This section defines terms used in the chapter, including the board, social work, social work practice, specialty, method, and full-time and part-time social work.
As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings: (1) BOARD. The State Board of Social Work Examiners established under this chapter. (2) SOCIAL WORK. The professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or communities enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning, and of preventing or controlling social problems altering societal conditions as a means towards enabling people to attain their maximum potential. (3) SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE. The professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: Helping people obtain tangible services, assessment and opinions, counseling with individuals, families, and groups, helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services, engaging in research related to those ends and principles, and administering organizations and agencies engaging in such practice. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior, of social, economic, and cultural institutions and of the interaction of all these factors. (4) SOCIAL WORK SPECIALTY. A defined area of social work practice recognized and approved by the Board of Social Work Examiners. (5) SOCIAL WORK METHOD. An orderly, systematic mode of practice and procedure recognized and approved by the Board of Social Work Examiners. This includes but is not limited to social casework, social group work, and community organization. (6) FULL-TIME SOCIAL WORK. Thirty-five hours per week. (7) PART-TIME SOCIAL WORK. At least 10 hours per week or more, and will be considered equivalent to full-time social work on a pro rata basis as determined by the board.