NASW Puts Social Work in Action at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago
Members of the National Association of Social Workers attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19-22 to put social work in action.
The NASW delegation, led by NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, included executive directors from the NASW Alabama, California, Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Mexico and West Virginia chapters. The NASW delegation participated in seventeen events, and Dr. Estreet spoke on five panels.
They had a mission. To meet with policymakers to impress on them how the social work profession can help our nation solve pressing social issues – including a mental health and substance use disorder crisis, lack of access to health care, and rising income inequality that has fueled higher rates of homelessness in parts of our nation.
The NASW team also spoke with policymakers on the need for a more diverse mental health workforce (social work is already one of the most diverse professions in the nation) and why local, state and the federal government must do more to support social workers and the and the millions of people social workers serve each day.
NASW also held an event at the University of Illinois Chicago – Building Bridges: A Social Work Panel & Reception at the Democratic National Convention – that brought together social workers to discuss what issues were important for the profession this election year and what are key issues NASW chapters are working on.
One of the main ones discussed was the Interstate Licensing Compact, which will establish a pathway for practitioners to deliver comprehensive care regardless of state borders. Clinical social workers (CSWs) are the largest group of mental health service providers in the United States that can bill Medicare Part B for mental health services, and the social work profession is the most diverse among mental health service providers.
NASW leaders such as Johanna Byrd, executive director of NASW Pennsylvania Chapter, Gwen Bouie-Haynes, executive director of the NASW Alabama and Mississippi Chapters, Kimberly Warmsley, executive director of the NASW California and New Mexico Chapter, and Molly Arbogast, executive director of the NASW West Virginia Chapter, met with lawmakers and state delegates.
The NASW leaders met with lawmakers and state delegates to advocate for important issues affecting social workers. Dr. Estreet delivered a TED talk-style presentation on Black Economic Futures hosted by Color of Change. Additionally, he participated as a panelist for "Pathways to Wellness: Mental Health Support for Returning Citizens" and served as a guest speaker for "Chop it Up: Engaging Black Men in the Election."
Estreet also discussed the importance of social work to our nation’s future at meetings with Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Rep. Davis (D-NC). Estreet was also interviewed by KHON-TV on Honolulu’s CW network where he talked about the critical role social workers play in bringing together people from across the political spectrum to bring about positive change.