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July 2024 Chapter Update

Thank you for your membership with NASW. Take a look at our upcoming Chapter events in July 2024. Read more about the 2024 Conference, upcoming webinars (earn CEs!), national and state updates, and more.


Please note that the Chapter has updated its email address associated with our mass emailing platform. We will now send Chapter emails from info.naswwa@socialworkers.org; please add this email and the socialworkers.org domain to your address book or safe senders list.


Jeremy Arp, MSW, ACSW

Executive Director, NASW-WA

(he/him)

Welcome New Board Members!


Chapter Elections concluded on June 11th and the Board met on June 22nd to welcome new board members and thank our outgoing members. The Chapter is pleased to announce that the following NASW-WA members are officially seated on the Chapter Board of Directors on July 1, 2024. The full board includes:

President: Miguel A. Juárez
President-Elect: Danielle Flores
1st Vice President: TyKera Williams
2nd Vice President: Patricia Barnes Cannon
Board Secretary: Paulette Chavez
Eastern WA Regional Representative: Jennifer Harris
Eastern WA Regional Representative: Lindsey McIntyre
Western WA Regional Representative: Joshua Kent
Western WA Regional Representative: Jen Self
MSW Student Representative: Victoria Schultz
BSW Student Representative: Kimberly Astin

Thank you to the NASW-WA Nominations and Leadership Identification Committee for this year's efforts to slate the election, to the candidates for their willingness to lead, and to our membership for voting! We look forward to the work ahead.


The Chapter's Membership Engagement Committee will host a "Meet Your NASW-WA Leadership" virtual event in August. Once member's schedules are finalized, we'll send details on how to participate!

2024 NASW-WA Statewide Conference


Join us at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights this September for our statewide Conference!


Immerse yourself in a transformative experience at the 2024 NASW-WA Statewide Conference! Join us for 1.5 days of in-depth learning, engaging dialogue, and valuable networking opportunities. Our esteemed presenters are ready to lead you through important conversations, inspire new perspectives, and share cutting-edge best practices in the social work field.


Click here to register now.


You can earn up to 12 Continuing Education credits, enhancing your professional growth and expertise. Connect with like-minded individuals, forge meaningful relationships, and expand your knowledge base in a supportive and collaborative environment.


Don't miss out on this exceptional opportunity to elevate your skills, broaden your horizons, and contribute to the advancement of social work. Secure your spot today and be part of a community dedicated to learning, growth, and positive change. Click here to explore our Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions. Elevate your learning experience with us at the 2024 NASW-WA Statewide Conference!

Legislative Updates


The Chapter's Legislative Action Committee (LAC) met in June to discuss the past session and upcoming policy changes in Washington. Currently, the Department of Health (DOH) continues with efforts to implement HB 1724 and E2SHB 2247; both include efforts to help eliminate barriers to Washington's behavioral health workforce.


E2SHB 2247 requires DOH study and make recommendations on changing the disciplining authority for master's level behavioral health professionals from the Secretary to separate boards or commissions for each profession. The Secretary's findings and recommendations must, at a minimum, include whether the disciplining authority for each profession should be a board or a commission; the recommended membership of each board or commission, which must include a majority of members who are members of the regulated professions and at least one public member; an estimate of the fiscal impact of changing the disciplining authority for the professions; and a transition plan for changing the disciplining authorities, including recommended statutory changes.


The LAC will seek our Chapter member's perspectives through a survey in the near future to help clarify our Chapter's position. If you have thoughts you'd like to share with the Chapter, please reach out to Jeremy Arp at jarp.naswwa@socialworkers.org.

DOH Policy Updates


Rules Workshop


Please take a moment to review the notice below regarding rules that affect licensed social workers.


The Department of Health (department) is hosting a rules workshop to review draft language and gain feedback that will amend and implement recent legislation for the mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, and social worker professions. 


On April 18th, 2024, the department filed a CR 101 under WSR 24-10-012. The department is considering amending, repealing or creating new sections in chapter 246-809 WAC to


(1) reducing or removing barriers to entering and remaining in the behavioral health care workforce,

(2) measures to streamline and shorten the credentialing process,

(3) implementing interstate licensing compacts,

(4) removing renewal limits for associate level credentials, and

(5) other amendments to the chapter as appropriate.


Workshops will take place on Tuesday, July 16th, Thursday, July 18th, and Tuesday, July 23rd, at 12:00 pm-1:00 pm. You will only need to attend one workshop, but welcome to attend as many as you would like.  


If you would like to submit written feedback, please send it to Lana.Crawford@doh.wa.gov


For more information and the full notice, check out our Chapter's Voter Voice page.

NASW-WA PACE Endorsements


The Chapter's Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) committee actively engages in endorsing candidates for upcoming elections. Recently, the committee made preliminary endorsements for statewide and legislative candidates, with more announcements to come.


These endorsements are carefully considered based on candidates' alignment with the association's values and past support. PACE will continue to evaluate candidates post-Primary Election in August for potential campaign contributions.


If you share our commitment to supporting worthy candidates, we invite you to contribute to PACE's efforts by making a donation. Stay tuned for further updates and ways to get involved!

Prepare to Vote in August and November!


NASW-WA reminds you to register to vote and to participate in the Primary and General Elections! Click here to register to vote today! 


NASW-WA supports voter engagement work through Voting is Social Work! Here are some tips to help you get involved:


REGISTER and “pledge to participate” at www.votingissocialwork.org


LEARN about the many resources that Voting is Social Work offers. To access online resources, click here.

ZOOM FORMAT: An Hour with Private Practice: Questions & Answers


NASW Members Only...FREE

When: Third Friday of the Month 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET


An Hour with Private Practice (HOPP): 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. Join us in 2024 to take part in the discussion, ask questions, and comment on private practice topics.


Next Session


Ethical Considerations for Social Workers Using Social Media for Marketing

Friday, July 19, 2024 (12 - 1 pm ET)

Presenter:  Andrea Murray, LICSW; NASW Director of Ethics and Professional Review



Register in advance for this meeting.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Practice Perspective


The Impact of Fentanyl on the Opioid Crisis and Role of Social Workers


Fentanyl has been permeating the illicit drug market causing an increase in dependency and high rates of overdose. The opioid crisis has been compounded with the increased misuse of fentanyl and the mixing of it with other dangerous substances. Heroin and illicit fentanyl have been a common mix; however, it has also been found in supplies of cocaine, methamphetamine, counterfeit prescription pills, laced with oxycodone, morphine, Xanax, stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamines and consumed while also drinking alcohol. Individuals have unknowingly used fentanyl while consuming other substances resulting in a need for public awareness. This has become of great concern because individuals who do not use opioids lack tolerance, placing them at high risk of fatal overdose unknowingly. Fentanyl cannot be seen, taste or smell resulting in unwanted use by those who may be consuming what they thought might have been something else. The potential for overdose is high. This practice perspective shares information on what fentanyl is, its impact on communities, and the role of social workers. Read more here.


https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Behavioral-Health/Behavioral-Health-Tools/The-Impact-of-Fentanyl-on-the-Opioid-Crisis-and-Role-of-Social-Workers

Call for Presenters


Are you interested in presenting a workshop for NASW-WA? We have an open call for presenters for our ongoing continuing education series held throughout the year (live, virtual, or recorded).


Click here for more information about what we're looking for!

FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS

Chapter Classifieds


NASW-WA offers a space on our website for text-only classified ads. Go to: https://naswwa.socialworkers.org/Membership/Classifieds.

Stay up to date on the newest NASW-WA Continuing Education courses!


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