AAPI 101: Support and Advocacy for Individuals, Families, and Communities from the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Diaspora
NASW-VT Virtual Workshop
Please note: This is a remote webinar that will be held outside the CE Institute. Webinar access instructions, evaluations, and certificates will be communicated by NASW VT Chapter a day before the webinar. You must attend the live workshop to receive CEs associated.
This program has been approved for 1.0 Continuing Education hours in cultural competence/anti-oppressive practice for licensure. NASW VT Authorization.
NASW Vermont Chapter is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0683.
Date & Time: February 25, 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Cost: Members - $25.00; Non-Members: $45.00
CE's: 1.5 Cultural Competency
According to the Pew Research Center, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. Yet relatively little attention has been paid to the enormous diversity within this group, and the challenges that AAPI experience. Using an outlook of “informed not knowing”, in this workshop we will explore the history of the AAPI diaspora, how the “Asian American” identity has been shaped by systemic racism, and the impact of race-based traumatic stress. We will pay special attention to the intra-group differences within the AAPI label, and the intersections with other dimensions of identity. At the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to explore the uniqueness and nuances of the individual experiences of AAPI community members, and ways to support the AAPI community on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. This workshop will equip participants with strategies for navigating ethics, especially with regards to cultural humility, cultural competence, and social justice.
Workshop objectives:
- Discuss ways to ethically support individuals, families, and communities from the AAPI diaspora from an “informed not knowing” outlook on cultural humility and cultural competence.
- Understand the historical and modern context of AAPI diasporic identity, especially as it has been shaped by systemic racism in the US (in particular, dispelling the “model minority” myth).
- Examine the diversity of individuals, families, and communities under the umbrella of the AAPI diaspora, and explore intra-group differences and the intersections with other dimensions of identity.
- Explore the impact of race-based traumatic stress as it applies to the AAPI diaspora experience
- Discuss AAPI community organizers and activists who have shaped history.
Presenters:
Angela Zhang: Originally hailing from Virginia and now living in Lebanon, NH, Angy Zhang earned her B.A. in Geography at Dartmouth College in 2012 and her Master of Social Work at the University of New England in 2018. In 2017, Angela began working as the Programs Director at LISTEN Community Services, a social services agency based in Lebanon dedicated to helping meet the critical needs of Upper Valley individuals and families. She also teaches at the Social Work department at Plymouth State University. In 2020, Angela co-founded the BIPOC Social Workers of Northern New England affinity group. In her spare time, she volunteers as a crisis line advocate for WISE, and serves on the Board of Directors for WISE and Twin Pines Housing Trust. Angela was named the 2022 Social Worker of the Year by NASW NH.
Savitri Horrigan: Savitri earned her B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology with a minor in Human Rights at the University of Connecticut in 2013, and her Master of Social Work with a focus in Community Organizing at the University of Connecticut in 2017. She is a Cohort 10 graduate of the Equity Leaders Fellowship and shadowed the ACLU of NH board in 2024. She currently works with the Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services as the Behavioral Health Strategist. Her former roles include being the Food Access Manager at the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success, and the Population Health Program Manager at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. Her areas of interest and former work include health equity, anti-racism, food access, climate justice, reproductive justice, and immigrant rights. She is co-chair of the NASW NH JEDI committee, and formerly served as the chair from 2018-2021. In 2020, Savitri co-founded the BIPOC Social Workers of Northern New England affinity group. Savitri is Indonesian American and resides in Manchester, NH where she enjoys creative writing, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family.
If you would prefer to pay by check, please email Emryn at elessie.naswnh@socialworkers.org.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You will be sent a zoom link and any handouts received prior to the workshop. Please check your spam folders if you do not see the email by the morning of the training.
Questions? Email Emryn at the email above or Lynn at lcurrier.naswnh@socialworkers.org.
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