NASW Organizes Virtual Congressional Advocacy Day
NASW hosted a Virtual Congressional Advocacy Day to advance legislation that will have a direct, positive impact on practice and social justice. The 154 NASW participants were instrumental in advocating on behalf of four key policy areas that are part of NASW’s larger 2021 Blueprint of Federal Social Policy Priorities:
- The Improving Access to Mental Health Act (S. 870/H.R. 2035)
- The Community-Based Response Act (S. 2046/H.R. 3862)
- The For the People Act (S. 1)
- Extending Telehealth Flexibilities beyond the Public Health Emergency.
Lawmakers heard from social workers about the need to ensure that Medicare is providing critically important mental health services.
Read the full story about the 2021 Virtual Congressional Advocacy Day by Lee Westgate, NASW’s manager of policy and advocacy.
Recordings Available for Elder Abuse Awareness Day Summit
The National Adult Protective Services Association and International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse earlier this year hosted the Seventh Annual Global Summit in celebration of the 17th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. NASW was a national partner for the event.
The National Council on Aging in partnership with the Administration for Community Living and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration presented the symposium.
NASW and Rep. Lee Secure Workforce Study
NASW worked with U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., a social worker and chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus, to secure a comprehensive government study to be conducted on the social work workforce. The study was ordered through the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which was approved by the House Appropriations Committee. The report is to explore recruitment, retention, research and reinvestment, and provide recommendations and strategies to ensure a sufficient and strong social work workforce.
Millions of Americans are not receiving the mental and behavioral health care and social care services they need, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only increased the need for these services. Ensuring a strong and sufficient social work workforce is more important than ever to meet this moment, NASW said.
Read the July 30, 2021, news release, National Social Work Organization Secures Federal Government Study on the Social Work Workforce