Social Work Leaders across the country have agreed that the profession of social work faces a crisis.  At the 2005 Social Work Congress, it was agreed that a unified direction must be created in order to maintain and advance the profession of social work.  A first step in this direction is the NASW “Help Starts Here” Campaign.

Launched on NASW’s web site at http://www.naswfoundation.org/imageCampaign/default.asp, this campaign includes print and media advertising and a consumer web site.

On the web site, you will find a 26 page Campaign Toolkit in PDF format that you can download.  (http://www.naswfoundation.org/imageCampaign/news/toolKit.pdf).  This toolkit provides copies of publicity materials and information on ways to use the materials.  There are helpful hints to assist members in successfully approaching the media.

The goals of the campaign, as stated in the toolkit, are to:

• “Increase awareness and understanding of the social work profession
• Educate the public on the depth and breadth of social work practice
• Expand perceptions of who can benefit from social work services
• Attract young people to the social work profession
• Improve employment opportunities for professional social workers” (http://www.naswfoundation.org/imageCampaign/news/toolKit.pdf, accessed 7/27/06)

This toolkit provides information about the campaign’s Help Starts Here website (www.HelpStartsHere.org).  At www.HelpStartsHere.org there are links that will help visitors to better understand the profession of social work.  These include real life stories of social work interventions related to issues including:

• kids and families,
• mind and spirit,
• health and wellness, and
• seniors and aging.    

There are also issues and answers links, with reference materials related to Hurricane Katrina and to Veterans Affairs (http://www.helpstartshere.org/issues_and_answers/default_page.html). 

For social workers who visit the site, there is a link available where they can add their personal stories to those currently available on the website (http://www.helpstartshere.org/tell_us_your_story.html).

For visitors wanting to locate a licensed social work practitioner in their geographic areas, there is a “Find a Social Worker” link (http://www.helpstartshere.org/common/Search/Default.asp). 

For licensed social workers who wish to list their professional information at this site, there is a link through which they can register (http://www.helpstartshere.org/common/Search/Default.asp).

There is a “Did you Know” link with factual information and statistics about the social work profession (http://www.helpstartshere.org/did_you_know.html)

The Help Starts Here campaign and web sites are valuable new resources for our profession.  They are also useful tools for student recruitment and for teaching courses such as Introduction to Social Work or introductory practice.  If you are looking for case studies for use in your classroom, you may find them on the Help Starts Here website.