News
The Medicare annual enrollment period ends on December 7. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can review, compare, and change their coverage options for the upcoming year. As a social worker, you can help clients understand Medicare coverage and navigate annual enrollment. Read this four-part NASW Tips & Tools for Social Workers series for information on the following topics: (1) Medicare annual enrollment basics and the social work role in helping beneficiaries prepare for 2026; (2) strategies and tools to navigate Medicare enrollment for 2026; (3) out-of-pocket health costs and financial assistance for Medicare beneficiaries in 2026; and (4) other changes to Medicare coverage in 2026. The series includes information about the impact of the recent federal government shutdown on Medicare annual enrollment. The series also addresses the impact of recent changes within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the enactment of the July 2025 budget reconciliation law (P.L. 119-21, also known as H.R. 1) on Medicare coverage for 2026.
The budget reconciliation act passed
by Congressional Republicans on July 3 and signed into law by President Trump
on July 4 (infamously known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) will harm all
of us as we age. This edition of NASW’s
Tips & Tools for Social Workers provides
a brief overview of the federal budgeting process and outlines how the law
decreases older adults’ access to Medicaid, the Health Insurance Marketplace,
Medicare, long-term services and supports (LTSS), and the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—disproportionately affecting older
immigrants and refugees—while weakening Social Security and other public
programs.
SPS Webinars
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 (1 – 2:30 pm ET)
Presenter: Paige Hector, LMSW
CEs: 1.5 Social Work Contact hours
Sometimes people do or say things that can be difficult for us to understand and tolerate.In a healthcare setting, this might look like “refusing” care or reactions that are often labeled as “behaviors.” Even with increased recognition of trauma-informed care, the power dynamics in our work environments can make it difficult to respond to clients in a way that does not compromise care. Moreover, even our well-intentioned approaches may perpetuate the ageism that pervades our society, and to which healthcare settings are not immune. In this session, we will explore Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a communication process designed to radically shift the way we think and use language in everyday situations to enhance the quality of our relationships. Social workers will learn how NVC principles and skills can stimulate a paradigm shift for a more collaborative way of providing care and creating a therapeutic environment in healthcare settings. While this session focuses on older adults, the material applies across age groups and settings and supports social work values of advocacy, an individual’s dignity, and our collective humanity.
Objectives:
- Expand the social worker’s awareness of the impact of judgments like “refusing” care and labeling “behaviors” on the client, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
- Recognize ageist assumptions when an older adult acts in a way that contributes to challenging care situations.
- Use Nonviolent Communication principles and skills to identify observations and underlying needs that the individual is attempting to meet with behaviors that contribute to challenging care situations.
- Identify one strategy to initiate in the work setting to transform communication and uphold social work values of empowerment, dignity, and advocacy.
Cost: SPS Members: Free / Non-SPS NASW Members: $25 / Non-NASW Member: $40
Thursday, April 16, 2026 (1 – 3 pm ET)
Presenters: Tracy Jalaba, OTD, OTD/L, LRC; Tina Paddock, DPPD, LCSW, MSW; Debra Waters-Roman, Ed.D, LCP, LCSW, MSW and June Wiley, Ph.D., MSW
CEs: 2 Social Work contact hours
Social workers are serving more individuals on the Autism Spectrum and expanding their practices to include neurodiversity-affirming techniques that acknowledge individuals' strengths (Wagland et al., 2025). During this workshop, participants will learn about neurodiversity-affirming techniques used to support individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families and practice applying them to case scenarios. The goal of this workshop is for participants to leave with a toolbox of neurodiversity-affirming techniques they can use in their own practices to support individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families.
Objectives:
- Participants will learn current research and criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups. Participants will be able translate this knowledge into an understanding of the characteristics, strengths, and challenges for neurodiverse individuals and their families.
- Participants will learn about the history of neurodiversity-affirming practice and learn specific techniques that social workers can use to support individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families. Participants will leave with a toolbox of neurodiversity-affirming strategies to use in their own practices.
- Participants will practice applying neurodiversity-affirming practices through case scenarios. Participants will leave understanding the strengths and opportunities for using neurodiversity-affirming techniques as social workers.
Cost: SPS Members: Free / Non-SPS NASW Members: $25 / Non-NASW Member: $40
Panel Discussions
School Social Work Section Panel Discussion
April 20, 2026 (2 – 3 pm ET)
Sponsored by the School Social Work Section (SPS) Committee.
Topic: Burnout and Resilience in School Social Work: Strategies for Prevention and Support
Description: This session will explore the challenges that lead to burnout and fatigue among school social workers, especially in the post-pandemic environment. We’ll discuss common signs and symptoms, strategies to prevent burnout in school settings, and ways school social workers can serve as resources for teachers. Participants will also gain practical guidance on starting conversations with administrators to support staff well-being and promote a healthier school climate.
For SPS Members only. No CEs will be issue. For information purposes only.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2-4CJhd9T2GkRyjl8jBCYA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Mental Health Section Panel Discussion
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 (12 – 1 pm ET)
Sponsored by the Mental Health Specialty Practice Section
Topic: How to support the clinician and the communities as they navigate immigration policy changes.
U.S. immigration operates through legal, permanent residency (Green Cards), temporary visas, and humanitarian protection, primarily overseen by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act which prioritizes family reunification and employment-based skills.
Changes in how immigration has been addressed in our country impact social workers in clinical and community practice on both micro and macro levels.
Our panel will provide an overview of the immigration system and how to navigate it. We will discuss the ethical and clinical challenges that arise in working with people impacted by immigration. We will offer individual and organizational tips for self-care to mitigate vicarious trauma and to promote vicarious resilience. We will provide links to immigration resources, and will discuss ideas and opportunities for advocacy.
Register in advance for the LIVE meeting only: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KK4Na2PRSu2INDWFMg-O-w
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
For information purpose only, No CEs will be issued. Panel discussion will be recorded and made available. For Specialty Practice Section members only.
Panel Discussion Replays
Replay of Panel Discussion on Artificial Intelligence in Private Practice
Original date: February 20, 2026
Sponsored by the Private Practice Committee for SPS Members only.
View the full recording
Replay: Panel Discussion on Crossroads in Social Work Practice
Original date: January 15, 2026 (60 minutes)
Sponsored by the Administration/Supervision Committee. For Specialty Practice Section Members only.
View the full recording.
Replay: Panel Discussion on How to Have Positive Discourse During Challenging Times
Original date: December 16 (60 minutes)
Sponsored by the NASW Social and Economic Justice & Peace Committee and open to all NASW members.
View the full recording>>
Replay: Panel Discussion on Artificial Intelligence and Child Welfare: Possible Use and Misuse
Original date: November 7, 2025 (60 minutes)
Sponsored by the NASW Child Welfare Section Committee
Open to all Specialty Practice Section Members
View the Full Recording>>
Resources:
- One of my favorite organizations for AI policy updates is the Center for Humane Technology: https://www.humanetech.com/
- Frederic Reamer, USC CAIS Seminar, October 16, 2024-artificial intelligence in the behavioral health professions: emerging ethical and risk management challenges
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhEAHNn5X0I
- All tech is human - https://alltechishuman.org/
- Listen.Up.People: AI & Wisdom Work. USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
- We have been the most intelligent species by far for tens of thousands of years. Now we created something that could compete with us in the very near future. John Oberg, DSW ’22 and CEO of Precina Health, and Josiah Bryan, Chief Technology Officer for Precina Health, use aAI to improve health and well-being, yet are deeply concerned about the role of AI in the workplace and how it may impact our daily lives.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HawNEizlJmQ&t=7s
Replay: Panel Discussion on the Ethics of Involuntarily Commitment
Original Date: July 23, 2025 (60 Minutes)
Sponsored by the NASW Social Work and Courts Section Committee.
Open to all Specialty Practice Section members
View the full recording>>
Meet Social Workers like you with MyNASW
If you are an SPS member, you are already a member of at least one of these MyNASW online communities and can participate now:
Children, Youth and Schools
For members of the Child Welfare; Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults; and School Social Work Specialty Practice Sections
Clinical Social Work, Aging, and Gealth
For members of the Aging; Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs; Health; Mental Health; and Private Practice Specialty Practice Sections
Social Justice, Administration, and Courts
For members of the Administration/Supervision; Social and Economic Justice & Peace; and Social Work and the Courts Specialty Practice Sections