Action | Definition of clinical social work services and supervision of applicant for reinstatement/reactivatn |
Stage | Proposed |
Comment Period | Ended on 9/22/2017 |
August 2, 2017
PUBLIC COMMENT
By: Joseph G. Lynch LCSW
Virginia Society for Clinical Social Work
Definition of “clinical social work services” to include “psychosocial interventions.”
On the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website there is a section titled “General legal principles” (provided by the Office of the Attorney General). This section includes a subsection “How to make a regulation enforceable” Some of the highlights are:
(1) The regulated community
(2) Lawyers who may end up challenging or defending it, and
(3) A court which may hear that challenge.
(https://townhall.virginia.gov/um/legalbasis.cfm)
Chapter 37 of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia Social Work, § 54.1-3700 Definitions: Practice of Social Work the term “psychosocial treatment” appears (See below).
"Practice of social work" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, families, groups, organizations, governmental units, or the general public service which is guided by special knowledge of social resources, social systems, human capabilities, and the part conscious and unconscious motivation play in determining behavior. Any person regularly employed by a licensed hospital or nursing home who offers or renders such services in connection with his employment in accordance with patient care policies or plans for social services adopted pursuant to applicable regulations when such services do not include group, marital or family therapy, psychosocial treatment or other measures to modify human behavior involving child abuse, newborn intensive care, emotional disorders or similar issues, shall not be deemed to be engaged in the "practice of social work." Subject to the foregoing, the disciplined application of social work values, principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to, casework management and supportive services, casework, group work, planning and community organization, administration, consultation and education, and research.
The VSCSW believes that this sentence with “psychosocial treatment” is delineating several items that are the “Practice of Social Work” including “psychosocial treatment” as one of the items. The VBSW proposed to use the term “psychosocial interventions” in the definition of “Clinical Social Work Services.” The VSCSW advocates for the VBSW to use the term “psychosocial treatment” in the definition of “Clinical Social Work Services” instead of “psychosocial interventions.” This change is justified in that it meets the General legal principles” provided by the Office of the Attorney General (referred to above) in that it is:
(1) The regulated community
(2) Lawyers who may end up challenging or defending it, and
(3) A court which may hear that challenge.
The VSCSW views this as an opportunity for the VBSW to develop strong regulatory language as it makes changes in the definition of “Clinical Social Work Services.”
Submitted by:
Joseph G. Lynch LCSW
Legislative Vice President VSCSW