The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) is hosting its annual conference in Phoenix March 18-19.
NASW is a strategic partner with BPD in presenting this year's forum and will host a special plenary session on the Whitney Young Film and Leadership Development Project at the event.
The theme of the conference is BPD Generalist Practice: The Future is Now.
The goal of the annual gathering is to exchange new ideas and best practices in baccalaureate social work education among educators seeking to improve the delivery of quality social work education throughout the country.
NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark and other national office staff will be in attendance to introduce a new learning guide that will be part of the Whitney Young Jr. Film and Leadership Development Project. The guide, which was developed in part by NASW, is designed for use by educators for their students. The Film and Leadership Development Project includes a documentary about social worker and civil rights leader Whitney M. Young, Jr., entitled "Finding Uncle Whitney: The Search for Leadership in America." The film is expected to be available this spring to community groups, high schools and institutions of higher learning. It was produced by Young's niece, journalist Bonnie Boswell.
The project aims to exemplify leadership skills among community organizers and students from high school, college and graduate school. The learning guide will complement the film, and help students understand how Young utilized his social work skills.
Young was president of NASW from 1969 until his death in 1971. He headed the National Urban League from 1961-1971 and brought it to the forefront of the civil rights movement.
In addition to the Film and Leadership Development Project, the NASW Press will be promoting its new and forthcoming titles. NASW Assurance Services, Inc., will also be hosting an information booth at the event.
For people wishing to attend the conference but who were unable to mail their registration in by the Jan. 31 deadline, organizers suggest they should bring the registration form and payment to the conference with them.