Samantha Allen, MSW, LCSW, Calumet District Chair
Greetings Calumet District,
Welcome to spring! I hope you all are well and that you have enjoyed the activities and conclusion of Social Work Month. I would like to take a moment to honor all members for your dedication, resourcefulness, and passion for helping those in need. Your commitment to show up for and advocate on behalf of others is commendable. As we close out this month and roll into spring, please take some time to reflect on your journey to acknowledge your accomplishments. Lastly, be sure to make time for self-reflection, rest, and relaxation, which are all essential for mental and physical health.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. This is a month in which we use to focus our attention on raising awareness about alcohol abuse as dependency. As social workers, let’s do our part to teach individuals about alcoholism and other harmful effects.
Treatment Not Trauma
Last month Treatment Not Trauma for the City of Chicago, has progressed and the official website was launched this past month. For more information, visit the Treatment Not Trauma website. Chapter membership is encouraged to provide insight regarding mental health and infrastructure by completing this survey which will be utilized to inform this process as well. http://bit.ly/tnt-survey
As district chair, I am currently working on planning the next event. Please stay tuned.
For more news please see below.
CHAPTER NEWS
“Ask NASW-IL” Series
We’ve posted several “Ask NASW-IL” questions in the past month relating to questions we’ve been receiving at the chapter. Click through the links below to learn more!
For a complete list of archived “Ask NASW-IL” articles, go to: https://www.naswil.org/blog/categories/ask-nasw-il
2024 NASW-ILLINOIS CHAPTER ELECTION
The 2024 NASW-Illinois Chapter Elections are taking place now from April 1–30, 2024. Members should receive an e-mail by April 5th from SurveyMonkey containing a link to the electronic ballot. Learn more about this year’s candidates on our website. Be sure to have your selections prepared before opening the electronic ballot.
2024 NASW-ILLINOIS CHAPTER ADVOCACY DAY
Pre–Advocacy Day Training
Monday, April 8, 2024, 12:00–12:30pm
2024 NASW-IL Advocacy Day
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | DEADLINE: Friday, April 5, 2024
Today is the last day to register for this year’s IN-PERSON Advocacy Day! Join us for our annual day of social work advocacy. The pre–Advocacy Day training will cover the bills that our group will be advocating for on Advocacy Day. A recording of the training will also be made available to those who are unable to participate in the live training. Read more about the day as well as register by clicking here.
Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Social Work Awards
DEADLINE: Monday, April 22, 2024
Nominations are now being accepted for the annual NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Awards! This year, we are looking for outstanding individuals whose work has supported and promoted the social work profession and the people it serves. Nominations will be accepted for the following award categories: Social Worker of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Public Citizen of the Year, and Emerging Leader. To read more about the award categories and requirements as well as request a nomination, click here.
Call for Presenters! 2024 NASW Chapters Virtual Conference
DEADLINE: 9am Central Time on Wednesday, May 1, 2024
This year's annual conference has been announced! This year's 2024 NASW Chapters Virtual Conference: Empowering Social Workers will be hosted by the NASW-Illinois, Nevada, and North Dakota Chapters, and take place on Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2024. Presenters are invited to submit 60-minute presentations on a diverse array of topics including (but not limited to) cultural competency and implicit bias as it affects the social work profession. Preference will be given to dynamic presenters whose presentations are creative, interactive, and audience-engaged. To read more about presentation requirements as well as submit a presentation, click here.
Other Chapter News:
• NASW Tips & Tools for Social Workers: NASW Contacts Optum United Behavioral Health Care Regarding Over Payment Requests: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-tips-tools-for-social-workers-nasw-contacts-optum-united-behavioral-health-care-regarding-ov
• SB3779 passes out of IL House & Senate committees, bringing social workers one step closer to aiding victims of opioid crisis: https://www.naswil.org/post/sb3779-passes-out-of-il-house-senate-committees-bringing-social-workers-one-step-closer-to-aiding
• Partial Loan Repayment Assistance Available to IL Social Work Graduates Working in IL Schools and Municipalities: https://www.naswil.org/post/partial-loan-repayment-assistance-available-to-il-social-work-graduates-working-in-il-schools-and-mu
• Illinois Breaks Barriers in Mental Health Workforce, Achieving Remarkable Growth in Licensed Social Workers (LSWs): https://www.naswil.org/post/illinois-breaks-barriers-in-mental-health-workforce-achieving-remarkable-growth-in-licensed-social
• Optum/United Healthcare Issuing Overpayment Notices to Providers: Important Information and Steps to Take - https://www.naswil.org/post/optum-united-healthcare-issuing-overpayment-notices-to-providers-important-information-and-steps-to
• NASW Tips & Tools for Social Workers: Optum/United Behavioral Health Overpayments - https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-tips-tools-for-social-workers-optum-united-behavioral-health-overpayments
• IDFPR Licensure Renewal Requirements for 2023–2025: https://www.naswil.org/post/idfpr-licensure-renewal-requirements-for-2023-2025
• Partial Loan Repayment Assistance Available to Those Working in Community Mental Health Centers: https://www.naswil.org/post/partial-loan-repayment-assistance-available-to-those-working-in-community-mental-health-centers
• Social Work Profession One Step Closer to Interstate Licensure Compact: https://www.naswil.org/post/social-work-profession-one-step-closer-to-interstate-licensure-compact
• February 14, 2023 Update on the Social Work Interstate Compact: https://www.naswil.org/post/february-14-2023-update-on-the-social-work-interstate-compact