Thursday, January 7, 2010

January 7, 2010

Happy New Year! www.fordham.edu/gss


Announcements

Here’s what’s happening, A to Z. Details on all announcements are located on the ground-floor and main-level bulletin boards.

Director of Career Services, Benay Lindenauer at Westchester Campus- On Monday, January 11th & Tuesday, January 12th. If you're a GSS student interested in making an appointment to speak with Benay, please e-mail her at lindenauer@fordham.edu.

Cancellation of SWGS 6103 00A Social Work with HIV/AIDS- Please note that the following course elective, Social Work with HIV/AIDS (8:50-10:40 a.m., Saturday) has been cancelled and will be replaced with a child abuse elective taught by Dr. Bullock. If you have any questions, please call (914) 367-3101.

Advanced year field planning meeting for students entering their second year of field placement will take place on January 27,2009 in the Common Ground Cafe.
There will be two sessions, same information will be covered at both sessions. The first session is from 12:30-2:30 and the second session is from 3:00-5:00pm.
January 27th is a foundation year integrative seminar day. If you attend the morning seminar please plan on attending the 12:30 session and if you attend the evening seminar please plan on attending the 3:00 session. For the first hour of the meeting faculty will present on the advanced year curriculum including concentrations and specializations. The second hour of the meeting will focus on field placement procedures.

GSS Westchester Benefits Fair for Policy Students- Time: Monday, January 11, 2010, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: Fordham Westchester Campus. Mandatory for Social Policy Spring ’10 Students. Counts for 4 hours of Guided Instruction. Come join us for the Graduate School of Social Service Health/Mental Health Benefits Fair. The Fair will consist of agency resource tables providing information on benefits for our clients, keynote speaker Dr. Cynthia Poindexter and workshops focusing on entitlements and benefits for specific populations. For detailed information, please click on the following image:



*Steps to Purchase Campus Course Paks for Your Spring 2010 Courses- Please click onto the following image for detailed instructions:




"4" Fordham Big Events in Celebration of the Big Read- In honor on the Big Read, an initative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Fordham University Westchester Campus is hosting 4 free events that capture the spirit of the movement: Writing Our Lives: A Creative Writing Workshop for Veterans, Book discussion on The Things They Carries by Tim O'Brien, Veterans Art Exhibit, and Artists Reception celebrating the Veterans Art Exhibit. To register for the "Writing Our Lives" workshops, e-mail info@writerscenter.org or call (914) 332-5953. To register for all other events, e-mail eventswc@fordham.edu or call (914) 367-3202. For detailed information, please click on the following image:



*Fordham Westchester Online Book Order Instructions- To order your books online through Fordham Universities' website, please click on the following image:




*GSS Commencement Date Reminder- GSS Graduation will be in the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, May 23rd at 1:00 p.m.

*Field Planning Meeting for Advanced Year Placement (Fall 2010)-Time: Wednesday, January 27th, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. for morning integrated seminar/3-5 p.m. for evening integrated seminar. Location: Cafe on lower level. This meeting will include faculty presentations.

*Macro Practice Electives-The following Spring 2009 electives are being offered for the Leadership & Macro Practice Concentration: Tuesday-1:40-3:30 p.m.- SWGS-6616 00A Program & Proposal Development-Dr. Heyman Saturday-10:50 a.m.-12:40 p.m.- SWGS-6615 00A Supervision & Staff Development-Prof. Herche *NOTE: These electives are available to Foundation Year students as long as they have completed HBSE I and II.

*GRADUATION INFORMATION-The Commencement Ceremony for February, May and August 2010 graduates will be on Sunday, May 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at the WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden. May and August 2010 graduates need to file a Candidate for Degree Card by January 29, 2010. You are an August graduate if you are taking your last course in Summer Session and/or in a 14 hour/week field placement. August graduates are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremony in May, but will receive a diploma dated August 9th - it will be mailed to you or you can pick it up in mid-September. February 1st graduates should already have completed a Candidate for Degree card. If you did not, do so immediately. Cards are available in Room 726 at Lincoln Center and Room 102 in Westchester. You will receive more information about graduation through Integrative Seminars and meetings in the Spring semester. If you are a ‘10 graduate and not in seminar this year, please read the monthly calendars and read the signs at each campus. Graduates will receive six (6) tickets for guests. There will be graduation parties: Lincoln Center’s will be Friday, May 21st from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. in Pope Auditorium. The Student Congress at Westchester will be planning for the Westchester celebration. More information to come.

*LMSW/LSW REVIEW-There will be free review sessions for the Licensed Master’s Social Worker (New York State) and the Licensed Social Worker (New Jersey) exams offered at Lincoln Center and in Westchester in early June. Dates will be announced soon. In New York State you need to have completed your degree requirements before you can take the Master’s level exam. In New Jersey you can take the Master’s level exam during your last semester. Applications for the NY State exam are available on the state’s website – www.op.nysed.gov/sw. NJ residents can call (973) 504-6495 for an application. Connecticut has one level of licensing - the “Clinical/ Advanced” level test and 3,000 hours of Post-master’s experience is needed. If you are interested in licensing in other states, go to the Association of Social Work Board’s website at http://www.aswb.org/.

*COURSE ON THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT-It is a requirement that proof of completion of a two hour course on child abuse identification and reporting be provided when applying for the LMSW in New York State. This will be offered to students for a $25 charge several times during the spring semester at both the Lincoln Center and Westchester campuses – check the monthly calendars and bulletin boards for dates. Other approved providers in the state can be found on the state’s website www.op.nysed.gov/caproviders.htm. If you have previously taken such a course you do not have to reenroll, but you will need the certificate of completion at the time you apply for the license.

*FIELD INSTRUCTION-Students who will be entering their advanced/second/final field placement in Fall 2010 will begin their field work planning by attending a meeting at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, January 27th at either 11:30 – 1:30 or 6:45 – 8:15 in the 12th floor Lounge. At Westchester it will be Wednesday, January 27th at either 12:30 – 2:30 or 3:00 – 5:00 in the Common Ground Cafe. This includes Advanced Standing Students who began part-time this year and EESSP students who will do their one internship in ’10 – ‘11. Students who will be entering their first/foundation field placement in Fall 2010 will begin their planning through meetings a bit later in the semester. At Lincoln Center the options will be Saturday, February 27th from 12:40 – 1:30, Wednesday, March 3rd from 5:30 – 7:00, and Thursday, March 4th from 12:40 – 1:30, all in McMahon Hall Room 109. At Westchester the meeting options are Thursday, March 4th from 12:40 – 1:40 and Saturday, March 6th from 12:40 – 1:40, location to be announced.

*BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS FAIR–On Monday, January, 11th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. there will be a Benefits and Entitlements Fair at both Lincoln Center (12th Floor Lounge) and Westchester (Rooms 228 & 230). All foundation year students should plan on attending this event. It is part of the guided instruction requirement for Social Welfare Policy and Services (SWGS6006). The theme is Human Rights, Dr. Cynthia Poindexter will be the keynote speaker, and several faculty will be respondents. Students can attend the event at either Lincoln Center or Westchester as the speakers will be teleconferenced, followed by breakout sessions at each campus on benefits and entitlements that affect our clients. Advanced year students are welcome to attend.

*GSS WEBSITE-The school’s website has information on it that can be very helpful to you. The Student Handbook, calendars, and LMSW information are some of what you will find. Log on to www.fordham.edu/gss and click on Student Resources. The Continuing Education information may be of interest too, so click on that link as well.

*FINANCIAL AID-Applications for student loans and Tuition Remission/Assistance for the upcoming academic year will be available at each campus in early February.

*NEW ELECTVES-Below are course descriptions for new elective offerings. These are both three credit courses. For descriptions of any GSS course offering, click on View Catalogue Entry link in Banner.

SWGS 6036 Social Work With Active Duty Soldiers, Veterans and their Families- This course, open to all advanced year social work students, explores the role of social work within the military in meeting the needs of active duty soldiers, veterans and their families. The course begins with an exploration of social work practice within the military from an historical perspective. The changing demographic makeup of the military and the implications for social work practice are also a part of this exploration. Issues related to the development of cultural competence and cultural sensitivity when working with the military are also explored. The course then focuses on developing an evidence-based understanding of the current social service, mental health, and health needs of active duty soldiers, veterans, and their families and the intervention methods being used to respond to these needs. While the needs of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are emphasized, the similar and different needs of veterans from previous conflicts are also considered. The challenges being faced by social workers in meeting the needs of military women, single parents, gay and lesbian soldiers and immigrant soldiers and their family members are also explored. Students analyze and critique current methods of intervention at all levels of practice and consider ways that the social work profession could further contribute to meeting the needs of active duty soldiers, veterans, and their families.

SWGS 6038 Agency and Community-Based Assessment and Evaluation Rationale: As professionals who intervene on behalf of vulnerable populations, social workers have an ethical obligation to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions with the individuals, families, organizations, and communities they serve. Contemporary social work practice requires that administrators and practitioners are accountable to multiple stakeholders, including policy makers, funders, agency executives, and clients. Social workers must be prepared to respond to stakeholders using research and quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation measures. Purpose: The purpose of this course is to prepare students for contemporary social work practice that demands that social workers are proficient in evaluating agency and community-based programs. Students who take this course will learn about a variety of evaluation methods, including their purpose, effectiveness, and efficiency. The range of philosophies, methods, and skills commonly used for evaluating human service programs and social work practice interventions will be covered. Special attention is placed on evaluating the extent to which social programs address diversity and empowerment across diverse populations and settings.

*Important Notice on Evidence Based Practice Spring Semester Elective-Many Tuesday Advanced Year students have asked about the Evidence Based Practice elective on Tuesday at 10:50 a.m. There has been a lot of confusion about content of the course. We have been assured by Fordham administration that this course will have a lot of content on service provision to children. For anyone interested in social work with children, this would be an appropriate course. Info: Tuesday, 10:50 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Professor: Dr. Dana Marlowe. Registration begins November 30th. Thank you.

*Spring 2010 Class Schedules- Westchester course offerings for the Spring 2010 semester can be viewed on Fordham's GSS page under the Student Resources/Class Schedules menu option. The direct link is located under the GSS Westchester Links section of the blog.

*Ethical Eye- This November, a newsletter discussing ethics in social work practice -- the "ETHICAL EYE" -- will be published. Our first edition will include thoughts from faculty about ethics in social work practice. Subsequent issues, however, will involve YOU! We have established an anonymous web-based submission form for you to submit ethical dilemmas encountered in your practice for future publication and discussion.

Here's how it works:

1.) You experience a situation in your internship that you think involves ethical decision-making -- a client, for example, asks you to "keep a secret" but you are part of a treatment team; or your research project involves 5 year-old children and you wonder how you can ask for their consent to participate.

2.) You go to the web by clicking on Click Here to take survey and fill out the easy to follow submission guide.

3.) Your anonymous submission is read by a committee made up of an administrator, faculty from field, the Ethical Eye editor, and representatives from your student congress.

4.) The committee will then make a selection of scenarios from your submission to publish for our Fordham community. The publication will include responses from selected faculty and students, creating a community dialogue.

SHARPEN YOUR FOCUS-BE A PART OF THE "ETHICAL EYE"

*Attention Left-handed GSS Students: Receive a desktop palette for right-handed desks today! The following attachment, meant for those who experience awkwardness taking notes on right-handers' deskstops, may be obtained in room 147. Contact: Grant Grastorf, (914) 367-3202 or via e-mail at grastorf@fordham.edu.

*Student Congress – Congress is composed of 1 to 3 students from each integrative seminar. Please consider volunteering.

*Writing services – Writing consultant is Jacqueline McKnight (jmckcsw@aol.com). Writing handbooks ($10) and a complete list of services are available in 106A.


This Week at GSS

1/04: Campus re-opens from break; January intersession courses begin.

1/05: Normal operating day

1/06: January intersession courses

1/07: Normal operating day

1/08: Normal operating day

1/09: Last Saturday class for fall semester

Important Reminders/Deadlines

*Parking permits – Secure your parking permit registration at the security desk. Upon completion, submit to security office, room 143, with car registration and student ID. Fee is $100 per year.

*Student ID cards are delivered to Henry Davis, room 106A, if you mailed your photo to Fordham. Otherwise, visit room 13G on the ground level to secure your card.

Community Events

*Cultivating Relationships: Body Language Awareness- A special workshop presented by the NASW NYS Westchester Division. This highly interactive, experiential workshop will help participants explore the meaning of their gestures, sensations and actions, and help them discover how to use this new knowledge in providing treatment. Enhance your skills in providing individual, group and family therapy, and family sculpture. Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Place: New York Presbyterian Hospital, Main Building, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY 10605 (at Maple Ave.). Light refreshments & coffee will be served. Everyone is welcome. For more information, please call (914) 367-3100.

*Engaging the Traumatized Patient- Sponsored by The Metropolitan Institute for Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy & The Metropolitan Center for Mental Health. Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010. Time: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Location: The Metropolitan Center for Mental Health, 1090 St. Nicholas Avenue (located on West 165th St. between St. Nicholas & Amsterdam Avenues, downstairs level next to Church Santa Rosa de Lima). fee: $50.00 includes breakfast (no fee to mcmh staff). $30.00 student fee (includes breakfast), with proof of student status. In this workshop, clinicians will learn how to expand their therapeutic skills to engage the trauma patient and how to stay engaged in an often-difficult process. Space for the workshop is limited. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact: Joyce A. Lerner, LCSW, Director, MITPP: (212) 496-2858, mitppnyc@aol.com.

*Win A Trip with NY Times Columnist Nicholas Kristof to a Developing Country! - Mr. Kristof holds a competition to take one college/university student with him on a reporting trip each year. Past trips were to Guinea, Cameroon and the Central African Republic; Ruwanda, Congo and Burundi; and West Africa. For information on how to apply, click on the following link: http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/.

*National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence/Westchester, Inc. (NCADD)-For information on the up-coming CASAC Training Program and/or Family Information Series, please call (914) 949-8500 or check out their website at http://www.ncaddwestchester.org/.

*Psychotherapy Treatment- Available through Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. Referrals for treatment on a sliding scale. No insurance necessary. -Prompt referrals, very reasonable sliding scale fees. -Treatment provided by highly trained & experienced psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. -Daytime & evening hours available, private offices in Westchester, Rockland, Fairfield Counties -Strict confidentiality, no insurance needed or utilized. -Long-term intensive treatment available, For application or more information: Call Nancy Bobker: (914) 967-1300 or visit their website: http://www.wcspp.orf/ (click treatment tab). WCSPP is a non-profit educational institution chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

*Zen Interfaith Sitting Meditation- Every Monday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J., Chapel located at Fordham Westchester. Free and open to all; No registration needed. For more information visit http://www.kennedyzen.org/ or contact Carol Gibney at (914) 367-3420.

Student to Student

Do you have an announcement for other students; something to buy, sell, exchange; a group or activity you want to organize? Please e-mail your announcement to Henry Davis (hdavis8@fordham.edu) for posting.


Career Services/Licensing

Benay Lindenauer, Director of Career Services – lindenauer@fordham.edu, 212-636-7639.

Welcome to GSS News & Views!

Check in regularly, and feel free to contact any GSS staff member for support. Here is how you find us.

Janna C. Heyman, Ph.D., Associate Dean/Program Director; 917-367-3030, heyman@fordham.edu


Linda White-Ryan, LMSW, R.N., CASAC, Assistant Director; 914-367-3017, whiteryan@fordham.edu


Aida Lau, Academic Administrator, GSS Tuition Remission, alau@fordham.edu; 914-367-3104


Henry Davis, Assistant to the Dean/Faculty and Student Services, hdavis8@fordham.edu; 914-367-3101


Laura Sutter, Executive Secretary, lsutter@fordham.edu; 914-367-3108


Field Practicum staff :

Vincenza Corcoran, Associate Director, 914-367-3107; Corcoran@fordham.edu


Gail Davenport, Assistant Director, 914-367-3109; gdavenport@fordham.edu


GSSS Westchester Career Services:


Derek Brown, Coordinator of Career Services, adebrown@fordham.edu


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Fordham Westchester Library Hours:


Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.


Friday: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.


Saturday & Sunday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.


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