Diona Shelton, DSW, LCSW, CATP, CCTP
Southern District Chair
Seasons Greetings!
It was such a pleasure to be in attendance at this year’s national conference that was held in Lisle, IL. I hope those who attended were inspired by the various speakers and enjoyed the camaraderie that in-person events bring. If you missed the in-person conference, the association is hosting a live virtual CEU event on December 1st. Please consider joining us for round two of the conference.
The month of December is right around the corner, and with it comes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The holidays can be a joyous time as we look forward to time off and special gatherings with friends and loved ones. However, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety, and it can be a difficult time for those who are coping with grief and loss. As we enter into this special season, let us not forget those who are coping with a myriad of life challenges during this time. Let us tend to our fellow person by extending warmth and compassion and maintaining an attitude of gratitude in our service to others. I wish you all a joyous season filled with love, laughter, and light.
Warm regards, Dr. Diona Shelton, DSW, LCSW, CATP, CCTP
NASW-IL Southern District Chair
CHAPTER NEWS
New Student Loan Repayment Program Launches for Community Behavioral Health Care Professionals
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has launched the application for a student loan repayment assistance program to support qualified mental health and substance abuse professionals. The Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program is designed as an incentive for recruitment and retention of those who practice in underserved or rural areas. Read more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/new-student-loan-repayment-program-launches-for-community-behavioral-health-care-professionals
Ask NASW-IL: I'm a new LSW/LCSW—do I need to start acquiring CEUs yet?
With the removal of the licensing examination as requirement for licensed social workers (LSWs) in Illinois at the beginning of the year, the state has had an unprecedented number of new licensed social workers join the profession in the first six months of this year—almost 3,000 in the first six months compared to 421 for the same time period last year. With this crop of new LSWs, many are asking themselves what they need to keep their new license as first-time licensed-holders. More specifically: Do I need to start acquiring CEUs for my my first license renewal? Read more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/ask-nasw-il-i-m-a-new-lsw-lcsw-do-i-need-to-start-acquiring-ceus-yet
NASW-IL Statement in Support of the Anjanette Young Ordinance
The National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) stands in solidarity with and in support of Anjanette Young and the proposed legislation created in her honor, the Anjanette Young Ordinance. This ordinance would, among other requirements, ban no-knock warrants, require that officers wait at least 30 seconds during knock and announce raids to give residents a chance to open the door to their home, thus implementing common sense policy and procedural changes surrounding warrants and safeguarding the human rights of Chicago citizens. Read more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-il-statement-in-support-of-the-anjanette-young-ordinance
Other Chapter News
· Ask NASW-IL: What do I need to renew my LSW/LCSW license in 2023? https://www.naswil.org/post/ask-nasw-il-what-do-i-need-to-renew-my-lsw-lcsw-license-in-2023
· IDFPR Waives License Restoration Fees for LCSWs through 01/01/28: https://www.naswil.org/post/idfpr-waives-license-restoration-fees-for-lcsws-through-01-01-28
· NASW-IL Full Statement on ASWB Test Analysis: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-il-full-statement-on-aswb-test-analysis
For more news, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog