National Organization of
Forensic Social Work
2015 ANNUAL REPORT
NOFSW Annual Report
Contents
Executive Summary .....................................2
Membership ...............................................3
Educational Programs .................................5
Journal of Forensic Social Work ...................6
NOFSW Executive Council ...........................7
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NOFSW Annual Report
Executive Summary
The National Organization of Forensic Social
Work (NOFSW) has a long and vibrant history.
It was incorporated in Ann Arbor, Michigan in
1983 with the objective of advancing the
education and practice of forensic social work.
This included the establishment of a Code of
Ethics, the development and delivery of
curriculum in social work and the law, the
advancement of best practice guidelines, and
the promotion and publication of evidencebased research for the purpose of improving
and developing the capabilities of its
membership, as well as informing the public on
issues faced by forensic social workers.
The NOFSW logo is a tree in a circle that symbolizes our interprofessional collaboration.
NOFSW continues to enhance the professional activities of forensic practitioners,
administrators, policy makers, and advocates by providing an annual conference, a
quarterly newsletter, and the Journal of Forensic Social Work. In 2013, NOFSW
performed another audit of its operation and management. A strategic plan was
developed to address ways of meeting the needs of members in the twenty-first
century. NOFSW remains a strong and viable membership organization and celebrated
its 32nd anniversary in Arlington, VA in 2015. Website: www.nofsw.com
Mission Statement
The mission of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work is to support the
professional development of its members by:
constructing and maintaining forensic standards and best practices
producing quality materials for interprofessional forensic education and practice
conducting and disseminating forensic research and scholarship
advocating for court-involved children, youth, adults, and families
Vision Statement
The National Organization of Forensic Social Work endeavors to advance social justice
through the interprofessional collaboration of human services and legal systems.
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Membership
NOFSW membership has more than 300 active
members in the following membership
categories:
Full Members
Associate Members
Allied Professional Members
Student Members
Retired Members
Founding
Members
Members receive print and online access to the
Journal of Forensic Social Work, an online copy
of the newsletter – Open Court, discounts at the
annual conference and participation in our online discussion boards.
What is Forensic Social Work?
Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to
law and legal systems. This specialty goes far beyond clinics and psychiatric hospitals for
criminal defendants being evaluated and treated on issues of competency and
responsibility. A broader definition includes social work practice within legal issues and
litigation, both criminal and civil on topics including interpersonal violence across the
lifespan (offenders & victims); criminal, juvenile and restorative justice; specialty courts;
child, adult and elder welfare as well as end of life issues; mitigation in capital cases;
family and community mediation; mental health and substance abuse treatment in
forensic settings; legal and ethical concerns related to work with forensic populations;
and risk management for service providers.
Can Any Social Worker Be a Forensic Social Worker?
Forensic social work is based on specialized knowledge drawn from established
principles and their application, familiarity with the law, impartial evaluation, and
objective criteria associated with treatment outcomes. It is imbedded in a framework
that can be utilized by the court and legal professionals. The conclusions and
recommendations of forensic social workers must withstand critical review and rebuttal
from opposing parties. The training of social work practitioners has not traditionally
included familiarity with the adversarial process or the issues that civil and criminal
justice systems confront. Without such training, social workers called onto provide
forensic services may find themselves at a disadvantage.
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Functions of the Forensic Social Work Practitioner
Providing consultation, education, or training to:
Social services, health and mental health professionals and students
Criminal justice, juvenile justice, and correctional systems
Law enforcement personnel
Attorneys, law students, and paralegals
Colleges and universities faculty and students
Policy and law makers
Members of the community
Diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations:
Diagnosing, assessing, and treating criminal and juvenile justice populations
Diagnosing, treating, or making recommendations about interests, mental
status, or incapacities of child and adults within a variety of forensic settings
Serving as expert evaluators and witnesses
Screening, evaluating, or treating community service workers, law enforcement,
and other criminal justice personnel
Other services:
Policy and program design, development, and evaluation
Community and agency needs assessments
Mediation, advocacy, and arbitration
Teaching, training, and supervising
Behavioral science research and analysis
Many forensic populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, at-risk youth, the
elderly, veterans, immigrants, LGBTQ persons, persons with disabilities, or those living in
poverty or communities of violence often lack access to quality services and cultural
justice. Forensic social work practitioners engage only in forensic activities within their
areas of competence and expertise.
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Educational Programs
Annual Conference
NOFSW believes forensic practice best serves clients when it functions from an
interdisciplinary perspective. NOFSW conferences offer a unique opportunity for social
workers and allied professionals to learn from one another while enhancing their
knowledge and understanding of the interconnectedness of the law, policy, and
practice. Attendees include social workers, psychologists, attorneys, judges, law
enforcement, physicians, nurses, child custody evaluators, and various other mental
health, medical, and legal professionals.
Forensic Practice: Courage
for Change June 17-19, 2015
Renaissance New Orleans
Arts Hotel New Orleans, LA
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Journal of Forensic Social Work
AIMS
The Journal of Forensic Social Work is the principal journal guiding
practitioners and researchers involved in day-to-day practice issues
with the legal system. The journal is devoted to increasing the general
knowledge base, promoting evidence-based and ethically informed
practice, improving services for victims and offenders of crime, and
setting guidelines and practice standards for the provision of forensic
mental health services.
GOALS
The Journal of Forensic Social Work addresses a broad range of issues faced by social workers
and other professionals who practice in the judicial arena. The journal was established to
provide a forum for the discussion of important policy and social justice issues within forensic
practice as well as the dissemination of empirical research on legal issues, systems of care, and
on the management and treatment of victims of crime and alleged offenders. The journal
addresses contemporary forensic practice issues to provide practitioners, social researchers, and
students with leading-edge information in an ever evolving field.
EDITORS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
VIOLA VAUGHAN-EDEN, PhD, LCSW
Associate Professor & PhD Program Director
The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work
Norfolk State University
700 Park Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23504
Email: violavaughaneden@cox.net
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Susan McCarter, PhD, MS, MSW
Associate Professor
Department of Social Work
University of North Carolina Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
Email: smccarter@uncc.edu
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Jeremiah W. Jaggers, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor
School of Social Work
Indiana University
902 W. New York Street, ES 4113
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Email: jwjagger@iupui.edu
The Journal of Forensic Social Work is a Routledge-Taylor and Francis Group publication. It is
seeking submissions of scholarly articles and essays dealing with all aspects of forensic social
work. Recognizing that social workers are fundamental participants in the justice system, the
journal covers topics such as:
family and domestic violence
custody disputes
criminal evidence and proceedings
criminal justice policy
victim services
treatment for offenders
child maltreatment and child welfare
expert witness status
The journal publishes original articles that are theoretical, empirical, practice-oriented, or based
on comprehensive reviews of the literature. Website: http://www.tandfonline.com/wfor
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NOFSW Executive Council
President
Viola Vaughan-Eden, PhD, MJ, LCSW
Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
violavaughaneden@cox.net
Vice President
Susan McCarter, PhD, MS, MSW
University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC
smccarter@uncc.edu
Executive Directors:
Jim Campbell, MSW, PhD
jim.campbell@nofsw.org
Jane Campbell, MEd
jane.campbell@nofsw.org
NOFSW National Office
1829 Barrington Dr.
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Phone: (860) 613-0254
Secretary
Valarie Mitchell, MSW, LICSW
King County Department of Public Defense,
Seattle, WA
valarie.mitchell@kingcounty.gov
Treasurer
Steven Hartsock, PhD, LCSW-C
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
shartsock1@mindspring.com
Councilors:
Tina Maschi, PhD, LCSW, ACSW (Past
President)
Fordham University, New York
tmaschi@fordham.edu
David Axlyn McLeod, PhD, MSW
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
damcleod@ou.edu
Stacey Hardy, PhD, JD, LCSW
George Mason University
dr.stacey.hardy@gmail.com
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