Chapters Briefs

Chapter Joins Mississippi Day of Action

NASW-Mississippi

On May 20, the NASW Mississippi Chapter joined the Mississippi Day of Action, which included a march and rally at the state capital to protect voting rights. Voting Rights advocates in Mississippi demanded protections of Black voting rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in April that weakens protections for Black voters. Thousands of people from across Mississippi and neighboring states attended–joining NASW leaders, members and volunteers. Leaders served as legal observers helping to monitor situations between citizens and law enforcement and answer questions. The chapter office hosted a table at the event for voter registration, and said it will continue registering voters and providing education through the summer.

Wisconsin Chapter Opposes Efforts to Overturn Conversion Ban

NASW-Wisconsin

A conservative law firm has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Wisconsin’s conversion therapy ban. In response, NASW-Wisconsin Executive Director Marc Herstand expressed confidence that the state’s professional standards will hold. “I do not believe this lawsuit will succeed,” he said. “Wisconsin law clearly gives professions the authority to set their own conduct codes.” The ban, implemented by the state licensing board, classifies the harmful practice as unprofessional conduct. NASW-Wisconsin remains committed to defending these critical ethical boundaries and protecting LGBTQ+ youth

Connecticut Child Welfare Workforce Crisis Deepens

NASW-Connecticut

The NASW Connecticut Chapter noted there is high turnover at the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, which is creating serious challenges for children, families and the social work workforce. New data show the agency has lost as many social workers as it has hired over the past five years, with nearly half of them leaving within their first two years, according to a story in the CT Mirror.

Retroactive Recoupment Policy Suspended

NASW-Ohio

Following a high-profile advocacy campaign led by the NASW Ohio Chapter, CareSource has officially suspended plans to implement a two-year retroactive recoupment policy. The move marks a massive win for Ohio’s behavioral health workforce, removing a potential financial burden from hundreds of clinical social workers in the state. The reversal comes after NASW-Ohio mobilized a coordinated statewide response to challenge the policy, which threatened the financial stability of mental health and substance use disorder services. “This is a substantial advocacy win that demonstrates the power of organized social work,” said Danielle Smith, executive director of the NASW Ohio Chapter. “By standing together, we prevented behavioral health practices, including practices run by clinical social workers, from having to pay clawbacks ranging from $6,000 to more than $100,000.”