The Growing Advantages and Acceptance of Online Continuing Education for Social Workers in the US

Licensed social workers (LCSW, LSW, and ASW) are required by every state in the U.S. to have a certain number of CEU hours in order to be eligible for renewal of their licenses. Each state has its own requirements in regards to the number of years a license is good for as well as how many CE hours are necessary. The idea of continuing education for social workers is to assure that the SW remains current with research, changes and new approaches applicable to their particular field and job.

Regardless of the level of educational achievement, every practicing LCSW/LSW in the United States has a certain basic number of SW CEUs as required by their individual state’s board in order to renew their license. CE requirements for LCSWs/LSWs can range from 20 CEUs to 45 CEUs. To further complicate matters, each state has unique requirements as to the venue in which these ce credits may be acquired and the documentation required.

Licenses for SWs generally last from two to four years (depending upon the issuing state board) and upon renewal, continuing education for social workers documentation must be available. Some states such as Michigan merely require the documentation be available in case of audit while others require documentation of completion of the courses submitted with the license renewal application.

Continuing education for social workers is not limited to formalized classroom experience by any state and a number of different types of CEUs are acceptable. An LCSW/LSW who prepares papers or research for publication can also gain continuing education from publishing said research. The SW who is continuing their education into the Doctorate level may find some of their renewal social worker CEU requirements are met by the formal classes taken for their degree. However, some U.S. states require a certain number of education units be focused in particular areas that may not be covered by the degree courses.

Satisfying the Continuing Education for Social Worker Requirements for License Renewal

Satisfying state board ce requirements at one time was limited to publishing papers, attending workshops, or formalized classroom instruction. These limited choices put busy professionals at a disadvantage because clients and workload had to be juggled with classroom hours.

Although requirements for continuing education for social workers have been increased in some states in the U.S. the ways in which these continuing education requirements can be satisfied has expanded. One of the most notable and possibly simplest means of satisfying the LCSW, LSW, ASW CEU requirements has been online courses and classes designed to satisfy the state requirements for continuing education. It used to be that a social worker had to manage their professional lives & appointments and work to fit formal classes into their schedule and be absent from their practice during set hours to satisfy the CEUs for renewal. Now, online classes offer flexibility in coursework as well as in class content that meets the needs of the practicing SW and satisfies the State Boards’ requirements.

Continuing education for social workers does not necessarily have to be a matter of selecting only what educational units are available but of little or no interest in the course of the professional’s daily work. Social workers whose practices include family counseling, hospital and nursing or any other field can find courses that not only apply to their clients but also enrich their practices. Online classes that grant CEUS can be found in almost every area of practice and to satisfy almost any professional focus. Such classes provide the necessary documentation, state provider numbers (for CEU verification) and focus upon areas that SWs find of interest and their clients can benefit from.

CE requirements can be accrued slowly during the two to four year period before license renewal. Online CE as well as on-site CE is accepted by every US state. Satisfying these educational requirements slowly throughout the period can eliminate coursework overload or the frenzy of last-minute studying and attending seminars that were unfortunately common before online CEUs became readily available. The freedom to choose classes which match the schedule of the professional, as well as enrich the practice, increase their body of knowledge and keep them abreast of changes in the laws for professional licensed social workers are just a few of the advantages to online CEUs.

Tags:

Start A Home Based Business – 4 Traits Of Successful Home-Based Business Owners

If you want to start a home based business you will need more than a great idea and some time to dedicate to it, you will also need to have a few important traits that can help ensure you not only get started, but also persist and succeed in building a business that will stand the test of time and provide for you and your family for years to come.

If you truly want to start a home based business, you should be aware of the traits you will either need to have or need to acquire before you can achieve real success. And if you don’t believe you have these traits right now, not to worry, because all you need to do is make a conscious decision to have them, and you will need to simply make it part of who you are and practice them on a daily basis.

Four traits of successful home-based business owners are:

1 – They are organized

Organization is a big key to achieving success in life and in business. If you are going to start your own business, yo will need to learn how to organize every single hour of your day, mainly so you can get the most out of your time and be the most efficient business person you can possibly become. A great way to achieve organization is to create daily and weekly goals, then put them on “to-do” lists, checking things off as you do them. Whatever system you like best, be sure to implement it and follow it closely.

2 – They can visualize the future

Being able to see yourself as a successful person is so key to achieving the results you desire. When you can visualize yourself as successful, when you can see yourself living how you want to live, all you have to do is go out and work for it, because you know that what you see is what will eventually materialize. This is harnessing the power of positive thinking and positive visualization.

3 – They can self-motivate

Nothing is harder to do than motivating yourself to keep working hard even when the results are not manifesting themselves. If you want to achieve success, not just in business but anywhere in life, you will have to have faith that you will succeed and be able to motivate yourself to keep working even though you may not be making money yet. This ability to self-motivate ties in closely with the ability to positively visualize yourself as a success in the future.

4 – They are persistent

Persistence is a key to achieving success in business, as those who stick with it no matter what often find the success they desire. The difference between those who are successful and those who aren’t may be as small as sticking through an extra few weeks of struggles, or an extra year of struggles. The key is to have your plan, have your goals, and to work for them no matter what circumstances should get in your way.

Tags:

Stress Can Be a Factor That Forces You Out of Your Home Based Business Opportunity

Home based business owners face stress executing everyday entrepreneurial activities. Severe stress can impair the ability of an individual to function and can have detrimental effects.The strength to thrive in a competitive environment cannot exist without the ability to perform under pressure. Activities that relieve stress should be pursued by home business owners.The Following Ideas Can Help Home Business Owners to Overcome Stress:o A hobby that provides personal joy should be pursued to replace troubling thoughts that occur in the mind.o Relaxation techniques and activities like reading books can act as a breather from business worries.o All forms of physical activity act as excellent stress busters. Physical exercise can provide for a healthy mind that can ease out tension.o Breathing techniques can help stay calm in stressful conditions and make a difference to general health status.o Slow music can soothe tensed nerves and help boost ability to work on deadlines.o Restful sleep every night can prevent exhaustion and lethargy at work.o A home business owner must engage in different forms of work activities to avoid boredom.o The ability to say no can help avoid the burden of acting on non beneficial commitments.o Assertive action can help overcome false fears and insecurities.o Addictions like nicotine, alcohol and recreational drugs should be avoided.o A healthy balanced diet can provide for mind and body balance.o Strong emotional support from family members and friends can help overcome stress at work.o The desire to control every situation with decision making can be detrimental to the work life of home based business owners.o Flexibility and optimism can help overcome temporary setbacks that occur with every business opportunity.o A support group of compatible entrepreneurs and business professionals can help provide solutions for difficult situations that cause stress.It is a known fact that delay in work can be a cause of concern and create stress for home business owners. Work efficiency can be increased through appropriate planning, organizing and effective time management.Be aware that physical health can be affected from chronic stress. The symptoms experienced can be headache, insomnia and poor gastrointestinal health.Emotional symptoms like low morale and personal dissatisfaction can further accelerate work stress. Chronic stress can also affect the family life of home based business owners.Neglecting personal life in favor of professional requirements can initiate a cyclical chain of stress. Unrealistic expectations towards the success of a business venture can create too much pressure. A healthy balance of personal and professional life is necessary for home based business owners.The bottom line is that your health and reduction in stress is first priority above everything else. Understand that without it, your business, your life and your family will suffer.

Tags:

Coming Up With a Home Based Business Idea

When it comes to establishing your own business at home, there is no rule which states that you only need to employ old and proven business ideas. If you are ready to establish your own business, then you can set it up using your skills and motivation. You can develop your own home based business idea whether you want to formulate it all by yourself or you want to involve other people who are willing to start business with you.If you are starting your own business to gain additional profit, the most important thing to remember is that you will be successful in your endeavors as long as you are happy with what you are doing and you are knowledgeable or experienced in that field.If you know a lot about a certain product and you would like to make use of that knowledge to establish your business, then you may do so rather than referring to those other business ideas that you are not much familiar of.The most common reason why people would tend to use those established business ideas is because they are not confident to come up with their own ideas or they are scared to take risks. Even if there is nothing wrong about using an old business idea for your newly established business, you can still choose to come up with your own home based business idea.If you truly believe in the idea and you are confident when you formulated it, then your chances of being successful in that business are high. As much as possible, you should think positively because if you do not you might end up not being successful in your ventures. Having the right attitude and work ethics are important to make your business successful.You need to be loyal and dedicated to make your business a success. One of the most common reasons why businesses that are home based fail is because many get tricked into thinking that it is not a real business. There are usually no dividing lines between business and personal space. This can cause huge problems and is something to beware of.Make sure that when you formulate your home based business idea you set realistic expectations. Do not expect too much if your business is in the start up phase because it can end up making you frustrated. Rather, you should set realistic goals and let time pass before you judge whether your business is a success or a failure.

Home Based Business – An Insight on Insurance Requirements

It has been one of the greatest myths ever that a home based business does not need insurance. Insurance is generally considered as crucial for the retail counters, warehouses or factories. A survey in America has shown that majority of businesses which are operated from home are not properly insured. This includes online home business as well.The myths:Some people cultivate a misconception that getting their home insured also covers the risks of their business operations from home. On the contrary, they will face difficulty during any claim if they haven’t specified their home based business in the insurance policy.Every business has a huge probability of risk factors leading to substantial losses. For instance: theft, natural disasters, accidents etc.Many people think that they have to pay thousands of dollars to get their online home business or any home business insured. It is actually not all that expensive and it starts from 25-30 dollars per year for at least minimal coverage.As the insurance sector is growing by the day, the companies are also providing new and innovative packages to protect your business.If your home based business is your sole means of income or supplementing other income, it still needs insurance for the safety of your home and family. Your Insurance policy can provide protective covering for the business and income no matters what size your business is.Moreover, it helps to ensure you to have a fully secured, reliable, stable and good income generating business. Many of the insurance policies are also tax deductible. Everything that constitutes your business needs to be covered in insurance plan.Here are some aspects of business that must be covered:o Home
o Equipment
o Inventory
o Employee’s compensation
o Business liabilities
o Personal injury
o Loss of incomeMany insurance companies provide a full package of insurance for any home based business by covering every factor mentioned above. This helps you save money as you have to pay only one insurance premium for coverage of all the factors.Some of the insurances to be considered are:o Public liability insurance: It covers for the person or client visiting at home.
o Employee’s compensation insurance: It covers for the workers working under your business at your home if you have any.
o Inventory coverage: It protects your stock against theft, storm, fire etc.
o Vehicle insurance: To protect your vehicle which you using your business.
o Professional liability coverage: If your business provides services and if your clients suffer due to your activity, this insurance will pay claim of defense.Before you make calls to get insurance, be sure to know the laws where you live. Are you allowed to have a home business? Know your licensing rules and parking issues for your area. Before notifying your home insurance carrier, find out how they feel about having a business in a home. You could just find yourself having a very difficult time keeping your home insurance or getting any insurance depending on the rules where you live. It is not necessarily a problem, just get your facts before searching for the policy so there are no surprises.There are many other types of insurance available according to the type and scope of the business, be it online home business or any home business. If you have large stocks or inventory, you must go for a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). It provides the most productive policy specially meant for home based business.

Tags:

How to Start Your Own Home-Based Business

Being a housewife, a mother and a professional can be very taxing. There are times when you will feel that you do not have enough time to manage everything that you need to do. You can’t look out after your kids without having to sacrifice any of your tasks as a professional. At the end of the day, you get tires, stressed out and you are not able to maximize your talent to perform to your optimum performance.If you are having the same problem as described above, perhaps it’s about time that you consider establishing your own home-based business. It should be mentioned, however, that this article is not just for moms but for every individual who wants to start their own home-based business. Here are some great reasons why you should consider running your own:Home-based businesses are easy to set up. Compared to other businesses, home-based opportunities are pretty easy to set up. Obviously, you do not need an office space since you hold office in an unused bedroom in your house. You can also use a single computer and you don’t have to stock too much of office inventories. Since you will only be using a single PC, you might as well maximize the use of your computer. For instance, instead of buying a new fax machine, convert your computer into a fax machine by subscribing to online fax. The best thing about online fax is that it requires a very little overhead expense so if you are running a very low budget, then this is another perfect solution for you.Home-based business can provide you with extra income. If you finally decided to focus on the kids and stay at home, you can still earn enough (or more) from your home-based business. There have been a lot of success stories that tells of moms earning more than they used to when they were working a regular 8 hour job. Of course, this takes more time. You need to be able to establish your business first before you can earn as much.Home-based businesses have tax benefits. Once you start your home-based business, then you will have the opportunity to take advantage of the rebates that the federal government offers to home-based opportunities. With these rebates, you can save thousands annually. All you have to do is file your business expenses and the government will do the rest.Home-based businesses allow you to work in your own time. One of the many perks of home-based businesses is its flexi time. A lot of people give up their regular jobs for home-based opportunities because they get tired of a highly structured routine where you need to work 8 hours (or more) every single day. If you work at home, you set your own time and do the things that you want. You can easily stand up from the computer because you need to pick up the kids or run to the grocery.

Do You Know How to Find the Most Successful Home-Based Businesses?

Do you want to know how to find the most successful home-based businesses? There are three main things you need to think about in order to find the most successful home-based business opportunities. The first is to make sure you can afford the business. The second is to make sure you have help. Finally, make sure you pick a business that really has potential for you to make money and isn’t all hype.Make sure your business is an affordable one to operate. Know how much you are willing to spend on a business and how much you will have to spend on a monthly basis to run that business. Don’t spend everything you have to invest on just the business alone. Make sure you have enough money to run your business on a day-to-day basis. For instance, what sense would it make to buy a McDonalds and not have enough money to buy the burgers? When it comes to owning your own business you have to make sure you have enough money to operate it efficiently. Be careful of free or extremely low-cost home-based businesses that promise you will make millions. Lets be real, the old saying you have to spend money to make money is pretty accurate. That doesn’t mean you have to break the bank by any means, but thinking you can start a legit business for next to nothing is unrealistic.Make sure you have access to reliable and experienced people who can help you with suggestions and any problems you encounter. One of the scariest things about opening your own business is that you are the boss. You are the one everyone looks to for answers, and if you don’t have the answer who will? Who will train you how to run your business? Make sure you have some kind of support group or someone who has experience in the industry that will be there for you when you need help. Make sure you have at least two contact people or groups that you can contact by phone preferably or email if it isn’t urgent. This is especially important when you first get started with your own home-based business.Make sure you are in an industry that will allow you to make the kind of income you are looking for. Lets face it no one opens a business just for fun, the goal is to make money. Pick a home-based business that has the potential to pay you very well for all your hard work. It doesn’t make sense to buy a home-based business that will put you in debt hundreds of thousands of dollars to make fifty thousand a year. Also, when you buy a home-based business make sure it is something that you will enjoy. When you are in the home-based business industry you have to be a self-motivator and it is easier to do your job when you work from home if it is something you enjoy doing.These are the 3 main things to consider before you choose to invest in a home-based businesses. Make sure you consider all the costs associated with running the business. Find a business that comes with a help line or support group. Pick a business that you will enjoy and has the potential to make a large income. Follow these three simple guidelines and you will be on your way to a successful home-based business.

Tags:

Before You Choose a Property Manager, Know These Duties That He Should Fulfill

Opting for property management for your house is a definitely good idea but remember it can be one of the most terrible things if you’re lacking the necessary information.

That being said, it is important for all to have the necessary information about management and the work of the property managers. This is an important part because it helps the property owners in deciding whether or not the manager they’re hiring is well suited to meet all their requirements.

Here is some information for you -

Property Management -

The process of operation, control, and oversight of real estate in the broadest terms are called property management. Management here indicates a need to be cared of, monitored, and answerability is given the property’s life and conditions. Including this, management of property also involves the management of personal property, equipment, tooling and other assets that are used in building, repairing, and maintain the end items deliverables.

Roles of the Property Management Agent -

Setting The Property Purchase / Rental Amount – The first and foremost role that every manager or estate agency has to play is planning the cost of the property or the rental amount. This process would involve the property owner but should be done wisely after considering the important points like the condition of the property and the location where the property is located.
Finding the Right Tenant / Buyer – The property managers will always be accessible to a wide number of property owners as well as property seekers which is why they are the best people to choose the buyers or tenants. Sorting out and picking the best is possible and it will always be a win-win situation for the property owners as well as the seekers.
Screening Buyers / Tenants – For property owners selecting the best buyer or tenant isn’t always possible but when it comes to the property managers they can choose the one that is best. This is usually because the agents only choose the property seekers after carefully looking into their profile and getting a check of their background information.
Collecting the Rent – When associated with rental property dealers the property owners can entrust them with the duty of collecting rent well at the time. This saves the landlord from wasting whatever time is wasted in chasing the tenants for rent.
Handling Complaints & Emergencies – Whatever be the complaints of the tenants or buyers should be handled by the agent well within the stipulated time Further, if there are a few emergencies that need attention they again fall under the duty book of the estate agents and should be met with almost immediately or depending on the type of situation that has come up.
Handling Moveouts – When a tenant vacates the premises, the manager is responsible for inspecting the unit. Their job is to check for damages and determine what portion of the security deposit will be returned to the tenant. After the tenants move out is completed, they are also responsible for cleaning up the unit and repairing any damages that may be filed to locate a new tenant and fill the vacancy.
Dealing with Evictions – In case the tenant hasn’t been paying rent or has been causing disturbance you might have to get the house evicted by him. In that case, the property owner holds the complete responsibility of getting the property evicted at the earliest possible. Before the eviction, the manager needs to ensure all dues are settled and nothing is payable from both the sides.
Maintenance & Repairs – Whatever is included in the maintenance work is the responsibility of the property manager and should be handled accordingly. Whether maintenance and repairs including hiring someone to take care of the leaks, performing landscapes, remove snow, eliminate thrash – it is all the work of the manager. He needs to ensure the right people are hired and in case someone is taking a day off from work there is always a replacement that is available.
Maintaining Records – Maintenance of all property related documents is just another thing added to the list of the duties that the dealer is required to perform. The agents must ensure proper files are maintained for each tenant or buyer and the files include the necessary information. It should also include any dues that need to be cleared from both the parties.
Responsibility for Taxes – The property manager can assist the property owner with comprehending the most beneficial way to file their taxes about the investment property. The concerned person may also be endowed with the power to file the charges regarding the property on behalf of the owner.
Even though property management might look like an easy management process remember it has a lot involved in it and everything needs to be managed in the best possible ways. Further, the varied roles assigned to the property manager depend on whether he is working on a rental property or the one that is being sold.

Real Estate Laws and How They Pertain to LGBD Marriages

Laws concerning property ownership always have to be figured into the mix when a married couple purchases the property jointly. In cases of couples just living together who aren’t legally married, however, the issue can be a bit stickier. This is true of heterosexual couples as well as LGBD couples, but the laws tend to be more blurred in the case of the LGBDs. After all, not every state recognizes gay marriages or divorces, and in every state the laws are different. While some states, such as Iowa and Massachusetts, permit gay and lesbian marriages, most other states do not. So how exactly does the law address real estate coupled with LGBD ownership?

As with almost anyone, real estate can be a great investment. Now is the time to buy properties at far less than their original prices and then wait for the housing market to bounce back. Everything should be well and good. However, what if you and your mate have a serious falling out as so many other couples do? Have you ever considered the issue of getting a divorce if you enter into a gay marriage? A typical divorce not only dissolves the union between two people, but it also grants property settlements, including the ownership of a jointly-owned home. Without this legal intervention, most irate partners would find it difficult to reach agreements about disposing of assets, such as property.

People who have been in LGBD marriages, though, have discovered that it’s not as easy as it should be to get a divorce if that time should come. True, none of us want to believe that a divorce could be in our future, but we all need to face reality. It happens. In the case of LGBD individuals, getting a divorce may prove to be an impossibility. Even in states that recognize LGBD marriages, there may be no such thing as an LGBD divorce. Even if a sympathetic judge might want to grant you a divorce, in a state where gay marriages aren’t recognized, there will be no way he can do so. While states cooperate and reciprocate in most legal matters, this is not the case with LGBD divorces.

So how can you protect your real estate investment when you know there won’t be an opportunity for legal recourse should you divorce? Finding the right people to help you is the key here. Start by using an LGBD relator who has the expertise to steer you in the right direction. You will also need to hire an LGBD attorney who knows how the laws will pertain to you.

Always ask a lot of questions, and be sure that you never sign anything without knowing what you could be running into. These are reasons for going to the expense of hiring an attorney who has expertise in the field of LGBD law. Taking these initial steps before you ever co-sign a loan agreement or purchase property together will stand you in good stead should that unfathomable day you want a divorce or separation actually occur.

How To Succeed At Online Product Creation The Easy Way

Product creation could be a frightening subject for a lot of Internet marketers to face. Some folks who get in the game with the intention of making a full time income are completely ignorant as to how an online business operates. One of the most profitable ways to create online cash is by creating a product that others are happy to pay for.

Product creation is legitimate method of generating money through internet marketing but many entrepreneurs get it wrong. They start by imitating their Internet marketing gurus by creating information products on Internet marketing in hopes of getting rich the way their heroes did. The problem is that they usually don’t know what they are doing and enter a highly competitive niche with very little marketing experience or connections.

Here are a few tips for effective product creation that may help you get on the right track:
Start by finding a profitable niche with low to moderate competition. If you conduct some rudimentary market research and keyword research, you’ll find many opportunities in areas that will surprise you. Amazon and eBay are two great places to brainstorm for product ideas.

Developing Your Product does not have to be a difficult project. You can find experts in the right field for your niche and pay them to write the material while an artist designs the packaging and website or blog. You can outsource the entire product creation part of the project after you conduct the research and testing to ensure profitability.

Sales and marketing strategies should be created while developing the product and learning about the market. Some experienced marketers use pay per click to drive traffic to their offer page; some folks outsource the entire marketing campaign to affiliates through ClickBank or other affiliate programs.

Product creation does not need to be hard, particularly when the merchandise is electronic. E-books, videos, audio and multi-media products sell very well. They are distributed immediately to customers electronically. Once you have a good feel for a niche market, try to service your customers with associated products and upgrades. If you want to earn money online through product creation, you must understand supply and demand. The majority of new online marketers fail miserably because they go after highly competitive markets or forget to research their chosen niche properly. You have to create your products according to the needs, wants and desires of the prospective customers.

Tags: