Chapter News

Successful advocacy is measured by more than the number of bills signed into law. Preventing harmful legislation from advancing, negotiating improvements before passage, and educating lawmakers on the impact of proposed policy are all part of the work. The NASW-Illinois Chapter remained actively engaged on all of those fronts throughout this session.

Although it is very difficult to put aside the foreboding feeling many of us in the social work community have at this time, it is also important to look at the core values laid out in our code of ethics—those of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence—and celebrate how these have helped shaped and strengthened our country. However, you spend your Independence Day weekend, please keep these positive

There were several national policies and initiatives implemented in the past year that impacted the child welfare system. A few important changes include new leadership in government agencies, the Trump Administration’s Executive Order (EO) on Foster Care, the Home for Every Child (HFEC) initiative, letters to states, and congressional actions.

To help guide CSWs through the process of opening a private practice, NASW has compiled a list of frequently asked questions from NASW members. This Tips & Tools for Social Workers answers those questions and provides resources to help them get started.