Social Worker and Psychologist Newsletter
Jun 9, 2005 11:19 AM
Dear Colleague:
This long and most difficult of years is finally drawing to a close. While we have been able to resolve many issues as they have come up, there is much more work that needs to be done to make our jobs successful and meaningful. The health of our Chapter continues to depend on the commitment and involvement of our members. I wish all of you a healthy, happy and restful summer.
Psychologist Work Load Arbitration
The DOE has postponed this arbitration since February, 2005 but we finally have two solid dates: June 8, 2005 and June 15, 2005. Howard Solomon, the Director of the Grievance Department and I have been working very closely with the psychologists on their testimony and I believe that we are very well prepared. I will testify as well. I will share the details with you at the appropriate time.
Social Work Licensure
Social Workers should go to www.op.nysed.gov for the forms and instructions on how to apply for a LMSW and LCSW: type in social work, and then go to the link for forms. For Social Workers who hope to qualify to be “grandfathered in” for the LCSW, you must begin this process ASAP, as the deadline for filing is September, 2005, and you will need signatures of colleagues who can verify your experience. This is not an easy application process. For those people who do not have access to a computer, I suggest that you ask a colleague to download the instructions and forms for you. The LMSW is the required license for employment with the DOE. There are significant issues for school social workers in terms of how to qualify for the LCSW in light of the fact that there are no social work supervisors. There are also issues regarding the 10 month work year and the duration of counseling sessions. I have been attending meetings all year on licensing, sponsored by NASW, and I will continue to do so. The State Education Department is aware of the problems for school social workers.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
The State Education Department held a public hearing on June 8, 2005. Written comments on New York State’s implementation of IDEA (2004) will continue to be accepted through July 25, 2005.
You can read the details of the proposed legislation and the proposed changes at http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/idea/home.html. Written comments can be submitted using the following methods:
Mail: VESID, Special Education Policy and Partnership Unit,
Room 1624, One Commerce Plaza, Albany, New York 12234
Attention: P. Geary
Fax: (518) 473-5387
Electronic:VESIDSPE@mail.nysed.gov (include “IDEA Comment” in subject line)
Post Comments: http://discus.nysed.gov/cgi-bin/discus-mando/discus.cgi
The Federal Government will hold its public hearing on June 27, 2005 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the W Hotel of N.Y., Forest 1 Room, 541 Lexington Avenue, New York City. (between 49th and 50th)
Psychologist Survey
The School Psychologist Action Committee has finalized a survey which will be mailed to all psychologists and will also be posted online. It is imperative that you take the 10 to 30 minutes to fill this out. Hard copies must be mailed or faxed. Specific instructions will accompany the survey. The information that we gather will not only highlight the extent of the problems but it will also provide us with solid data for future negotiations. We hope to get this out before the end of the school year. Make sure that you look for it.
Social Work Survey
There is a committee of social workers who have also begun work on a survey to highlight their problems and concerns. This is only in the preliminary stage and, based on my experience with the psychologists, it will take a while before it will be ready distribution. This committee will continue its work in the Fall.
Staff Development
We are in the process of developing programs for the menu, and we have received some very good suggestions from the members, such as neuropsychology for psychologists and for social workers and training on how to administer specific standardized diagnostic tests. Once finalized, the information will be mailed and posted online.
Website
We hope to get better at this as we go along. We are working on improving communication. Please remember that it is the DOE that has isolated you, not the UFT.
Our contract is available to you at www.uft.org. Go to “my chapter”, then to “school social worker/psychologist”, then to “contract” (left side).
There have been requests for advice on how to file grievances. For issues with the Principal, speak to the UFT Chapter Leader in the school. For issues with the Supervisor of Psychologists or the Chairperson, speak to your Social Worker and Psychologist Chapter’s Borough Leaders. The names and phone numbers of your Borough Leaders are available on the Website.
N.Y. Teacher
This is a publication by the UFT and it is mailed to every UFT member on a regular basis. This newspaper contains very interesting and useful information about our Union.
If you take the time to read it, you will learn what a union is, what the union does for its members and what the current issues are.
Hotline
This provides daily recorded announcements: 212-777-0190 or www.uft.org/members.cfm
Again, I wish all of you a restful and enjoyable summer, and I will look forward to meeting with you again in the Fall.
Fraternally,
Ann Englesbe
