2006 Code of Virginia § 54.1-3700 - Definitions

54.1-3700. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Administration" means the process of attaining the objectives of anorganization through a system of coordinated and cooperative efforts to makesocial service programs effective instruments for the amelioration of socialconditions and for the solution of social problems.

"Board" means the Board of Social Work.

"Casework" means both direct treatment, with an individual or severalindividuals, and intervention in the situation on the client's behalf withthe objectives of meeting the client's needs, helping the client deal withthe problem with which he is confronted, strengthening the client's capacityto function productively, lessening his distress, and enhancing hisopportunities and capacities for fulfillment.

"Casework management and supportive services" means assessment ofpresenting problems and perceived needs, referral services, policyinterpretation, data gathering, planning, advocacy, and coordination ofservices.

"Clinical social worker" means a social worker who, by education andexperience, is professionally qualified at the autonomous practice level toprovide direct diagnostic, preventive and treatment services wherefunctioning is threatened or affected by social and psychological stress orhealth impairment.

"Consultation and education" means program consultation in social work toagencies, organizations, or community groups; academic programs and othertraining such as staff development activities, seminars, and workshops usingsocial work principles and theories of social work education.

"Group work" means helping people, in the realization of their potentialfor social functioning, through group experiences in which the members areinvolved with common concerns and in which there is agreement about thegroup's purpose, function, and structure.

"Planning and community organization" means helping organizations andcommunities analyze social problems and human needs; planning to assistorganizations and communities in organizing for general communitydevelopment; and improving social conditions through the application ofsocial planning, resource development, advocacy, and social policyformulation.

"Practice of social work" means rendering or offering to render toindividuals, families, groups, organizations, governmental units, or thegeneral public service which is guided by special knowledge of socialresources, social systems, human capabilities, and the part conscious andunconscious motivation play in determining behavior. Any person regularlyemployed by a licensed hospital or nursing home who offers or renders suchservices in connection with his employment in accordance with patient carepolicies or plans for social services adopted pursuant to applicableregulations when such services do not include group, marital or familytherapy, psychosocial treatment or other measures to modify human behaviorinvolving child abuse, newborn intensive care, emotional disorders or similarissues, 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, caseworkmanagement and supportive services, casework, group work, planning andcommunity organization, administration, consultation and education, andresearch.

"Research" means the application of systematic procedures for the purposeof developing, modifying, and expanding knowledge of social work practicewhich can be communicated and verified.

"Social worker" means a person trained to provide service and action toeffect changes in human behavior, emotional responses, and the socialconditions by the application of the values, principles, methods, andprocedures of the profession of social work.

(1976, c. 608, 54-941; 1979, c. 398; 1981, c. 555; 1988, c. 765.)