The NASW-Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) is guided by the policy statements that appear in Social Work Speaks 2018–2020 in its advocacy efforts with special emphasis in 2021 on subjects below.
The agenda will guide the chapter legislative and policy advocacy work during the coming year.
The NASW-IL will support the development of sufficient resources to support our state budget that will help support the delivery of vital human services to Illinois citizens in need, including efforts to ensure prompt payment to providers.
The NASW-IL with support racial equity initiatives that align with the final recommendations of the NASW-IL Task Force on Racial Justice report.
NASW-IL will support and monitor Illinois’ implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the role social workers can play in it.
NASW-IL will work to protect Medicaid and the important role in state’s healthcare safety net.
NASW-IL will work to expand and clarify rules and regulations surrounding telehealth services to expand access to underserved areas and populations including extending COVID-19 executive order guidelines.
NASW-IL will work towards a comprehensive loan repayment program that addresses shortages for behavioral health areas and specific need populations.
NASW-IL will work towards comprehensive medically sound sex education mandates.
NASW-IL will work to strengthen the social work license by reviewing and suggesting changes that make licensure more accessible and equitable.
NASW-IL will work to strengthen services and programs for current and former youth in care.
NASW-IL will work to improve education about and protections for individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ community.
NASW-IL will work to protect our undocumented neighbors in Illinois including expanding protections for licensure of DACA recipients.
NASW-IL will advocate for fair and equitable insurance reimbursement rates for licensed clinical social workers including reducing clawback provisions.
NASW-IL will work to promote the hiring of social workers and advocate for the role of the social work profession in the human service sector in Illinois.
NASW-IL will closely monitor and review (and support when deemed appropriate) initiatives to eliminate or reduce poverty in Illinois.
NASW-IL will advocate for providing quality mental health services to reduce rates of recidivism, re-entry, and incarceration.
NASW-IL will advocate for laws aimed at the reduction of mental, sexual, and physical abuse of children, women, and elderly while looking to reform state government to take a help-first approach.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with over 110,000 members. The NASW-Illinois Chapter is one of the association's largest chapters with over 5,000 members in Illinois alone. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.