NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF FORENSIC SOCIAL WORK

Executive Council President: Kathleen Carty kcarty@cox.net President-Elect: Tina Maschi tmaschi@fordham.edu Vice President: Valarie Mitchell Valarie.mitchell@ defender.org Secretary: Susan McCarter smccarter@uncc.edu Treasurer: Steven Hartsock slhartsock@frostburg.edu Councilors: Elgie Dow elgiedow@charter.net Francis Murzello murzello@telus.net Viola Vaughan-Eden Violavaughaneden @cox.net Executive Director: Paul Brady pbrady@nofsw.org

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Building BridgesInterdisciplinary Collaboration through NOFSW: Presidents ColumnWelcome back and welcome to our members and visitors to this National Organization of Forensic Social Work Newsletter! As many of you already know, the NOFSW Executive Council has been meeting at least monthly on strategic planning, quality improvements, and projects which reflect the heart and soul of the people who comprise this organization of forensic social work. The need for this organization is growing as the needs of the people in this country increase, lives become more tenuous, and members are called upon to have a greater impact with fewer resources. So, our EC and NOFSW committees have been hard at work! NOFSW Committees include: the Ethics Committee chaired by me, the President; Membership Committee chaired by our Vice-President, Valarie Mitchell; Budget Committee, chaired by Treasurer, Steven Hartsock; Communications Committee, chaired by the Secretary, Susan McCarter; and the Conference Committee, which enjoys shared leadership. Meanwhile, Tina Maschi, President-Elect, is working on a unique programming opportunity to conduct webinars and Elgie Dow, our historian, is working on special projects honoring the upcoming NOFSW anniversary. We have all been striving to implement the changes that you, the members at large, suggested in our surveys over the past two years. Your suggestions were not limited to: improving interactive and interdisciplinary communication, recruiting new members from universities and colleges, forging relationships with professionals in commensurate fields, growing our organization with funding sources, and encouraging members to become more actively engaged in NOFSW. This includes an ongoing dialogue to enhance support and informationsharing, and NOFSW service such as becoming councilors/ Executive Council members, and committee members, and the new faces and voices of forensic social work! We continue to work to build a strong organization but we would love your support. How can you support NOFSW? Any number of ways! Mention NOFSW in your own staff meetings or faculty meetings. Like us on Facebook. Add http://www.NOFSW.org as a link on your own website or invite people to visit the website. If youre not a member, considering joining NOFSW. Write, email, or blog to let us know what is happening in your neck of the woods and you will be surprised just how many people may share your situation, or may have just the right bit of information or advice. Open Court welcomes articles about someone you know who is an extraordinary forensic worker read Eltons Corner and consider it an avenue!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:Presidents Column, continued An Ethics Discussion by M. Feer Eltons Corner & Annual Conference Conference Topics

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Each of us confronts ethical dilemmas in our daily lives and soon you will have easy access to submit questions regarding NOFSW ethical challenges. You can go to the recently renovated website www.NOFSW.org. Want to write something a bit longer? Easily submit an article for publication to your Journal of Forensic Social Work where coeditors, Viola Vaughan-Eden and Rob Butters, or members

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Presidents Column, continuedor know someone who does, check it out! Submissions for designs are now being accepted and one will be chosen to be printed on the shirts. The shirts will be available at the conference along with Welcome to our NOFSW home gift bags. We have accepted nominations for the Sol Gothard Award which will be presented at the opening ceremony in Baltimore. There is much more but we dont want to give away all of the surprises, not just yet. Look for the brochure and event outline, coming soon, so you can choose how many and which presentations you will attend. You can organize with your colleagues and friends to be sure to attend as many presentations as possible so you can share your knowledge at your own office and community. You dont have to be a member to attend but wed love to have you! Look forward to meeting with you, sharing stories, and forging relationships! Warmly, Kathleen A. Carty, PhD NOFSW President

of their editorial board, can help you get your scholarly manuscript published. And this April (15th-18th) we will all meet again in April at the beautiful Tremont Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland for our 29th annual conference, Building Bridges Interdisciplinary Collaboration. I have visited the site, met with the Conference Committee, and am wildly enthusiastic about this conference! You may have received an email from Paul Brady, Executive Director, regarding our very own (polo) T-shirt contest! If you have an artistic flair,

NOFSWs 29th Annual Conference: Building Bridges April 15-18th at the Tremont Plaza Hotel, Baltimore, MDSkilled Forensic Social Workers are in high demand as our Legal, Mental Health & Criminal Justice Systems face unprecedented pressures. Times such as these call for extraordinary solutions, and you will find them at NOFSW Conference on Building Bridges Interdisciplinary Collaborations.Online Registration: Click here Conference Schedule & Registration Form: Click here

The 29th Annual Conference will be held in Baltimore April 15-18, 2012 at the Tremont Plaza Hotel, 222 St. Paul Place, Baltimore. Room rates are $155 plus taxes (about 15.5%) single or double, $175 plus taxes triple and $194 plus taxes quad. Call 1-800-873-6668 for reservations and request the group rate for the National Organization of Forensic Social Work or make your reservation online here and be sure to use NOFSW2012 in the group code box.

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Compassion or ConvictionDo you believe in retributive justice? Penitential justice? Or in justice based upon compassion, even forgiveness? Whichever you pick, you have opted for the right one. For, fortunately, all of the above are founded on well-rooted ethical principles. Which ethical path to follow is not based on which is correct or more correct, rather on your suite of values, morals and beliefs those attributes that guide your ethical decision-making. In professional practice we are often faced with personal choices, choices between right and right. Ethical principles provide us standards of behavior, of action when facing these dilemmas. Professional codes of ethics clarify right conduct versus wrong conduct. Such codes are immensely helpful when examining dichotomy in a dilemma. But what do we do when faced with right versus right? Or the gray which lies somewhere in between? Is mitigation a boon, benefit, boondoggle or bane to the convicted, the professional, to society? Lets talk about civil commitment. Civil commitment for sex offenders anyone? Or how about a position on the actions mandated by the DSM, or heaven help us, the DSM-V? These agendas can continue on to create a rather long list, from abortion, to same-sex marriage, to internet privacy and on, and on. Indeed, these are social, personal, professional dilemmas. Values, morals, and beliefs lie at the base of our choices and the ethical system that codifies, in so doing, rationalizes our behavior. In the United States we say we value independence and personal autonomy the individual responsive to personal law. Yet living in a nation of law, enforceable law a society believing in the greatest good for the greatest number. Most of the laws we enact and act by follow this dictum the greatest good for the greatest number the ethical principle of utility. Utility discerns possible results ends and selects the one that is expected to produce the most positive ends for the citizenry.

An Ethics Discussion EthicsContributed by Michael Feer, MA, MS, MSW, LCSWOthers follow a different ethics a system based on following a particular set of rules to live by never mind trying to find the ends. Do what you must to follow your rules, expecting others to comprehend and agree never mind what some consequences might be. This is the categorical imperative of Kantian ethics. A third ethical paradigm is based on that of placing yourself in anothers shoes the Golden Rule. For many of us, professional or not, this principle guides us and has guided many in the world for centuries. When you consider tossing some trash, you may think about the consequences of your action, utility or be stopped by your rule, Never Litter, Kant or ask yourself, Is this what I would want others to do? - Golden Rule. All appropriate ethical questions. Each is useful and valid because each affords a perspective, perhaps a professional perspective to assess our dilemmas. So, what is good, what is proper conduct and what is the appropriate justice to deliver to the convicted felon? The answer is yours the dilemma is ours, and the resulting action is ethical when guided guided by a rationalized examination of values, morals, beliefs, and codes that you and we best aspire to

Councilor: A Councilor shall render active service on at least one NOFSW committee, act as liaison between the membership of NOFSW and the Executive Council, and in general perform all of the duties as from time to time may be assigned to him/her by the Executive Council or by the President.

Duties of the Executive Council: The Executive Council will act for NOFSW, speak inits name, have title to its property, and perform all acts necessary to achieve the purposes of NOFSW, except when the membership is assembled in general meeting. On those occasions, the general membership shall assume such powers. Councilors shall serve for 3 years with 3 Councilors elected each year.

Eligibility For Executive Council:

Members eligible to stand for election to the Executive Council shall hold a degree in social work at the masters or doctoral level, have a minimum of 5 years of continuous, full-time professional experience in forensic social work, have been a full NOFSW member for at least 2 years, confirm a willingness to host a conference, and confirm a willingness to actively serve on at least one committee.

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Eltons CornerIn our January 2012 issue of Open Court, Elgie Dow wrote an article, the first in a series, called Eltons Corner. He invited us to write about someone in forensic social work who epitomizes the work that we do. This prompted me to think about the many people I know who have worked in forensic social work. Forensic social work is fluid, one that can incorporate several aspects of a single event and/or individual. Elgie Dow is that someone who excels in his works as a forensic social worker and especially exemplifies this in his role as a Mitigation Specialist. Mitigation specialists are strongly identified with forensic social work. A mitigation specialist is one who is competent in identifying collateral evidence of substance use, identifying traumatic brain injury and cognitive deficits, mental health issues, cultural influences, and adept at identifying biological and intergenerational patterns of behavior that may have influenced the defendant. Although Mitigation Specialist may not be the absolute job definition for this man, he has certainly met many of the criteria for a mitigation specialist. His practice was with incarcerated persons, having

I just thought you should know.

Kathleen A. Carty, PhD MSW LICSW worked in, and recently retired from President NOFSW the Michigan Department of Corrections. Elgie Dow devoted his career Perhaps youd like to write about someto improving the life of the incarcer- one you know who goes the extra mile to ated population. He has served on the provide justice and compassion and inNOFSW Executive Council since clude it in Eltons Corner. Or, we are also 2008, and continues to do so. You interested in any historic details you may may know him only as the husband of wish to share regarding NOFSW. You his lovely and engaging wife, Janice, may submit articles to Susan McCarter, who attends all the conferences and co-editor of Open Court, at smcmeetings to help him fulfill his require- carter@uncc.edu or historic data to Elgie Dow, NOFSW Historian, at elments. giedow@charter.net. Elgie has worked tirelessly despite his own disability. He has served on the Membership Committee and graciously accepted the NOFSW Executive Council request to serve as Historian. As Ive had the personal pleasure to meet and be professionally involved with Elgie it has become more and more evident that he is a man of his word, he is compassionate, a consummate professional who is able to forge relationships and bonds that extend far beyond conferences and meetings. His humor and dedication are infectious. It is my pleasure and honor to work with this man, to be able to hear his perspective on any number of subjects, and to benefit from his experience.

...we defined forensic social work broadly as a subspecialty of social work that applies an integrative approach (i.e., generalist, specialized, and collaborative) to social work practice with diverse populations impacted by legal issues both civil and/or criminal. Forensic social work combines social work and specialized legal and policy skills to target social functioning and socio-legal conditions. The use of the term forensic underscores the infusion of social justice and human rights principles. It also underscores the collaborative nature of effective forensic social work, which includes collaboration with clients, professionals, and other stakeholders within and across formal and informal systems.Excerpted from: Tina Maschi PhD, LCSW, ACSW & Mary Lou Killian PhD, LCSW (2011): The Evolution of Forensic Social Work in the United States: Implications for 21st Century Practice, Journal of Forensic Social Work, 1:1, 8-36

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Open Court Co-Editors: Susan McCarter smccarter@uncc.edu Cynthia Edwards ccedwards121@hotmail.comNext Open Court will be published June 1, 2012 Get your copy in by May 1, 2012!To submit to Open Court, email your articles to the co-editors by the deadline (one month prior to publication). All submissions become property of NOFSW.

Re m e m b e r t o r e ne w y o u r NO F SW m e m be r s h i p ! Th e f o l l o w i n g m e mb e r s h i p s a r e a v a i l a bl e : F u l l , As s o ci at e , Al l i e d Pr o f e s s i on a l , R e t i r e d , a n d St u d e n t

You wont want to miss the 29th annual conference next month!Keynote Address - Gary D. Maynard, Secretary, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Keynote Presentation: Human Abuse/Animal Abuse: Psychological and Legal Implications: Sol Gothard; The Ethics of Social Work Fact and Expert Witness Testimony: Holstering the Hired Gun: Carlton E. Munson; Human Trafficking The Need for Collaborative Efforts: Alicia F White; Collaborative Connections The Social Workers Role in Responding to Abuse of the Elderly and Disabled: Patricia McArdle, Myra Kirkland, Elizabeth Hart; Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Research on How Child Welfare Social Workers and Law Enforcement Officers Collaborate to Investigate Child Abuse: Viola W Lindsey; Perspectives on Child Abduction by Parents: Geoffrey Greif; Kids Charged as Adults: At the Crossroads of Psychology, Human Development and the Law: Veronica E Cruz; Redefining Treatment in a Recovery Environment; Multiple Systems Linkages with Behavioral Health, Homelessness and Criminal Justice: Rapping Our Way with Partnerships Towards Change: William A. Holt, Jacqueline Blatt; Navigating the Unique Facets of the Incarcerated and Releasing U.S. Veteran: Craig Lea; Developing Legal and Social Work Case Theory: Identifying and Applying Evidence-Based Practice to Enhance Interprofessional Advocacy and Client Representation: Lyn K. Slater, Kara Finck; On The High-Wire Without A Net: An Interdisciplinary Approach To Balancing the Needs for Community Safety, Law Enforcement and Treatment for Sexually Violent Predators: Alan Stillman; The Mental Illness Defense for Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse: Kathryn G. Maietta; Forensic Social Work and the Multi-disciplinary Ethical Considerations: Safeguards and Fallacies: Kathleen Ann Carty, Michael H H Feer, Eliot Sykes; The Critical Importance of Treatment Flexibility in Establishing Evidence-Based Services for Youth Adjudicated Delinquent/Dependant and their Families: David Pugh, Rosie Scaggs, Jim Poulos; Where Immigration Meets Child Welfare: Social Work Roles and Opportunities: Sunny Harris Rome; Forensic Social Work Research: How to Recognize, Develop, and Foster Collaboration: Susan A McCarter, Tina Marie Maschi, Matthew Epperson, Robert P Butters; Stigma...in Our Work, in Our Lives: Jennifer Brown, Erik Roskes; Putting Together the Pieces: An Intimate Approach to Understanding Violence: Christine D. Keels; Shannon R. Shaw, Lillian Barbara Anderson; Interdisciplinary Collaboration in a Law School-Based Immigration Clinic: Rebecca Bowman-Rivas, Maureen A. Sweeney; Developing a Forensic Social Work Certificate Program Through Practitioner-University Partnerships: Stacey Hardy, Robert W. Mulligan; An Innovative Program to Support Transitions: Post-incarceration and Surviving Domestic Violence: Anita Lightburn, Donald C. Garner; The Impact of Segregation on the Mentally Ill in a Correctional Setting: Tiffany Swift; Coordinated and Collaborative Responses: Implementing a Multidisciplinary Approach to Child Protective Services in Montgomery County, Maryland Utilizing a Child Advocacy Center Model (CAC): Ellen J. Levin, Maureen Kennedy; Case Study and Process Evaluation of a Multi-Component Program Adapted for Survivors of Domestic Violence: Amanda Sisselman, Jennifer Hili; The Role, Benefit and Challenges of the Social Worker Working in a Law School Juvenile Justice Clinic: Matthew Rosenbaum; Two Supervisors Are Better than One! Interdisciplinary Supervision: A Cross-Training Social Work and Law Therapeutic Jurisprudence Model: Karen Keroack; Treating the Non-Offending Parent: Angele Morgan; Identifying Family Violence and Domestic Abuse History for Capital Defense Mitigation: Valerie Carson; Integrating Social Work and Criminal Defense: Charting a Course Toward More Comprehensive Client Representation: Matthew T Silvey, Chris Smith.