In January of this year, the Women’s Council presented two resolutions** to the California board; one urging the BBS to revise their application process, and a second supporting inclusion. Both were adopted and the board created a task force to implement the resolutions.
Task force members have attempted to establish a dialogue with BBS staff to consider alternatives to the current application process. However BBS staff has expressed satisfaction with current process and has no interest in working with the NASW to modify its application process. The task force is exploring a variety of avenues to expand placement options for social work students, to modify the BBS review process and to ensure employment opportunities for rehabilitated social workers with criminal histories.
The Women’s Council continues to support the Social Workers Against Solitary Confinement Task Force (SWASC TF) in its opposition to the inhumane treatment of prisoners and its support for social workers in forensic settings who challenge inhumane practices.
Women’s Council member Aileen Hongo has co-authored a guide for caring for cognitively impaired prisoners entitled The Gold Coats: An Exceptional Standard of Care” and will be a panelist on the National Institute on Corrections webinar “Losing Time: Dementia and Alzheimer’s Behind Bars” on July 28, 2016.
**Resolution urging BBS to revise their application process for those whose criminal convictions have been expunged by the courts
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the California Chapter of the NASW work with the Board of Behavioral Sciences immediately to streamline the application process to include requiring only proof of dismissal and no other conviction related documentation, from applicants for registration or licensing who have convictions which have been dismissed pursuant to Section 1203.4, 1203.4a, or 1203.41 of the Penal Code, if appropriate.
**Resolution in Support of Inclusion
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the California Chapter of the NASW will advocate for the development of specific, transparent and easily understood definitions of rehabilitation and recovery used by schools, agencies and state licensing boards, including the Board of Behavioral Sciences to allow for inclusion of potential social workers with criminal histories as students, interns, employees and licensees.
