Jenny Andersen, Northeastern District Chair
Dear Northeastern District Members,
Welcome to December! As we enter the winter months and holidays, we may notice a shift in our clients and ourselves. This time of year can be joyous, celebratory, relaxing, and restorative; it can also be stressful, chaotic, traumatic, and triggering. As we move into a new season, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself, your colleagues, and your clients. How can you offer grace to yourself and those around you? Where can you make time for rest and celebration?
If you are a big reader (or audiobook listener) like me, you may want to pick up a selection that supports your own health and wellness. May I suggest the following reads:
A lovely and brief work on the coming out of the other side of hard times with mindfulness and transformation.
Laura van Dernoot Lipsky and Connie Burk’s Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others
This book is one I read again and again to refresh my commitment to care for myself and others in social work. It is an excellent guide for working through vicarious trauma burnout.
If you need a book that will make you laugh until you cry, look no further than any of Samantha Irby’s works. She is an Evanston native, and her raw, relatable humor and poignant story-telling will make you feel like you are drinking tea with a best friend.
Here’s to hoping your December is filled with joy, rest, and wonder.
Warmly,
Jenny Andersen
CHAPTER NEWS
2019–2021 LSW/LCSW Licensure News and Updates
This month we’ve had a rash of updates to report as IDFPR provided several changes to the 2019–2021 licensure cycle. In short, the IDFPR website is now allowing for LSW and LCSW licensees to renew online, and the deadline to renew and obtain CEUs for the current licensure cycle beginning on December 1, 2019, has been extended to February 28, 2022. We have been monitoring and responding to many member questions about renewal in the NASW Illinois community in MyNASW. For updates as they are announced, please make sure you are enrolled in the NASW Illinois community in MyNASW.
Other License-Related Links
LSW and LCSW Renewal Now Active on IDFPR Renewal Portal Website: https://www.naswil.org/post/lsw-and-lcsw-renewal-now-active-on-idfpr-renewal-portal-website
2019–2021 IDFPR Licensure Renewal Changes: https://www.naswil.org/post/2019-2021-idfpr-licensure-renewal-changes
Frequently Asked Questions About 2021 Licensure Renewal: https://www.naswil.org/post/frequently-asked-questions-about-2021-licensure-renewal
In-Person CEU Requirements Waived by IDFPR: https://www.naswil.org/post/breaking-news-nasw-il-efforts-successful-in-getting-in-person-ceu-requirements-waived-by-idfpr
Join the NASW-IL Board of Directors!
We are beginning our open call to members to join the 2022 NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors! We are seeking applicants to several positions on the board including president-elect, secretary, chairs in the Calumet, Chicago, Jane Addams, and Southern District, member at-large, and undergraduate and graduate student reps. To find out more about these open positions, take a look at our 2022 NASW-Illinois Chapter Board Leadership Recruitment Packet or contact the chapter to request a nomination form! The deadline is March 1, 2022, for all nominations.
For more news, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog