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Dear Chapter Members,
It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to leave my position as executive director of the National Association of Social Workers Maryland Chapter. The growing demands of the position in Baltimore with the proximity of my family and home in far Western Maryland have led to my decision. I am proud of what has been accomplished in my short time as executive director, including a growth in our membership especially among new college graduates and young people. I am grateful for the connections I have made, both professionally and personally, and am taking those experiences and relationships with me. I continue to be an advocate for NASW and the challenges facing our amazingly strong social workers throughout our great State. I look forward to seeing you and working with you again in the future.
Sincerely,
Mary Beth DeMartino
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NASW Maryland seeks new Executive Director
The Maryland Chapter, just like the social work profession, is facing a state of transition and change. As the search for a new executive director begins, we invite you to email us with kind departure wishes for our former Executive Director, Mary Beth Demartino, LCSW-C. We also encourage you to welcome our interim Executive Director, Molly Arbogast, who is currently the Executive Director of the NASW West Virginia Chapter. To learn more about the executive director role and necessary qualifications, Click Here.
The Maryland Chapter continues to push social work forward with help from its members, new board, current staff, and incoming leadership.
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Social Worker Safety
Tuesday, 8/15/23 9:00am-11:30am; Login 8:50am
2 CAT I CEUs
This workshop will cover common problem areas such as physical safety, digital safety, safety in public areas, questions surrounding self-defense, and understanding legislative changes including laws surrounding concealed carry and working with guns in the home. This workshop will be highly interactive and largely shaped by what participants feel are areas of concern. See workshop description for more information or click below to register.
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Lessons Learned from the Bedside: Supporting Individuals with Chronic & Life-Threatening Illness
Monday, 8/21/23 5:30pm-8:45pm; Login 5:20pm
3 CAT I CEUs
This training will provide attendees with critical information on supporting an individual at the time of diagnosis as well as how to support and intervene across the individual’s illness trajectory with attention to the ethical concepts of individual autonomy and self-determination in and throughout the care process.
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Understanding Internalized Oppression Through the Lens of a Black Man: Coward, Criminal or Conqueror?
Thursday, 8/24/23 9:30am - 12:45pm; Login in 9:20am
3 CAT I CEUs
Participants will join Dr. Buckingham on an historical journey through time where he will reveal why Black men are labeled as cowards, criminals, and conquerors. He will provide an explanation for unfortunate phenomenon such as fatherless households, mass incarceration, and nationwide civil unrest due to the senseless murders of black boys and men.
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The Opioid Epidemic in the Senior Population
Tuesday, 8/22/23 9:00am - 12:45pm; Login 8:50am
3 CAT I CEUs
This workshop will explore opioid addiction, abuse, and dependency. In the DSM-5, opioid use disorder is defined as a problematic pattern of opioid use leading to clinical impairment or distress. In this advanced workshop, participants will describe the risk factors of developing addiction to opioids, understand opioid addiction in the senior population, increase their knowledge to spot signs of someone abusing opioids, and explore treatment options for opioid addiction.
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CONFERENCES/SAVE THE DATES | |
Registration Now Open for the 2023 Clinical and Macro Conference!
Thursday, 9/28/23 & Friday 9/29/23 IN-PERSON
*There is no recording or virtual attendance option for this event.
14 CEUs available.
Who are the keynote speakers?
Guests speakers include NASW CEO, Dr. Anthony Estreet, MBA, LCSW-C, and Lee Westgate, MBA, LCSW-C. Dr. Westgate, an out transgender advocate with more than 15 years of professional experience in social work policy, practice, research, and education, will kick-off the conference with his keynote speech, The Ethical Case for Getting into Good Trouble, that will emphasize the relevant ethical codes provided by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners as well as the National Association of Social Workers, draw upon the social work profession’s long tradition of social and political action, and explore the transformative and essential power of resistance.
Dr. Anthony Estreet will speak on Friday, 9/29/23. His speech is entitled Breaking Barriers: Empowering Social Workers as Agents of Change: Inspiring Social Workers to Embrace their Role as Change Agents through Challenging Times. Dr. Estreet is the CEO of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is a highly esteemed leader in the field of social work. He is also the former president of the NASW-MD Chapter. Dr. Estreet, has more than two decades of experience in the social work profession, and has made significant contributions to the field through his academic and professional endeavors.
To learn more about Lee Westgate, Dr. Estreet, and the entire conference, click here.
What workshops are being offered?
Workshop topics include the urgency of affirming advocacy for trans and gender expansive people; post Covid best practices and responses to behavioral health needs; systemic oppression; generational trauma; play therapy and therapeutic writing; cognitive behavioral theory; creative interventions with children; transpersonal states of consciousness; and implicit bias. A special track organized by the Committee on Aging focuses on topics related to working with older adults.
What workshops are offered in the Aging track??
The two-day aging track offers the following workshops:
- Emergency Preparedness and Older Adults: Montgomery County’s Approach
- Using Empowerment Theory in Geriatric Social Work
- Care Management & Psychotherapy: Opportunities for Collaborative Care for Aging Adults
- Adult Protective Services: Social Work and Financial Roles in Protecting Older Adults
- Scams Against Older Adults: What We Need to Know to Protect Our Clients and Ourselves
To register for the aging track, click the button below and choose aging track workshops for each day.
See you at the conference!
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School Social Work Conference - Registration Opens Soon!
Friday, 10/20/23 IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL
The School Social Work Conference is offered annually by the School Social Workers in Maryland and NASW Maryland's Social Work in Schools Committee. The conference is packed with great workshops including information on the impact of homelessness, direct work with students using evidence-based practices, and a panel discussion on the role of school social workers in schools. This event offers a space for social workers to network and learn together. Please check the continuing education page in mid-August to register, but make sure to save the date!
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Empowering Minds in Maryland: NASW Honors Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
By Frenchie L.
In the tapestry of human experiences, the threads of mental health weave through every life, transcending barriers of race, ethnicity, and culture. Yet, amidst our efforts to address mental health challenges, we must also shine light on how the threads of Black and other minority groups often face unique challenges, straining under the weight of cultural stigma, historical trauma, a lack of culturally competent care, and systemic barriers. In recognition of these mental health disparities, the Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, serves as a platform for illuminating the path to equitable mental health care for all.
Named after the late Bebe Moore Campbell, a prominent African American author, journalist, and mental health advocate, in 2008 the U.S. House of Representatives honored Moore-Campbell’s legacy. Observed annually in July, it celebrates her invaluable contributions to addressing the stigma and inequities surrounding mental health care in underserved communities. Furthermore, organizations, community leaders, and mental health professionals collectively raise awareness, reduce stigma, promote culturally competent care, and advocate for equity.
Despite Maryland’s efforts in healthcare, mental health disparities continue to plague Black and other minority groups. Therefore, its critical to raise awareness and continue efforts to honor her legacy. The history of colonization, slavery, segregation, and discrimination has left deep-rooted scars that transcend generations. In recognition of this national event, it is of paramount importance to understand “…diversity makes for a rich tapestry…and the threads are equal in value no matter what their color” (Maya Angelou).
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Photo taken in Ghana shows two Ghanaian social workers with Board President, Stephanie Asare Nti. | |
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The Maryland Social Worker Newspaper: Correction
The Maryland Social Worker Newspaper is a hard copy newspaper that includes articles written by social workers from around the state and the chapter's current continuing education schedule of events. The newspaper has been a staple of the Maryland Chapter through the years. Although it may seem outdated to some, to others the newspaper is a tradition that continues to reach Maryland social workers.
We encourage social work professors to use the newspaper in class assignments or to send in an article for an upcoming issue. We encourage job seekers to view the newspaper for advertisements related to finding available office space, open positions, and to place other classified or display ads. The newspaper is not just a tradition, it is history in print.
As with most newspapers or paper printing, correcting an error is not as simple as using the backspace button or emailing an updated version. We strive to respect all cultures and acknowledge errors when they occur. With that in mind, we want to bring your attention to an error that needs to be corrected. In the Summer 2023 edition, there is an incorrect caption and photo pictured next to an article about NASW and the partnership with the Ghana Association of Social Workers. The photo is of a group of colleagues at the United Nations in New York. The correct photo of two Ghanaian social workers is included in this E-news in proximity to this article.
Thank you for reading The Maryland Social Worker! Articles for the Winter 2024 edition are due by January 5, 2024. Please email jwilliams.naswmd@socialworkers.org for article submission.
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2023 Maryland Social Work License Renewal Requirements
Are you applying for a social work license in Maryland? Are you a social worker who will be renewing your license this year? If so, you will need to be fingerprinted and complete an implicit bias training.
Information related to fingerprinting can be found on the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners website, to visit Maryland BSWE website click here. Scroll down on the homepage to CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECK- ALL LICENSEES MUST COMPLETE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.
Please also note that an implicit bias workshop is required for renewal. There are several offerings in Maryland, some with and without CEU opportunities. To learn more, click here to visit the Maryland BSWE website and scroll down to IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING - ALL LICENSEES MUST COMPLETE AN IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING. NASW Maryland is offering several opportunities to meet the requirement AND earn ceus. On August 25th from 9:30 - 12:45 am Gisele Ferretto will virtually present The Role of the Clinical Social Worker in Addressing Implicit Bias. On September 7th from 5:30 - 8:45 pm We will host a virtual presentation by Keisha Atlee entitled, This is Your Brain on Bias: The Principle of Perspective" and will be repeated in-person at the Clinical and Macro Conference on Friday afternoon, September 29th . To see more CEU offerings by NASW Maryland please click here.
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Seeking Co-Chair for Children, Youth and Families Committee
The NASW Maryland Children, Youth and Families Committee is seeking a new chairperson!
The CYF committee typically meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For questions related to this volunteer position, please email: membership.naswmd@socialworkers.org.
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Committee Work:
Paving the way forward through advocacy and education.
The Committee on Aging, Social Work in Schools Committee, Children, Youth and Families Committee, Legislative Committee, Social Work leadership Committee, and Social Workers Unraveling Racism (SWUR) Committee have been actively working on projects; some of which are completed while others are in the final stages. The Committee on Aging identified presenters and workshops to create an aging track during the Fall Clinical and Macro Conference on 9/28/23 and 9/29/23. The Social Work in Schools Committee continues to plan, organize, and execute the Annual School Social Work Conference which is being held this year in Salisbury Maryland on 10/20/23. The SWUR committee worked with BSWE to address educating social workers in Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression; and there is a now an open comment period about regulations in process in the Maryland registry that ends on August 28th. This year, the Social Work Leadership Committee hosted a training about pivot tables; the Children, Youth, and Families Committee educated social work students and new professional about how to apply for public and private social work jobs. The Legislative Committee hosted a panel discussion and later welcomed National Public Policy Director, Sarah Butts for an informational session about the social work interstate compact. These committees, along with the other NASW Maryland committees, continue to advocate for social workers and push social work forward. We are excited to see the impactful outcomes of their time and effort.
For questions about a committee, reach out to the committee directly using the email address listed on NASW Maryland website or you can email membership.naswmd@socialworkers.org to be directed to the appropriate committee.
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SOCIAL WORK NATIONAL NEWS | |
Maximizing Your Social Work Student Journey | |
The next social work student event opened to social work students across the nation is scheduled for Thursday, August 17, 2023 6:00pm-7:30pm. Join Resia Cooper, MSW, and your peers to discuss how to find the balance between academic excellence and social life, making connections on campus and beyond, and developing a plan for your success as a student and post-graduation. | |
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It's a Pop-Up Benefit for NASW Maryland Members Only!
Have you written and published a book? If so, we would like to showcase your book along with other books at an exhibitor table during the 2023 Clinical and Macro Conference. We are seeking books written by active NASW Maryland members. If you are interested in having your book showcased, please email us so that we can obtain a copy of the book via drop-off at the NASW Maryland office, pick up at a specific location, or via delivery to the office or an off-site address.
We look forward to receiving sample copies of your book for promotion at the 2023 Clinical and Macro Conference!
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A special thank you to John Blum, NASW Maryland's IT specialist, who continues to train staff and assist the chapter with updating technical equipment and systems. | | | | |
