it's officially Social Work Month!

The theme for Social Work Month 2020 is Social Workers: Generations Strong .The theme has various meanings. As we enter a new decade it is important to look back and honor the powerful, positive impact the social work profession has had on our society for generations.

We also want to spotlight the life-affirming work that social workers from all generations — from the Greatest Generation to the Z Generation — are doing. And since NASW is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2020, Social Work Month is a great opportunity to remind social workers of the important work NASW has been doing for decades and the need to join.

Learn more about this year's theme here.

Social Work Month is the perfect time to connect with social work colleagues, relax, and celebrate one another. Join us at one of our 4 networking nights in March or 1 in April.

Please join us in celebrating NASW-MA's 2020 honorees. Each year we honor the outstanding achievements and contribution of social workers, allies and organizations who demonstrate commitment to the profession, social work values, and social justice.

NASW-MA would like to congratulate this year's honorees:

We will celebrate these inspiring honorees on Wednesday, April 29 in Framingham, the evening before Symposium. You can purchase your Awards Dinner ticket as part of Symposium or attend independently. Secure your ticket now .

Contact our office to reserve a program book ad congratulating an award recipient or contact Samantha Thompson-Foster at [email protected] or 617-227-9636 ext.114 by March 31, 2020. Click here for ad opportunities in the program book.

Our Chapter is unique in that the entire Board of Directors, and the folks who help identify and encourage folks to serve on the Board and in other leadership positions within the organization (the Chapter Committee on Nominations and Leadership, or CCNLI), is elected by the Chapter’s membership - you.

Login to the website to place your vote and have a voice in the direction of our Chapter! If you don't remember your login information or member ID, just give us a call here in the office and we'll look it up for you! 617-277-9635 x0.

Are you a private practitioner who is not yet an NASW member?  We have a very special offer for you!

 

Let Therapy Matcher expertly match new clients to your practice. We provide pre-screened, personalized referrals make growing your private practice easy. Join NASW-MA now for up to 5 months of FREE referrals.

 

If you are not a member and you join NASW before July 2020, you can receive introductory membership to our Therapy Matcher program FREE through June 2020. 

 

Join now! Start receiving personalized referrals to your practice right away. 

 

More information at  https://www.naswma.org/page/TMprovider or contact us at  [email protected]. 

 

Contact us for more information about membership options for NASW members and non-members!

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We are excited that you will be joining the social work community in Massachusetts and beyond. The best way to stay plugged into the field, make connections to other social workers, advocate for social change, and continue your education is through continuing your NASW membership.

Learn more about the resources NASW provides offers new graduates:

If you have any questions about member benefits for how to get involved as a student or new professional, contact Noël Schutz .

The Education Center Commission is a group of volunteers who play a major role in planning continuing education programs for NASW-MA. We are looking to bring in members who will share new ideas, concepts, and perspectives for program planning.

Joining the Commission is a chance to have a role in one of the key functions of the MA Chapter. Members participate in regular planning meetings, and volunteer at some CE events.  As an active member of the Commission, you earn free CEUs for Chapter-sponsored programs. Contact Barbara Burka, Director of Clinical Practice, for more information:   [email protected]. 

Networking Night @ Symposium and Student Poster Session

Thursday, April 30, 2020

5:30 – 8:30 pm | Judging begins at 6:00 pm

Framingham Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center

Volunteers Needed

Volunteer Thursday or Friday and attend one day for free!

If you are passionate and committed to serving others we need you! Volunteer for Symposium 2020 and help make a difference. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities. 

Contact us to get involved: [email protected]

Need approval to attend Symposium 2020? Use our professional development approval letter to show the value and benefits you will receive during and after the conference. 

Click here for the template letter. And be in touch with us if you'd like to talk more about this. Email: [email protected]

Beloved Symposium presenter Dr. Judith Swack , in collaboration with Wendy Rawlings, LMHC , has a new, exclusive online continuing education program available on the Social Work Online CE Institute: The Neurobiology of Trauma and Its Application to Successful Treatment .

Trauma is structured and needs to be cleared in layers. It has neurobiological underpinnings that need to be accurately mapped to be successfully treated. 

Learn how trauma is structured, and an evidence-based technique from the field of Energy Psychology for rapidly clearing trauma from the conscious mind, unconscious mind and body. 

This program is worth 1 CEU. Visit naswinstitute.inreachce.com to take this course and view hundreds of other web-based CE programs available to you on-demand.  

Join us for a screening of the 2019 film The Last Black Man in San Francisco .  Read a review of the film by event organizer Goldie Eder here . 

Spring Film Festival: The Last Black Man in San Francisco

March 15, 2020

2:00 - 5:30 pm

The Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont

Discussant:  Gary Bailey, MSW, ACSW , is Assistant Dean for Community Engagement and Social Justice, Professor of Practice of Social Work, and Director of the Urban Leadership Program at Simmons College School of Social Work.

Join us for this free continuing education program as we explore the real-world application of a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report, " Integrating Social Care into the Delivery of Health Care: Moving Upstream to Improve the Nation’s Health ," highlights the critical role social workers play in the health care system and in addressing the social determinants of health. 

 

The event will feature an overview of the report from one of its authors followed be a panel discussion of social work experts. 

Monday, March 30, 2020

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Boston University Kilachand Center

610 Commonwealth Ave

Colloquium Room

Boston

Registration and networking from 5:30 - 6:00 pm

Co-sponsored by the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health at Boston University’s School of Social Work and Simmons University School of Social Work



Free parking available in the Warren Towers Garage

Massachusetts has expanded health insurance, but still thousands of our families, friends, and neighbors can’t see a primary care doctor, get routine tests, or fill a prescription. Working for a small company or holding part-time job can mean living only a short step from medical and financial disaster. Come learn from the experts how Medicare for All legislation could change these outcomes in our state.

Medicare for All Forum

March 31, 2020

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

7:00 - 9:00 pm

First Parish Church United, 48 Main St., Westford

Join us for a screening of the 2019 film The Farewell . A review of the film by event organizer Goldie Eder will be available soon. 

Spring Fill Festival: The Farewell

April 5, 2020

2:00 - 5:30 pm

The Studio Cinema, 376 Trapelo Road, Belmont

Discussant: Ming Chang, MEd, LMHC.

Come learn how to use your social work experience and expertise to be an effective activist. Participants will receive an overview of the state legislative process, hear from social workers with experience as lobbyists and elected officials, and learn skills to prepare you to give testimony, organize, and write letters to the editor or op-eds. Take advantage of an optional State House tour after the workshop.

Becoming a Social Work Activist

April 24, 2020

9:30 am - 2:00 pm

11 Beacon St., Boston

The legislature needs your activism - come hone it here!

Join the Central Region Book Club for a facilitated group discussion of the book Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Injury and Healing by Symposium 2020 Keynote Dr. Joy DeGruy.

Location, details, and registration will be announced soon! Remote/virtual participation options will be made available.

For more information on joining this book club, be in touch with Central Regional Coordinator Jessica O'Neill at: [email protected].

There is a growing body of evidence that laughter produces practical and profound changes in mental and physical health. As our ability to recognize humor increases, we become more flexible in our perceptions, thoughts and attitudes. This program on the therapeutic use of humor and laughter explores applications for caregivers, with personal and professional benefits for all health professionals, their affiliated staff, and support organizations.

Our program leader, Lisa Wessan, LICSW, CLL (Certified Laughter Leader), will provide a comprehensive overview of therapeutic humor and laughter, incorporating academic review and interactive experiential group work methods. Come early with your lunch to network with other professionals! 

Let Go and Lighten Up: The Art of Healing with Laughter

Friday, May 15, 2020

1:00 - 2:30 pm

Chelmsford Public Library, 25 Boston Rd, McCarthy Meeting Room

Chelmsford

Registration and networking from 12:30 - 1:00 pm

FREE to attend!

Join us on Sunday, May 17, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm in Needham to learn more about Therapy Matcher (NASW-MA's therapy referral service), and network with fellow private practitioners. If not yet a member, we encourage you to attend and learn more! Exact address will be provided to you in advance of the event, after registering. Questions: Contact Barbara Burka: [email protected] .

Join Therapy Matcher for "Starting and Maintaining a Successful Private Practice: 3 Journeys" with  Jennifer Erbe-Leggett, LICSW ;  Kevin Kozin, LICSW, MTS ; and  Karl Weiland, LICSW . This workshop will consist of a presentation and discussion of different paths and styles of private practice with three seasoned private practitioners.

Starting and Maintaining a Successful Private Practice: 3 Journeys

May 29, 2020

9:00 am - 12:30 pm

The Plymouth Church

87 Edgell Rd., Framingham

 

Special discount for Therapy Matcher members! Contact Barbara Burka ( [email protected] ) for special discount code. 

Save the date for NASW-MA's

38th Annual Nursing Home Conference!

Maximizing Social Work in Residential Settings

June 11, 2020

Bentley University

Waltham

Call for Papers is now OPEN! Social workers in the field of nursing home social work can submit papers in advance of this important conference. Those papers that are selected will be shown at the conference. There is also a portion of the day's agenda dedicated to hearing from the authors of three selected papers.

Nursing Home Social Worker of the Year Award nominations is now open! Every year, at the annual National Association of Social Workers Nursing Home Conference, we present the Nursing Home Social Worker of the Year Award. We rely upon nursing home administrators, supervisors, co-workers, and outside agency representatives who interface with nursing home social workers to identify candidates for this prestigious award. To submit a nomination click here and submit by April 30, 2020.

Submit your paper to Samantha Thompson-Foster by May 15, 2020.

Additional information and conference registration will be available at naswma.org/events

Last month, the Senate unanimously passed the Mental Health ABC Act, an incredibly progressive and comprehensive piece of legislation that will positively impact social work practice if passed into law.

We are so proud of our work on this bill and are grateful for the partnership of the many champions in the senate we had the privilege of working alongside, including  Senate President Karen Spilka , Senator Michael Rodrigues, Senator Julian Cyr ,  Senator Cindy Friedman , Senator Adam Hinds ,  and Senator Becca Rausch . The senate made it clear that  #MentalHealthMatters .

Read more about this impressive legislation here and in the upcoming issue of Social Work Voice.

We're thrilled to welcome 700 social work students and professionals to the State House again in 2020. This year, our NASW-MA Legislative Education and Advocacy Day or LEAD will take place on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Registration for LEAD 2020 is now open! Due to limited capacity, there will be no on-sight registration available.

March is Social Work Month and LEAD is a great way to celebrate the profession together with leaders in state government.

We are excited to announce our confirmed speakers:

Current and aspiring social workers will learn about the legislative process and be inspired to become advocates on behalf of the profession and the populations served by social workers. We look forward to advocating with you in March!

For more information, be in touch with Noel Schutz, Membership & Advocacy Manager, or Delaney Gagnon, Advocacy Coordinator.

Help NASW-MA make our annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) a successful and meaningful event for aspiring social workers!

Volunteers attend LEAD for free and can play a myriad of different roles in helping to make the event a big success.

LEAD takes place Monday, March 23, 2020, at the MA State House. Contact Noel to get involved: [email protected].

NASW-MA PACE , our political action arm, is preparing for our endorsement process this fall. NASW-MA PACE endorses social workers and other candidates on the state level that support our Legislative Agenda and social work values. In the fall we endorsed 4 social worker candidates for local office, all of whom won their elections.

 

We need your help - do you know of any candidates running for special election, State Senate, or House of Representatives that should be participating in our process? Let us know!

So far, we've endorsed Becky Coletta (a social worker!) for State Senate, Plymouth & Barnstable District.

We are always looking for new members to get involved with NASW-MA PACE. Here are a few reasons why you should join, as told by current members:

Convinced? Email Noël Schutz to join our next m eeting on March 16, 5:45 - 6:45 pm .

Join the Scholars Strategy Network on March 3 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Mildred F Sawyer Library,  73 Tremont St in Boston , 02108, Stahl Center-12th floor, Trustees Conference Room for a thought provoking and critical event covering their current MA 2020 policy priorities, including NASW-MA's Deep Poverty priority bill.

NASW-MA Executive Director Rebekah Gewirtz will speak at the event and will be joined by lead sponsor and Chair of the House Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use, Representative Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge) and Professor Pamela Joshi , Brandeis University, Heller School for Social Policy and Management.

It has come to our attention over the past few weeks, that a number of private practitioners received notices requesting medical records for a "validation review” for some clients seen through BMC Healthnet. There have been received letters and calls from an outside vendor - Cognisight - regarding this request, which raised questions and concerns among NASW members. We were able to find information through out contacts at BMC Healthnet, and worked with them on clarification. 

BMC Healthnet is gathering names from us, of providers who do not want to participate, and wish not to be contacted further by Cognisight. If you would like to be included on that list, or have further questions, please contact Barbara Burka at  [email protected] . 

During the last weeks of December 2019, a number of private practitioners began receiving calls or letters from a company called Cotiviti, requesting medical records be released for certain clients they had seen through AllWays insurance. This caused much confusion and concern, and several members reached out to NASW-MA about it. 

Through our ongoing contact at AllWays, we were able to quickly get in touch with the appropriate person there to investigate the situation. They explained that these were "CMS Risk Adjustment Audits”, and would not result in any kind of financial penalty for providers. They also clarified that providers are not mandated to participate. 

Once we let AllWays know the level of concern and anger in the provider community, they put a temporary halt to the audits for behavioral health providers, pending further investigation and communications. 

We appreciated hearing from members who had this experience, which helped to bring this situation quickly to our attention. Thanks to the longstanding contacts and connections that NASW maintains with AllWays (and other MCOs), we were able to advocate effectively on behalf of NASW members, which ultimately benefits clients as well.  

For more on our clinical advocacy, be in touch with Barbara Burka, Director of Clinical Practice at [email protected]

Are you a private practitioner who is not yet an NASW member? We have a very special offer for you!

 

Let Therapy Matcher expertly match new clients to your practice. We provide pre-screened, personalized referrals make growing your private practice easy. Join NASW-MA now for up to 5 months of FREE referrals.

 

If you are not a member and you join NASW before July 2020, you can receive introductory membership to our Therapy Matcher program FREE through June 2020. 

 

Join now! Start receiving personalized referrals to your practice right away. 

 

More information at  https://www.naswma.org/page/TMprovider or contact us at  [email protected].  

 

Contact us for more information about membership options for NASW members and non-members!

The Private Practice Google Group is an exclusive member benefit powered by social work colleagues from across the state and NASW-MA. By signing up you'll receive timely updates from your colleagues about ethics, billing and insurance, and other critical private practice issues. You can also pose your own questions to the group to crowd source answers from colleagues. NASW-MA also uses this platform to send important clinical alerts to members.

Sign up to join the group by sending an email to [email protected] with "Join Google Group" in the subject line.

Are you a social worker working in a community-based setting ? Take advantage of this partial loan repayment program (up to $30K available to LCSWs and LICSWs!). Applications are due March 24.

Register for March 3rd's webinar to learn more .

Additional details and application available here .

April 1 is Census Day! The 2020 Census is facing challenges associated with technological innovations and ongoing concerns involving a citizenship question. Census data are used to determine how approximately $675 billion is allocated to states and localities through over 132 federal programs; provide demographic information on which voting maps are drawn; apportion 435 congressional representatives; and provide accurate data on which many human service and social programs are designed, and grant funding is pursued. Social work and human service leaders and managers should inform themselves of the scope of the census and become engaged to ensure that all people are counted. Read more here .

Sesame Street also has resources in English and Spanish to make sure young children are counted in the 2020 Census. More here: www.Sesameworkshop.org/2020Census

SWAN is a free, confidential colleague assistance program sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of NASW. SWAN assists social workers with consultation regarding personal and professional issues, which may be having an impact on their ability to practice in an optimal manner. Learn more about this service and member benefit here .

NASW-MA hosts Licensing Test Prep courses each month in various parts of the state. Upcoming courses include:

Be in touch with Adam Linn for more information.

The NASW Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships and doctoral fellowships to help provide financial resources to social work students pursuing a variety of social work specialties. Apply online . Applications accepted through Wednesday, March 11, 2020. You must be a current NASW student member to be eligible for these scholarships and fellowships. Questions? Email [email protected] .