Illinois Social Workers in 13th Annual European Exchange
I am writing this as we, eight NASW members, are comparing our observations, drawing conclusions about best practices and planning our presentation to an international audience of social workers on Friday.
Upon our arrival, there was a welcoming dinner at a neighborhood pub and it was quite amazing to me how many local social workers turned out to share a meal with us. This large turnout, some 25+, was a dramatic statement of the professional networks which have been developed through this Exchange over the last 13 years.
In addition to classroom time understanding the German social service system, we have visited some 18 different organizations. Each delegate,of course, has been actively studying the service system from their particular points of view. Terry Solomon was interested in the value placed on client involvement in their services yet the apparent lack of interest in seeking community input. David Simpson observed the differences in outcomes when at the macro level, Europeans have a comprehensive social service system to which all are entitled, contrasted to the American disconnected system of charity care. Jill Murray noted that the German system of care focuses on providing a supportive environment with clear input from the service recipients. Jill is concerned that the increasing use of private insurance to supplement gaps in public insurance, is leading to a two tier level of quality in health care. Cheryl Powell from Mount Vernon is most impressed with the innovative programs she saw, in particular a Center for Grief and Dying. Trya Oliver noted the passion of the school social workers while Barbara Jackson complemented the schools for not being satisfied with the status quo but rather challenging themselves to find improved methods of educating a diverse student body. I marvelled at the activism of the student social workers who boycotted classes for a full week last month to protest the Hamburg College of Applied Sciences acting more like a for profit company than an institution of higher learning. The students organized and conducted their own classes during the strike around content they felt should be taught but isn't. Lastly, being a thoroughly modern delegation, Ann Russell from Champaign is sending some of her comments home through Joel Rubin's weekly blog.
I know all delegate members feel this has been a rewarding learning experience and we are most appreciatative of the time and effort the Hamburg State Youth Authority put in to this Exchange.
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