NASW's policy papers are now available online at Policy Issues.

The policy papers allow visitors to view NASW's summarized opinions and recommendations on a variety of issues, said Elizabeth Franklin, project manager and lobbyist at NASW.

These issues are pertinent to many national discussions happening in the executive branch as well as in Congress. The policy papers will be useful to social workers and a variety of stakeholders and decision makers interested in a quick reference on how NASW views a certain issue and what should be done regarding these issues to contribute to healthy individuals, families, and communities.

"This is especially useful when NASW staff meet with officials from the Obama administration," Franklin said. "Anyone can now reference summaries of our policies instantly by going online. This will help us to succinctly get our message across to the people who need it."

The online policy papers incorporate updated statements in "Social Work Speaks," a collection of unabridged NASW policy statements in its eighth edition. Since "Social Work Speaks" revisions are published every three years, these briefing papers give an updated account of the social work perspective in important policy discussions.

Each online policy paper includes a general background summary followed by a list of recommendations by NASW. This is followed by a list of references and then a list of additional resources that may be helpful to the reader. The policy topics include diverse issues such as veterans, aging, early childhood education, health care disparities and health care reform.