SOCIAL WORKERS LEADING FOR JUSTICE |
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Hello,
I am thrilled to open this e-news with an introduction to our newest team member at NASW-MA - Lauren Huggon. Lauren is joining us from the education sphere and will serve as our Administrative Assistant. Learn more about Lauren below and please join us in welcoming her! This week, we will also welcome our new Membership and Advocacy Manager, Brianna Silva, MSW. More on Brianna in the next issue of the e-news!
Later this week, I'm looking forward to our 2021 School Social Work Conference on Friday, October 8th (5.5 CEUs and open to all)! This year's virtual conference will focus on how to practice antiracism while working with school-aged children and will feature keynote speaker Kathy Lopes, LICSW, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Newton Public Schools. Workshops include Developing Racial and Cultural Equity in School Social Work Practice, How You Can Foster an Antiracist Culture in Your School, and more! Learn more and register here, but hurry - registration closes October 6.
Below my signature please find the recent report released by National NASW "Undoing Racism Through Social Work." It's an important document for our organization and our profession. Let us know if you have feedback on it.
In Solidarity,
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Rebekah Gewirtz
Executive Director
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Membership Hub
- Continuing Education
- Social Work Action Center
- Clinical and Private Practice
- Notes from the Field
- National News
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Lauren Huggon began as an Administrative Assistant at NASW-MA in September. Lauren comes to NASW-MA with a background in education and youth mentorship. Inspired by her work with children and partnership with school social workers and counselors, she is eager to contribute to the cause of NASW-MA on the administrative level. As a formally trained dancer and with experience as a licensed esthetician, she is passionate about the arts.
In the future, she desires to use her creativity and knack for working collaboratively with her team to discover unique ways to further the social work profession and the communities served by social workers. When she is not at work helping to advance the mission of NASW-MA, you can find Lauren making art near her home in Southeastern Massachusetts. Lauren can be reached at lhuggon.naswma@socialworkers.org.
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Join an NASW-MA Member-Led Group! |
NASW-MA offers many member-led groups (Commissions, Committees, and Shared Interest Groups) to help social workers build connections, network, take action on issues they care about, and build skills. Join us for any of our upcoming meetings:
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Private Practice SIG Meeting (Greater Boston) - 10/15/21, 9:00 - 10:30 am
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Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee Meeting - 10/19/21, 5:45 - 7:00 pm
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Retired & Retiring SIG Meeting - 10/20/21, 10:00 - 11:30 am
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Northeast Regional Council Meeting - 10/20/21, 7:30 pm
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Private Practice SIG Meeting (Southeast) - 10/22/21, 9:30 - 10:45 am
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Private Practice SIG Meeting (Worcester) - 10/22/21, 10:00 - 11:30 am
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Southeast Regional Council Meeting - 10/25/21, 7:00 pm
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Private Practice SIG Meeting (Northeast) - 11/5/21, 9:30 - 11:00 am
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In Your Mailbox: Social Work Voice
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Social Work Voice is now a quarterly publication. You last received the Summer 2021 issue.
Highlights from the Summer issue include:
- School Meals are Key to Ending Childhood Hunger
- Clinical Practice as we Enter the New Normal: Frequently Asked Questions
- Not a Minority: Why Language Matters in Ending Biases and Improving Mental Health
- Volunteering as a Retired Social Worker
- Networking as a Job-Hunting Tool, Even During a Pandemic
- ...and much more!
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Have an upcoming event, job opening, or other opportunity to share with the social work community? Advertise with us! All ads appear on our website and are published in Social Work Voice. Email Jamie Klufts for more information.
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Online registration CLOSING tomorrow, Wednesday, October 6!
Virtual NASW-MA's School Social Work Conference 2021
Friday, October 8 (8:00pm - 3:00pm)
With Keynote Speaker: Kathy Lopes, LICSW, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Newton Public Schools
Join social workers and adjustment counselors from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the Annual School Social Work Conference. This year, the NASW-MA Chapter will be hosting a Virtual Conference with a theme of Antiracist Practice Principles for School Social Workers, to be addressed in the keynote and several workshops.
Participants will have the opportunity to choose among three sessions of workshops that cover a wide range of topics related to working with children and adolescents in school settings.
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Nothing About Us Without Us: An Introduction to Disability Cultural Competence with Elspeth Slayter, PhD
Earn 1.5 CEUs!
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Wednesday, October 13 (12:00 - 1:30pm)
Description: In this webinar on disability cultural competence, we will examine the social construction of disability and impairment. We will learn about the basics of disability oppression and the response of the disability communities in the form of various resistance movements. A review of various key topics in current U.S. disability culture that are relevant to social work practice will be presented. The guiding principles of empowerment-oriented disability social work practice will be applied to a case. Participants will also have a chance to explore their own able-bodied privilege.
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The Aftermath of COVID-19 on Seniors with Beth Cardillo, MEd, LSW, CDP
Earn 1.5 CEUs!
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Thursday, October 14 (7:30 - 9:00pm)
Sponsored by the Pioneer Valley & Berkshire Regional Councils
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Free for Members | $10 for Non-members |
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Responding to the Third Wave of the Pandemic: Trauma and Addiction with Chris Dorval, LICSW, LCDP, LCDCS
Earn 1.5 CEUs!
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Friday, October 15 (12:00 - 1:30pm)
(this webinar will be hosted by the NASW-RI)
CEUs approved by NASW-MA
Description: Social isolation, mask-hysteria, media re-traumatization, sociopolitical uncertainty all played a role on the persistent trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in addiction due to self-medication during the height of the pandemic. Traditional addiction treatment has ignored the significant impact of trauma on personal recovery and subsequently people have continued to struggle as a result. With recent advances in understanding the impact of trauma, it is time for a change in the approach taken toward trauma and addiction. This interactive and experiential presentation offers an overview of the impact of trauma on the recovery process from a social, biological, psychological, and spiritual perspective and will provide clinicians with skills to work people affected by trauma throughout their recovery, as well as, understanding the conceptual framework of trauma-informed practice.
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Immigration Evaluations: Making a Powerful Impact while Creating a Thriving Practice with Georgia King, LCSW
Earn 1.5 CEUs!
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Tuesday, October 26 (12:00 - 1:30pm)
Description: Few therapists realize that by providing assessments for immigration legal cases, they can help families stay together and help refugees get asylum. Plus, with reliable referrals from immigration lawyers, therapists can also create sustainable practices. There’s a huge need for these mental health assessments, and it’s surprisingly easy to get started. There’s no need to have a doctorate, be bilingual, or have any specialized experience. With the right training, therapists can learn how to apply their skills to the unique needs of immigration cases. This webinar outlines the steps a therapist can take to make a powerful difference in the lives of immigrants, while creating a thriving and meaningful private practice.
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Social Work During Social Isolation: What We Can Learn from COVID-19 and How Older Adult Communities Responded with Mary Curlew, LICSW
Earn 1.5 CEUs!
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Wednesday, November 10 (12:00 - 1:30pm)
Description: The impact of social isolation on physical, mental, and social health is an international concern. For direct service providers and social workers, especially those working with older adults, it can be a community trauma. Therefore, it is imperative that we address the impact of social isolation and trauma on the communities in which we serve and live. This interactive workshop will do just that by presenting current research on social isolation and loneliness, the impact of trauma on communities to include not only social isolation but also social aggression, and brainstorming ways social workers can use resources developed in trauma informed care to heal. Participants will receive a copy of JF&CS' new guide, Creating Caring Communities: A Guide to Addressing Social Aggression in Older Adult Communities.
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Prison Reentry: A Social Work Perspective with Frederic Reamer, PhD
Earn 1.5 CEUs!
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Friday, November 12 (12:00 - 1:30pm)
(this webinar will be hosted by the NASW-RI)
CEUs approved by NASW-MA
Description: This webinar will explore complex clinical, policy, advocacy, and ethical issues that arise when offenders reenter the community from prison. Dr. Frederic Reamer will highlight key challenges related to behavioral health, housing, employment, supervision, social support, and voting rights, among other issues. He will apply key social work and ethics concepts, and discuss their implications for practitioners who work with offenders in community-based and institutional settings.
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NASW-MA's Film Festival Returns!
3 Films | Earn Up to 4.5 CEUs!
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The film festival returns in a VIRTUAL format. Discussion of each movie will take place via Zoom. Participants must watch the film in advance of each program. A preview of the film will be shown at the start of each program listed below. |
The Farewell (1.5 CEUs)
Monday, October 18, 2021
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Discussant: Ming Chang, LMHC, LADC1
Le Grand Bain (Sink or Swim) (1.5 CEUs)
Monday, November 8, 2021
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Discussants: Dennis Balcom, LICSW, and Joe Pereira, LICSW, CAS
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The Last Black Man in San Francisco (1.5 CEUs)
Monday, December 13, 2021
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Discussant: Gary Bailey, DHL, MSW, ACSW
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Online Continuing Education Available 24/7 through the CE Institute |
Hundreds of web-based continuing education offerings are available to social workers for free or low-cost on NASW's Online CE Institute, including many of the webinars related to COVID-19 that NASW-MA has offered since the beginning of the pandemic. |
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SOCIAL WORK ACTION CENTER |
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Federal Advocacy Alert: Act Now to Increase Clinical Social Worker (CSW) Medicare Reimbursement Rates, Increase Access to Care |
The Improving Access to Mental Health Act (S. 870/H.R. 2035) was reintroduced in the 117th Congress by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA-13). This bicameral and bipartisan legislation is crucial in modernizing Medicare mental health and ensuring that this major federal program is able to meet the pressing needs of millions of beneficiaries.
Urge your members of Congress to support the Improving Access to Mental Health Act (S.870/H.R. 2035) to reduce barriers to care.
Clinical social workers (CSWs) are the largest provider of mental health services in the nation and have been Medicare providers since 1989. However, due to the narrow, outdated definition of clinical social work and other regulatory factors, CSWs are not able to practice at the top of their license and their reimbursement rates are inadequate.
The legislation will:
- Increase Medicare Reimbursement Rates for CSWs: The bill increases the reimbursement rate from 75% to 85% of the psychologist fee schedule, thereby ensuring payment parity and equity.
- Increase Access to Mental Health Services for Residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF): Currently, independent CSWs who are not employed by the SNF are unable to seek reimbursement under Medicare Part B for providing psychotherapy services to SNF residents receiving care under Medicare Part A. S. 870/H.R. 2035 would rectify this problem by excluding CSW services from SNF consolidated billing.
- Increase Supports for Medicare Beneficiaries Coping with Physical Health Conditions: Although Health and Behavior Assessment and Intervention (HBAI) services are within the scope of practice for CSWs, Medicare currently only reimburses CSWs for the “diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.” S. 870/H.R. 2035 would broaden this narrow definition of CSW services to enable CSWs to receive Medicare reimbursement for HBAI services, which are cognitive, behavioral, social and psychophysiological interventions to prevent, treat, and improve physical health and well-being.
Currently there are 42 cosponsors in the House and 5 in the Senate. We need at least 175 cosponsors in the House and over 50 in the Senate to demonstrate broad support for the legislation and to elevate the bill for potential consideration before the Congressional committees of jurisdiction. Unfortunately, if we do not secure enough cosponsors in this Congress, the bill will likely not advance through the legislative process and therefore, will need to be reintroduced in future Congresses.
Your advocacy on this issue is especially timely, as mental health has been a strong focal point for federal policy makers given the exacerbation of unmet needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect this focus to continue in the coming months (as evidenced by this Sept 21 request from the Senate Finance Committee) and need your help to ensure the Improving Access to Mental Health Act has as much Congressional support as possible and is well-positioned to advance this Congress.
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Town Hall: Wage Transparency in MA - October 12 |
The Wage Equity Now Coalition would like to invite you to a virtual town hall event, featuring State Senator Paul Feeney and State Representatives Liz Miranda and Liz Malia, on Tuesday, October 12 at 5:30 pm. This event will function as a briefing by the lead sponsors of S.1196/H.2020, An Act Relative to Wage Transparency in the Workplace, an NASW-MA supported bill.
A Q& A session for all will following the briefing so this will be an opportunity for you (yes, you!) to ask elected officials a question about the bills, next steps with the legislation, or about their work in general.
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Legislative Briefing: Ending Life Without Parole - October 14 |
Massachusetts has the highest percentage of people serving life without parole sentences in the nation, followed by Louisiana. As of July 26, 2021, 1,013 people in Massachusetts are serving LWOP out of less than 6,000 criminally sentenced people in DOC custody. This means that one out of every six people incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons is foreclosed from the opportunity to ever apply for parole. Of the people serving LWOP, 600, or 59%, are BIPOC (Black, Indigenious, and people of color) though only 28% of the Massachusetts population are BIPOC. Also known as “slow death row,” this sentence strips people of their hope and denies the human capacity to change. LWOP sentences waste taxpayer dollars and do not actually promote public safety.
Please join us on Thursday, October 14 at 12:00 pm to learn about An Act to Reduce Mass. Incarceration (H1797) which would allow all people serving life sentences the opportunity for a parole hearing after serving 25 years.
NASW-MA is proud to co-sponsor this important briefing.
Note: This briefing is Part 2 of a two-part series on parole reform in Massachusetts. Part 1 was on Reforming Parole and Medical Parole to Enhance Public Safety.
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PACE Endorsements To-Date |
This election season, we are endorsing social workers running for municipal (local) offices all over the state. So far we've endorsed:
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Carla Montiero, City Council At-large, Boston
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Liz Speakman, School Committee, Quincy
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Nate Bae Kupel, City Council, Ward 8, Malden
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Brenda Noel, City Council, Ward 6, Newton
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Sarah Phillips, School Committee, Ward 3, Somerville
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Ayesha Wilson, School Committee, Cambridge
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Marc McGovern, City Council, Cambridge
And don't forget to check your voter registration - you have until October 13 to update or change your registration in Massachusetts in order to vote in the General Election on November 2: RegisterToVoteMA.com.
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CLINICAL AND PRIVATE PRACTICE |
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Updated Schedule for An Hour with Private Practice is Released |
An Hour with Private Practice: 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. Simply dial in to join discussions, ask questions, and comment on private practice topics. View the schedule for the second half of 2021.
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Clinical Practice as we Enter the "New Normal" |
Will telehealth continue to be an option? What will happen with out-of-state telehealth? Can a clinician have a policy to see only vaccinated clients in-person? We answer these questions and more in our new FAQ here.
We'll update this FAQ as new information becomes available, so be sure to bookmark this page and revisit as often as you need to!
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COVID-19: Legal Considerations for Resuming In-Person Services: What About Vaccination Requirements? |
Now that more people have received the COVID-19 vaccine, some social workers want to know if they should resume in-person services. NASW recommends that social workers continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations*, as they are updated from time to time, when considering when and how to resume in-person services to clients. As of this writing, the CDC continues to recommend the use of personal protective equipment (e.g., masks) and social distancing in indoor healthcare settings.
The notes to this article include links to current CDC guidance for healthcare settings, healthcare workers, and non-healthcare settings. It is unclear how the CDC would characterize a typical social worker’s office (non-institutional), but we are taking the conservative view that it should be treated as a healthcare setting.
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Therapy Matcher Receives Another State Grant - Join Now for only $95 a Year! |
Big news - Therapy Matcher has received a state grant of $50,000 for a second year! That funding has enabled us to dramatically reduce the membership fee for the 2021-2022 year to only $95! Over 50 private practitioners have taken advantage of this offer so far - join them! Referrals are pouring in, and we can send screened and personalized referrals to your practice. You can also take advantage of exclusive communications and networking opportunities for members. Contact Barbara Burka to discuss or go to https://www.naswma.org/page/TMprovider.
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Valuable Member Benefit: Join the NASW-MA Private Practice Google Group |
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.
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A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare: Oct. 4-7, 2021 |
Registration for A CALL TO ACTION TO CHANGE CHILD WELFARE is now open! If you want to change child welfare and be part of the solution, consider attending this international virtual conference. The conference is organized to create community, connections, and relationships and to encourage curiosity and challenge traditional structures and ideas. Join those with lived experience; child welfare practitioners, supervisors, administrators; legal, mental health, and medical professionals; community and neighborhood leaders; researchers; policymakers; advocates; and other thought leaders from around the world—expected to be 2000 strong—in re-envisioning child welfare.
We invite you to come together to connect communities that lift up child and family well-being and social and community justice. Join us to TAKE ACTION Monday, October 4 - Thursday, October 7. Visit KempeConference.org to register and to find more information.
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Help Families Get More Money with Federal COVID Payments - Deadline is October 15
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As you may know, households could
get thousands of dollars in tax credits and Stimulus Payments - even if they don’t usually file or owe taxes. Please encourage your families to apply for this money ASAP with a 2020 tax return or using the non filer sign up tool. As you know, access to these funds is critical for many right now.
Those eligible could get:
- Child Tax Credit checks - $250-$300 per child per month
- Access to all 3 three Stimulus Payments for individuals and/or eligible children / dependents (between $600-$3200 per person!) if they did not get them
- The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps many low income people (including many essential workers)
- Families can still sign up for payments for the last 3 years and get the money!
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People who make low or no income can sign up at any time through October 15; after that, they can sign up in 2022 with the new tax season. Learn more about what you can get and how to get free help at findyourfunds.org.
FindYourFunds.org helps families learn what payments they could be eligible for and connects them to free help.
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Eviction Legal Help Project is Preserving Tenancies |
Last October, the COVID Eviction Legal Help Project (CELHP) was created through the Governor’s Eviction Diversion Initiative. Since its inception, CELHP has provided legal help in over 3,650 eviction cases.
One person helped by CELHP is Ed - a veteran and former teacher who has lived in public housing in Fall River for twenty years. With legal representation and rental assistance, Ed was able to stop his eviction and stay in his home.
Ed’s story represents an all-to-common experience during the pandemic. It also highlights the impact that CELHP and other Eviction Diversion programs have had over the past year.
Together, we can make sure tenants across Massachusetts know there are resources available to support them. Thank you for all the work you do to help your constituents facing housing instability.
Watch Ed's Story:
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The Social Work Assistance Network (SWAN) - An NASW-MA Resource for You!
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The Social Workers Assistance Network (SWAN) is a NASW Massachusetts Chapter-sponsored colleague assistance program. SWAN provides professional consultation and referral to any social worker who may be experiencing personal issues that could impact their personal or professional lives. These difficulties may include stress due to the Covid-19 pandemic, chemical dependence, depression, anxiety, marital and family issues, and concern for a colleague. The SWAN Commission is comprised of volunteer social workers who are committed to assisting their colleagues. SWAN is a confidential service. All contacts and information shared is privileged and private. Learn more about this service and member benefit here.
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Revised Code of Ethics Now in Effect |
The NASW Code of Ethics is a living document that responds to the needs of the profession, which are influenced by our ever-changing world. The 2021 revisions to the Code include language that addresses the importance of professional self-care, as well as revisions to the cultural competence standard. The updated Code went into effect on June 1, 2021. Please visit this link for more information. And, watch NASW's Free Virtual Webinar on the changes.
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