SOCIAL WORK PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE ON "SOCIAL WORK IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH!"

TORONTO, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - November 26-27, 2010 marks the date of the Provincial Conference of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). The theme of the Conference is "Social Work is Good for Your Health!" This conference brings together social workers from across the province in clinical practice, education and research as well as social work students.

A major focus of this ground-breaking conference is the social, emotional and economic factors that significantly impact on health and social well-being. These non-medical factors are at the core of social work practice with individuals, families and communities. Given this emphasis, social work is indeed good for everyone's health.

Major speakers at the conference include:

Dr. Dennis Raphael, Friday, November 26^th, 9:00 a.m., Professor, York University, who has publicized extensive research on how the social determinants of health shape health and will focus on reducing social inequalities and improving health.

Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Friday, November 26^th, 1:00 p.m., Executive Director, First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, who will talk about the development of her holistic theory "The Breath of Life" which is based upon the unique experiences of Aboriginal Peoples and should be applied to the shaping and delivery of child welfare services among First Nations children and families.

Dr. Gina Browne, Saturday, November 27^th, 8:30 a.m., Founder and Director of the Health and Social Service Utilization Research Unit based at McMaster University, who will talk about her numerous research studies that look at the utilization of health and social services and the compelling evidence that counselling and a range of other mental health services are cost-effective.

Bryan Hayday, Saturday, November 27^th, 11:45 a.m., Consultant and Lecturer, Schulich School of Business, York University, who will highlight a growing need for non-profit organizations to assume a leadership role in generating income through social innovation and social entrepreneurship.

For further information:

Joan MacKenzie Davies, 416-923-4848, ext. 232
Conference onsite number: 416-988-1779