political and social issues which affect PHSW practice
• Enhancing public health social workers' professional skills
• Serving as a consultant to the State Health Director in the capacity of an advocate and representative of public health social workers.
• Advocating for the advancement of PHSW issues by presenting concerns and needs to the State Health Director.
• Collecting and distributing relevant practice information to a local public health social workers and the State Health Director.
• Aiding in the development of continuing education and training activities for the professional growth of public health social workers.

Contact Delphine Wiggins at delphine.wiggins@co.edgecombe.nc.us

Remember that the work you do is critical and makes a difference. Help does start with you and without you there would be no public health social work in North Carolina.