swpag projects

Transformation by working collaboratively with OCCO on Social Work Billets
Revision of HSO Appointment Standards to include clinical and non-clinical MSW´s
Support sub-committees in reaching Goals for the year
Support COA and AMSUS Conferences with strong Social Work representation
Stronger Social Work representation with HSO recruitment Board
Market and recruit for 200 Mental Health Officers
Develop strong mentoring and career development efforts
Create "Welcoming package" for new Social Workers

Promoted the development of the SW PAG History, the Coin and ordering process
Promoted continuity in the development of the HS-PAC Career Education Matrix and Initial phase of billet transformation
Coined Term “Favorite Links” and recommended use by all HSO PAG websites
Promoted the diverse yet vital role of social workers in the HSO Category and transformation implementation
Revamped subcommittee descriptions and promoted the importance of deployment readiness via resource development, career development and innovative opportunities for career growth and potential
Developed role of communications liaison for internal HSO-PAC and SW PAG updates
Promoted resource information forums for membership on new initiatives and career development

Updated SWPAG By Laws
Continued effort to update social work appointment standards, expanding them to include all social work licenses, reflecting the scope and mission of PHS billets
Addition of social work deployments as an agenda item on the SWPAG bi-monthly conference call

Promotion of “March is Social Work Month”
Revisited Commissioned Corps social work appointment standards
Formally established the Awards subcommittee and adopted a written policy for awards
Readiness subcommittee reviewed guidelines for readiness and deployment; discussed recent social work deployments
Made initial contact with the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) to explore the establishment of a Social Work Graduate School

Organized a volunteer committee to assist in reviewing backlog of social work applicants to the Corps
SWPAG coordinated with uniformed service social workers to hold the 2004 USSW Conference
Formed new committee to educate social workers on qualifications, training and experience to equip them as they prepare for deployment
Mental health survey of deployed social workers completed and released in 2005
Initiated discussions on updating social work appointment standards
Developed the “Mental Health Go-Bag” , a collection of information and resources that deployed social workers have found particularly helpful
Sponsored two CEU presentations on ethics, micro and organizational ethics, using professors from Catholic University
SWPAG and the Maryland NASW jointly sponsored a workshop on "Understanding and Complying with the Federal HIPAA Medical Privacy Regulations"

Developed monthly SWPAG educational seminars and provided a nationwide call-in number for those outside the area
SWPAG Chair served as the Chair of the Uniformed Services Social Work Conference (USSW) held in San Diego, CA
Collaborative effort with the District of Columbia’s Office of Family and Children’s Services (OFCS) to facilitate the assignment of PHS social workers to OFCS
Initiated and organized March Social Work Month display and information table in the lobby of the Parklawn Building
Arranged for on-site HIV testing at the Parklawn Building coordinated through the Montgomery County Department of Health