January 2025 Chapter Update

Thank you for your membership with NASW. Take a look at our upcoming Chapter events in January 2025 and beyond. Read more about upcoming webinars (earn CEs!), national and state updates, and more.


Jeremy Arp, MSW, ACSW

Executive Director, NASW-WA

(he/him)

Award Nominations Open for Social Work Month 2025! 


NASW-WA is deeply committed to honoring social workers and community members who make impactful contributions to Washington. During our Social Work Month Celebration in March, we come together to recognize those individuals who embody the spirit and dedication of our profession. We invite you to participate in this meaningful tradition by nominating someone deserving of recognition!


Our 2025 Awards categories include:

  • Social Worker of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Social Work Educator of the Year
  • Public Citizen of the Year
  • Outstanding Recent Graduate
  • Outstanding Student
  • Taylene Watson President's Award


Your nominations celebrate individuals' achievements and foster a sense of community and support within our profession. Let’s uplift those who inspire us and highlight the importance of their work.


Nominate Now  

Click here to submit your nomination today!

Legislative Updates


2025 Policy Conference: Two Events!

 

The Chapter's Legislative Action Committee (LAC) looks forward to 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! Click here to register for the February 5th Virtual Event!


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 to register for the in-person event on February 17th!


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). The team has worked to identify prefiled bills to follow and will post our bill lists on our Voter Voice page. We look forward to making an impact!

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.

Hour with Private Practice: Preparing for An Optum Audit in 2025

Friday, January 17, 2025 (12 – 1 pm ET)

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

Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Important Telehealth Updates for 2025


During the COV-19 pandemic, Medicare expanded telehealth access by waiving geographic restrictions, broadening provider eligibility, and covering more services. Many of the telehealth waivers were scheduled to end on December 31, 2024.


Congress has intervened and approved the following telehealth updates through legislation.


  • Waiving geographic and originating site requirements through March 31, 2025.
  • Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services through March 31, 2025.
  • Allowing Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to serve as distant site providers through March 31, 2025.
  • Delaying in-person requirements for tele-mental health services through April 1, 2025.
  • Allowing audio-only telehealth through March 31, 2025.

(Read more).

January Observances


Below are some of the observances for the Month of January. Take a look!

Substance Use Disorder Month


This month NASW partner SAMHSA is celebrating the first national Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month. SAMHSA is using this month to highlight resources that connect people to the support, treatment and care they deserve. (Read more).





Birth Defect Awareness Month


January is Birth Defects Awareness Month, a call to action for social workers to share a key message: for a healthy pregnancy, it is safest to avoid alcohol, smoking, and other recreational drugs. (Read more).

NASW Virtual Career Fair


Looking for your next career opportunity in social work? Join us for #NASW’s free Virtual Career Fair on February 5, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm ET. This is your chance to connect with leading employers and recruiters nationwide, schedule one-on-one interviews, and explore diverse career paths that match your skills and passion.



Register today and take the next step toward your professional goals!

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.

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!

FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS

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!


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