December 2016 eNewsletter

In This Issue:

  1. HIPAA Phishing Email Scam Alert
  2. Licensure Prep Manuals Now Available!
  3. Preparing a Professional Will for Your Practice
  4. 2017 Advocacy Day Confirmed
  5. NASW CEO's Holiday Message and Response to Trump Presidency
  6. 2017 Conference: Request for Proposals & Conference Committee
  7. Licensure Cycle Ends February 28, 2017
  8. Last Minute CEU Symposiums Coming Soon
Thanks to Lifeforce Elder Care for Sponsoring our eNewsletter!
Happy Holidays to Our Great Members!

Thank you for an excellent year in social work and for supporting your profession through NASW membership. We look forward to another great year for the social work profession! 

HIPAA Phishing Email Scam Alert!
Social work practitioners should be aware of a recent phishing scam. On November 28, 2016, the HHS Office for Civil Rights issued a listserv announcement warning covered entities and their business associates about a phishing email that disguises itself as an official communication from the Department. The phishing email is being circulated on mock HHS Departmental letterhead under the signature of OCR’s Director, Jocelyn Samuels.

The email prompts recipients to click a link regarding possible inclusion in the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Rules Audit Program, and directs individuals to a non-governmental website that is marketing a firm’s cybersecurity services. That firm is NOT associated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Office for Civil Rights.

OCR states that this phishing email originates from the email address OSOCRAudit(at)hhs-gov.us and directs individuals to a URL at www(dot)hhs-gov(dot)us (NOTE: The periods and @ symbols are replaced by the words "dot" and "at" in the addresses above. This is to prevent you from accidentally clicking the links) This is a subtle difference from the official email address for our HIPAA audit program, OSOCRAudit@hhs.gov, but such subtlety is typical in phishing scams.

Covered entities and business associates should alert their employees of this issue and take note that official communications regarding the HIPAA audit program are sent to selected auditees from the email address OSOCRAudit@hhs.gov. In the event that you or your organization has a question as to whether it has received an official communication from our agency regarding a HIPAA audit, please contact OCR via email at OSOCRAudit@hhs.gov
Licensure Prep Manuals Now Available!

The study manual contains 300 pages for review. The manual is designed to allow readers to become more comfortable with the exam content and style. The manual discusses areas you will be tested on and provides study materials related to those areas. A sample test is also included to help you prepare.

Do note that the licensure examination set forth by the Association of Social Work Boards is a nationally administered exam. Therefore, the NASW-PA licensure preparation manual can be used for study for applicants taking the exam elsewhere in the United States and in countries recognizing the ASWB exam.

Click HERE to order your copy!

Preparing a Professional Will for Your Practice: Important Factors to Consider
NASW receives numerous telephone calls from co-workers and family members seeking assistance with the estate of a clinical social worker in solo or group practice who has died or become disabled. In many situations, death and disability occur unexpectedly; therefore, it is important for clinical social workers to prepare their private practice for such circumstances by preparing a professional will. Doing so allows for a smooth transition of services for patients during a difficult period and provides important guidance for the person designated to close the practice and resolve paperwork... Read More Here
Angelo McClain, NASW CEO, Holiday Message and Response to Trump Presidency
NASW CEO, Angelo McClain sends his best wishes for your holiday season. He also speaks on the topic of Trump's presidency.

Advocacy Day Confirmed!
2017 Advocacy Day has been confirmed and will be taking place on April 18, 2017. Make sure to mark your calendars; you will not want to miss one of our biggest events of the year!

Social work students and professionals are welcome to attend this event. Attendees will have a chance to speak with legislators about key social work issues! 

For more about Advocacy Day, click HERE

Interested in sponsoring Advocacy Day? Click HERE to see our sponsorship opportunities
2017 Conference: Request for Proposals & Conference Committee
Request for Proposals – OPEN until January 10, 2017

Due to the conference being held September 17-20, 2017 the RFP for conference workshops will end at the beginning of January. Take this opportunity to submit a workshop (1.5, 2, or 3 hours in duration) or a poster presentation. If you have any questions or concerns about the submission process, please contact Amy: asagen.naswpa@socialworkers.org

PLEASE MAKE SUBMISSIONS ONLINE HERE

Call for Nominations for Conference Committee

Nominate a colleague or self-nominate to be on the 2017 Conference Committee. Send a letter of intent, with a focus on the strengths you would bring to the committee, and purpose of serving at this time.  Nominations are due  January 6, 2017.  The committee will commence the third week of January.

Committee member expectations are as follows:

  1. Four to five conference calls
  2. One in person meeting at the Kalahari
  3. Responsible for social event, networking events, recruitment of sponsors / exhibitors / advertisers
  4. Provides assistance in workshop proposal review
  5. Attend conference in September 2017 

To nominate, send a letter to:

1000 Bent Creek Blvd., Suite 40
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Or email to Amy at:

asagen.naswpa@socialworkers.org

Licensure Cycle Ends February 28, 2017

Here are some things you should know about renewing your license in February:

  • Our current cycle is from March 1, 2015 – February 28, 2017. Each cycle is two years, the next cycle will be March 1, 2017 – February 28, 2019

  • For your renewal of a license, 30 clock hours of continuing education must be completed by approved providers.

  • Excess clock hours may not be carried over. Of those 30 hours, three must be in ethics (either online or in person), three Act 31 clock hours if it’s your first time renewing, after the first renewal two Act 31 clock hours are required. Ten clock hours must be done live, the rest may be done online.

  • The Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers will mail literature to your address on how to renew your license before the February 28, 2017 deadline.

  • It is not necessary to send copies of your certificates to the State Board of Social Workers for renewal, the State Board will contact you if they need copies during an audit.
  • Keep records of your certificates for at least four years from your license date.


Most common pre-approved CEU providers: 
(for more pre-approved providers see 47.37 of the regulations):

  • The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
  • Graduate and undergraduate programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
  • The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and its state and local affiliates
  • The Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA) and its state and local affiliates
  • The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC)
  • The American Psychological Association (APA)
  • The Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Program developed by the Association of Social Work Boards 
  • The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)


Helpful websites:

CEU Symposiums Coming Soon
NASW-PA will be facilitating multiple symposiums around the Commonwealth to help you get the CEUs you need before the end of the licensure cycle. 

Watch for emails and announcements with more information. We will be informing our members as we finalize details. As always, check back to our Community Calendar often for upcoming continuing education opportunities!
NASW-PA | www.nasw-pa.org | 717-232-4125