Good morning. Today we honor Hyun Sook Han, a Korean-born social worker who connected thousands of Korean children with American adoptive families over four decades in Minnesota. Who knew Minnesota is known for more than the Mall of America?
In the news
Education
A recent Wall Street Journal article reported on the discrepancy between the tuition rate and post-graduate wages of former graduate students at the University of Southern California’s social work master’s program.
The degree cost students $115,000, yet half of the graduating class had annual salaries of just $52,000 two years after completion of the program. Furthermore, the article highlighted the university’s partnership with the for-profit company 2U Inc., which ended up taking 60% of all of the profits, despite the school’s flailing budget and staff cuts.
This problem isn’t unique the USC social worker graduate program. In fact, many schools offer expensive master’s programs which do not pay off financially.
Work Conditions
A series of recent articles in CBC Canada and the Seattle Times highlight the challenges social workers experience in their careers. The articles touch upon many familiar topics including unsustainable workloads, emotional exhaustion, and burnout.
On the other hand, for social workers who have transitioned to working from home, the experience has resulted in less stress, more sleep and exercise, and an overall improvement in their standard of life. This leads us to ask the question: As more and more work becomes remote, who will fill the essential roles that are unable to be completed remotely?
Policy
The Covid-19 stimulus bill signed by President Biden will touch many programs:
Direct cash payments of $1,400 for individuals making under $75,000 and $2,800 for married couples making under $150,000. Individuals who are not working will get a $300-a-week federal bonus.
An increased child tax credit, which will go from $2,000 to $3,600
An increase of the child-care tax credit, which can be used to cover child care expenses
Research
A study by Wen-Jui Han of New York University found that children of parents who experience low wages, nonstandard work schedules or job insecurity are more likely to fall into poverty during their first six years of life.
In turn, research has shown that children who experience poverty during these first six years of their life are themselves more likely to remain in poverty and receive low-quality education.
This research supports what we already know instinctively - that families need programs that improve employment security and predictability, and that poverty can be a self-perpetuating cycle.
A new study in the Journal of the International AIDS Society showed that an adapted form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help improve treatment adherence for those living with both depression and HIV.
Other social work happenings
Police departments and libraries are adding social workers to better help address community needs
The CT Mirror highlighted the correlation between how fast children in foster care find permanent homes, and turnover among social workers.
Foster care homes continue to be in short supply, and social work burnout continues to play a pivotal role