Melissa Box, LCSW, MPH East Central District Chair
A Time of Insight and Healing
Our most recent district CEU event was a wonderful time of connection to our colleagues and to nature. Cynthia Cady-Edwards, PhD, facilitated a workshop focused on embodied nature practice and how we can use our natural environment to support our own self-care and our clients’ insight. Journaling, art with found objects, mindfulness, and reflective processing were all useful tools during the workshop, and the weather was beautiful! Thanks to everyone who attended and to the ISU School of Social Work for providing the space for the event. We hope to make it happen again next year!
Stay tuned for our next district event, coming soon!
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!
How can I utilize the alternative to the ASWB exam to get my LCSW?
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-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:
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
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
For more news, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog