Catholic University of America’s (CUA) National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS) has long been a well-respected social work program, with the Gourman Report placing it in the top 11%. Its web site states: “Our commitment to supporting traditional social work values while responding to today’s educational and practice developments continues to make ours a highly regarded program both within the academic world and the practice community.”
Despite this statement, NCSSS’s new dean,Will C. Rainford, LMSW, Ph.D. announced in October that the school was severing ties with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the largest membership organization of social workers in America, basing his decision on what he referred to on Twitter as an “overt public policy position that social workers should advocate for access to abortion.”
A Google search for NASW + abortion brought up two hits; arguably a less than overt position. The announcement was made without either informing/meeting with students and/or alumni to discuss the implications of this step. Confusion regarding concerns such as accreditation has inevitably ensued.
It is unclear what prompted this action since NASW issued their Family Planning and Reproductive Health policy statement in 2006: “Self-determination means that without government interference, people can make their own decisions about sexuality and reproduction. It requires working toward safe, legal, and accessible reproductive health care services, including abortion services, for everyone.”
The press release on NCSSS’s web site boasts that its newest Dean was NASW-Idaho Social Worker of the Year with his CV adding that he also served as a member of the same chapter’s Legislative Advocacy Committee between 2005 and 2007. Given Dean Rainford’s previous affiliation with NASW it is hard to believe that he was not previously familiar with the 2006 policy statement, making his stated motivation for NCSSS’s resignation from the organization questionable.
Dr. Frederick Reamer, a highly respected professor of ethics at NCSSS, wrote in Social Work Values and Ethics that NASW is not a pro-abortion organization; rather it is a pro-choice organization (2006). The NASW Code of Ethics does not directly address abortion; rather it states that social workers have an obligation to foster self-determination. However, Reamer writes that the Code of Ethics does state that social workers should refer clients to other professionals when they are not able to provide assistance or be effective.
It is difficult to understate the significance of this membership organization and the state chapters within the social work profession. The NASW Code of Ethics, sacred to the practice of social work, is integrated into educational curriculums. It helps practitioners learn the difference between right and wrong as well as to help them apply that understanding. NASW adjudicates when social workers violate this code and applies sanctions when necessary. Although state licensing boards do not require membership in NASW, they do require adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics. An education that excludes this code clearly puts future practitioners at a disadvantage.
NASW also accredits CEUs; an annual necessity for licensed social workers. NCSSS itself offers CEU workshops throughout the year and it is unclear what impact no longer being affiliated with NASW will have on these continued education opportunities. Discounted CEU workshops have also traditionally acted as an incentive for field instructors to take on students in field placements and if discontinued may impact the field placements NCSSS is able offer.
To understand the motivation behind seceding, the school of social work must be placed within the context of CUA as a whole. CUA isn’t the average regularly religiously affiliated school, it is a pontifical university established and approved by the Holy See and governed by the Pope. It was established in 1889 with the mission of the instruction of Catholicism and human nature with the goal of furthering strengthening the Church via scientific and humanistic research as informed by the Catholic faith. Since 1889, tremendous advances have been made in science contributing to mankind’s understanding of both reproduction and the prevention of disease including the scourge of HIV/AIDS. The intrinsic humanistic benefits of this progress have been ignored by a Church still dwelling in an era with a primarily agrarian economy and high infant mortality rates.
With this decision, Dean Rainford has shown not only poor judgment but poor timing as well. Pope Francis has reinvigorated many who felt the Catholic Church was no longer relevant, recently writing that the church has grown “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception, putting dogma before love. Although remaining pro-life, Pope Francis has conceded that the church has done little to help women who were in need of it. However, the Vatican also recently distributed a survey designed to assess the difficulty of practicing the church’s preachings in a modern world, asking Catholics about their use of contraceptives, feelings on homosexuality, and divorce. This is remarkably progressive for the church and while it has taken a step forward, NCSSS has simultaneously taken a large one back.
Dean Rainford has also potentially tarnished the high regard in which the program has been held by assigning it more of a religious mission and less of a social service one. Religious schools are not legally required to be accredited. Lack of accreditation has typically been associated with schools that award degrees with little to no coursework to any “student” who can pay the price. Should NCSSS slide down this path, it is sure to devalue the substantial financial investment associated with getting a Master’s degree.
The process of NCSSS’s resignation from NASW can be seen as a metaphor for the arguments over reproductive rights. Those who hold the power (the administration at NCSSS), have made an important decision on behalf of those do not (the student body). Self-determination, so prioritized in this field, has been ignored by the administration at NCSSS. As Dr. Reamer wrote, if a practitioner is unable to assist a client, they should make an appropriate referral and excuse themselves.
Kendra Kuehn, your response is the most intelligent and well written response I’ve read today on this subject. If this issue gives awareness to the short coming of the NASW as well as the varied view of social workers some good will come of it. As to Reamer’s quotes in this article I have never met anyone who is “pro-abortion” if you think abortion should be a viable option for pregnant women you’re “pro-choice”. Well because the law says it is a viable choice and social work as a profession is pro-choice in the sense that we promote the decision making powers of our clients then we have a duty to inform our clients of this choice. However, a definite line is crossed when all social workers are expected to not just respect our clients right to abortion but to actively promote it.
The responses I’ve seen to the posts of this subject have me seriously concerned that social workers don’t have a basic understanding of what the NASW is. Granted as the authors of our Code of Ethics we would think that they have much more power over the profession and practice than they do. However, the Code of Ethics while drafted by the NASW were adopted by CSWE and local licensing bodies. The NASW other than advocating and promoting the profession serve more as an advisory counsel than anything. My local state chapter would not even speak out on transferring our licensing to the same board that approves cosmetology license but they are going to involve themselves in this fire storm????
U might wanna correct the spelling in your essay Annette Mahoney-Cross…. Hate for the language police to revoke ur statement.
Jamie Sanchez, I am well aware of the difference between NASW and CSWE. The point I was making is I don’t think the stance they are taking will sit well with any governing entity. Also, that since our boards, schools etc. abide by the NASW code of ethics, I’m sure NASW will apply pressure to CSWE, the school and the state board which could effect the schools accreditation and the students licensing status after graduation …. Sorry that it wasn’t clear!
NASW is not an accrediting body. They have nothing to do with the council on social work education (cswe). Not should they. No professional should be forced to join an organization or abide by their ethics/ by laws if not a member. Only you licensing body should have a say.
Wll, for ur inf SHANNON PARLETT, this is a socl cite and not a vita/ thesis and the dept of my edukaton is that if a MSW and LCSW… Butt keep ur opinun comming cuz ur entitled atitude is ur right! Now I bet you can read that!
I am very disappointed in any school of social work trying to seemingly bully an organization into a certain position. That runs contra to what we are taught as SWs. How do you teach core values of SW to students, if you don’t practice them yourself? I get that we all have our own values and, yes, even judgments. However, we are supposed to check that stuff at the door and help our clients make the best choice for their life. I will even acknowledge that there are certain populations as an individual I can’t appropriately serve, like sex offenders. However, to impose those values and beliefs on everyone else seems to cross a line.
NASW is not the accrediting agency for SW schools; it is the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) that accredits SW schools. However, CSWE accreditation does not guarantee a good program. I went to graduate school at the University of Southern California (USC). I don’t have any respect for the School of Social Work there due to the administration.
Shannon Parlett This is social media and not a resume, people tend to make mistakes when crafting quick responses. You can disagree with Angela Sanders statement, but is attacking her education and qualifications necessary as a rebuttal?
If potential employees misspell/misuse hire and higher on their resume, as the employer I would question the depth of their education
If I was a student there I would transfer immediately…. Who’s gonna higher you without an accredited degree! I believe they will lose there accreditation. Also, how dare he impose his beliefs/views on students without there opinions… They enrolled in that school under good faith! I don’t like NASW either, and don’t think they do anything to help SW’s, but the rules are the rules and if you don’t like them do something to make an effective change! Stop messing with people’s livelihood!
“The NASW Code of Ethics does not directly address abortion; rather it states that social workers have an obligation to foster self-determination. However, Reamer writes that the Code of Ethics does state that social workers should refer clients to other professionals when they are not able to provide assistance or be effective.”
CUA? Why?
lol
http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/nene-girl-bye.gif
SMH…………Social Service Provisioning is supposed to be about how we serve, not religion in and of itself… Social Workers Unite, because we have a lot of work to do and a battle to get it done………….This was a very very terrible decision………..
Hi Sarah,
As a social work educator I am horrified by Dean Rainford’s officially severing NCSSS’s ties with NASW because NASW supports women’s right to make her own reproductive choices. I am also puzzled as why more social workers have not voiced their disappointment of this University Dean who not only does not follow professional standards but doesn’t abide by the NASW Code of Ethics. I believe Dean Rainford and NCSSS are not publicizing this official position and are hoping it doesn’t get much attention from the social work community. I applaud Social Work Helper for keeping this issue current.
Regarding the re-accreditation implications of Dean Rainford’s position, it will affect CSWE standards, specifically Educational Policy 3.0- Implicit Curriculum: The Learning Environment. Among other things this includes the program’s commitment to diversity, student participation in governance, and the program’s faculty models the behavior and values expected of professional social workers (http://www.cswe.org/File.aspx?id=41861).
I hope this situation is recognized on a national level by the social work community. Just because social workers value diversity and are sensitive to culture does not equate to accommodating a “culture” (i.e., religious minority) forcing their beliefs onto those in other “cultures.” Our profession’s commitment is to clients (Standard 1.01) self-determination (Standard 1.02), not to religious dogma and proselytizing.
Robin
This is a very sad day for Social Work.
Sarah, as a current student (social change) at NCSSS about to graduate in May I have been dismayed by how some alums and even students have reacted to the decision without fully talking to the school or checking their facts first. Putting out false information does a disservice to all of us.
In regards to your concerns about the NCSSS’s operations, I think they are needlessly alarmist. The Code of Ethics is still very much a core part of the curriculum (In fact right now I am procrastinating on writing my ethical dilemma paper, a core part of which is addressing the application of the Code). On the CEU question that is determined by the state licensing board, not NASW. For example in VA, CEUs are obtained through academic courses, CEUs at CSWE accredited universities (which NCSSS is), federal/state/local licensed agency trainings, or offerings certified by Child Welfare League of America, NASW, Association of Black Social Workers, Family Service Association of America, Clinical Social Work Association, Association of Social Work Boards, or any state social work board (18 VAC 140-20-105). Long story short, NASW is not the only accrediter and since NCSSS is accredited through CSWE it doesn’t relate. On that point, NASW and CSWE are separate bodies. CSWE accredits social work schools, not NASW and there is no requirement as of the 2008 standards that accredited schools must financial support NASW through events or otherwise (CWE Accreditation: http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/2008EPASDescription.aspx)
Personally, I am not a huge fan of NASW. Aside from the abortion issue, I feel they are not largely representative of the social work profession. The national organization seems to be largely clinically focused without representation of the community and macro practitioner. This is evident in conferences, CEU listings, and even in the legislation that is highlighted in the limited advocacy area. In talking with more experience social workers I know I am not alone in this feeling. This inattention to broader society as demanded in the Code of Ethics is furthered by the fact that NASW no longer has a full time lobbyist at the federal level (personal communication). Additionally, NASW efforts seem to focus largely at the child and youth end of the spectrum. A scan of Social Work Speaks, CEUs, and other parts of the website reveal many areas related to children and youth but little related to aging most of which is medically focused, there is not even a policy statement on the growing issue of elder abuse.
I apologize for the length, but I felt this was important because of the false information given on a great school and an idealization of NASW expressed in the piece. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that in 2012 there were 607,300 social work jobs (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm). This would be an underestimate of total U.S. social workers because it does not include those who are unemployed or not in “traditional” positions. In its 2012 annual report NASW states it has 145,000 members (http://www.socialworkers.org/nasw/annual_report/default.asp). Based on these figures NASW does not even represent half of all U.S. social workers. Perhaps the question is not why CUA does not support NASW but rather does NASW truly represent the profession it claims to?
True Scott. Will the CSWE continue the accreditation of a program that has seceded from the Code of Ethics?
Accreditation is through the CSWE, not the NASW.