Tips and Tools for Social Workers

NASW observes National Suicide Prevention Month this September, including the National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8, 2024 – September 14) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10). The association also acknowledges social workers who support those affected by suicide. Over 48,100 individuals in the United States lose their lives to suicide annually, making it the 11th leading cause of death nationwide. Globally, more than 700,000 people die by suicide each year.

The role of social workers in substance use treatment is multifaceted, and they possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and educational resources to offer psychosocial services to individuals, families, and communities that may be experiencing substance use problems. Social workers are important healthcare providers in assisting individuals with substance use disorders as they help remove barriers to treatment.

NASW responded to a public review of the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Manual for potential revisions to be made public in 2028. The SOC classifies all occupations where work is performed for pay or profit. It is designed to cover all jobs in the national economy including public, private, and military occupations.

Optum Behavioral Health Care has informed NASW that a second wave of recovery overpayments will take place between August 2-8, 2024.  The recovery may impact clinical social workers who are Optum Behavioral Health Care providers and provided services to Medicare Advantage Plan beneficiaries and were reimbursed incorrectly at 100 percent of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Physician Fee Schedule. The recovery seeks 25 percent of the 100 percent reimbursement. The Social Security Act, Section 1833 (a)(1)(F), confirms that clinical social workers are paid 75 percent of the physician fee schedule.

NASW and the American Medical Association, with assistance from Mathematica, are leading a national Clinical Practice Information survey of clinical social workers and other healthcare professionals to collect updated and accurate data on practice costs and the hours of patient care that social workers provide.

NASW regularly collaborates with federal agencies and national organizations to enhance service delivery to older adults and to advance public policy benefitting older people. Professional development programming represents one strategy to achieve these goals. This document describes several virtual, national-level professional development programs offered by other organizations that are related to NASW and relevant to social workers. Each program is free, and continuing education credits are not available. Programs are listed from most to least recent and include information about on-demand access.