Announcements

NASW Press has published “80 Clinical Vignettes for Test Taking, Licensing Exam Prep, and Practical Applications” by Liz B. Johnston. These vignettes may be found in exam questions, licensing tests, or social work practice. 

In February 2024, NASW members informed the association of mass overpayment requests from Optum United Behavioral Health. In March 2024, NASW CEO, Dr. Anthony Estreet, responded to Optum by email and requested the opportunity to meet with them about their overpayment recovery efforts and possible measures to take to mitigate. 

Kansas became the 7th state to pass the Interstate Licensing Compact Legislation allowing the compact to now be created. The seven states will form a Compact Commission that will govern the compact and ensure coordination between the participating states. Once the Commission is in place, social workers will be able to pursue licensure through the compact, in the participating states. Additional states will be added to the compact as they enact the required legislation and join the Commission. Besides Kansas, the states that have passed the compact are Missouri, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Kentucky and Virginia. Legislation is pending in about 20 other states. 

In our latest episode of Social Work Talks Instructor Dr. Thalia Anderen, MSW, RCSW, LCSW, and Social Work Talks Podcast Host Lorrie Appleton, LCSW, dive into the concerning trend of student-initiated confrontations (SIC) in universities. 

Watch on YouTube

Listen on our Website

Breakout sessions for NASW 2024 have been announced! Choose from 50 breakout sessions in the following CE categories: Clinical: 9 CEs, Cross Cultural: 9 CEs, Domestic Violence: 3 CEs, Ethics: 4.5 CEs, Macro Social Work: 12 CEs, Social Work: 31.5 CEs. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act implemented new reporting requirements for corporations, limited liability companies, professional limited liability companies, and other entities that do not qualify for an exemption under the Act. Reporting companies must file a report with the U.S. Department of the Treasury containing details about the company and its beneficial owners by the applicable deadline. These requirements are particularly relevant for social workers who have their own private practice. 

Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Many student loan borrowers have an opportunity to receive full student loan cancellation or more credit towards cancellation. The U.S. Department of Education will conduct a one-time adjustment this summer, but you may need to take steps to qualify. The deadline to act is April 30, 2024. Find what you need to know on the NASW Policy Update page. This information is also available as a printable flyer from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Join Savi and NASW for an informational webinar about how you can lower your monthly student loan payment or qualify for forgiveness. 

Date: April 17
Time: 1:00pm ET12PM CT

The NASW 2024 Annual Meeting of Members will convene on Thursday, June 19, at 1:00 pm ET to ratify results of the 2024 NASW National Election. Members in good standing (current membership, no pending sanctions) are eligible to attend. This hybrid meeting will be held in conjunction with the NASW National Conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (Hampton Ballroon), 2500 Calvert Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008.  The member meeting is also an opportunity to hear the NASW president and CEO report on the state of the association and meet members of the NASW board of directors.

Please RSVP by June 10, providing your full name and membership ID number via email to governance@socialworkers.org. Details for virtual participation will be provided prior to the meeting date.

Join us for a free fireside chat with acclaimed epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, author of the upcoming book The Big One: How to Prepare for World-Altering Pandemics to Come. Dr. Osterholm will discuss lessons learned from current and prior pandemics, and the hard truths about what it will take to prevent a catastrophe worse than COVID-19. Importantly, he will discuss the crucial leadership role of social workers in pandemic preparedness and response.

Date: May 8, 2024
Time: 1:00 - 2:30pm ET
Credits: 1.5 Social Work
Cost: Free

Enhance your knowledge and gain tools for practice by participating in the 7th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium on May 2 from 10am- to 5pm ET. Free social work CEUs for live participation are being offered in partnership with Rush University’s E4Center. On-demand access to the entire program (without CEUs) will also be available.

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging is seeking information from social workers and other members of the public on the impact of hoarding disorder on communities (particularly older adults and people with disabilities) and service organizations. Submit your comments by April 15, 2024.

 NASW recognizes and celebrates the important contributions of autistic people in every country and community every day.

How often do you talk with clients about their alcohol use? Do you know how much drinking is too much, or what counts as a standard drink? April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an invitation to social workers to make conversations about alcohol use part of routine practice and to make sure they’re armed with the facts. As the nation’s largest group of mental health services providers, social workers are uniquely positioned to help clients make significant positive changes in their health and well-being by taking time to talk with them about their drinking. 

A new resource has been posted to the Social Work Blog website that discusses a major healthcare cybersecurity attack in February 2024, targeting Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. The blog also provides updates on response efforts from Change Healthcare and CMS, with a focus on implications for clinical social workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequities in maternal health outcomes, especially for Black women. Learn more in a complimentary Connect to End COVID-19 Self-Study Webinar, Extreme Inequities in Maternal Care: The Impact of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequities in maternal health outcomes, especially for Black women. Learn more in a complimentary Connect to End COVID-19 Self-Study Webinar, Extreme Inequities in Maternal Care: The Impact of COVID-19.

Did you know the CDC recommends adults ages 65 years and older get an additional updated 2023-2024 #COVID19 vaccine dose, which can provide increased protection to older adults, who are at highest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. According to the CDC, individuals with underlying conditions, advanced age, or higher-risk circumstances may benefit the most. 

The bipartisan Telemental Health Care Access Act (S. 3651/H.R. 3432) was introduced in the US Senate and House. Make your voice heard. Urge your members of Congress to support the Telemental Health Care Access Act (S. 3651/H.R. 3432) to improve access to telemental health care.

NASW emailed a letter to the CEO of Optum Health and the CEO of United Health Group regarding Optum’s recent overpayment requests to clinical social workers who were reimbursed at the psychologist rate.  The CEO of Optum Health has acknowledged receipt and agreed to meet with NASW to discuss the matter. 

As individuals diagnosed with FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders) age, the “need to know” across a broad spectrum of areas continues to be critically important for identifying clinically relevant research questions and directions impacting their day-to-day function and health outcomes. The 9^th International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD aims to examine relevant global research, programs, and policies. Social workers will be able to connect with professionals; gain insight into emerging research findings; examine practice-based evidence, projects, and programs; engage in dialogue through multidisciplinary sessions; and listen to individuals with FASD and the direct experience of families. This program is approved by NASW (approval # 886927383-5300) for 25 continuing education contact hours.

Date: April-14
Where: Seattle, WA
Register Here!

Police, Treatment and Community Collaborative (PTACC) is having their annual International Deflection and Pre-Arrest Diversion Summit October 29 through November 1 in Seattle, Washington. If you are a social worker who works directly with law enforcement as an embedded social worker or a social worker who works on a co-response team this opportunity is for you and your team. PTACC is currently looking for panels and presentations from deflection practitioners, trainers, researchers, and partners to support the field of deflection.

For proposal criteria and submission details please view here. Proposals are due by April 19, 2024 at 3PM ET/12PM PT. If your proposal is accepted, you will be offered a discounted registration to the summit. If you have any questions, please email info@ptaccollaborative.org.

Check out the latest Tips & Tools for Social Workers which identifies three issues impacting youth substance use and offers resources for social workers to manage and address challenges.

You’re invited to join “An Hour With Private Practice (HOPP): Questions & Answers” 

Date: Friday, March 15
Time:  12:00 to 1:00 pm ET

Title:  Tips for Working With Suicidal Patients:  Share your Experience

Presenter:  Mirean Coleman, LICSW, CT; NASW Director of Clinical Practice

Register here!

Social Work Month in March is a time to celebrate the great profession of social work.

The theme for Social Work Month 2024 is Empowering Social Workers! During Social Work Month take time to learn more about the many positive contributions of the profession, and use the items in our toolkit to celebrate all the social workers you know.

On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) (CMS–1784–P). View our latest Tips & Tools for Social Workers which provides key highlights on the final rule which impact social workers in the areas of telehealth behavioral health, social needs, and many others.

Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, most workers have a right to reasonable accommodations, or temporary changes at work, that are medically-necessary during or after pregnancy. A Better Balance have launched a “Know Your Rights” campaign (also available in Spanish) around this important new law. 

The borrower experience has been broken for too long. Savi is on a mission to change that experience for the better. No borrower should struggle alone, which is why we’ve created this space for our community of borrowers, friends, and family members to access trusted support and guidance around their student loan debt.

This LIVE and interactive virtual webinar and Q&A session with student loan experts will help you:

-Understand your best repayment and forgiveness options

-Discover options for managing your monthly payment

-How Savi tools and resources can assist you in achieving the best outcome possible

Date: Wednesday, April 17
Time: 1:00-2:00pm ET

Police, Treatment and Community Collaborative (PTACC) is having their annual International Deflection and Pre-Arrest Diversion Training Summit October 29 – November 1, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. If you are a social worker who works directly with law enforcement as an embedded social worker or a social worker who works on a co-response team this opportunity is for you and your team. 

Join the NASW International Committee and social workers from around the world for a webinar on conflict resolution and rebuilding strategies and social work wisdom and practices. The aim is to help social workers in Canada and the USA continue playing a critical role in conflict resolution and rebuilding by understanding the root causes of conflict, building relationships and trust, adopting a strengths-based approach, collaborating with other professionals, and advocating for social justice.

Host: The National Association of Social Workers International Committee

Date: February 28
Time: 1:00-2:30pm ET
Credits: 1.5 Social Work

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