— Lyn Stoesen, News Staff

In March, NASW will be offering an Annual Practice Conference, "The Aging Boom: Is Your Clinical Practice Ready?" The conference will offer social work-specific educational content and unique networking opportunities through workshops, general and breakout sessions, and keynote addresses.

The conference will take place in Las Vegas from March 15-16. It is being held in conjunction with the American Society on Aging/ National Council on Aging 2009 Aging in America Conference.

"NASW is pleased to offer this practice conference," said NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark. "Social workers who attend will be participating in an exciting and informative event."

Sandra Lopez, a clinical associate professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, will present a keynote address on "Key Challenges in the Aging Boom: Honoring Diversity in Older Adults." The conference will also include welcoming remarks from NASW President James Kelly, ASA Chair Cynthia Stuen, and NASW Aging Section Chair Forrest Hong.

Tracy Whitaker, director of the NASW Center for Workforce Studies, will present a general session on workforce trends. NASW has partnered with the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD) to offer another general session during the conference that will address the topic, "Why a Career in Aging? From Bachelor's Degree to Aging Specialist."

Workshops will teach social workers how to manage their risk, ethical decision making, and about Medicare documentation and reimbursement. Breakout sessions will address topics including aging in place, collaborative case management, reentry for geriatric ex-offenders, dying well, sexuality and aging, and suicide among older adults. The conference will also include a poster session and an NASW/ASA roundtable for social workers. Clark will offer a closing presentation.

NASW Assurance Services, Inc., is serving as the presenting sponsor of the conference and NASW's Nevada Chapter is a co-sponsor. Participants can earn up to 14 CEUs during the conference, which can help qualify recipients for NASW's professional credentials in gerontology, health care, case management, and other areas.

Early registration for the conference ends on Jan. 23. NASW is also offering other organizations the opportunity to sign on as a sponsor of the conference.