Projects & Partnerships
The Association of Oncology Social Work continues to strengthen both its programming and liaison activities. This past year has been quite successful in maintaining collaborations and fostering new and innovative projects. The list below offers a summary of some of the completed and ongoing initiatives that AOSW is proud to be part of in the arena of psychosocial oncology.
If you have any questions, comments or would like to discuss possible future ideas for programming, please do not hesitate to contact our President at president@aosw.org.
Current Projects and Partnerships:
- With generous support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) AOSW is able to provide the following:
- A redesign and expansion of this website.
- The POWER program - an on-line resource database of oncology social workers.
- Oncology Social Work Brochure - download today to give to patients, caregivers, anyone who wants to know more about what we do.
- Participation in C-Change, serving on their Access Team and Workforce Group.
- Launch of the Palliative Care and End-of-Life Scholarship - established in memory of Betty Vargo, a longstanding AOSW member and leader in palliative and end-of-life care who had a commitment to education in social work and end-of life issues. Thanks to the generosity of AOSW members and Hospice of the Western Reserve.
- ONET - The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) program, sponsored by the United States Department of Labor, is gathering occupational information for a national database; AOSW is excited to have been asked to participate in this program which will provide education to the public on the role of social work.
- NASW public education campaign - An extraordinary ad was placed in the October 2006 edition of O, The Oprah Magazine featuring AOSW's own Alycia Hughes. See a copy of the ad.
- Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report on Psychosocial Strategies in the Community Setting - Due out in 2007, this IOM report will develop recommendations on psychosocial service delivery, workforce and training. AOSW was asked to provide information about social work training and interventions used in the community setting.
- ExCEL in Social Work: Excellence in Cancer Education & Leadership
ExCEL in Social Work strives to improve the delivery of psychosocial-spiritual care for oncology patients through an innovative oncology social work-specific program.
ExCEL is a collaborative partnership between the City of Hope, the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) and the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW). Excel in Social Work Pre-Conferences will enhance selected oncology social workers' critical leadership skills through a focus upon the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2008 Report - Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs. For more information and to apply contact: Lisa Kilburn, ExCEL Coordinator - ExCEL@coh.org
Previous Projects and Partnerships:
- Comprehensive survey of AOSW members outlining their workloads, skills, training and use of community resources. Project funded in part by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
- Collaborated with the NCI Office of Education and Special Initiatives in their recruitment of professionals and survivors to review new and revised patient educational materials.
- Involved in updating the Cancer Survival Toolbox, in conjunction with the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, Oncology Nursing Society, and NASW. The toolbox is now part of the First Step to Survivorship initiative.
- Supported the 5th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health in Hong Kong by establishing the conference's first psychosocial oncology track - Psychosocial Oncology, Hospice and Bereavement. AOSW hopes to establish a number of functional networks around research, education and practice.
- Participated in the public and professional education efforts related to The LION IN THE HOUSE - the PBS Series on Pediatric Cancer. AOSW helped in the design of an online CEU program that served over 700 participants.
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