Greetings Members,

 

It has been a very busy past few months. NSAW Florida's Annual Conference was held a few weeks ago in Orlando and the planning committee and chairs Rikki Vidak, Saffy Johnson and Seth Berkowitz, and staff did a great job pulling together all the workshops and networking opportunities that included a fun-filled Friday night party.

 

During the past program year, NASW-FL offered 143 continuing education workshops for 2,585 people. Eighty-seven percent were offered by the Chapter's 18 local units. This is only one great benefit of being involved in your local unit.  Please note that there are many other opportunities to get involved at the unit and Chapter levels with new unit chairs taking the lead in mid-July and volunteers needed for committees - see how NASW-FL Needs You in the below article.  

We currently have the NASW Florida ballot open. Voting ensures your voice is heard, is the easiest and most significant way to be involved.  Please take time to vote for selection of our upcoming leaders. 

 

Moving into the next few months we will begin planning our 2018 Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD), as the legislative session begins January 9. We are a powerful voice and our LEAD day is the state's second largest advocacy group on the hill. Now is the time to meet with your  senators and representatives while they are back in their districts.  This is the time to build those relationships.

 

We will also be working to engage member and communicate the many updates such as the new technology standards. We will also be asking for your thoughts on diversity in our upcoming survey.

NASW Florida staff and board are working hard to hear your voices, ensure meaningful change, promote the profession and raise the professional standards. Please consider getting involved in the many amazing things that are happening.

Thank you

 

Katharine Campbell, PhD, LCSW 

The election is open until July 11. 

Please take the time to vote today.

You will need your NASW member number to logon.

If you do not have your member number, please contact us at 1-800-352-6279 or email: [email protected] and we will provide it to you.  

On June 1, 2017, New Directions notified all of their contracted psychologists and master's-level providers (which includes LCSWs) that the reimbursement rate for therapy is being reduced effective October 1, 2017. New Directions manages behavioral health services for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida.

NASW-FL is exploring all options to seek a reversal in this policy change. We are working with the other mental health associations impacted by this change, which include psychologists, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. We have been in contact with National NASW and other chapters who have experienced reduction in reimbursement rates. We are investigating any regulatory or legislative actions which may be required. We will keep you updated on all actions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jim Akin at [email protected] or 1-800-352-6279.

The Senate is poised to consider health care legislation after the July 4th Congressional Recess, which will repeal major portions of the Affordable Care Act. Like the House-passed American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628), the Senate version expects to undermine vital protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, eliminate essential health benefits, increase premiums, cut Medicaid, and cause as many as 22 million people to lose coverage. The Senate bill allows states to waive the essential health benefits requirement a list that includes mental health and substance abuse treatment. Any cutbacks to Medicaid in particular could hit mental health and substance abuse treatment hard.

Please contact Senators Nelson and Senator Rubio and ask that they vote against the bill:

Senator Rubio: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/

Phone: 1-866-630-7106 (Toll Free in Florida)

Email: Web-based contact form only -  - https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact

Senator Nelson: https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/

Phone: 1-888-671-4091 (Toll Free)

Email: Web-based contact form only - https://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact-bill

The NASW-FL Board met on June 7 in Orlando, Florida. The Board approved the budget for 2017-2018. As part of the Modernization Plan, National NASW will assume the accounting and audit duties for the Chapter during this program year.

The Legislature will covene early this year, beginning January 9, 2018. The Legislative Education Advocacy Day (LEAD) will be held at the end of January. Legislative and Regulatory Agenda items discussed were:

There were reports from the Diversity Committee, Supervision Task Force, Membership Committee and Conference Committee. There was discussion on dates for the upcoming election and 2017-2018 board meetings. Board members whose terms end June 30 were recognized.

NASW-FL hosted its 36th Social Work Conference in Orlando, June 8-10. The attendance was 500 with 41 exhibitors and 74 workshops. Angelo McClain, NASW's CEO was the keynote speaker.

The following were honored as State Award Winners:

Lois Chepenik, Jacksonville - Public Citizen of the Year

Judge Dawn Fields, Daytona Beach - Elected Official of the Year

Ana Leon, Ph.D., LCSW, Orlando - Social Work Educator of the Year

Shawna Machado, Sarasota - Student Social Worker of the Year

Prudence Williams, LCSW, Jacksonville - Social Worker of the Year

Next year's conference will be in Ft. Lauderdale in June. Location and dates to be announced soon.

Now is an excellent time to become involved with NASW-FL as a volunteer. Here are some opportunities:

State Membership Chair - We are currently looking for a chair of the statewide membership committee. The committee is made up of representatives from each of the 18 units. The Membership Committee's primary goal is to work with Chapter staff to plan and implement activities to retain and recruit members.

Members for the Diversity Committee - The purpose of the Diversity Committee is three-fold:

1. Enhance the diversity of the Chapter;
2. Ensure that the Chapter's programs and activities are consistent with and reflective of the diversity of our membership; and
3. Engage local communities to advocate for development of structures that may be used for mediation of disputes between citizens, groups, and governmental agencies, and to provide safe space for dialogue regarding diversity and enhancement of communities in need of assistance to thrive.

Members for the Supervision Task Force - The purpose of the Chapter's Supervision Task Force is to promote quality and competent supervision by and for social workers in practice and training.  This Task Force will focus on 3 priorities:

1. Update the Supervision Guidelines Manual;
2. Work to secure resources for continuing the Supervisory Leaders in Aging training; and
3. Work with the schools of social work in providing training resources for supervision.

To volunteer please email which opportunity you are interested in, your name, email address and phone number to [email protected]  

From Around the State

Social work education is an important part of NASW, and maintaining relationships with students and their universities is even more important. Check out our latest University News and Updates on our website.

Here's a listing of events for the coming month. Additional details are available on our Calendar of Events or, if a unit event, on the local unit's page.

July 12, 2017 - Mary Esther, FL

NASW-FL Northwest Unit is hosting a Networking Meeting from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. at Panera Bread, Mary Esther, FL. Please join us as we rediscover our Unit, get to know each other, discuss NASW member benefits and exchange ideas.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!