Spring Issue 2026

SPS Social Work and the Courts: The Crucial Role of Social Workers in Adult Guardianship

In Alaska, the linchpin of the court process is the court visitor, a neutral party often filled by a professional social worker whose primary duties are to ensure an individual’s due process rights are upheld, review the petition with the potential ward, and coordinate with court-appointed attorneys.

SPS Health: Teach-Back Method Leads to Better Patient-Clinician Communication

Research indicates that health care providers often overestimate how well patients understand the details of their care.

SPS School Social Work: School Social Workers Can Be Teacher Allies

School social workers, with their expertise in systems theory and trauma-informed care, are uniquely positioned to support teacher well-being.

NASW Resource Addresses Impact of Changes at HHS

Four-Part Series Provides Updates on Changes to Medicare

Report: Cannabis Use Increases the Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Research shows that cannabis users have a 29% higher risk of heart attack and 30% higher risk of stroke compared to nonusers.

NASW Comments on 2026 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule

Among the comments, NASW noted it strongly opposes the CMS proposal to update quality measure inventory by removing “health equity” from the definition of a high-priority measure.

Chapters Offer Support in Reaction to Increasingly Traumatic ICE Enforcement Raids

NASW chapters across the U.S. are advocating, conducting trainings, and more to aid those affected by the raids.

Chapter Briefs

Updates from Florida, Kansas, Texas, and Illinois

NASW Foundation Announces Latest Social Work Pioneer Inductees

Seventeen trailblazers are being recognized for their contributions to the social work profession.

Volunteers Help Ensure Priorities of the Profession Remain

Profile of Eboni L. Ceasar, president of NASW-Texas

Social Work Leader Strives to Bring Truth to Power

Profile of Lacey Sawyer, Maine Chapter president

How to Support Families of Children with Mental Health Issues

The goals are to build resiliency and minimize trauma among siblings, increase competency and confidence among caregivers, and build capacity among clinicians who practice family-centered mental health care, says the author, Emily Rubin.

Learn How to Publish in NASW Journals

The NASW Press journal portfolio includes Social Work, Children & Schools, Health & Social Work, Social Work Research, and Social Work Abstracts.

Editor's Note

Happy Social Work Month

Petition Calls on Department of Education to Include Social Work

More than 21,000 social workers so far have signed NASW's petition to reinstate social work as a professional degree.

NASW Urged Trump Administration to Fund SNAP During Government Shutdown

The petition, signed by 6,635 social workers from across the nation, was sent to President Trump and congressional leaders during the 43-day shutdown last fall.

Support Needed for Senior Mental Health Care Access

The legislation aims to enhance access to clinical social worker services for Medicare beneficiaries.

Coalition Sues Education Department Over Student Loan Forgiveness Change

NASW is part of the coalition whose lawsuit charges the Trump-Vance administration with illegally repurposing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program to silence governments and nonprofit organizations that do work the administration does not agree with.

Notice: Taxes and Membership Dues Deductibility

For the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2025, 4% of the annual NASW dues payment is not deductible.