National Association of Social Workers

Social Workers Push Biden to Fully Decriminalize Marijuana Under Federal Law, Not Just Reschedule It Nearly 150 social workers have signed on to a letter urging President Joe Biden to fully remove marijuana from the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), arguing that despite the administration’s proposal to downgrade cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, there’s nevertheless a “critical need for decriminalization.” https://buff.ly/4cHBooX #NASW

The Nebraska legislature recently restored the voting rights of 7,000 people with felony convictions who have already completed their full sentences. However, two days before the law was set to go into effect, the state’s attorney general issued a formal opinion asserting that the legislature violated Nebraska’s Constitution, claiming the law infringed on the executive branch’s exclusive authority to restore civil rights for Nebraskans. And although the attorney general’s opinion doesn’t carry the force of law, Nebraska’s secretary of state immediately halted all new registrations of persons with felony convictions thereby ignoring the voting restoration legislation. Read more in this opinion piece from NASW’s senior policy advisor Mel Wilson. https://buff.ly/3SmJ4EK #NASW

Dismantling the DSM-5 TR; earn 3.0 CEUs Presented by Corey Beauford, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C. Get key updates on diagnostic changes including new disorders, criteria, language considerations and subtypes, specifiers; medications used to treat clients and much more. Sat. 8-3-24; 9:00 am – 12:15 pm Central time with intermittent breaks. Register: https://buff.ly/4bVBuIf Deadline Noon 7-31-24 NASW member: $40 Non-member: $60.00

#NASW offers President Biden our deepest thanks for his commitment to educating more social workers, investing millions in creating a multi-state social worker licensure compact, and his unwavering dedication to the American people. Read our statement https://buff.ly/3zSehtg

#NASW Public Policy and Advocacy Manager, Dina Kastner, spoke with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at a fundraising event supported by NASW-PACE. NASW-PACE endorses and contributes to federal candidates that support NASW’s policy agenda.

An Idaho safe house claimed it was saving trafficking victims. Women said it was like being ‘trafficked all over again’ Paula Barthelmess, the founder of Community Outreach Behavioral Services, has become an influential figure in Idaho’s efforts to combat human trafficking. Former residents and employees at her safe houses criticize COBS for employing manipulative tactics and directing them to a connected for-profit company that may be billing Medicaid in violation of federal regulations. When reporters presented a situation like it to NASW Idaho Chapter Executive Director Delmar Stone, didn’t hesitate to comment, though he made clear that he was commenting only hypothetically. “She’s profiting from something, a vulnerable population, and they’re not getting any alternative other than receiving services, which is in a for-profit situation. A peer group would look at that and say there is a clear conflict,” Stone said. The Idaho Board of Social Work Examiners could discipline Barthelmess, up to suspending or pulling the license. https://buff.ly/3y9nU6c

NASW PACE Seeks Field Organizers in various locations nationwide including: Michigan | Dayforce Jobs (dayforcehcm.com) https://buff.ly/4dg0ueB Nevada | Dayforce Jobs (dayforcehcm.com) https://buff.ly/4ddEil2 Ohio | Dayforce Jobs (dayforcehcm.com) https://buff.ly/4ddMqlw Pennsylvania | Dayforce Jobs (dayforcehcm.com) https://buff.ly/3WirAKW Wisconsin | Dayforce Jobs (dayforcehcm.com) https://buff.ly/4bXgAbP Click for more and to apply today!

Save 10% by preordering the 2nd edition of “Self-Care in Social Work” by Kathleen Cox and Sue Steiner, which includes current research on the impact of stress, burnout, secondary trauma, and vicarious trauma. The book also features a new chapter focused on traumatic stress related to racism and oppression. Follow this link to learn more and place your preorder: https://buff.ly/4cJpcnv Visit NASW Press for all things social work, including books, CEU books, reference works, journals, brochures, and standards: https://naswpress.org. Have questions? Please email [email protected] or call 1-800-227-3590. #NASWPress

📢 Exciting Announcement! 📢 We are thrilled to invite you to the 19th Annual Clinical/Macro Conference hosted by the NASW Maryland Chapter on September 26 & 27, 2024 at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum! This year’s conference theme, “Empowering Resilience: Strength in Service,” featuring a special military track to honor the “Year of Military Families” as declared by Maryland's Governor, Wes Moore. 🌟 Keynote Speaker Alert! 🌟 We are honored to feature Tisha Edwards, MSW, JD, Maryland's Secretary of Appointments, as our keynote speaker. With her extensive experience in public service, including Chair of the Task Force on Modernization of the State Personnel Management System, Chief of Staff and Advisor to Mayor, Baltimore City, and Founding Principal, Baltimore Freedom Academy, Secretary Edwards will deliver a compelling keynote titled “Transformative Leadership in Public Service.” Her address will explore her role in shaping leadership in Maryland through strategic appointments and innovative personnel management, providing valuable insights into effective governance and community advocacy. Event Details: 📅 Date: September 26 & 27, 2024 📍 Location: Maritime Institute, Linthicum, MD (near BWI Airport) CE: up to13.5 cat I CEUs 🔗 Register Now: https://buff.ly/3WrfCQz This is a fantastic opportunity to gain fresh perspectives on leadership and resilience from one of Maryland’s foremost leaders. We look forward to seeing you there!

Exciting News! NASW-NJ& DE are hosting a BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Panel on July 31 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM EDT. This free event will feature an expert panel discussion on the unique mental health challenges faced by the BIPOC community and how we can shape future support. Join panelists Dr. Hilary Noel Weaver, Dr. Juan Rios, Rikki Clark McCoy, Dr. Brandon Frame, and Dr. Alieizoria Redd ("Dra") for an insightful conversation. 📍 Date: July 31 🕒 Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM EDT 💻 Location: Virtual Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and contribute to the conversation. Register now at naswnj.org and be part of this important event. #BIPOCAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #FreeEvent