Miami Dade Unit

Contact: naswmiami[at]gmail[dot]com

Calendar of Events

Wednesday

Third Annual Social Work Month Gala & Awards Ceremony

The National Association of Social Workers Miami-Dade Unit is celebrating the achievements of local social workers and community leaders. Please join us for an evening of great food and fun!

Third Annual Social Work Month Gala & Awards Ceremony

Thursday, March 4th, 2010
5:30 PM- 10:30 PM
Cocktail Hour & Silent Auction
Dinner and Awards Ceremony
Dressy Attire

2010 Awardees

Randi Adler, LCSW
Social Worker

Adela Beckerman, PhD, ACSW
Educator

Jan Hoppe, BSSW
Student Social Worker

Pedro Jose “Joe” Greer, Jr., M.D.
Public Citizen

Patricia Macias
Public Citizen (posthumous)

Human Services Coalition
Agency



Temple Beth David
Spector Ballroom
2625 Southwest Third Avenue
Miami, Florida 33129


Ticket rates:
NASW Members $35
Students $25
Non-members $45


RSVP & Prepayment Required!
Please call NASW Florida at 1 -800-352-6279 by Friday, February 26th, 2010


For additional information or sponsorship opportunities contact
Susan Mankita, LCSW at SusanLCSW@aol.com or 305-773-1496 or Megan Lott, MSW at meganlott@gmail.com or 954-243-4110

Happy Holidays 2009!

Happy Holidays from NASW Miami Dade! Some of the members and friends who were able to join us at our Holiday luncheon at Smith & Wollensky!

Thursday

Take the Power: Protecting Ourselves and Our Loved Ones

Take the Power:
Protecting Ourselves and Our Loved Ones

Thursday, November 19, 2009
7:00–9:00 pm

Unity on the Bay
411 NE 21st Street, Miami, Florida
(parking lot on NE 22nd Street)

RSVPs preferred. Please RSVP to phalpern@lambdalegal.org or 305-759-7350.

Special guest speaker: Janice Langbehn
In 2007, Janice Langbehn, her partner Lisa Pond and their three children were about to depart on a family cruise when Lisa suddenly collapsed and was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Janice and the children were kept apart from Lisa by hospital staff for nearly eight hours as Lisa slipped into a coma and died, even though Lisa’s sister was allowed to visit as soon as she arrived. In 2008, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family. Just last month, the court dismissed the case, agreeing with Jackson Memorial that the hospital has no obligation to allow their patients' visitors in their trauma unit.

As lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, we have to take extra steps to protect ourselves and our families.

  • Find out about legal documents that can provide some protections for you and your family such as a Healthcare Proxy, Living Will and Shared Custody or Guardianship Agreement.
  • Learn about the pending statewide domestic partner bill and what you can do to help win fairness and equality for our families in Florida.
  • Hear about steps being taken improve polices and training at Jackson Memorial Hospital and other hospitals in Florida.

Participating Organizations:

Lambda Legal

Equality Florida

The Pride Center at Equality Park- formerly the GLCC of South Florida

Save Dade

Sunday

NASW Miami Dade Unit, Meeting of the Membership

NASW Miami Dade Unit, Meeting of the Membership
Thursday Evening, October 15th, 2009

We welcome NASW members, as well as those interested in joining NASW.

Miami Jewish Home & Hospital for the Aged
May Lobby and Garden Patio
5200 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
5 PM Registration & Networking Reception
Wine, Cheese and Appetizers will be served
6 PM Welcome
Miami-Dade Commissioner Katy Sorenson, BSW, MSW

Followed by NASW and Community Updates
1 Administrative CEU
Provided by NASW Florida BAP 321, Exp. 03/11

Tour of facility to those interested will follow.

RSVP Required
To RSVP contact NASW at (800) 352-6279
If you need additional information prior to registering, contact Gail Brown, Unit Chair at 305-535-3407

Friday

3 Free CEUs, Friday, August 28, 2009

Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors:
Trauma Resolution and the Greatness of Adolescents’ Resilience
presented by: Martha L. Vallejo, MSW, CTS

Friday, August 28, 2009
9 AM - 12 PM

Peace Education Foundation
1900 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, 2nd Floor

3 CEUs FREE to NASW members, $10 for non-members
Provided by NASW Florida, BAP 321, Exp. 03/11

RSVP to NASW Florida at 800-352-6279
About the Presenter:
Martha Vallejo received her MSW from Barry University and is a Certified Traumatologist. She works for the Victim Services Center- The Trauma Resolution Center as a Trauma Specialist.

Tuesday

Gala Pictures!

We had a great time at the Gala and hope everyone else did too! Here are pictures from the evening!











































































































Friday

Contact Senators Nelson & Martinez on Pay Equality for Women!

The Senate will be considering two vital pieces of legislation that would help diminish the income disparity which prevails between men and women in the workplace. Two germane bills, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) and the Paycheck Fairness Act (no bill number assigned), will be among the initial votes considered by the 111th Congress.

On January 9, 2009 the House of Representatives passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (H.R.11) and the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R.12). The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) would unequivocally reverse a Supreme Court decision that acutely limits women workers’ capacity to sue for wage discrimination. Whereas, the Paycheck Fairness Act increases penalties and liabilities for violating the anti-discrimination policies established under the Equal Pay Act. In addition, to the existing penalties, women who are discriminated against can seek punitive damages from their employers if they are able to legitimate their claim of discrimination. Moreover, a new program would be created that would strengthen women’s negotiation skills to allow them to obtain higher salaries and appreciable compensation packages for themselves. S.181 as well as the Paycheck Fairness Act resolve loopholes within the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and prevents retaliation against workers who disclose the amount of their wages.

NASW believes that the impact of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act would aid millions of working women and their families during our present economic recession.Action RequiredNASW steadfastly supports both pay equality initiatives. To this end, an unwavering goal of social work is to engender a society in which there is equality in opportunity and access to resources, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, or any other factor used to discriminate against people. Both S.181 and the Paycheck Fairness Act earnestly indicate that Congress is ready to move towards the ideal of fairness in pay for women across America. NASW will consistently advocate for the alleviation of the persistent wage gap that leaves women earning 77 cents on average for every dollar earned by men. The Association affirms that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) and the Paycheck Fairness Act are imperative remedies which seek to redress not only pay disparity, but also other types of discriminatory actions that impact the lives of working women. NASW opposes decimating either bill through amendments or eviscerating their original purpose. It is our assertion that these measures are vital to the welfare of women and our nation. A vote could occur soon.

Please call Senator Martinez at 202- 224-3041 or email him at http://martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm&CFID=3448219&CFTOKEN=60147989 and Senator Nelson at 202-224-5274 or email him at http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm and urge them to support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (S.181) and the Paycheck Fairness Act.