NASW DC Metro Chapter

The DC City Council has passed an emergency measure that extends the same right-of-action protections to student loan borrowers as those currently provided in broader laws. This prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices by providers, just as they are already banned for debt collectors, auto lenders, etc.

NASW collaborates with federal agencies and national organizations to improve services and policies for older adults! Check out these free virtual professional development programs for social workers: https://buff.ly/3zR2r2q

Self-care is an essential survival skill for social workers. On , remember that prioritizing self-care can help you balance your career and personal life more effectively.

How do you practice self-care?

NASW Metro DC has released a statement thanking President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their first-term progress made on issues, debt reduction, and issues. Read it in full at: https://buff.ly/4cVY0SS

Jennifer Calder, LCSW, says a lot of her clients have approached her with anxiety about repayments. “I’ve definitely talked to people about them, and they're very stressed out....,” says Calder, an NASW Vermont member. Read more in the Social Work Advocates magazine.

When Should Mental Health Professionals Consider an Extreme Risk Protection Order? When balancing client rights to privacy and autonomy with the need to protect others from serious harm, mental health professionals should consider Extreme Risk Protection Orders, or ERPOs, as one option, and perhaps as an option that may be used in conjunction with others, says Allan Barsky, JD, MS...

In an emergency vote, the Council of District of Columbia (City Council) has banned female ge***al mutilation in DC, prohibited District minor residents from being taken abroad for the procedure, and ensured that is not misconstrued as falling under this legislation.

Check out NASW Press summer reads and earn CEUs, too! offers CE on books via the NASW Social Work Online CE Institute. Titles range from burnout, self-care, and meditation to ethical standards in , digital practice, economic well-being, social entrepreneurship, and women for . Learn more at https://buff.ly/4d5hT9o.

NASW Press NASW Press is pleased to offer continuing education credits via the NASW Social Work Online CE Institute. Below are our accredited titles. Click the links below to either purchase these titles or to access the online CEU portal. Check back as we are adding more titles regularly! 

Become a member of NASW and the Metro DC Chapter, your professional home!

Here are the top five reasons to join NASW, which gives you FREE membership in the Metro DC Chapter:

1. Advance in the workplace with continuing education, updated practice information, career development help, and resources for your professional development;
2. Connect with colleagues through social media, national and chapter-sponsored events;
3. Protect yourself with free legal and ethics guidance, risk management resources, and discounted professional liability insurance;
4. Advocate for social work and social and economic justice through the chapter's policy work with the Council of the District of Columbia (City Council) and help build awareness of all that social workers do in various settings; and
5. Receive national and chapter membership with one annual dues.

Join NASW today and make a difference! https://buff.ly/3xP9SH2

More than 200 from 36 states and DC attended 172 meetings with congressional offices in both the U.S. House and Senate ahead of , NASW's recent conference in DC. Here are some highlight

NASW Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill 2024 | Social Work Blog Ahead of the 2024 NASW National Conference, more than 200 social workers from 36 states and one U.S. Territory attended 172 meetings with Congressional offices in both the U.S. House and Senate on June 18, 2024. The purpose of these meetings was to build bipartisan support for key legislation that w...

The NASW Metro DC Chapter has released a statement opposing political violence and offering trauma and grief support by DC after the shooting of former President Trump Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally. Read here:

NASW Metro DC Releases Statement Calling for Peaceful Political Engagement Political activism in the District of Columbia must not include violence as a tactic to influence election and p***c policy outcomes, states the Metro DC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Violence is not effective and is ethically and morally wrong in amplifying a perso

July is , celebrating the meaningful contributions of the community and honoring the anniversary of the . It also is a time to call on policy makers and the public to promote and visibility of the disabled community and to challenge the social barriers of systemic ableism. Fight for your LGBTQIA+ clients with disabilities! https://buff.ly/3Y1l3qy.

Call for Papers: Social Work Journal

Health & Social Work journal is looking for article submissions for the “Revisiting, Reimagining, and Reclaiming Our Roots—Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Social Determinants of Health” special issue edited by Dr. Portia Cole. Submission deadline: January 15, 2025 https://buff.ly/3RL14bG

July is Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s celebrate the strength and resilience of BIPOC communities while addressing disparities. By advocating for equitable resources and promoting open dialogue, we can break down stigmas and foster a supportive environment.

Let’s continue to uplift each other. Learn more by visiting: https://buff.ly/4buVvFz

BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month: Navigating Stigma | The Trevor Project Your Support Saves LGBTQ+Youth's Lives Every DayDonateBIPOC communities have historically faced discrimination, systemic inequalities, and social injustices — all of […]

How Social Workers Can Use Words to Heal
can use the printed word, books, and to empower clients, promote , and offer hope. https://buff.ly/3W1jmIk

How Social Workers Can Use Words to Heal | Social Work Blog People have long understood the healing power of words. In ancient Egypt, intentional words of healing were written on papyrus, then dissolved into a solution so that it could be physically ingested, like medicine. Today, a growing body of research confirms that reading and writing can be therapeuti...

Download a new Practice Perspective! can access the latest Practice Perspective by , "The Impact of on the Crisis and Role of Social Workers," in the Behavioral Health Practice Tools section (https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Behavioral-Health/Behavioral-Health-Tools) and directly at https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Behavioral-Health/Behavioral-Health-Tools/The-Impact-of-Fentanyl-on-the-Opioid-Crisis-and-Role-of-Social-Workers.

Have you downloaded the new and improved app yet? Stay connected to all of your member benefits and peers through this helpful tool.

Compact News: Congratulations Rhode Island! Gov. Daniel McKee has signed the Interstate Licensing Compact into law, making Rhode Island the 21st state to approve the compact that will allow to practice in multiple states without having to perform requirements for each state. Thanks goes to the NASW Rhode Island Chapter for pushing for this legislative victory.
Learn more about the compact at socialworkers.org/compact.

and NASW Virginia mourn the death of Social Work Pioneer Dr. Bernice Harper at the age of 102. We offer her family and friends our condolences. Dr. Harper spent her life breaking barriers. She was one of the first women of color to earn a master’s degree in from Harvard University. She was the first Black female and out-of-state student at the USC School of Social Work in Los Angeles. Dr. Harper later became founding president of the Foundation for Hospice in sub-Saharan Africa. Hear her tell her amazing story.

Social Work Pioneer Dr. Bernice Harper | NASW Foundation NASW Social Work Pioneer Dr. Bernice Harper has spent her lifetime breaking barriers. She was one of the first woman of color to earn a master’s degree in pu...

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4 Days, 2 Venues, 80 speakers, 15 Panels, 8 Workshops, 1 Gala, and an Amazing Experience July 11-14
Find More info at BlackHealthCon.com.

Black Health Con 2024 REGISTER TODAY AGENDA • Washington, DC • July 11 - 14, 2024 • Registration Open • Washington, DC • July 11 - 14, 2024 • Registration Open conference overview The healthcare conference you’ve been waiting for is back... This July 11-14, the Black Health Connect Conference makes its gran...

Today, as we celebrate our nation's independence, we extend our deepest gratitude to all veteran social workers and those serving military families. Your dedication and service make our communities stronger.

, NASW Virginia, and NASW DC Metro are closed for the holiday on July 4-5. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 8. Please enjoy your holiday!

Wishing all DC and their families a joyful July 4th! The Metro DC Chapter is closed today and Friday in commemoration of our nation’s independence celebration.

and the Metro DC Chapter are dedicated to fighting against the crushing weight of alongside the Student Borrower Protection Center. Our combined efforts played a key role in creating the 2021 Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver. We’re committed to pushing for improvements in student debt relief on multiple fronts. Learn more about how NASW is fighting for a student loan system that works for dedicated and millions of borrowers. https://bit.ly/4buLsjR

The has recommended that everyone ages six months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 vaccination to protect against the most severe outcomes this fall and winter. The shot can be combined in the same visit as a flu shot and regardless of whether you have been previously vaccinated with a COVID-19 . New COVID-19 vaccines will be available from , , and later this year. Data continue to show the importance of to protect against death, hospitalization, and long COVID, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, rural residents, minority communities, and unvaccinated individuals. In 2023, more than 75,500 people died from COVID-19, and 916,300 people were hospitalized.

Read more:

CDC Newsroom Press releases, advisories, telebriefings, transcripts and archives.

need to learn more about to keep up with rapidly changing usage in . Check out NASW Metro DC's new AI section on its website at

Artificial Intelligence and Social Work Artificial Intelligence and Social Work

Happy Pride Day! We stand with LGBTIQ+ people to promote your rights and celebrate your diversity, courage and resilience. We will never stop fighting for a world where everyone’s rights are fully protected, respected, and fulfilled.

Happy , fellow ! Let’s celebrate freedom, honor resilience, and renew our commitment to justice and equity for all. Together, we can make a difference.
Joining us for in DC? Our special celebration begins later this afternoon!

urges Israel and Hamas to work with negotiators to reach a peace agreement. The association condemns the increased, related hate incidents against in the U.S. Social workers should work together to reach understanding and help heal divisions caused by this conflict. Full statement: https://buff.ly/45weK04

Today is (WEAAD)

Join us in raising awareness about the millions of older adults who experience elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. As many as 1 in 10 older Americans face abuse or neglect each year, yet only 1 in 14 cases are ever reported.

Learn more about the critical role social workers play in preventing and responding to elder abuse: https://buff.ly/4epGYxB

How Can I Get Involved, and How Is NASW Working to Address Elder Abuse? Learn more here: https://bit.ly/nasw-weaad24

CALL FOR PROPOSALS!

NASW Virginia and Metro DC Chapters are excited to announce the opening of the 2025 Annual Conference Call for Proposals. The 2025 NASW Virginia and Metro DC Annual Conference will convene in-person at the Doubletree Hotel, located in beautiful, historic Charlottesville, Virginia on March 13-15, 2025. The virtual live conference will convene in April/May 2025 with specific dates forthcoming.

Whether you work in community mental health, private practice, a hospital, a school, the justice system, or somewhere else, our Conference Review Committee wants to hear your presentation idea. What can you teach over 500 professional social workers and students? Applications are due September 30th.

Learn more here: https://buff.ly/3KEZa8C