SWDSS

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

Petition launched to change 'racist' name of Lynchburg, Virginia — which was named after an...

John Lynch was a Quaker who believed in emancipation and freed all of his slaves

Transportation Software as a Partner in Making Senior Centers Better

Senior Centers provide a rich and engaging experience with many benefits, and we help better make that happen by providing transportation software.

The Practical Case for Parole for Violent Offenders

This is one way to fix an unsustainable criminal justice system, and make it more humane.

How Police Are Watching You on Social Media

How does law enforcement use Twitter, Facebook, and other forms of social media to keep tabs on people? Documents from Chicago's Cook County Sheriff’s Office reveal a few of their surveillance techniques.

Social Security: What to do when a family member dies

If you are a spouse, child or parent of someone who has died, you may qualify for Social Security benefits. To get spousal benefits, the deceased family member must have worked long enough under Social Security to qualify.

How 'empathy gap' among social workers can affect services for people of color

Social workers think of themselves as empathetic individuals—after all, they went into social work specifically to help people. But empathy isn't a perfect motivator. Terence Fitzgerald, a clinical associate professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work who studies institutional racism and child welfare, found that an "empathy gap" among white social workers can hurt the services received by people of color. He shares his recent research.

Connecting some of the dots on social services

This week we found out the Government is looking at using people accessing mental health services as a cash cow for their mates. The social Read More

A key tip for premedical students: Ask for help

A simple Google search is all you need to do to gauge the difficulty individuals have with asking for help.

Can I Claim a Social Security Survivor Benefit After 20 Years?

Here's what widows and widowers should know about Social Security for survivors.

Tips for Kids With Social Struggles During Family Visits

The best way to handle kids' social issues and family visits during the holiday season is for you and your child to be prepared with these tips!

Personal Finance: The Keys to Understanding Social Security Family Benefits

I recently met with a gentleman, whom I will call Fred, whose situation illustrates the unique Social Security planning opportunities available around family benefits. Fred is 68 and remarried later in life. His current wife is in her forties and has never worked outside the home. Fred and...

My Wife is Giving Money to People Who Ask

New social services tool aims to address patients’ other needs

UnityPoint Health has launched “Together We Care,” a new social services tool to help individuals find assistance with food, housing, transportation and employment, among other resources.

How National Service Can Fuel Social-Emotional Development

National service programs give youth a valuable opportunity to serve their community and build social-emotional skills at the same time.