December 2025 News & Updates

New NASW-MO Chapter Executive Director

Hello, Missouri NASW members!

I have recently been appointed to serve as the Executive Director of the Missouri chapter and am eager to get to know many of you and serve the needs of Missouri social workers.

A short time ago, the NASW national office restructured the organization from a one-state model to a two-state model. Unfortunately, this meant that almost half the NASW chapter Executive Directors were laid off, including the NASW Missouri Executive Director, Tiffany Grant. I met with Tiffany prior to starting the job, and she was very helpful and gracious with the handoff.

The remaining Executive Directors were told they needed to take on a second state, and I requested Missouri. Both my son and daughter-in-law attended college in St. Louis, and they are raising our grandchild in University City. My wife and I have been traveling to St. Louis on a regular basis for many years. However, I don’t know the rest of your state and have a lot of learning to do to understand the needs of Missouri social workers. I look forward to learning more about Missouri, and I will need all your help in this area. I will be traveling to Missouri frequently and hope to meet many of you at the annual conference or other events.

Learn more

Mark your calendars for January 14, 2026, as we gather for the inaugural NASW-MO Member Forum! Choose from either the noon or 5 PM session to participate in an engaging discussion about the latest updates and developments at NASW. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about upcoming chapter events and connect with fellow members. We encourage you to share insights about your practice, educational programs, or agency initiatives. Come together with us to foster collaboration and strengthen our community!

More information here.

Alternate Path to Licensure Exam bill

Several years ago, the Association of Social Work Board released a study that showed major racial, language, and age disparities in the national social work licensing exam. As a result of this study, some NASW chapters have worked to eliminate the exam, and others have worked for an Alternative Path to Licensure.

The Alternate Path to Licensure bill that the Wisconsin NASW chapter is working on would allow any social work exam taker (from an accredited social work program) who failed the national exam to obtain a three-year non-renewable provisional social work credential. This provisional credential would allow these social work graduates to work as a social worker under supervision. After 2,000 hours of supervised practice, they could obtain a regular credential.

I am interested in your feedback on this Alternative Path to Licensure bill as well as the alternative to eliminate the exam entirely.

Send your feedback to me at mherstand.naswmo@socialworkers.org

PROPOSED BILLS IN THE UPCOMING MISSOURI LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD IMPACT STATE SOCIAL WORKERS

1. Requiring all social workers, regarding of their practice area, to take training on human trafficking.

2. Requiring all social workers, along with some other professions, to be mandatory reporters for animal abuse.

I am interested in hearing your feedback on these proposed pieces of legislation

Email Marc Today

Action Alerts

The Department of Education has proposed a new definition of a “professional degree” that excludes masters and doctoral programs in many professions, including social work. The Impact: Graduate Students who are not enrolled in “professional degree” programs can only borrow up to $20,500 annually. These changes make an MSW or DSW unattainable through federal loans, forcing students to take out loans with predatory private companies or not complete the degree at all.

2026 Education Offerings

NASW-MO provides a range of affordable, high-quality webinars designed to help you fulfill your Continuing Education requirements effectively

Learn Now

2026 Annual Conference

April 10-11, 2026

There’s still time to submit a proposal

The deadline is December 15, 2025.