From the FCC:  As you may know, on February 17, 2009, full power broadcast stations will stop broadcasting in analog format and will continue broadcasting in digital only. This change, known as the digital television (DTV) transition, was mandated by Congress and will provide many benefits to the public, including more spectrum for use by public safety (policy, fire and emergency rescue workers). This transition will require many consumers with analog television sets and who receive only free over-the air television through either a rooftop broadcast antenna or "rabbit ears" to take action in order to continue to receive a television signal. Many of the clients and consumers that Social Workers serve may be particularly affected by the transition, and that is why it is vital for this information to reach NASW members.

From NASW:  The switchover from analog TV to digital TV will take place on February 2009. NASW's Luisa Lopez, Acting Director for the Practice, Human Rights and International Affairs Division of NASW, participated on a panel coordinated by FCC to better inform FCC staff and commissioners about how to best reach low-income consumers. The panel was Webcast live on www.fcc.gov/realaudio and broadcast on local cable stations. The NASW Maryland Chapter published a DTV article in their March/April 2008 newsletter, available at: http://www.nasw-md.org/0308MDSOCIALWORKER.pdf   The NASW News will publish an article in the June 2008 issue. A Sunday Washington Post article, “As TV Goes Digital, Some Viewers May Be in the Dark,” provides a good overview of the education effort. It's available at: available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/30/AR2008033002136.html?hpid=topnews

On a separate note, the FCC's Lifeline/LinkUp programs provide subsidies to low-income consumers for basic telephone service.  Information can be found at www.lifeline.gov

Check back often as we'll be continuing to add a lot of new information and other features. The site features a new administrative interface, making updating easier and faster.

Don't forget to add us to your bookmarks! As of today the website has over a 1,500 views since startup in March! WOW

Urban Legends—Rural Dreams: Cultivating Rural Communities in an Urban Era

July 24-27, 2008 - Boise State University, Boise, Idaho

The Journal will be a great new resource for rural social workers.

Effective September 1st the Journal will be accepting manuscript submissions.

by Michael Daley

For the 32nd consecutive year the Rural Social Work Caucus, an organization that prides itself on existing by rumor, came together in Montgomery, Alabama from July 25-28, 2007 for its annual conference. The theme of the conference was “celebrating the Textures of Rural America: Responding to Individuals and Families Throughout the Life Cycle”. Over one hundred ten participants experienced the open and informal atmosphere, the camaraderie, educational workshops, cultural events, and regional food that have become a tradition at the conference. Conference coordinator was Ben Arellano of Troy University and the event sponsors were Troy University, Wiregrass Hospice, and Gentiva.

Over the years the conference has provided the best meeting place for those with an interest in rural social work and has served as a springboard for much of the literature on rural social work and the development of rural social work policy. Although it is known by most as the “Rural Conference” the official name of the event is the National Institute on Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas.

The pre-conference activities began on the 25th with a day long tour of Civil Rights landmarks in Montgomery and Selma. This activity was intense as well as being educational. Morning stops were Montgomery Civil Rights landmarks, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Rosa Parks Museum, and the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church-King Memorial. Afternoon landmarks in Selma included the Lowndes County Interpretive Center, National Voting Rights Museum, and Slavery to Freedom Museum. Although a “cold front” had moved through the area attendees were introduced to the hot muggy weather of Alabama summers.

On the morning of the 26th the conference officially began after a host sponsored breakfast that included a regional meal of biscuits and sausage. Welcome speakers included Caucus President Mike Daley who welcomed everyone to Alabama and to the conference, Secretary Sam Hickman who sang the Caucus song, and host Ben Arellano who welcomed the attendees to Montgomery and provided information about the conference. Richard Osburn (better known as Oz) spoke about the traditions of the Rural Caucus and inducted everyone as members. Following the welcome there was an excellent general session on Compassion Fatigue led by B. C. Farnham and Dr. Denise Green.

During the lunch hour the guest speaker was Dr. Barry Locke on the history of rural social work, the Rural Caucus, and the outlook for rural social work in the future. Barry has a long tradition with the Caucus having attended the first conference and attending conferences regularly since then. At the conclusion of his talk, he was presented with a framed photograph of rural West Virginia in appreciation for his long service to the Caucus.

In the afternoon attendees were able to choose from eleven breakout sessions that covered a wide range of topics. These included the Civilian Conservation Corps, Southern Educational Settlements in African American Communities, Anticipatory Grief, Conceptualizing Rural Social Work, Drug Courts, The Freedman’s Bureau, Electronic Social Networking, Law Enforcement and Child Protection, Group Treatment of Sexual Offenders, and Senior Citizens Well Being. Sessions were entertaining, educational and offered CEU credits.

The evening activity was a minor league baseball game that featured the local Montgomery Biscuits against the Mobile Bay Bears. The site was beautiful stadium in a remodeled train station and warehouse area and the evening meal was far better than most ballpark food. Those who attended the game were able to network and were treated to the occasional train rolling past left field as well as really interesting competitions between innings. It was a true regional experience as the game was clearly an activity that involved community people and their families. Biscuit memorabilia seemed to be a much prized item among those who attended the game. Alas, the home team lost, but a good time was had by all.

The 27th began with another biscuit breakfast and some may have feared their cholesterol level rising. The morning sessions offered twelve breakout sessions. The topics covered were Education and Entrepreneurship in Rural India, EPAS and Rural Social Work, Ethical Dilemmas, Facilitating Client Bereavement, The NRA Targeting Social Problems, Voices of Rural Poverty, Linking Community Agencies with University Faculty, End-of-Life Care, Domestic Violence, Mental Health in the Rural Primary Clinic, Terminal Illness, and Evidence Based Practice.

During thee lunch session which included regional foods like greens, squash and fried chicken, the Caucus conducted its business meeting. Full minutes of the meeting will be available on the Caucus web site. The Caucus is developing a set of Operating Principles that give a little more formal structure to the organization (but not too much). When adopted by the steering committee these principles will be posted for review by the members and voted on at next year’s conference. Elections were held to affirm former Vice-President Mike Daley continuing as President for one year following the resignation of Suzie Cashwell. A second election was held to elect a new Vice- President. Two Vice-Presidents were elected Peg Pittman Munke and Scott Sorensen.

The group voted to hold our 2008 conference in Boise, Idaho. Congratulations to Butch Rodenhiser and we look forward to visiting a cooler climate. There was discussion of the new Caucus web site and all of the recent additions. All were encouraged to use the web site and the Caucus listserv. The new journal Contemporary Rural Social Work is now up on the web site. This is an on line journal that will begin accepting submission on September 1st. Work continues on the Rural Social Work policy statement for NASW.

The afternoon featured twelve more breakout sessions. Topics for these sessions were Music and Rural Culture, Administrators from the Dark Side, Community Organizing for a Primary Health Care Clinic, Emotional Intelligence, Improving Behavioral Health Care, Role of the African-American Church, Teaching Rural Content Online, Rural Outreach Targeting Youth, Rural African-American Caregivers, Volunteer Coordination, MAT Assessment, and Working with Social Disability Clients.

Unfortunately the planned evening event at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival had to be cancelled. But rural social workers are adaptable people. So many attendees took the opportunity to create their own experience. A trip to a local barbeque restaurant was organized and the evening was spent in good company and good food. Good barbeque greens, okra, and lemon icebox pie were consumed in great quantities was there was ample opportunity to visit and share experiences. Upon return to the hotel the energy levels were waning but a few hard souls stayed to visit and sing in the lobby area.

The conference ended on Saturday the 28th and the sponsors provided us with a full breakfast for the road. There were a few concluding announcements and thank you was extended to the attendees. The final general session was presented by Dr. Denise Green and dealt with addressing services for children with severe emotional disability. See you all next year!

I have been off on medical leave due to a work related injury for while. Doing better now, but have been told that I can not touch a golf club until August.  One of my sons reassured me that I would be able to drive the ball 200 yards into the woods like always once I was back playing.  I have very bad duck hook. For the non-golfers, a duck hook is hitting the golf about 75 yards forwards and then have the ball do a 90 degree left hand turn for another 100 yards or so.

More to come later. Great to be back on line. More so since, I was banned from using stairs and my computer is in my basement office.

Peace and Blessings to all of you.