The NASW-ASWB Standards for TechnologyPractice in Cyberspace

Dr. Bob Vernon Indiana University School of Social Work

Dr. Darlene Lynch Ball State University

Dr. Peggy Pittman-Munke Murray State University

http://hsmedia.biz

Wireless casework

Remote sensing

Artificial intelligence interventions

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Case Management Systems

Community – wide coordination and planning

Coming soon to a future near you…

Policy to the rescue….

Association of Social Work Boards

National Association of Social Workers

NASW-ASWB Standards for Technology and Social Work Practice

Just what technology are we talking about?

Technology and social work practice, when used in these standards, is defined as:

“Any electronically mediated activity used in the conduct of competent and ethical social work practice.”

What does this mean for you?

Standard I - Ethics and Values

Primacy of the NASW Code of Ethics

ASWB Model Social Work Practice Act

NASW Delegate Assembly policies

NASW Professional Standards

Other professional associations

What does this mean for you?

Standard I - Ethics and Values

•Other professional codes/interdisciplinary collaboration

•Misrepresentation, a two-way street

•Working beyond technical and professional ability

Standard II - Access

Many Digital Divides…

Crummy or non-existent equipment

Language barriers

Poor reading abilities

Disabilities

Restrictive access policies

Privacy/security needs

What does this mean for you?

Standard II - Access

What does this mean for you?

•Need for self advocacy

•Need to advocate for clients

•Disabilities!

•Domestic violence cautions

•Child access

Standard III – Cultural Competencies andVulnerable PopulationsContinuous knowledge and understanding…

History

Traditions

Values

Family systems

Artistic expressions

What does this mean for you?

Standard III – Cultural Competencies andVulnerable Populations

What does this mean for you?

•Culturally relevant practice models for online work

•Geographically attuned practice models as well

•Colorblind?

•Multiple languages

•What do the colors and graphics mean? •The ever flashing gizmo

Standard IV – Technical CompetenciesWorkers need to be proficient in technical skills needed for the job

Keep current with emerging technologies

What does this mean for you?

Standard IV – Technical Competencies

What does this mean for you?

•You need to master all relevant agency

programs for practice. Period.

•Communications software and webpages

•Virus software, spyware, patches

•How to download, install plugins, debug

Standard V – Regulatory CompetenciesThe worker must contact all

regulatory boards and legally comply with what what is required…

What does this mean for you?

Standard V – Regulatory Competencies

What does this mean for you?

•Awareness of licensure and certification laws

•How to contact the regulators

•Closest to anything national is HIPAA

•Liability insurance coverage?

Standard VI – Identification and VerificationThe worker…

Full name

Credentials

Licensure information

Physical location

Professional phone numbers

What does this mean for you?

Don’t think folks are really doing this yet? Yet? Yet? Yet?

Standard VI – Identification and Verification

What does this mean for you?

•Sleaseballs?

•Self helps or professionals?

•Fringies

•Thieves, frauds and phishing

Standard VII – Privacy, Confidentiality, Documentation, and SecurityBe aware of privacy risks, especially wireless, and protect the client…

State laws

Federal, especially HIPAA

Document!

Licensingbodies

Accrediting 3rd party bodies payers

…Beware the Bermuda Triangle

What does this mean for you?

Standard VII – Privacy, Confidentiality, Documentation, and Security

What does this mean for you?

•Awareness of encryption technologies

•CHANGE THATPASSWORD!!qwerty06!

•Turn off the computer when youput the cat

out!

Standard VIII – Risk Management

Document client disclosure/informed consent

Set communications guidelines

Use security: encryption, firewalls, etc.

Measures to ensure fair and equitable fees

What does this mean for you?

Standard VIII – Risk Management

What does this mean for you?

•Risk management planning

•Recovery and backup

•Discovery and outing

•Communications protocols•Know when you should say “NO”

Standard IX – Practice CompetenciesAdvocacy and social action

Community practice

Administrative practice

Clinical competencies

Research

Supervision

What does this mean for you?

Go to Standard X

Standard IX – Practice CompetenciesAdvocacy and social action

What does this mean for you?

•Policy practice

•Legislation and bill tracking

•Party politics

•Lobby groups

•Techniques

Standard IX – Practice CompetenciesCommunity practice

What does this mean for you?

•Geographic Information Systems

•Community Networks

•Information and Referral

•Wikis, Blogs and Listservs

Standard IX – Practice CompetenciesAdministrative practice

What does this mean for you?

•Access, permissions, use policies

•Public relations, newsletters, website

•Marketing, volunteers and fundraising

•Grants, funder reports, outcomes, accreditations

•Acquisition and training on hardware and software

Standard IX – Practice CompetenciesClinical competencies

What does this mean for you?

•Electronic communications skills

•Online contracting skills

•Online assessment skills

•Online interventions skills

•Online group skills

•Online termination skills

Standard IX – Practice CompetenciesResearch

What does this mean for you?

Using materials without attribution

Gathering data and permission

Surveys, methods, resources

Assessment and evaluation

Standard IX – Practice CompetenciesSupervision

What does this mean for you?

•Clear messages regardless of tech

•Check credentials

•State compliance?

•Online testing verification

•Doorknob issues and referrals

•Technical support and backup

Standard X – Continuing Education

If you use or provide online programs…

Must have technical support

Online scoring with feedback

Record permanency

Authenticate user

What does this mean for you?

Standard X – Continuing Education

What does this mean for you?

•Be wary consumers

•Producer credibility?

•Who is really giving the CEUs?

•Content up to date?

Go to end

A few survival skills…

Finding stuff…

Evaluating stuff…

Finding stuff…beyond Google

Guessing

WebRings

If you simply MUST Google

Google Scholar

IUPUI Library

Official State Websites

Search Engine Disneyworld

Evaluating stuff…beyond “pretty”

Who is the sponsor?NOT THE ISP OR TECKIE!

Who is the author?Not the webweaver!

How current is it?Ancient? Up to date?

What is the scope?Narrow or broad?

How accurate?Wikipedia, anybody?

How objective?Biases? Values?

Example Example

Example Example

Example Example

Example Example

Example Example

Example Example

And as that wily settlement house teckie Amelia Earhart used to say…

Happy landings Happy landings but strap on that but strap on that

parachute!parachute!