Military Service Members, Veterans & Their Families – Social Worker (MVF-SW)

WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS FOR THIS SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION AT THIS TIME. CURRENT CREDENTIAL HOLDERS CAN STILL RENEW THEIR CREDENTIALS BY DOWNLOADING AND SUBMITTING THE RENEWAL FORM.

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A bachelor’s level social worker working with Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families provides a professional continuum of services that address the myriad needs of this population in order to maintain or improve optimal quality of life. 

Social work activities are focused on, but are not limited to, identifying and facilitating client access to essential services and resources, social supports, case management, care coordination, and advocacy. 

Services are provided at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels in a wide range of public and private settings—community-based, school, government, health, and mental health organizations. Services may be provided to Service Members and Veterans in all branches and from all eras and conflicts and to their family members.

To that end, the Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families - Social Worker (MVF-SW) credential holder directly engages Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families through leadership activities within organizations and communities, education, resource development, advocacy, policy initiatives and an understanding of the unique needs of special populations to include caregivers, individuals with disabilities, those who are aging, those who are homeless, those who are involved with the criminal justice system, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families.

A core function of the MVF-SW holder is to advocate for legislative, regulatory, and organizational policies and procedures that ensure access to quality care for all Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families by informing and educating stakeholders on military culture and the role of social workers in addressing existing and potential challenges and stigma often confronted by this population.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work from a graduate program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• A current and unrestricted license to practice social work (unless applicant resides in a state that does not license at the BSW level)
• Documentation of at least two (2) years of supervised social work experience with Service Members, Veterans, and their families
• Evidence of a minimum of twenty (20) hours of continuing education, ten (10) of which must be directly relevant to assessment and intervention with Service Members, Veterans, and their families.
• Affirm commitment to the following:
  • The NASW Code of Ethics
  • NASW Standards for Social Work Practice with Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
  • NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education

Please read and review the complete criteria in the application.