November 2024 Chapter Update | |
|
Thank you for your membership with NASW. Take a look at our upcoming Chapter events in November 2024 and beyond. Read more about upcoming webinars (earn CEs!), national and state updates, and more.
Please note that the Chapter has updated its email address associated with our mass emailing platform. We will now send Chapter emails from info.naswwa@socialworkers.org; please add this email and the socialworkers.org domain to your address book or safe senders list.
Jeremy Arp, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director, NASW-WA
(he/him)
| |
|
PACE and Election Updates
The Chapter's Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) committee endorsed candidates during the General Election who align with the values of the NASW Washington Chapter. Campaign donations were made in advance of the November 5th election. We’re happy to report that the majority of the candidates that we supported at the state level won their elections! We look forward to working with state leadership and legislators in 2025 and beyond. For a list of endorsements made by NASW-WA PACE, click here.
Our National PACE endorsed for Congressional seats and the presidential race, with more national endorsements made just before the General Election. Click here to see what Washington Congressional Candidates were endorsed.
NASW acknowledges that Donald Trump has been re-elected and will become the 47th president of the United States. We are deeply troubled by statements Trump has made regarding immigrants, women, people who are LGBTQIA2S+, and people of color. NASW will challenge any of his policies that harm our nation’s most vulnerable populations. Read the statement from NASW here.
| |
|
Award Nominations Open for Social Work Month 2025!
Each March, NASW-WA honors the accomplishments of social workers and community members during our Social Work Month Celebration. Do you know someone who should be recognized?
Nominations are open for our 2024 Awards! Read the award descriptions and more online here.
Once you are ready to nominate, click the "Award Nomination Form" button to submit a nomination! Please submit your nomination by January 31, 2025.
| |
Legislative Action Committee Planning Underway
The Chapter's Legislative Action Committee (LAC) continues to meet in advance of the 2025 Legislative Session in Washington. We anticipate that our legislative priorities will be developed by December. As in past years, the Chapter will host a Policy Conference event focused on helping social workers learn more about advocacy, our Chapter’s efforts, and what social workers can do to participate in the process. In 2025, we will host a virtual educational event on February 5th, followed by an in-person Policy Conference event at the Capitol on President’s Day (February 17th). More details to follow as the location and times are confirmed.
In prior months, the LAC solicited feedback from Chapter membership regarding the social work advisory board and plans for DOH to examine the feasibility of a board or commission for the profession. Please take a moment to respond to our poll here.
| |
|
Delegate Assembly and Social Work Speaks
First published in 1958, "Social Work Speaks" is a comprehensive and unabridged collection of 62 NASW policies on a broad range of issues including, but not limited to: voter rights and participation, mental health, juvenile justice, homelessness, family violence, environmental justice, and economic justice. These policies are updated every three years through the Delegate Assembly process.
Get the 10% presale discount on the upcoming NASW Press title, the 13th edition of “Social Work Speaks: National Association of Social Workers Policy Statements 2024 - 2027” by the National Association of Social Workers, a comprehensive and unabridged collection of policies that set the parameters for NASW’s positions and actions on a broad range of public policy and professional issues. The 13th edition includes updated policy statements on a wide range of topics, including affirmative action, electoral politics, end-of-life decision-making, healthcare, LGBTQIA2S+ issues, social justice, and youth suicide. Click here to learn more.
Visit NASW Press for all things social work, including books, CEU books, reference works, journals, brochures, and standards. Have questions? Please email NASWPress@BrightKey.net or call 1-800-227-3590.
| |
|
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.
HOPP: What’s Happening in 2025 for Private Practitioners
November 15, 2024 9:00 AM-10:00 AM PST
Presenter: Mirean Coleman, LICSW, CT, NASW Director of Clinical Practice
For informational purposes only. No CEs will be issued.
Register in advance for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
| |
|
NASW Meets with Optum about the Second Wave of Overpayment Recovery
On October 15, 2024, The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) met with Optum leadership to follow up on the second wave of overpayment recovery which occurred in August 2024, and to discuss issues impacting clinical social workers (CSWs) who seek reimbursement from Optum. The recovery impacted CSWs who provided services to Medicare Advantage Plan beneficiaries and were reimbursed incorrectly at 100 percent of the CMS Medicare and Medicaid Physician Fee Schedule. The recovery seeks 25 percent of the 100 percent reimbursement. During the meeting, NASW emphasized the importance of maintaining clear and consistent communication between Optum, NASW, and CSWs, particularly around issues like overpayments. (Read more).
Considerations for Embedded Social Workers in Police Departments
The Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (PAARI) invited NASW to review their "Best Practices for Embedding a Social Worker in Your Police Department" guide. Given the increasing interest in the integration of social workers into law enforcement, embedded social workers who are currently working in police departments or who aspire to work in the police department can use this document as a reference. (Read more).
| |
2025 Seattle/King County Clinic Seeks Volunteers
Volunteer registration is opening on January 6, 2025, for the upcoming Seattle/King County Clinic, happening April 24-27, 2025. SKCC, a volunteer-driven, giant free clinic at Seattle Center, has provided over 30,000 patients with more than $26 million in dental, vision, and medical care since its inception in 2014. The clinic relies on volunteers like you to continue to provide this valuable community service to those who have trouble accessing and/or affording care. Click here to create or update your volunteer profile today and to get notified when registration opens.
| | | | |
