Connections
ValueOptions Inc.
ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation’s largest independent behavioral healthcare company, formally endorses two credentials of the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work (ABE): the BCD, attesting to advanced generalist practice, and the certification attesting to advanced practice with children and their families. ValueOptions® utilizes the ABE certifications preferentially in its internal credentialing process, and in continued re-credentialing. “ValueOptions® is the first national managed behavioral health organization to recognize these rigorous practice credentials,” said Robert Booth of the Center for clinical Social Work/ABE. “It speaks highly of their standards as a provider of clinical services and as a client-oriented health services company.” Contact the national provider line of ValueOptions® at 1-800-397-1630.
Healthcare Providers Service Organization
Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO), a national leader in administering professional liability insurance, has partnered with the Center for Clinical Social Work to provide a superior coverage program for clinical social workers in all settings. HPSO insures over 900,000 healthcare providers and offers superior occurrence coverage at an affordable premium. Occurrence coverage—unlike claims-made coverage—means not having to worry about claims made against you for incidents that occurred in the past as an HPSO insured. BCD certificants can qualify for a 10% discount with the HPSO Professional Liability Insurance Program. For more information, or to apply, contact HPSO at 1-800-982-9491 or visit their website.
Employee Assistance Society of North America
All clinical social workers board-certified by ABE are automatically entitled to Affiliate Membership in the Employee Assistance Society of North America (EASNA). EASNA is the national association for those interested in advancing knowledge, research, and best practices in the field of employee assistance. EASNA members benefit from topical EA-related news, practice information, and networking opportunities. For a list of member benefits and a link to the “Members Only” site of EASNA, click here.
The Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest employer of clinical social workers in the world, with over 7,000 now providing services through V.A. facilities to military veterans and their families. As the result of an Act of Congress, the V.A. officially recognizes the Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work credential (issued by the Center’s ABE unit) as a Tier One criterion in the Special Advancement for Achievement program. This enables a V.A. clinical social worker to achieve enhanced employment standing and a higher rate of pay. In addition, active-duty clinical social workers in the U.S. military may use the BCD as a criterion for bonus professional pay averaging about $6,000 per year.
The California Social Work Education Center
The Center is a standing member of the Mental Health Committee of CalSWEC, the California Social Work Education Center, a consortium of the state’s 20 accredited social work graduate schools, the 58 county departments of social service and mental health, the California Departments of Social Services and of Mental Health, and various professional organizations. CalSWEC is the nation’s largest such coalition, working to provide professional education, student financial aid, in-service training, and workforce research—all directed toward developing effective, culturally competent public service delivery to the people of California. Many of the graduate social work schools participate in the Judith Holm Awards sponsored by the Center for Clinical Social Work, which makes cash awards to second-year master’s students who are well prepared for professional practice.
