Happy Social Work Month and thank you for your membership with NASW. Take a look at our upcoming Chapter events for March 2026, Conference Recap, policy and practice updates, and more.

Danielle Flores

Executive Director

NASW Washington Chapter

March is Social Work Month!

2026 NASW-WA Statewide Conference Recap

The 2026 NASW-WA Statewide Conference was an incredible in-person event hosted in Vancouver, WA, during Social Work Month (March 5-7, 2026). It featured days of intensive learning and dialogue, networking, and more!

This year's Social Work Month theme—Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.—honors the profession's vital mission to enhance human well-being, support vulnerable populations, and strengthen communities by uplifting individuals, defending equity and justice, and transforming lives through compassionate practice and advocacy. The NASW-WA Awards Luncheon during the Conference on March 7, 2026, celebrated the award winners. Congratulations to each of you for your hard work.

Thank you to all the presenters who submitted proposals and for the wonderful presentations.

Each of our Sponsors played a critical role in the success of our event! Thank you to:

• Alma
• Walla Walla University School of Social Work
• Equip
• Pacific Lutheran University
• Pacific West Hub for Mental Health Implementation Support
• REAP Youth SAVE
• Angel Flight West
• Eastern Oregon University Online
• Guidelight Health
• Piel Canela Peru

Legislative Updates

State Updates

The NASW-WA Legislative Action Committee (LAC) continues to plan for the 2026 Legislative Session and beyond. Legislative issues that the LAC is looking at include AI legislation, changes to how social workers are regulated (our own social work board), licensure exam removal for LASWs, and exam alternative pathways for LICSWs.

In place of this year’s Policy Conference, we plan to host an end-of-session town hall in late March or early April, which will provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and engagement.

Our Chapter maintains our Voter Voice page. We're including additional opportunities for advocacy, including participation in civic demonstrations and marches. If you have any additions you'd like to see on our Voter Voice page, send us a message!

Hour with Private Practice (HOPP)

Meets Monthly Online | 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET | Free | Advance Registration Required

Get important clinical social work updates affecting the delivery of mental health services in a private solo or group practice. An Hour With Private Practice (HOPP): Questions & Answers meets on the third Friday of each month. Access recordings of past sessions at your convenience.

Next Session: March 20, 2026

Topic forthcoming…stay tuned!

Seeking Public Comments by March 31, 2026, for NASW Standards of Care for Suicide Prevention

NASW Task Force for Suicide Prevention is pleased to announce the attached draft practice standards for public comment, NASW Standards of Care for Suicide Prevention. The draft standards of care offer guidance to social workers and serve as benchmarks for services social workers provide. We value your input and encourage you to review the standards by clicking  Here.

Please use the comment section to provide your feedback no later than March 31. We kindly request that you include your professional background with your comments. Thank you in advance for your comments.

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

Miss a live Webinar?

Check out the growing list of NASW Washington Webinars

after they have occurred.

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!

NASW Washington Chapter | Website