September 2025 Chapter Update | | |
Thank you for your membership with NASW. Take a look at our upcoming Chapter events for September 2025, Conference Planning efforts, policy and practice updates, and more. As our team looks to improve Chapter offerings, please take a moment to complete this short survey to tell us what you'd like to see in future e-newsletters from NASW-WA!
Jeremy Arp, MSW, ACSW
Executive Director, NASW-WA
(he/him)
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2026 Conference: Save the Date!
NASW-WA’s Conference Planning Committee is hard at work preparing a statewide Conference set for March 5–8, 2026, at the Hilton Convention Center in Vancouver, WA. Our theme will be: "Social Work at the Intersection of Action, Care, and Compassion."
This multi-day event will feature pre-conference activities, two full days of inspiring programming, a vibrant Social Work Month Celebration and Awards Event, and a post-conference workshop to round it all out. We’re crafting engaging sessions and inviting dynamic speakers—our call for presenters is now open! Click here to see what we're looking for!
If you’d like to support as a sponsor or get involved, email jarp.naswwa@socialworkers.org.
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Award Nominations Open for Social Work Month 2026!
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 2026 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, 2026.
Our hope is to honor our Award Winners at the 2026 NASW-WA Conference!
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Legislative Updates
State Updates
The NASW-WA Legislative Action Committee (LAC) recently hosted a dynamic statewide listening session via Zoom, bringing together social workers from every corner of Washington to share their experiences and concerns around licensing and practice challenges. This powerful exchange highlighted the diverse realities faced across regions and reinforced our commitment to advocacy that reflects the voices of our members. Looking ahead, the LAC is actively working to organize in-person gatherings in communities across the state, building momentum and connection as we prepare for the 2026 legislative session.
In addition to preparing our legislative priorities, the LAC are also working on hosting a series of advocacy and education events during the legislative session. The Policy Conference will include an opportunity for social workers and social work students to learn about NASW's priorities, our chapter's activities, as well as the lawmaking process and ways to get involved. We're working on multiple ways to remain engaged - our LAC planning committee begins meeting this month to prepare!
National Updates
Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act (S. 1797/H.R. 3808)
We’re thrilled to share a major advocacy win for NASW-WA! Thanks in part to the efforts of our chapter and the strategic outreach led by our team, Representative Adam Smith has officially cosponsored the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act. This critical legislation will help remove barriers to care for Medicare beneficiaries and expand reimbursement opportunities for Clinical Social Workers. If you have not reached out to your House members regarding this legislation, please take a moment to respond to this action alert.
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Social Work Licensure Compact Commission
Things are moving along with the Compact Commission, and there are now several meetings scheduled this Fall for public comment and Commission vote on rules. Those states that have passed the Compact (including Washington) have a licensing board representative at all meetings.
Future meetings include:
- Oct. (date/time TBD) – Full Commission Special Meeting (virtual) – details not yet posted
- Nov. 5, 12:00-4:00 pm EST – Full Commission Meeting (hybrid) – details forthcoming
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Update: Public Comment Period Has Been Extended to 9/19/2025
A new PTSD Clinical Guideline for Washington State Workers’ Compensation is open for public comment (mail, fax, or email) through 5 pm on Friday, September 19, 2025. The draft guideline can be found here, along with details on how to submit comments.
The Department’s Industrial Insurance Medical Advisory Committee (IIMAC) and its PTSD Clinical Guideline Subcommittee, in partnership with L&I and the Office of the Medical Director, have developed this treatment guideline as a best practice standard for the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in the workers’ compensation setting. Providers who deliver care to workers are required to follow this guideline, as per their signed provider agreement.
The PTSD Clinical Guideline will be presented to the IIMAC in an open public meeting on Thursday, October 23, 2025 (please see the L&I website for meeting details by clicking here). The department’s response to all public comments will be available, and there will be time on the agenda for public testimony.
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Back To School
NASW has all your back-to-school needs at socialworkers.org, from Tips and Tools to live and on demand trainings.
New this year are the updated Practice Standards for School Social Workers. These standards serve as a guide for social work practice in the education system. Topics covered include but are not limited to ethics, intervention and assessment, technology use, school safety, confidentiality and emergency preparedness. Be prepared for the school year by grabbing your copy today.
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Nancy Amidei Celebration of Life September 15, 2025!
Nancy Amidei served as not only an engaged member of NASW, but also worked to improve communities globally and impacted so many positively. Read more about Nancy's legacy here. Nancy's family and friends organized a Celebration of Life which will occur on Monday, September 15, 2025.
A live event is planned at the University of Washington -- we're sharing the Zoom information for members to attend online. The program begins at 6:00 PM Pacific. RSVP to attend online: Organizers will confirm and share the Zoom link to use to watch from wherever you are in real time.
Should you have any questions about the events, email friendsofnancyamidei@gmail.com.
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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: September 19, 2025
Supporting and Empowering LGBTQ+ Clients in an Ever-Changing Sociopolitical Climate
Speaker: Dr. Brandy Brown, DSW, LCSW, LICSW
Dr. Brown is chair of the NASW National Committee on LGBTQ+ and a lifelong LGBTQ+ advocate supporting vulnerable populations, advancing care in dynamic health care systems, including psychiatric inpatient, corrections, medical specialty, and residential care.
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National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Sept. 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day—a time to raise awareness, fight stigma, and remind people they are not alone. Social Workers play a vital role in prevention, crisis support, and helping people and families find pathways to healing. NASW urges you to learn more and find resources from https://theactionalliance.org/.
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September is National Recovery Month
Established in 1989, the purpose of Recovery Month is to raise awareness and promote evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, celebrate the recovery community & acknowledge service providers and communities that assist individuals with their recovery. Find resources here.
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Deaf Awareness Month
September is National Deaf Awareness Month. Join us in celebrating the deaf and hard-of-hearing community!
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National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15)
National Hispanic Heritage Month in 2025 will be celebrated from September 15 to October 15. The month-long observance recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latina/o/x Americans to the United States.
Click here to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
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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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