October 2025 Chapter Update | | |
Thank you for your membership with NASW. Take a look at our upcoming Chapter events for October 2025, Conference Planning efforts, policy and practice updates, and more.
Jeremy Arp, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director, NASW-WA
(he/him)
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2026 NASW-WA Statewide Conference Save the Dates: Seeking Speakers, Sponsors, and More!
Mark Your Calendars! The 2026 NASW-WA Statewide Conference will be an in-person event hosted in Vancouver, WA, during Social Work Month (March 5-8, 2026). It will feature days of intensive learning and dialogue, networking, and more!
The Conference will explore the theme: "Social Work at the Intersection of Action, Care, and Compassion.” Our hope is to engage social workers working in various practice environments, settings, and subspecialties with workshops that apply knowledge and skills at the micro-, mezzo-, and macro-levels.
Now Seeking Speakers and Presenters! The Conference features a pre-conference session and evening welcome reception on March 5th. The first full day of our Conference will be Friday, March 6th – this includes workshops, keynotes, and a luncheon featuring student posters. The second full day will be Saturday, March 7th. This day will include more workshops, keynotes, and our annual Social Work Month Celebration and Awards during a luncheon. Sunday will feature a post-conference workshop. Do you have a workshop that you'd be interested in presenting to social workers? Click here to find out what we're looking for and to submit a proposal to present a keynote or workshop at our Conference!
Support our Conference! Our sponsors’ support is critical to the success of our event! We have multiple opportunities for organizations and individuals to support our Chapter's event and provide visibility to social workers across the region! Click here to find out more about sponsoring our 2026 Conference!
Coming Soon: Registration, travel information, and Student Poster Presentation opportunities!
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Social Work Month Award Nominations Open!
Our Social Work Month Celebration & Awards Luncheon will occur during our Conference in March 2026. Award categories include: Lifetime Achievement Award, Social Worker of the Year, Social Work Educator of the Year, Taylene Watson President's Award, Outstanding Recent Graduate, Outstanding Student, and Public Citizen of the Year.
Know a social worker or community member who should be honored? Click here to find out more about our award categories and nominate someone today!
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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 the how social workers are regulated (our own social work board), licensure exam removal for LASWs and exam alternative pathways for LICSWs.
This spring we will feature an online learning opportunity on Presidents Day. We will host a separate event for hands-on activities in Olympia. Our planning committee continues to meet to work on the logistics, including renaming the event series! We hope to host a meetup in Tacoma in November -- a separate email will follow to members to invite to connect!
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!
National Updates
From the NASW Legal Defense Fund: Supreme Court Conversion Therapy Case
The oral arguments in Chiles v. Salazar centered on whether Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors unlawfully restricts speech or permissibly regulates professional conduct. The justices’ questioning focused on the speech-versus-conduct distinction and the appropriate level of judicial scrutiny, signaling the case’s broad implications for state regulatory authority and clinical practice. (Read more here).
2025 Government Shutdown is Divisive and Harmful
The country is in a second week of a federal government shutdown which stems from a budget dispute between the Congressional Republican majority and the Democratic minority. The Trump administration is the lead decision-maker for the Republican’s position in this dispute.
The impasse centers on the Democrats’ strong resistance to approving a federal budget that includes nearly a $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid over a 10-year period. Trump and Republican leadership want to pass a temporary funding bill or continuing resolution before they discuss the Democrat’s demand for health care protections. Democrat leaders also object to a budget that allows enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care subsidies to be discontinued. These subsidies are set to expire at the end of 2025. (Read more)
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Hour with Private Practice (HOPP)
NASW Members Only...FREE
When: Third Friday of the Month 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET
Virtual: Zoom sessions
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 monthly and is free and for NASW members only. Access recordings of past sessions.
Next Session: October 17, 2025
Mandated Reporting: Challenges and Cultural Competence Considerations
Please register in advance for this session.
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Changes in Telehealth Flexibilities
Effective October 1, 2025, several of the telehealth flexibilities that were put into place during the COVID-19 pandemic expired and now require congressional actions to be renewed. This Tips & Tools informs members of key changes in the geographic waiver and the in-person requirement. (Read more)
Telehealth Flexibilities: Attention Clinical Social Workers Who Are Private Practitioners was updated on October 2, 2025. CMS has clarified that clinical social workers can continue to provide services across state lines as long as they are behavioral and mental health services. Non-behavioral and mental health services cannot be provided across state lines. The updated document is available here.
Congress fails to extend Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities by September 30, updated October 3, 2025. (Read more)
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October 10 – World Mental Health Day
On World Mental Health Day, social workers stand with communities to promote mental wellness, fight stigma, and support access to care for all.
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October 11 is National Coming Out Day
Social workers celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals’ courage, support safe spaces, and advocate for acceptance and equality.
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October 13 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day — honoring the history, strength, and contributions of Indigenous communities. Social Workers stand in solidarity, uplifting voices, protecting lands, and advancing justice.
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October is ADHD Awareness Month
Social workers help individuals with ADHD access care, build strategies for success, and challenge stigma. Let’s raise awareness and promote understanding all month long.
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month — together we raise hope and awareness. Social Workers stand beside patients and families facing breast cancer—providing emotional support, connecting resources, and fostering hope.
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Down Syndrome Awareness Month — celebrate inclusion for all. NASW encourages you to remember that everyone deserves inclusion, dignity, and opportunity. Social workers advocate for equitable education, healthcare, and community engagement for people with Down syndrome.
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Global Diversity Awareness Month honoring every culture, voice, and story. Social Work celebrates the strength of our global community. Together, we advance equity, inclusion, and respect for all cultures and identities.
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National Bullying Prevention Month
Social Workers advocate for safe schools, businesses & communities where every person feels valued and protected. Let’s stand together against bullying.
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National Disability Employment Awareness Month — advancing equity in the workplace. NASW champions workplace inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. Social Workers know that employment equity strengthens communities.
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LGBTQ+ History Month
Social Workers honor LGBTQ+ trailblazers who fought for equality and continue to advocate for safety, dignity, and full inclusion for all. #NASW honors the trailblazers who fought for equality and continue advocating for safety, dignity, and inclusion for all.
Listen: Every Month is Pride Month
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with pride!
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Filipino American History Month
Filipino Americans strengthen our communities through their resilience and contributions, and we proudly celebrate them. NASW honors the culture and impact of Filipino Americans in enriching our communities.
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National Bullying Prevention Month
Social Workers advocate for safe schools, businesses & communities where every person feels valued and protected. Let’s stand together against bullying.
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is in October
Social Workers support survivors, advocate for safety, and work to end cycles of abuse through prevention and policy change.
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Emotional Wellness Month
Social Workers remind us that emotional wellness is key to overall health. Take time to care for yourself and others this month.
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National Work and Family Month
Balancing work and family takes support, understanding, and flexible policies—values Social Workers fight for every day.
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Chapter Classifieds
NASW-WA offers a space on our website for text-only classified ads. Click here for details.
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