The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, is a federal initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world. NASW Senior Practice Associates Amy Bess and Bekki Ow-Arhus were invited to present at the PEPFAR Orphans and Vulnerable Children Forum in February in Washington, D.C.

Attendees represented government staff from more than 20 different countries who work directly with orphans and vulnerable children. Bess discussed the roles of social work associations, particularly as they relate to advocating for the profession and supporting the professional development of social workers.

Ow-Arhus discussed licensing and credentialing of social workers.

NASW is revising its “Standards for Social Work Case Management,” and is seeking input to ensure the revised standards are relevant to social work practice across settings and specialties.

“The standards are designed to enhance social workers’ awareness of the values, knowledge, methods and skills needed to practice case management competently,” said Chris Herman, NASW senior practice associate. “They also increase awareness among other professionals, employers, consumers and policymakers of the social work approach to case management.”

This revision updates the 1992 standards. “It’s important for social workers to give their input to ensure the standards reflect social work case management practice across sectors, organizational settings, practice specialties and educational levels,” Herman added.

The ninth edition of “Social Work Speaks” is available. It presents, in one comprehensive and unabridged collection, the policy statements adopted by the NASW Delegate Assembly in 2011. The Delegate Assembly, NASW’s key policymaking body, meets every three years. “Social Work Speaks” is the result of the Delegate Assembly’s systematic approach to policy development and guides NASW’s advocacy efforts in social policy.

For social work policymakers, educators, students, and individuals, this user-friendly volume can assist in developing organizational responses to policy issues, conducting policy analysis and study, and working in political action coalitions.