Thank you for your membership with NASW. Take a look at our upcoming Chapter events in February 2025, policy and practice updates, and more.

Jeremy Arp, MSW, ACSW

Executive Director, NASW-WA

(he/him)

Legislative Updates

2025 NASW-WA Policy Conference: Two Events (Virtual and In-Person)

The Chapter's Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is engaged in the 2025 Legislative Session in Washington. This year, the Chapter will host Policy Conference events focused on helping social workers learn more about advocacy, our Chapter’s efforts, and what social workers can do to participate in the process. 

February 5th (Virtual Event): The LAC will host a virtual educational event on February 5th from 6:30PM - 8PM via zoom. This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the Chapter's legislative efforts, our priorities, and to hear from policy professionals and our committee!

February 17th (In-person Event): Join us for our in-person Policy Conference event on President’s Day, February 17th. This year, we will meet at St. Martin's University at 10AM to learn more about advocacy and interacting with the legislative process in Washington.

Click here for more information about both events and for registration details!

The LAC is finalizing our list of bills and support materials in pursuit of our legislative priorities this year (social work professional issues, social and economic justice, and anti-racism and equity). Read the NASW-WA Policy Priorities here. 

The team worked to identify prefiled bills prior to the start of the legislative session -- this list is updated often. To view a list of bills that NASW-WA is tracking, click here.

We look forward to making an impact!

Remembering Lobbyist Bob Cooper

In 2009 the Chapter began working with lobbyist Bob Cooper from Evergreen Public Affairs. While preparing for the 2025 Legislative Session, Bob informed us that he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Bob passed away suddenly just weeks later.

The Chapter expressed gratitude to Bob for his years of service to our Chapter’s social workers, communities, and beyond. Over the years, Bob’s efforts included restricting predatory lending, opposing cuts to health and mental health services, advocating for social work title protection, protecting immigrants, supporting the ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws, defining the role of school social workers, and pursuing changes in social work licensing -- including the Social Work Compact. Bob’s extensive knowledge, availability during sessions, and sense of humor will be truly missed.

For more information about services, please get in touch.

From DOH: February Credentialing Freeze - 2/14/25-2/18/25

HELMS launches on Feb. 19, 2025. The Washington State Department of Health is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new licensing system for all health professionals and facilities in Washington on February 19, 2025! The Health Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) will help create efficiencies, improve user experience, streamline processing, strengthen data access, and reduce paper-based activities. 

If your license expires in February, renew now to avoid delays! 

Ahead of the HELMS launch, all licensing and credentialing systems will be unavailable in order to make system upgrades. This freeze will be during President’s Day weekend from Friday, February 14 at 5 p.m. until the morning of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to allow our team to transition data and launch the new system.  

If your expiration date (likely your birthday) is after February, you do not need to renew early or take action now. 

Draft applications started online will be removed on February 14, 2025, at 5 p.m. You will need to restart your application after February 19, 2025. 

No updates or changes will be made to licenses for health professionals and facilities during the freeze. Search tools like Provider Credential Search and Facility Search will still be available but will not be updated during the freeze. 

For more information on the licensing freeze and the new licensing system, please visit DOH.wa.gov. You can find information about your specific profession or facility type within the Licenses, Permits, & Certificates tab.  

Thank you for your consideration and support during this transition. 

Stay Connected with DOH: If you have questions or concerns regarding the licensing freeze, please reach out to the HELMS team at HELMS@doh.wa.gov. 

NASW Responds to Trump Administration Executive Orders

The National Association of Social Workers is alarmed by Trump Administration executive orders that could hamper health care and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and hurt people who are immigrants or seeking gender-affirming care.

Here is a wrap-up of our statements, videos and blog posts on the executive orders.

NASW CEO Anthony Estreet responds to Trump Administration Executive Orders (YouTube)

NASW Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + Issues responds to executive order restricting gender-affirming care (NASW Facebook page)

Threats to Medicaid and Medicare: Potential Threats to Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations (webpage)

NASW's Appalled by Executive Order Ending DEI in Federal Government (NASW Social Work Blog)

Trump Administration's immigration executive orders will harm families, children (NASW Social Work Blog)

Don't Panic. Take Action! (YouTube)

Other Resources:

Project 2025 on Social Safety Net: A Social Work Perspective

March is Social Work Month: Watch Parties!

The NASW-WA Membership Engagement Committee is working to help prepare for Social Work Month. The theme for 2025 is "Social Work: Compassion+Action." This year we would like to follow the lead of agencies that hosted parties and invite our membership to host watch parties around the state. 

A watch party is a location where folks in your community can gather to watch our Social Work Month Celebration. If you know of a shared space like a library meeting room, your office space, a classroom, or an accommodating coffee shop that will allow you to set up your computer and have snacks, please let us know. 

Would you be willing to give 2 hours of your time to hold space for people to meet in a shared location and watch our Social Work Celebration together?

The Chapter hopes to send hosts NASW swag to give away at your event. 

Award nominations were due on January 31st--our Chapter leadership will review the nominations and Chapter award winners will be announced in late February. The event will be held via Zoom on March 28th at 6:30 PM. Registration for the virtual event is now open.

Click here to let us know if you would like to hold space for people by 02/15/2025.

Update from ASWB: Examination Administration Changes Coming March 2025

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) will return to Pearson VUE for examination administration and development beginning in March 2025. During this transition, ASWB will ensure the continued delivery of the very highest quality testing experience to candidates.

To facilitate the change in testing administration, there will be a two-week pause in testing between March 16 and March 30. This pause is necessary to allow for the transfer of candidate data from PSI to Pearson VUE. Read the update online.

ZOOM FORMAT: An Hour with Private Practice: Questions & Answers

NASW Members Only...FREE

When: Third Friday of the Month 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET

An Hour with Private Practice (HOPP): Questions & Answers is a free members-only question-and-answer session that provides members with important clinical social work updates affecting the delivery of mental health services in a private solo or group practice. Join us in 2024 to take part in the discussion, ask questions, and comment on private practice topics.

February 21, 2025

Expansion of Reimbursement Services and Codes for Clinical Social Workers

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

Please register in advance for this session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.

Seeking Social Workers to Revise the Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is establishing a task force to revise the “Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice,” which was published in 2015. NASW is seeking social workers to participate in the revision process. Candidates must be NASW members and have at least five years of experience in Micro, Mezzo, or Macro Practice settings, working with culturally diverse populations.

The estimated time commitment will be 12-18 months with meetings held via Zoom. If you are interested in being considered as a member of this task force, please submit your resume to cultural@socialworkers.org by February 15, 2025.

Essential Resources for Social Workers Engaging with Law Enforcement Agencies

With the increasing integration of mental health and substance use, law enforcement and other agencies are turning to social workers for support in navigating appropriate responses and care for individuals who may be experiencing a crisis. Social workers are encouraged to stay informed about their role, the scope of their practice, and the ethical considerations that may arise when social work and law intersect. (Read More)

February is Black History Month

NASW wishes you a happy Black History Month! Learn about the contributions of Black social workers.

Find Black NASW Social Work Pioneers® at the NASW Foundation website, or read "African American Leadership: An Empowerment Tradition in Social Welfare History" from NASW Press.

Spread the Word - SKC Clinic Volunteer Registration Now Open

Please help spread the word about this impactful opportunity so we can fill all 5,000+ shifts during Clinic week, as well as the eyeglasses dispensing event in late May. Here are some quick links to remember:



• Volunteer Registration: Find flyers, social media graphics, assignment descriptions, and more here.

Upcoming Student Series Events

Exploring the Unknown: Unique Careers in Social Work

March 20, 2025 | 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET | Register

Once registered, you will receive the Zoom event information.

So You Want to Go Into Private Practice After Graduation

April 17, 2025 | 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET | Register

Once registered, you will receive the Zoom event information.

View Past Events for Social Work Students here.

Call for Presenters

Are you interested in presenting a workshop for NASW-WA? We have an open call for presenters for our ongoing continuing education series held throughout the year (live, virtual, or recorded).

Click here for more information about what we're looking for!

Chapter Classifieds

NASW-WA offers a space on our website for text-only classified ads. Click here for details.

Stay up to date on the newest NASW-WA Continuing Education courses!