America's Social Workers Join Dr. Jill Biden to Launch "Social Work and Service Members: Joining Forces to Support Veterans and Military Families"

National Association of Social Workers urges 650,000 professional social workers to gain education and training on mental and behavioral health, health, economic, and social challenges facing nation’s veterans and military families

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dr. Jill Biden will join the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at their national practice conference, Restoring Hope: The Power of Social Work, to announce a new Joining Forces commitment aimed at educating all social workers, regardless of practice area or focus, to have a better understanding of issues relating to the care, culture, and lifestyle of our nation’s troops, veterans, and military families.  The Joining Forces commitment means that more than 650,000 social workers – the nation’s largest group of mental health care providers – will have access to training and resources to help meet the needs of our service men and women, veterans and military families.

“We have asked a lot of our military over the past decade, and they have responded to the need for more and frequent deployments without complaint.  Our veterans and military families are among the most resilient men and women I have ever met and I am always inspired by them.  But they have shouldered a tremendous burden and for those who need some additional support, we need to be ready to help.  Social workers are uniquely positioned to help reach our troops, veterans and military families exactly where they are, in every single county in America,” said Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States.

In addition to invisible wounds such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which impact approximately one in six of our troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, service members and veterans have a heightened risk of substance use, unemployment, homelessness, and suicide.  Female veterans and those residing in rural areas are at an even greater disadvantage as they may find it difficult to access services or find resources that directly address their unique needs.
“Social workers are the largest provider of mental health services in the United States. We have a responsibility to ensure that service members, veterans, and their loved ones have access to the mental and behavioral health services they deserve.  In addition, social workers who provide a broad range of services in areas such as sexual assault, case management, and advocacy have expertise and skills to offer and should be leaders in these efforts,” NASW President Jeane Anastas, PhD, LMSW, said.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden created Joining Forces last year as a way to spark action and encourage all Americans to find ways to honor and support our service men and women, veterans and military families in their own communities.  The initiative focuses on improving employment, education, and wellness of America’s troops, veterans and military families as well as raise awareness about the service, sacrifice and needs of all who serve our country.  NASW has been a proud member of Joining Forces since 2011 and is committed to educating and training all social workers so that they are prepared to meet the needs of those who have made incredible sacrifices for the United States.

“This announcement from America’s social workers is exactly the type of commitment we hoped to see when the First Lady and Dr. Biden launched Joining Forces last year – a major national organization stepping up and positively impacting our veterans and military families in the most meaningful of ways.  This commitment is particularly meaningful and unique because it lays a foundation that will support our troops and their families for decades to come,” said Captain Brad Cooper, Executive Director of Joining Forces.
Social work has been known as the helping profession for over a century and during that time has been an essential component of the social safety net, guiding people to critical resources, counseling them on important life decisions, and helping them reach their full potential.  The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, with particular attention to those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. 

NASW CEO Elizabeth J. Clark noted that, “Social workers focus on individual well-being within the social context. Fundamental to social work is attention to all of the forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living. Through this perspective, we understand that veterans and military families can experience extraordinary challenges that require extraordinary responses. We stand ready to prepare social workers to lead that response.”

Social workers have been serving veterans since 1926, when the first social work program was established in the Veterans Bureau. Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the largest employer of master’s-degreed social workers in the nation with over 9,000 social workers. Social workers also serve in and work for the Air Force, Army, and Navy providing clinical, administrative, and research services.

Key Social Work Joining Forces Commitments Include:

• A free online five-course training module available for all social workers: It will include military culture, advocacy, direct practice, cultural competency, and standards review. This course will not be limited to social workers who specifically work with veterans and military families, but also private practitioners, clinical social workers, agency social workers, policy practitioners, educators, and researchers. This course will count toward continuing education requirements for practitioners.
• A professional Credential for Social Work with Veterans and Military Families: Based on the training module, this credential will be offered free for one year to all NASW members and is geared towards social workers that work primarily with service members, veterans, or their loved ones.
• Standards for Social Work Practice with Veterans and Military Families: These guidelines will be disseminated to all NASW members with the goal of providing a basic level of education on veterans and military families.

These materials will be forthcoming in fall 2012 and 2013.

For more information on NASW’s “Social Work and Service Members: Joining Forces to Support Veterans and Military Families,” visit www.socialworkers.org/military.asp or contact Elizabeth Hoffler at ehoffler@naswdc.org.

Remarks by the First Lady at Illinois Spousal Licensing Bill Signing

Donnelly Armory
Chicago, Illinois

2:24 P.M. CDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you, everyone.  Please be seated.  It is great to be back home in Chicago, especially on what is a very big, important day like today.

I want to start by thanking Governor Quinn, first of all, for inviting me here and allowing me to join in this celebration.  Thank you, Governor Quinn -- (applause) -- as well as everyone from the Illinois National Guard Armory for hosting us here, and for all of your service and work. 

I want to thank all of the elected officials who are here today, and all of those who worked in a unified way to get this legislation passed.  And of course I want to join in in thanking our men and women in uniform and their families who are here with us today and all over the country for what you do and what you give to all of us, and for the models of inspiration that you provide for me personally each and every day.   

And finally I want to thank Courtney for so eloquently sharing her story.  I got to meet her family just before coming onstage.  They’re beautiful, smart, handsome -- because there are boys in there, too. 

And just one thing I want to point out is, for all of the military parents here, I know that you all realize that your kids serve, too.  They are making huge, tremendous sacrifices on behalf of this country.  And it’s important for each of you kids to know that you are heroes, too, in huge ways.  Your parents could not do what they do without you being calm, responsible, focused, obedient, right?  I’m talking to you, kids, right?  You’re all that, right?  (Laughter and applause.)  You know, giving limited attitude, right?  (Laughter.)  All of that.  But we are very proud of you, and it has been a joy to get to know the military families all over this country.  Again, you all keep us inspired, and it has just been a privilege to be a part of shining a light on the work that you do and the lives that you live.

Courtney’s story is one that I have heard so many times over these past few years –- the story of the teacher who has moved 12 times, taking odd jobs to pay the bills. The story of the social worker whose skills go unused as she waits months for paperwork to clear.  The accountants, the psychologists, the real estate agents, child care providers, and so many others who simply want to provide for their families and get back to the careers that they love.  But far too often, they’re stuck in a web of bureaucracy.

And we have to remember who these military spouses are.  They’re folks who are giving their heart and soul to this country every single day.  Every time our country asks them to pick up their families and move across the country at a moment’s notice, they do it and they do it with pride. Every time their spouses are sent overseas for months, sometimes years, on end, they hold things together back at home without complaint or regret.  And on top of all that, they are some of the best volunteers in their communities.  They still find time to participate on the PTA, in their Parish Council, to support the Little League and the Girl Scouts.

So we owe it to these individuals to get this licensing issue right.  And that's why Jill Biden and I started Joining Forces.  We made addressing this issue one of our highest priorities.  

So as Governor Quinn said, earlier this year we worked with the Departments of Defense and Treasury on a report to give states some ideas on how to solve this problem.  We went to the Pentagon and we joined Secretary Panetta and General Dempsey to call on all 50 states to address this issue by the year 2014.  And again, when our nation’s governors came to the White House a couple of weeks after that meeting, we asked them to enact measures in their home states.  

And today, believe me, I am so proud to report that governors and legislatures across this country have answered this call.  Back when we went to the Pentagon, only 11 states had addressed this issue at all.  Only 11 states.  But in the four months since then -- so just since February -- 11 more governors have signed legislation or executive orders.  And seven more have legislation pending.  (Applause.)  That's good stuff.  (Applause.) 

And we are so proud that in just a few moments, the governor of my home state is going to make Illinois the 23rd state to take action on behalf of nation’s military families.  (Applause.)  Yes.  (Applause.) 

So this is a good reason to come back home, right?  So I want to thank Governor Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton, and to all of the Illinois legislators who worked so hard and so quickly to get this done.  Because of your efforts, more military spouses will be able to advance in their careers.  More businesses and hospitals and schools will get the talented, experienced workers they rely on.  And more importantly, more families will have the income they need and the financial security they deserve. 

So again, this is a banner day.  And we have come so far in just these last four months.  But we know we’re not finished yet.  We’re not finished yet.  We still have 27 states to go. 

So today, right here, I want to renew our call to action for all of the states out there, all of the legislators all over the country in the states that have yet to address this issue.  I ask you to help us finish this job.  This is something we can do.  I ask you to look at what they’ve done here in Illinois and states all across the country, and what you’ll see is that this is an eminently solvable problem.  This is something we can do. You’ll see that there are all kinds of solutions, and you can choose the one that’s best for your state.  There is no one-size-fits-all solution here.  And you’ll see that folks from every background and both sides of the aisle are eager to step up and help. 

And that is really the beauty of giving back to our troops and our military families -- it is something that we all agree on in this country.  This is one of them.  This is a good thing.  And it’s something we all can support. 

And that has been the story of Joining Forces from the very beginning since we launched the initiative.  In just over a year, we have seen more than 1,600 companies step forward to hire more than 90,000 veterans and military spouses –- and commit to hiring at least 170,000 more in the coming years.  We have seen associations of nurses and physical therapists and medical schools commit to providing better care for folks dealing with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.  We have seen schools reach out to military students to help pave the way.  We’ve seen everyone from Oprah to Tom Hanks to iCarly, my girl, kids -- the old people, you don't know what iCarly is -- (laughter) -- and Sesame Street, they have shared the inspiring stories of military families with the rest of the country. 

And while we do have a long way to go, we’re just getting started.  So today, I want all of our military families to know that America does have your backs.  It is really a country that appreciates and cares about your service.  Whether it’s fixing this licensing issue, or helping you find a job, or making sure that you and your family have the health care and benefits you’ve earned, we are working hard every day to serve you as well as you have served this country.

So again, I truly from the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you here in Illinois for making this possible.  I want to once again thank the men and women in uniform and their families for their service.  And I look forward to many more days like today in states all across this country.  

Thank you all.  God bless.  And with that, I turn it over to the governor and we can get the bill signed.  (Applause.) 

END
2:34 P.M. CDT

Executive Order--Russian Highly Enriched Uranium

EXECUTIVE ORDER

BLOCKING PROPERTY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM EXTRACTED FROM NUCLEAR WEAPONS

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, in view of the policies underlying Executive Order 12938 of November 14, 1994, and Executive Order 13085 of May 26, 1998, and the restrictions put in place pursuant to Executive Order 13159 of June 21, 2000, find that the risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation continues to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat.  I hereby order:

Section 1.  A major national security goal of the United States is to ensure that fissile material removed from Russian nuclear weapons pursuant to various arms control and disarmament agreements is dedicated to peaceful uses, subject to transparency measures, and protected from diversion to activities of proliferation concern.  As reflected in Executive Order 13085, the full implementation of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons, dated February 18, 1993, and related contracts and agreements (collectively, the "HEU Agreements") is essential to the attainment of this goal.  The HEU Agreements provide for the conversion of approximately 500 metric tons of highly enriched uranium contained in Russian nuclear weapons into low-enriched uranium for use as fuel in commercial nuclear reactors.  In furtherance of our national security goals, all heads of departments and agencies of the United States Government shall continue to take all appropriate measures within their authority to further the full implementation of the HEU Agreements.

Sec. 2.  Government of the Russian Federation assets directly related to the implementation of the HEU Agreements currently may be subject to attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process, thereby jeopardizing the full implementation of the HEU Agreements to the detriment of U.S. foreign policy.  In order to ensure the preservation and proper and complete transfer to the Government of the Russian Federation of all payments due to it under the HEU Agreements, and except to the extent provided in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, or that were issued pursuant to Executive Order 13159 of June 21, 2000, all property and interests in property of the Government of the Russian Federation directly related to the implementation of the HEU Agreements that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States persons, including any foreign branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in. Unless licensed or authorized pursuant to this order, or Executive Order 13159 of June 21, 2000, any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process is null and void with respect to any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to this order.

Sec. 3.  (a)  Any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

(b)  Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

Sec. 4.  For the purposes of this order:

(a)  the term "person" means an individual or entity;

(b)  the term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization;

(c)  the term "United States person" means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States; and

(d)  the term "Government of the Russian Federation" means the Government of the Russian Federation, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, and any person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, the Government of the Russian Federation.

Sec. 5.  (a)  The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Energy, and, as appropriate, other agencies, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order.  The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government consistent with applicable law.  All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their statutory authority to carry out the provisions of this order.

(b)  Nothing contained in this order shall relieve a person from any requirement to obtain a license or other authorization from any department or agency of the United States Government in compliance with applicable laws and regulations subject to the jurisdiction of the department or agency.

Sec. 6.  The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to submit the recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

Sec. 7.  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
June 25, 2012.

President Obama Signs Vermont Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Vermont and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe storm, tornado, and flooding on May 29, 2012.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm, tornado, and flooding in Addison, Lamoille, and Orleans Counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named James N. Russo as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. 

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT:  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV