As we enjoy the warm days of the summer season and recharge our batteries a bit, I want to say how special it was to see so many of you at our national conference in June. My previous column focused on empowerment, and I would be hard-pressed to think of anything more empowering than 2,400 social workers sharing resources, spending time with friends and meeting new colleagues, engaging in virtual and in-person dialogue and debate, and hearing updates on everything from public policy to social justice to mental health.
We started with an Advocacy Day that saw more than 200 social workers advocate on behalf of the profession—on the Improving Access to Mental Health Act, which would increase Medicare reimbursement for clinical social workers; the Telemental Health Care Access Act, which would increase access to care for Medicare beneficiaries by permanently removing the six-month, in-person requirement; and the Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act, which would expand loan repayment to relieve workforce shortages.
We had pre-conference sessions on older adults, private practice, and macro social work just to name a few, and a vibrant Juneteenth celebration featuring guest speakers, music and other performances. We heard from two U.S. senators (Debbie Stabenow and Chris Coons); listened to plenaries on social change, environmental justice, artificial intelligence, and the 2024 election; heard keynote presentations on social justice, mental health, public policy, and communication and collaboration; and offered breakout sessions on everything from systems change to health disparities to cultural competence and everything in between. We had a film festival and an exhibit hall full of enough resources and publications to fill several bookcases.
We also had difficult conversations along the way, on antisemitism and Islamophobia and racism and the threats to civil rights and democratic principles. Social work has never been afraid to have open and honest communication. In fact, we are uniquely suited to lead the difficult conversations necessary to heal the nation from those threats and from the divisiveness in our current environment.
Those conversations, too, are what happens when social workers come together, and we thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and for all you are doing in your communities to spearhead that healing. Next year it is on to Chicago, where we will meet at our next national conference to continue these conversations and celebrate together the power, beauty and impact of our profession.
Until then, we will continue to update the field with our practice alerts and resources. Look for new material on fentanyl and the opioid crisis, elder abuse, and health equity services in the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule on our website. We also will continue to advocate for increased reimbursement, expansive telehealth, student loan relief, and equitable pay for social workers; and to offer continuing education programming. (Keep an eye out for announcements about our fall virtual forum.)
We will stand strong on behalf of our profession and the individuals, families and communities we serve.
Thank you all for all you do.
Barbara Bedney is chief of programs at NASW. She can be reached at bbedney.nasw@socialworkers.org