SOCIAL WORKERS LEADING FOR JUSTICE
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Hello,
On Monday, I stood with our Board President Sarah Coughlin and fellow advocates to call for an immediate investigation into the human rights violations at the Souza-Baranowski prison in Shirley, MA.
Given the role social workers play inside and adjacent to the criminal justice system, it is important NASW-MA take a stand. You can read more about what is happening at Souza
here
and
here
.
On Tuesday, we played a leading role in a "Shoes and Socks" event in the State House to raise awareness about our priority bill to
lift kids out of deep poverty
. Want to support our efforts? Send a pre-drafted email to your legislators
here
.
Earlier today the State Senate released a mental health parity and access bill.
Both as NASW-MA and in my role as co-chair of the Mental Health Coalition, we have had an active role at the table with the legislators leading on this bill and have actively contributed to its development. As soon as we finish analyzing the bill, we will share details and advocacy opportunities. If you're not already subscribed, be sure to join our
Legislative Alert Network
to get periodic emails with advocacy opportunities.
Our
Therapy Matcher
program, which provides social workers in private practice with pre-screened, personalized referrals, has kicked off a brand new half-year membership special.
This is a unique opportunity to encourage your social work friends to join our NASW-MA movement while also expanding their private practices.
For more information,
Contact Barbara Burka
, Therapy Matcher Director and see the box below within this e-news.
Onward!
Rebekah
Rebekah Gewirtz
Executive Director
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Membership Hub
- Continuing Education & Events
- Symposium 2020
- Social Work Action Center
- Clinical and Private Practice
- Notes from the Field
- Licensing Test Prep
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Announcing our 2020 NASW-MA Social Work Award Honorees!
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Please join us in celebrating NASW-MA's 2020 honorees. Each year we honor the outstanding achievements and contribution of social workers, allies and organizations who demonstrate commitment to the profession, social work values, and social justice.
NASW-MA would like to congratulate this year's honorees:
- Lifetime Achievement - Sherry Cohen, LICSW
- Greatest Contribution to Social Work - Ximena Soto, LICSW
- Beverly Ross Fliegel Greatest Contribution to Social Policy & Change - Senate President Karen Spilka, JD, BSW
- Emerging Leader - Charlene Luma, LICSW
- Future of Social Work - Daniel Mango, MSW (C)
- Public Citizen of the Year - Harris Gruman, PhD
- Advocate of the Year - Rosie's Place
We will celebrate these inspiring honorees on Wednesday, April 29 in Framingham, the evening before Symposium. You can purchase your Awards Dinner ticket as part of Symposium or attend independently.
Secure your ticket now
.
Contact our office to reserve a program book ad congratulating an award recipient or contact Samantha Thompson-Foster at
[email protected] or 617-227-9636 ext.114 by March 31, 2020.
Click here
for ad opportunities.
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Join NASW and Gain Access to FREE Referrals!
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Are you a private practitioner who is not yet an NASW member? We have a very special offer for you!
Let Therapy Matcher expertly match new clients to your practice. We provide pre-screened, personalized referrals make growing your private practice easy. Join NASW-MA now for up to 5 months of FREE referrals.
If you are not a member and you join NASW before July 2020, you can receive introductory membership to our Therapy Matcher program FREE through June 2020.
Join now! Start receiving personalized referrals to your practice right away.
Contact us for more information about membership options for NASW members and non-members!
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Graduation Cords are Coming!
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Once again, NASW-MA student members will receive FREE teal cords to wear at graduation. We look forward to seeing the next generation of social workers proudly displaying their NASW-MA membership at graduation this spring!
New this year, faculty members of NASW-MA will also receive graduation cords, upon request
.
If you're not already a member and want your cord before graduation,
click here
to join today!
Deadline to join and request your cord is April 24, 2020.
For more information, contact
Noël Schutz
, LCSW, Membership and Advocacy Manager.
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Social Work Month 2020: Social Workers - Generations Strong
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Social Work Month in March is a time to celebrate the great profession of social work.
The theme for Social Work Month 2020 is Social Workers: Generations Strong
.The theme has various meanings. As we enter a new decade it is important to look back and honor the powerful, positive impact the social work profession has had on our society for generations.
We also want to spotlight the life-affirming work that social workers from all generations — from the Greatest Generation to the Z Generation — are doing. And since NASW is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2020, Social Work Month is a great opportunity to remind social workers of the important work NASW has been doing for decades and the need to join.
Learn more about this year's theme
here.
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In Your Mailbox:
Social Work Voice
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In February, you received the January/February issue of
Social Work Voice
. Highlights from this issue include:
- Complete Conference Details & Registration for Symposium 2020
- NASW-MA's 2019 Annual Report
- Challenging the Definition of "Clinical" Social Work
- Treatment, Not Imprisonment
- Social Work Career Resolutions: What is Your 2020 Career Vision?
- ...and much more!
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Have an upcoming event, job opening, or other opportunity to share with the social work community?
Advertise with us! All ads appear on our website and are published in
Social Work Voice.
The ad deadline for the upcoming March/April issue is February 21.
Email Jamie Klufts for more information.
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Early Bird Registration is OPEN!
NASW-MA's 16th Biennial Social Work Symposium
Voices of Empowerment and Social Justice
April 30 & May 1, 2020
The Largest Two-Day Gathering of Social Workers in New England
Early-bird Registration
for
Symposium 2020: Voices of Empowerment and Social Justice
, including pre-symposium intensives and the exciting evening intensive,
is now open until March 10, 2020
.
Registration Instructions:
- Click Here to Register. But before you do, click here to download the preliminary Program Book with details on each workshop and each component of Symposium 2020. Please note: we strongly encourage on-line registration this year! It is much simpler and easier through our new conference website.
- Enter your name and confirm your registration type (i.e., member, nonmember, student, etc.)
- Select admission type (Both Days, Thursday only, or Friday only)
- If you would like to attend the Awards event and/or the Networking night, too, you will be able to select those events within your admission on the next page.
- If you would only like to attend the Awards Night or the Networking Night you can do that on the main registration page.
- FYI: All agencies must select admission type for agencies to receive the NASW member rate for Symposium
- Select Pre-symposium Intensives and Evening Intensive (if applicable - additional fees apply)
- Submit with one simple click
Earn up to 15.5 CEUs!
At Symposium 2020, we will offer a series of workshops to encourage the creative spark within us and to share our social work values and knowledge with each other. By participating in Symposium 2020, you will be joining over 100 presenters, over 800 social work colleagues, and 60+ exhibitors over two days at the premier social work event in New England.
For questions about anything related to Symposium 2020, please email
[email protected]
. You are also always welcome to call our office at 617-227-9635 and we'd be happy to talk with you more.
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Student Poster Session at Symposium 2020 Networking Night
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Do you have a micro, mezzo, or macro project, topic, or paper you have already written? Are you working on a project or paper (practice or research) for your internship or a class?
If yes, this is your opportunity to spotlight your work!
Application Deadline for Student Poster Session Submissions EXTENDED! to February 25, 2020
BSW, MSW, and DSW/PhD students are welcome to apply
Networking Night @Symposium and Student Poster Session
Thursday, April 30, 2020
5:30 – 8:30 pm | Judging begins at 6:00 pm
Framingham Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center
Receive Recognition for Your Work!
Awards, Prizes, and Additional Recognition in Social Work Voice and E-Newsletter
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SPONSOR, EXHIBITOR, ADVERTISER REGISTRATION OPEN!
Do you think your agency would be interested in participating in Symposium 2020? Let us know by emailing us at
[email protected]
.
For questions about anything related to Symposium 2020, please email
[email protected]. You are also always welcome to call our office at 617-227-9635 and we'd be happy to talk with you more.
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Resources to You Need to Participate in Symposium 2020: Voices of Empowerment and Social Justice!
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Need approval to attend Symposium 2020? Use our professional development approval letter to show the value and benefits you will receive during and after the conference.
Click
here for the template letter. And be in touch with us if you'd like to talk more about this. Email:
[email protected]
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CONTINUING EDUCATION & EVENTS
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Honing Your Team Management and Communication Techniques
1.5 CEUs Available!
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Join us for “Honing Your Team Management and Communication Techniques” with Ilene Marcus, MSW, MPA, Director of Development, Berkshire United Way.
Honing Your Team Management and Communication Techniques
February 12, 2020
12:00 - 1:30 pm
MA Department of Mental Health, 333 East St., 4th Floor, Pittsfield
CE programs in the Berkshire and Pioneer Valley regions are always free for members! No registration required.
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The ABC's of Medical Marijuana
1.5 CEUs Available!
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Join the Pioneer Valley Regional Council for “The ABC’s of Medical Marijuana” with Leslie Tarr Laurie, MS, Regional Director, New England Treatment Access.
The ABC’s of Medical Marijuana
February 13, 2020
7:30 - 9:00 pm
Dewey Common Room, Smith College, Northampton
CE programs in the Berkshire and Pioneer Valley regions are always free for members! No registration required.
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Spring Film Festival: The Last Black Man in San Francisco
3 CEUs Available!
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Spring Fill Festival:
The Last Black Man in San Francisco
March 15, 2020
2:00 - 5:30 pm
The Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont
Discussant:
Gary Bailey, MSW, ACSW
, is Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Social Justice, Professor of Practice of Social Work, and Director of the Urban Leadership Program at Simmons College School of Social Work.
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Medicare for All Forum
2 CEUs Available!
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Massachusetts has expanded health insurance, but still thousands of our families, friends, and neighbors can’t see a primary care doctor, get routine tests, or fill a prescription. Working for a small company or holding part-time job can mean living only a short step from medical and financial disaster. Come learn from the experts how Medicare for All legislation could change these outcomes in our state.
Medicare for All Forum
March 31, 2020
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
7:00 - 9:00 pm
First Parish Church United, 48 Main St., Westford
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Spring Film Festival: The Farewell
3 CEUs Available!
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Join us for a screening of the 2019 film
The Farewell
. A review of the film by event organizer Goldie Eder will be available soon.
Spring Fill Festival:
The Farwell
April 5, 2020
2:00 - 5:30 pm
The Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont
Discussant: Ming Chang, MEd, LMHC.
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Central Region Book Club: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome
2 CEUs Available!
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Join the Central Region Book Club for a facilitated group discussion of the book
Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Injury and Healing by Symposium 2020 Keynote Dr. Joy DeGruy.
Location, details, and registration will be announced soon! Remote/virtual participation options will be made available.
For more information on joining this book club, be in touch with Central Regional Coordinator Jessica O'Neill at:
[email protected].
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Therapy Matcher Presents: "Starting and Maintaining a Successful Private Practice: 3 Journeys"
3 CEUs Available!
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Join Therapy Matcher for "Starting and Maintaining a Successful Private Practice: 3 Journeys" with
Jennifer Erbe-Leggett, LICSW
;
Kevin Kozin, LICSW, MTS
; and
Karl Weiland, LICSW
. This workshop will consist of a presentation and discussion of different paths and styles of private practice with three seasoned private practitioners.
Starting and Maintaining a Successful Private Practice: 3 Journeys
May 29, 2020
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location TBA
Special discount for Therapy Matcher members! Contact Barbara Burka (
[email protected]
) for special discount code.
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Save the Date: Nursing Home Conference is June 11, 2020!
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Save the date for NASW-MA's 38th Annual Nursing Home Conference!
June 11, 2020
Bentley University
Waltham
Call for Papers is now OPEN! Social workers in the field of nursing home social work can submit papers in advance of this important conference. Those papers that are selected will be shown at the conference. There is also a portion of the day's agenda dedicated to hearing from the authors of three selected papers.
Additional information and conference registration will be available at
naswma.org/events
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SOCIAL WORK ACTION CENTER
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LEAD 2020 Registration Now Open!
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We're thrilled to welcome 700 social work students and professionals to the State House again in 2020. This year, our NASW-MA Legislative Education and Advocacy Day or LEAD will take place on
Monday, March 23, 2020.
Registration
for LEAD 2020 is now open! Due to limited capacity, there will be no on-sight registration available.
March is Social Work Month and LEAD is a great way to celebrate the profession together with leaders in state government.
We are excited to announce our confirmed speakers so far:
- House Speaker Robert DeLeo
- Rep. Tami Gouveia, MSW
- Senator Jo Comerford, MSW
Current and aspiring social workers will learn about the legislative process and be inspired to become advocates on behalf of the profession and the populations served by social workers.
We look forward to advocating with you in March!
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Join Us In-person or Virtually on February 11 to Close the SNAP Gap
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On February 11 we need you to
help us
make it clear that it’s time to close the SNAP Gap
by passing
An Act improving public health through a common application for core food, health and safety-net programs
(S.678/H.1173), and funding an expansion of the SNAP Gap pilot program through the FY21 state budget.
If joining us in person, meet us at the
Massachusetts State House in Room 428 at 10:30 am
to hear from legislators, advocates, and people with lived experience. You can participate in a brief advocacy training before meeting with your lawmakers and urging them to close the SNAP Gap.
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Rebekah to Speak on Deep Poverty Priority Bill
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Join the Scholars Strategy Network on March 3 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Mildred F Sawyer Library,
73 Tremont St in Boston
, 02108, Stahl Center-12th floor, Trustees Conference Room for a thought provoking and critical event covering their current MA 2020 policy priorities, including NASW-MA's Deep Poverty priority bill.
NASW-MA Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz will speak at the event
and will be joined by lead sponsor and Chair of the House Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use,
Representative Marjorie Decker
(D-Cambridge) and
Professor Pamela Joshi
, Brandeis University, Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
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CLINICAL AND PRIVATE PRACTICE
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Effective Clinical Advocacy by NASW-MA!
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During the last weeks of December 2019, a number of private practitioners began receiving calls or letters from a company called Cotiviti, requesting medical records be released for certain clients they had seen through AllWays insurance. This caused much confusion and concern, and several members reached out to NASW-MA about it.
Through our ongoing contact at AllWays, we were able to quickly get in touch with the appropriate person there to investigate the situation. They explained that these were "CMS Risk Adjustment Audits”, and would not result in any kind of financial penalty for providers. They also clarified that providers are not mandated to participate.
Once we let AllWays know the level of concern and anger in the provider community, they put a temporary halt to the audits for behavioral health providers, pending further investigation and communications.
We appreciated hearing from members who had this experience, which helped to bring this situation quickly to our attention. Thanks to the longstanding contacts and connections that NASW maintains with AllWays (and other MCOs), we were able to advocate effectively on behalf of NASW members, which ultimately benefits clients as well.
For more on our clinical advocacy, be in touch with Barbara Burka, Director of Clinical Practice at
[email protected]
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*NEW* Therapy Matcher Half-Year Special!
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Are you a private practitioner who is not yet an NASW member? We have a very special offer for you!
Let Therapy Matcher expertly match new clients to your practice. We provide pre-screened, personalized referrals make growing your private practice easy.
Join NASW-MA now for up to 5 months of FREE referrals.
If you are not a member and you join NASW before July 2020, you can receive introductory membership to our Therapy Matcher program FREE through June 2020.
Join now! Start receiving personalized referrals to your practice right away.
Contact us for more information about membership options for NASW members and non-members!
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Valuable Member Benefit: Join the NASW-MA Private Practice Google Group
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The Private Practice Google Group is an exclusive member benefit powered by social work colleagues from across the state and NASW-MA. By signing up you'll receive timely updates from your colleagues about ethics, billing and insurance, and other critical private practice issues. You can also pose your own questions to the group to crowd source answers from colleagues. NASW-MA also uses this platform to send important clinical alerts to members.
Sign up to
join the group by sending an email to
[email protected] with "Join Google Group" in the subject line.
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The Social Work Assistance Network (SWAN) -
An NASW-MA Resource for You!
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SWAN is a free, confidential colleague assistance program sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of NASW. SWAN assists social workers with consultation regarding personal and professional issues, which may be having an impact on their ability to practice in an optimal manner.
Learn more about this service and member benefit
here
.
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Licensing Test Prep Courses in Your Neighborhood
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NASW-MA hosts Licensing Test Prep courses each month in various parts of the state. Upcoming courses include:
- February 28 | Bridgewater
- March 28 | Springfield
- April 18 | Worcester
- June 13 | Northampton
- September 19 | Worcester
- November 20 | Bridgewater
Be in touch with
Adam Linn for more information.
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