Social Work in Action: June / July 2023
NASW Leadership Summit Will Explore, Help Develop Leadership Skills
The 2023 NASW Leadership Summit — a live, online event on June 22 — will host thought leaders from the social work community to share their expertise and help attendees develop their own leadership skills. Each registrant will receive a complimentary copy of the NASW Press book, Successful Community Leadership and Organization, 2nd Edition.
The opening keynote session is titled, “Developing 21st Century Social Work Leaders: Navigating Challenges and Maximizing Impact.” A plenary session will focus on schools of social work and leadership development.
Other planned sessions include:
- Determining Your Leadership Style
- Essential Ingredients for the Next Generation Leader: The Intersection of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging with Trauma-Informed Care Principles
- Leadership and Taking Risks
- Leadership in the Age of Social Media
- Leadership Under Pressure
- The Critical Difference Between Leadership and Management.
Learn more and register for NASW's online summit.
NASW Members Help Secure Grant for National Elder Justice Coalition Center
NASW members were instrumental in securing a $3.75 million three-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime to create and launch the National State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalition Center (NCSTEJC). The center will support the development and strengthening of state and tribal coalitions; offer training and technical assistance; and serve as a clearinghouse for elder justice policies, programs and resources.
Funding for NCSTEJC was secured by Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc. on behalf of the National Network of State Elder Justice Coalitions, which was founded in 2017 by five social workers, including NASW members Georgia Anetzberger (Ohio Chapter), Risa Breckman (New York City Chapter), and Paul Caccamise (New York State Chapter). Caccamise is the director of the project, which is housed at Lifespan.
Read more about the National Elder Justice Coalition Center grant.
NASW Urges Action to Deter Attacks on Democracy
NASW is alarmed by attacks on democracy, including actions taken in the Tennessee and Montana state legislatures to silence lawmakers who support sensible gun laws and gender-affirming care. Pictured at left, from left: Tennessee state Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Pearson and Justin Jones; and Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr.
“NASW stands in solidarity with Montana’s first transgender state legislator, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who was barred from the House floor for the remainder of the session after she spoke in opposition to a ban on gender-affirming care, which resulted in protest,” NASW CEO Anthony Estreet said in a news release.
“We also stand in support of Tennessee lawmakers, including Reps. Justin Pearson, Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson, who took part in a demonstration in support of gun-control laws after the mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville on March 27. Both Reps. Pearson and Jones were temporarily expelled.”
“And we support the diverse voices of everyone who wants to participate in the democratic process,” Estreet said.
The NASW Code of Ethics calls on this association and the social work profession to challenge social injustices and work on behalf of people who are oppressed, including transgender people seeking gender-affirming care. The Code also calls on social workers to take part in political action, including action on social justice issues.
NASW is concerned about efforts to suppress the democratic process by punishing lawmakers who express views different from the legislative majority in some states.
Read the April 27, 2023, news release.