Building upon the vision of National Organization of Forensic Social Work (NOFSW), the Journal endeavors to advance social justice through interprofessional collaboration. If we have learned anything in recent months, it is clear we must forge onward with advancing best practice standards and guidelines concerning the everyday injustice faced by society's most oppressed and vulnerable members. In this volume you will find articles written by authors of varying disciplines on a range of forensic topics across the lifespan. These researchers and practitioners address issues in child protection, incarcerated parents, intimate partner violence, ethical practice, and death penalty mitigation.
As we think about the future of mental health practice and social policy, it is imperative that we prepare the next generation of practitioners, researchers, and policymakers through the development and dissemination of quality forensic social work curricula. To this end, JFSW promotes evidence-based research for the purpose of educating and supporting our members and the broader field of forensic professionals.
The 2015 NOFSW Conference—Forensic Practice: Promoting Social Justice for All Through Policy and Practice Reform—was outstanding. We had two magnificent keynote presentations. The first day was Social Justice in America: From Ferguson to Charleston. Where Do We Go From Here? with panelists, Dr. Darla Spence Coffey, President of the Council on Social Work Education, Dr. Charles E. Lewis, Jr., President of Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy, and Dr. Darrell P. Wheeler, President of the National Association of Social Workers. Our second day keynote was Let's Get Free: Social Work and the Movement for Black Lives by Dr. Phillipe Copeland. For those who were not able to join us, we have included Dr. Copeland's thought provoking keynote speech as a commentary in this volume. In addition, we were honored that one of our editorial board members, Dr. Carlton Munson, received the Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award at the conference. Dr. Munson was instrumental in the development of the Journal and contributed to its first issue with a piece on practice standards.
We want to thank all the contributors, authors, reviewers, and staff who make this journal such a success. As you read this volume, think about joining us June 17–19, 2016 in New Orleans for our conference—Forensic Practice: Courage for Change. As forensic practitioners you know this work is not for the faint-hearted. We must continue to Take a Courageous Step Toward Change. Thank you for all you do in service to others.
In Solidarity,
Viola Vaughan-Eden, PhD, MJ, LCSW
Editor