Message from the President…

It is hard to believe that the year is coming to a close already. Once again we are caught up in the rush of seasonal events, school activities, preparing our homes for the change in the weather, and spending much more time indoors as the darkness lingers longer in the mornings and comes back earlier in the evenings. Message from the President

Positions for 2007 Election

The following elected Chapter Board of Director positions and Nominations Leadership Identification Committee (NLIC) positions are open beginning Fiscal Year (FY) 2008. All elected terms begin July 1, 2007. The Chapter membership will receive their election ballots in late April/early May 2007. To find out more on these open position click this link Positions for 2007 Election

Legislative Action Committee Survey

In October of 2006, the Legislative Action Committee, with the help of the NASW WA State Chapter office, undertook a Zoomerang Survey of member's priorities for upcoming advocacy efforts. All members who agreed to have email contact with the Chapter were sent the survey, which was developed by the LAC after extensive research into issues likely to come before the 2007 legislature for bill or budget consideration. To read more on this survey click this link LAC Report

Are you an Involved Social Worker?

To become involved in the Washington State Chapter, participate on a committee today! To read about NASW Committee Charges and Responsibilities click this link NASW Committees. To sign up for a committee click this link 2007 Committee Request Form

NASW Upcoming Workshops

Licensure Exam Prep Course - January 27, 2007 presented by Jonathan Beard, MSSW, LICSW, CPRP
This successful Licensure Prep Course includes 200+ page manual plus a sample test. You will be prepared to take either the clinical or advanced ASWB exams required for social work licensure in the State of Washington and most other states. The course includes an overview of test construction; human development; assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning strategies; models of treatment and theories; diversity issues; professional values and ethics; methods of practice and more. A portion of time is also dedicated to test taking strategies, including a sample test, and to honing your ability to think like the test writers-helping you to be clear about what is being asked, so you are more likely to pick the correct answers and earn a passing score. For more information click this link Licensure Exam Prep. To register online for this workshop please click the appropriate link, Member Registration Online or Non-member Registration Online

Addiction Disorders: Critical Issues in Family Treatment February 23, 2007 presented by Claudia Black, MSW, PhD.
Dr. Black will offer a dynamic workshop addressing critical treatment issues when addressing families impacted by addiction. Recognizing the frustration which is often a part of working with addictive family dynamics, the day will include a variety of practical strategies that will empower and enhance the effectiveness of the practitioner. To get more information on this workshop please click this link Addiction Disorders: Critical Issues in Family Treatment. To register online for this workshop please click this link, Register Online

NASW Lobby Day

Join your fellow social workers at NASW Lobby Day on February 19, 2007. Your involvement in Lobby Day increases the voice of social work on issues before the State Legislature. To learn more about the LAC Lobby Day click this link Lobby Day

Lend your voice to the Chapter's Committee on Diversity

Meeting dates and times are flexible by nature to accommodate the ever busy schedule we all know. Previous work efforts of the Committee can be seen in their assistance in expanding the definition of diversity, providing valuable input to the Chapter on various issues and representing the needs of the populations served in our profession. If you're interested in this engaging work, the Committee on Diversity would love to have you! To find out more information about the Committee on Diversity, please contact Phyllis Duncan-Souza, VP Diversity, at 206-378-4657 or pduncan-souza@casey.org

2007 Annual Conference Sponsorship, Exhibitors, Advertising

If you are interested in being a Sponsor or Exhibitor or just want to advertise in our 2007 Conference Brochure please click on this link 2007 Annual Conference Sponsorship to get more information. The deadline for registrations sponsorship is February 28, 2007. To learn more about the 2007 Annual Conference program schedule click here 2007 Annual Conference Information.

LAC Position Papers

Support Social Workers as Qualified Medicaid and GAU Mental Health Providers, Support Mental Health Access for Medicaid and GAU Recipients. Coverage for the mental health needs of state-funded clients is inadequate. Coverage of mental health disorders for Medicaid and Basic Health Plan clients is provided at the level of 12 outpatient psychotherapy sessions per year and 10 inpatient days per year - yet the complex needs of GAU clients are unaddressed, while Medicaid clients often require more care. In order to provide cost effective services for those suffering from mental disorders, GAU clients should receive mental health care coverage and Medicaid mental health coverage should be expanded, to include services by those with professional educations in social work, especially licensed social workers with master's degrees, two or more years' supervised experience, and relevant continuing education in helping vulnerable, disadvantaged populations. For more information on this issue and other issues LAC is working on click on this link LAC Position Papers

2007 Social Worker Awards Nominations

Your input counts! Do you know a Washington social worker that should be recognized? Do you know a Washington agency that should be recognized for its service? The Chapter Awards Committee wants to hear from you and your nominations for the 2007 Social Worker Awards. Please click on the link and nominate a Washington social worker to be honored, 2007 Social Worker Awards Nominations. The nomination forms have to be returned to the Chapter office by February 1, 2007.

Treating Female Substance Abusers

We were the late night regulars at the local hospital's emergency ward. For instance, one night Mom dropped a gin bottle on her foot and sliced one of her tendons. Another time she was washing dishes while drunk, broke a glass and sliced a tendon in her arm. Another night she threw a saltshaker at Dad got him in the forehead and he needed stitches. She was always drunk, they were always fighting - that was just life, then mom died. Things were easier then, dad was an alcoholic too but he wasn't mean like mom. To read the rest of this article click on this link Abusers article

Medicare Information

This fall Medicare is kicking off a new campaign, "My Health, My Medicare ". This effort will empower beneficiaries to be more proactive in their health care and take full advantage of their Medicare benefits. In addition to continuing education about Medicare's new prescription drug coverage, we will also be promoting Medicare's preventive care benefits. To read more click this link My Health article

Other Education Workshops

For a list of other continuing education workshops for the Marriage and Family Therapists and the Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work please click on this link Education Workshops

New "Currents" schedule

We will be publishing our electronic "Currents" newsletter six times a year. The months that "Currents" will be published are as follows; February 15th, April 15th, June 15th, August 15th, October 15th, and December 15th. If you wish to have an article printed in the "Currents" newsletter, please have that article in its completed form for publication by the 20th of the month before publication. The articles presented have to be of service to all members.

Social Work T-Shirts Sale

NASW Washington State Chapter is selling Social Work T-Shirts

Shirt Description : Purple with yellow accents; "SOCIAL WORK, Justice and Compassion in Action, NASW Washington State Chapte".

Assorted Sizes : Small - limited quantity, Medium - limited quantity, Large, and X-Large - limited quantity.

Price : $7.50 per T-shirt includes shipping and handling

Buy 5 and get 1 FREE
To order please click on this link Order form
If unable to fill order with requested size we will fill order with the next largest size. If X-Large is ordered we will fill order with order.

The Social Work Story Video Sale

NASW Washington State Chapter is selling "The Social Work Story: It's Time to Tell the World " VHS videos.

Description : "The Social Work Story: It's Time to Tell the World" - In this video, you'll discover the plans for a National Social Work Public Education Campaign.

What NASW research showed about public perceptions
Who needs to hear most about our message
The creative approach we'll use to attract their attention
How you can help make this campaign a reality

This video launches our national fund-raising effort. Join us to unite all social workers in this important campaign for the future of our profession.

Price : $5.00 per video (limited quantity) includes shipping and handling

To order please click on this link Order form