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NSW Spring Edition—April 2021
SAVE THE DATE—NASW ME CHAPTER CONFERENCE
We are on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/NASWME
IN THIS ISSSUE
NASW Board President …………..………....pg. 2,4 Ethics Corner: C. Huntington…...………..……….pg. 12
NASW ME Exec. Director ...…...………….…..pg. 3 My NASW and COVID information…...…......pg. 13,14
2021 Conference Registration……...…...……...pg. 5 Branch News………………………..…..……..….pg. 15
2021 Conference Exhibit Information..………..pg. 6 Committee News……....…….………….........pgs. 16,17
Upcoming CE workshops………….………...pgs.7-9 Welcome NASW new members……….………….pg. 18
License Exam Prep Course Schedule…….…...pg. 10 Advertisements…………………..….…….….pgs. 19-23
News From Hope Woods R. Barstow ..…...….pg. 11
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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN—Brandy Brown
Brandy Brown, LCSW
National Association of Social Workers President, NASW Maine Chapter
NASW-Maine Chapter Social Workers, Generations Strong
Post Office Box 5065
Augusta, ME 04332
Phone: (207) 622-7592
Fax: (207) 512-2255
Email: jmarx.naswme@socialworkers.org As many of you know, I spend most of my professional time
working with transgender and gender non-conforming
children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as with their
families, school systems, and healthcare teams.
NASW-Maine Chapter
Board of Directors This work is rooted in long time advocacy for the LGBTQ+ population, as an
Executive and Branch Leadership individual, a community member, and a professional. I have served as a member of
and then chair for the NASW ME LGBTQ+ Advocacy committee for many years. In
PRESIDENT December, after a year of intentional conversations, listening, and education, we made
Brandy Brown the decision to let that committee come to a close. A difficult decision for me to be
NASWMEChapterPres@gmail.com part of, but allows us the space to step back, as a chapter, and develop something that
better addresses questions related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, especially
1st VICE PRESIDENT as they relate to our values and Code of Ethics. I think this was an important decision,
Julie Schirmer and one that we can continue to work towards the development of a committee that
NASWMEChapterVP@gmail.com
considers diversity broadly, and includes advocacy, education, and clinical support.
That said, I do not want us to take a break from LGBTQ+ Advocacy, especially in a
year where our youth are being targeted across the nation.
BRANCH A
Mara Larkin There are over 30 bills introduced in 20 states that target transgender and gender
NASWMEBranchA@gmail.com diverse youth. In February I testified in New Hampshire on HB 68, a bill that would
have considered charging parents with child abuse if they sought clinically appropriate
BRANCH B medical care for their transgender child. We are getting ready to testify in Maine on
Amy Blake LD 926, a discriminatory bill that would prevent transgender girls from playing sports.
amy@relationshiptrip.com This our backyard. We must advocate for our young people. Across the country, we
are seeing bills that limit support at schools and prevent medical care for youth, in
BRANCH C some cases up to age 21. The transgender military ban was just lifted as other states
Vacant are still fighting about bathroom use and conversion therapy. Youth in Alabama,
BRANCH D Arkansas, and North Carolina, among others, need our support for global advocacy on
Vacant their behalf.
BRANCH E As much as we need to focus on advocacy initiatives, we also need to consider our
Cyndi Sturm role, as social workers, in working with this population. Every day I am asked to
cedsturm24@gmail.com identify affirming providers for youth who are questioning their sexuality or gender,
At Large 1: Jenna Mehnert who identify as transgender or nonbinary, who need mental health support. And every
day I struggle to identify people who can confidently tell these youth that they are
happy to work with them without giving a caveat that ‘gender and/ or sexuality is not
my specialty,’ or who work them and then mix up their names, pronouns, and the
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR youth leave feeling like they were not really seen. We do not have adequate resources
Jerry D. Marx, Ph.D.
jmarx.naswme@socialworkers.org
to support these youth and they are starting to believe that they are too different to
receive help, too complicated. We need to change this narrative. These youth are
amazing and resilient and the heart of social work therapy is to hold someone in high
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Barbara Steward
esteem, recognizing their strengths, and allowing them to explore their vulnerabilities
Bsteward.naswme@socialworkers.org in a safe space.
Over the past few years, I have felt increasingly more compelled to find ways to be
www.naswme.socialworkers.org part of the solution. I feel an obligation to these youth as well as to the profession of
social work to help find ways to bridge the resource divide. It is my hope that one
day, when someone asks me who can provide affirming care for a gender diverse
person, that I can confidently tell them than any social worker would welcome their
referral. This has been my hope for a long time, and I know I have shared this before.
(Continued on pg. 4)
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NASW-Maine Chapter
Volunteer Leadership
Board Committees Executive Director Jerry D. Marx, Ph.D.
Continuing Education
Wendy St.Pierre Greetings Maine social workers!
w.st.pierrephd@outlook.com
Your NASW Maine staff has been very busy in February and
March. The Maine State Legislature is in session and now is a
Membership Development pivotal time in our state and national history. Policy “windows of
Jenna Mehnert opportunity” are wide open! I have been busy working with our
Jenna@namimaine.org Policy Committee (see Julie Schirmer’s report) to monitor pertinent legislative bills,
write testimony, and testify at public hearings. Several bills have called for increases
Ethics in reimbursement rates for social work and other providers. Several have addressed
Carol Huntington social justice issues. And we have been victorious in seeing some of our priority
carolleehuntington@gmail.com bills passed already! Witness LD 2, which requires racial impact statements as part
of the Maine legislative process!
PACE
Mariah Geer We have also been active in celebrating Social Work Month. First, we held
mariahgeer@gmail.com a virtual “Legislative Advocacy Day” with progressive activists and social work
students from around the state. We followed this up with a column in “Maine
Voices” recognizing the importance of Maine social workers and alerting readers to
Policy: our legislative advocacy efforts and a few of our priority bills. In addition, we have
Julie Schirmer, Chair sent personal letters of gratitude to all of our Maine NASW members, uploaded
NASWMEChapterVP@gmail.com messages to our NASW Maine website, and repeatedly posted Social Work Month
messages and news bits on the Maine NASW Facebook page. If you have ideas for
Social Work Month next year, feel free to email me.
Interested in volunteering?
Contact the chapter office at: Finally, under Maine NASW Chapter President Brandy Brown’s leadership,
jmarx.naswme@socialworkers.org
207-622-7592 or 603-496-0994 we have scheduled the 2021 Annual NASW Maine Conference for Thursday
September 30th and Friday October 1st at the Samoset Resort in Rockport! Please
________________________________ look for opportunities to register on Eventbrite via our NASW Maine website or
The NASW Maine Chapter through emails with registration links from our office. More details to come! Please
Newsletter is published 4 times per note that all state guidelines regarding Covid-19 safety for such group events will be
year . Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall followed by the Samoset Resort.
Advertising Rates:
Full page $210.00
Half page $135.00 Sincerely,
www.naswme.socialworkers.
org
Jerry D. Marx, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Maine State Chapter
N.A.S.W.
10 Amherst St.
P.O. Box 5065
Augusta, ME 04332
Pronouns: he, him, his
3
(Continued from page 2)
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN—Brandy Brown
Current legislation to help address this includes LD 1262, which would compel DHHS to develop a
comprehensive statewide strategic plan around behavioral health needs in Maine- specifically addressing the
needs LGBTQ+ people (among other vulnerable groups) who need behavioral health services. As we encourage
this legislation to pass, I urge you to consider what tools, training, or practice you need to better support the
LGBTQ+ community? What was missing in your foundation that needs to be improved upon for the next
generation of social workers? How can NASW Maine help you feel more confident and comfortable working
with this population? How can I help?
I have a strong belief that social work is the profession that can set the standard for how sexual and gender
minorities should be supported in systems and in therapeutic settings. My commitment to supporting the
profession with this extends to training opportunities as well as an in-depth qualitative research project that I will
launch soon, to better understand how to support social workers in this practice area.
I will be presenting an online workshop for NASW ME on Social Work Practice with Transgender and Gender
Diverse Youth on June 8th. I am presenting virtually at the NASW National Conference on June 22- Affirming
Healthcare for Transgender and Gender Diverse Clients- Social Workers Make a Difference. I will continue this
locally with similar (hopefully in person) workshops at the NASW Maine conference (Sept 30- Oct 1, 2021) and
the NASW NH conference (May 23-24, 2022).
I have a strong belief that social work is the profession that can set the standard for how sexual and gender
minorities can be supported in systems and in therapy. My commitment to supporting the profession with this
extends to training opportunities as well as qualitative research to better understand how to support social workers
in this practice area.
Social Workers are Essential! And will continue to be, whether macro advocacy or micro practice, the way we
support our clients is unique.
It is my honor to continue to serve the Maine chapter and to be part of a profession that welcomes and advocates
for change on behalf of the people we serve. Thank you.
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NEWS FROM HOPE WOODS
April 2021
By Dr. Robin Absher Barstow
Early spring in Maine is lively with mud and ice, sunshine and wind, and the natural world beginning to get to work.
Since COVID-19 the rhythms of our human world of work has changed, and yet in essence stayed the same.
Some say that we work to make a “living.” Yet, what is “a living”? It might be an income to house, clothe
and feed a family. It might be more. It might include progress to better ourselves and inspire our children.
This may explain why, in addition to paid work, we work in the garden, in the house and volunteer. Some of
this work may be necessary to maintain domestic order, but in many cases, we may be filling an inner need. I believe
that to work at making “a living” brings us happiness in all kinds of ways.
The history of the way we work is evolutionary in nature. Work has been around for a very long time, emerg-
ing in its organized form in the practices of our early ancestors. Archaeologists and anthropologists show us that early
societies began with tool making (stone axes) and art (cave paintings and pottery). Knowledge of prehistoric society
shows that work and occupation have always provided us with a common purpose to improve our lives.
In the 19th century, mental health professionals began to see work also as important for happiness and psycho-
logical well-being. Adolf Meyer, a psychiatrist who immigrated to the United States from Switzerland in 1892, formu-
lated this idea into what we now call occupational therapy.
He believed that, “There are many rhythms which we must be attuned to … such as night and day… and a little effort
and well fitted use of time is the basic remedy for … hopeless depression.”
Today, the basic assumptions from this field are that occupations have a positive effect on health and well-
being, that an occupation creates structure, organizes time and brings meaning to life both culturally and personally.
Occupations are individual, yet from birth to old age, the need to participate in everyday occupations is so integral to
our happiness people might be called “occupational beings.”
With this in mind, I recently met with a retired gentleman who was suffering from severe depression but could
not at first understand why he was depressed. He had a very good pension, was in good health, and had a loving wife.
This gentleman had had a good job that he had enjoyed, but now was spending his days deeply depressed.
I practice cognitive behavioral therapy, and so we began addressing what he would like to do with his days.
He knew immediately that he wanted to “give back” and to volunteer in his community. Something was preventing
him. We started by looking for stressful thoughts.
He was able to identify one: “I’m old and so no one will want me.” We questioned this, and he could see that
there was no evidence to support the thought. With time, he was ready to test it, by contacting a school, despite being
very nervous. He wanted to volunteer in a literacy program. He had struggled as a young student with reading and
wanted to help children who might benefit from extra time practicing. The school signed him up immediately to par-
ticipate in their literacy program using Google and Zoom, which he was learning about too, and he began to feel better.
This gentleman had challenged himself and his depression disappeared as he felt himself grow with the
challenge .
When we work at something, we focus on a task at hand and we feel we are a part of something. Even if we
don’t always like our work it can feel good to provide for our families financially, with what we are earning, and psy-
chologically, with what we are modeling.
Trying to define good work, we face the truth that happiness in almost anything we do requires practice and
determination, and sometimes asking for help. Then we see that maintaining respect for a kind of duty to do our best
can be immensely satisfying and valuable.
Sigmund Freud said, “Love and work … work and love, that’s all there is … love and work are the corner-
stones of our humanness.” So, it seems that our work and occupations, if connected to natural, wholesome rhythms,
profoundly contribute to the meaning and happiness in life.
Paterson, C. F. (2011). A short history of occupational therapy in psychiatry. Creek, J. & Lougher, L. (Eds.), Occupational Thera-
py and Mental Health (40-48), New York: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Chand, S. P., & Grossberg, G. T. (2013). How to adapt cognitive-behavioral therapy for older adults. Current Psychiatry, 12(3), 10
-14.
11Carol Huntington, LCSW, ACSW - NASW ME Ethics Committee Chair
Ethics Committee by Carol. L. Huntington, LCSW, DCSW, Chair, Ethics
Committee (email: carolleehuntington@gmail.com)
Almost 100 people participated in the Northern New England Ethics Forum; about one third were
from the Maine Chapter. We hope to have another Forum in the Fall.
Ethics Question/Case to think about how you would handle if you were in this situation!
Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues
Case 3.7
“A social worker in a group residence for clients with intellectual disabilities had worked with a colleague for
nearly 17 years. The social worker noticed that during the past year or so the quality of her colleague’s work
had seemed to deteriorate. He seemed increasingly disinterested in his clients, contributed less and less
during staff meeting, called in sick frequently, and seemed to be generally burned out. Her colleague often
complained about his job, administrators, and many colleagues. One day, her colleague said, “You know, it’s
getting harder and harder for me to drag myself into this place. Sometimes I feel like a prisoner crossing the
days off his calendar until his release.” ….
Social workers who have direct knowledge of a social work colleague’s impairment that is due to personal
problems, psychosocial distress, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties and that interferes with
practice effectiveness should consult with that colleague when feasible and assist the colleague in taking
remedial actions. (standard 2.08 a)”
Reamer, F. (2018) The Social Work Ethics Casebook, 2nd ed. NASW Press
12Visit MyNASW
MyNASW is a virtual community where you can learn
from peers, share your knowledge and grow your
connections. Post questions and participate in
discussions. Find colleagues using the member directory.
Browse resources shared by NASW staff and other
members.
Visit www.socialworkers.org to get started
Not getting emails from NASW ME?
Update Your Member Profile
Your NASW member profile helps you stay connected and ensures that you receive your full benefits. By keeping your
contact information and practice profile up-to-date, you help NASW pinpoint the resources and support you need
throughout the year. This information also helps us advocate nationally and locally for you, the profession, and the
clients you serve.
Visit www.socialworkers.org to update your NASW profile
13If you are seeing clients via telehealth who are in other states, please keep current with the
interstate licensing regulations on the ASWB COVID19 website. If you click on
“regulatory provisions”you can access the state by state drop down to see the latest
information. While many states now allow for interstate telemental health, some licensing
boards require registration.
_______
Thank You for Your Advocacy!
Over the past several weeks, we have called upon you to advocate for audio-only psychotherapy for Medicare
beneficiaries. Clinical social workers can now receive Medicare reimbursement for psychotherapy services provided
via audio-only devices such as landlines during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) public health emergency. This
is thanks in large part for your advocacy with Congress and the Administration through the NASW Advocacy Listserv.
You can see NASW's press statement on this victory on our website.
NASW has been active in its advocacy advancing racial equity and antiracism.
www.socialworkers.org
NASW ME posts its advocacy alerts on our website - https://naswme.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Testimony-and-
Action-Alerts
______________________
COVID-19 and Student Loan
Management
Free Student Loan Aid Tool to Reduce or Eliminate Payments During the
COVID-19 Pandemic
NASW’s student loan technology partner, Savi, has teamed up with Student Debt Crisis, the nation’s
leading nonprofit student loan advocacy organization, to offer free assistance to student loan borrowers to
apply for income-driven repayment (IDR) plans if they or their spouses get laid off or their income is
reduced as a result of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 Student Loan Aid Tool automates applying for IDR plans, potentially reducing or
eliminating student loan payments for up to 12 months at a time for those whose income has gone down.
As a result of the pandemic, the Trump administration has begun waiving interest on federal student
loans—but not reducing monthly payments. Reducing or eliminating payments will not rack up extra
interest during the crisis.
IDR is an existing option for borrowers, and loan servicers can usually implement the new payment level in
about two weeks—but the application process can be confusing, time-consuming, and prone to delays due
to data entry and filing errors. This tool leads borrowers through a simple process and files the application
for them.
14BRANCH MEETINGS
Branch A: Cumberland and York Counties
Join us April 19th . Benjamin Parker JD Esq. will be presenting “Why environmental Justice is Important for
Social Justice and Social Work”, 5:30-6:30pm. 1 ceu
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/why-environmental-justice-is-important-for-social-justice-and-social-
work-tickets-149753746487
FMI: Contact Branch A Chair Mara Larkin at LARKIM1@mmc.org
Branch B: Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Waldo Counties
Welcome Amy Blake, LCSW as the new Branch B Chair. Amy hopes to support the Maine Chapter in growing
and providing value to the social work community of Maine. She is dedicated to helping individuals and couples
make transformational change.
Stay tuned for May and June meeting information. Emails will be sent out once dates and topics are confirmed
No meetings in July and August.
For more information, contact Amy Blake at amy@relationshiptrip.com
Branch C: Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford
Chair: Vacant
Branch D: Aroostook
Chair: Vacant
Branch E: Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Washington
Dr. Jerry Marx presents his research findings in a new book, “Environmental Justice & Healthy Com-
munities”. Thursday, April 29th,
5:30-6:30pm 1 C.E. opportunity
To register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nasw-me-environmental-justice-healthy-communities-presentation-
tickets-146964373397
FMI: Contact Cyndi Sturm at cedsturm24@gmail.com
NASW-Maine Chapter Branches
Branch A - Cumberland and York
Chair: Mara Larkin
Branch B - Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln,
Sagadahoc and Waldo
Chair: Carol Huntington
Branch C - Androscoggin, Franklin,
Oxford and Somerset
Chair: Vacant
Branch D - Aroostook
Chair: Vacant
Branch E - Hancock, Penobscot,
Piscataquis and Washington
Chair: Cyndi Sturm
15Resources to help you support LGBTQ+ clients
The Trevor Project has several direct online resources specifically for LGBTQ youth: Trevor Lifeline is a
crisis intervention and suicide prevention phone service available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. TrevorChat is a
confidential online instant messaging with a Trevor Counselor, available 24/7, at trevorproject.org/get-help-
now/. TrevorText is confidential text messaging with a Trevor Counselor, available 24/7/365, by texting
START to 678678. TrevorSpace is an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people ages
13-24 available at trevorspace.org
Trans Lifeline provides peer support to transgender people across the US and Canada at (877) 565-8860.
They provide peer support in English and Spanish. They also have a Family & Friends line.
https://www.translifeline.org/hotline
LGBT National Help Center has opened up hotlines (separate lines for youth and seniors), chatrooms, peer
support, and resources for LGBT people https://www.glbthotline.org/
Many PFLAG chapters are meeting virtually or providing 1:1 virtual support for parents/guardians or
LGBTQ youth. Go to pflag.org/find to look up the PFLAG chapter in your area and reach out by phone,
email or on social media to learn more.
MaineTransNet has several virtual support and social groups: http://www.mainetransnet.org/online-support
These groups are generally better for 18+ but they do have several specific to young people as well as a
discord server set up with different social opportunities and connection, including a gaming group, crafting
corner, cooking. https://www.mainetransnet.org/socialize.
EqualityMaine has launched online youth meetings. Links and events are best accessed from their Facebook
page. This is geared LGBTQ+ youth -Several times a week, alumni of their New Leaders Project will be
leading discussions with other youth to share concerns, vent frustrations, and learn about what resources are
available to them while social distancing. For more information or to join, click here:
https://forms.gle/1sLaWBXBhi5BULGw8
The EqME SAGE Calling program: volunteers make real in-person weekly check-in phone calls to real in-
person older persons in our LGBTQ community. https://equalitymaine.org/
16NASW Maine Policy Committee
April Newsletter: Policy Committee
The Policy Committee has been extremely productive this legislative session. Danielle Blair has accepted the
co-chair position of the committee, helping to share in the strategic plan and testimonies. Danielle is a sec-
ond year student at the University of Maine (Orono). She brings amazing insights and contributions from the
faculty and students at UMO and from her work at UMaine Farmington.
We continue to get to know and learn about running issue campaigns from our committee members and col-
laborative colleagues. Bill Macomber, Alicia Burke and Tiarra LaPierre have actively stepped up, submitting
or contributing to the oral and written testimony on key bills. Jamie-Lynn Kane, Moriah Geer, Jerry Marx
and Julie Schirmer represent NASW ME by their attendance at state collaborative meetings related to racial
equity, the environment, family leave, tax fairness and broadband. Laura Harper and John Healy from
Moose Ridge Associates provide coaching and updates on legislative issues at and between our monthly
meetings. With Betsy Sweet, they give us the scoop through their Friday “deep dive” legislative updates
with others from social service organizations.
In the upcoming months, we plan to testify in support of Senator Mattie Daughtry’s Paid Family Medical
Leave bill and work on bills that enhance the structure of services to our clients, increase reimbursement for
social work services, move towards universal access to high-speed internet, and ensure telehealth continues
post-COVID. We will work against bills that impinge on our collective rights, such as limiting the right to
vote, limiting women’s access to abortion services, and limiting transgender individuals’ ability to participate
in sports.
Our overall goal is to improve the context for our profession and clients by deepening our individual and col-
lective knowledge and skills to influence policy and providing advocacy leadership skills to the present and
next generation of social workers.
We welcome your feedback and concerns either by email (naswmechaptervp@gmail.com) or by attending an
upcoming meeting (third Tuesdays at noon).
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Schirmer, LCSW and Danielle Blair
Co-chairs, Policy Committee
For more information about the recent Action Alert or the activities of the Policy Committee, email
Julie Schirmer, Chair of the Policy Committee at naswmechaptervp@gmail.com
17NEW NASW Maine Members
Elizabeth Chalmers Emily Strout Madelyn Sauget
William Rolfe Gwendolyn Child June Midura
Kendra Goldrup Marissa Santiago Rachel Lire
William Winslow Antwane Mille Christopher Danforth
Clare Thomas-Pino Justin Brown Melanie Dumas
Rebekah Horowitz Sarah Wass Cara Dargan
Danielle Devaney Debra Pow Grace Gallant
Hannah Longley Katrina Mercer Laurie Rodrigues
Wynne Cushing
Greetings and welcome new members. Thank you for recently joining the NASW
Maine Chapter.
You are now eligible to join committees, vote in Board elections, attend Board meetings
and participate in Continuing Education activities at member discounts.
Please call the Maine Chapter at 207-622-7592 if you’d like to serve as a resource.
expert for the Chapter.
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