From the Pen of the Executive Director: November 2026
Joel L. Rubin, MSW, LSW, ACSW, CAE
NASW-Illinois Chapter Executive Director
I am writing this update following this week’s successful 2026 NASW Chapters Virtual Conference: Strength in Action - How We Uplift, Defend, & Transform. Over 400 attendees participated over the two days of learning and fellowship. Many thanks to our sponsors—the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network and the Illinois Association of School Social Workers (IASSW)—as well as the 29 presenters who shared their expertise on timely and relevant practice issues.
Welcome to Carinna Michael
With our new regional structure, I would like to welcome Carinna Michael to NASW–IL/MO/WI team, serving as our communications coordinator. Based in St. Louis, MO, Carinna has an MA in advertising and marketing communications as well as a BA in business management from Webster University in St. Louis. Before coming to NASW, she worked on social media as a customer support coordinator for Keypath Education and a customer support specialist at H&R Block. She also worked as pool manager and head swim coach at Bellerive Country Club where, in addition to managing their swim and pool programs, she also helped with events!
2026 NASW Illinois Chapter Statewide Awards
At our upcoming quarterly chapter leadership council meeting, we will be presenting the 2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Awards to the following members:
Joseph J. Harper, MBA, LCSW, DCSW, ACSW, Lifetime Achievement
Shannon Goold, LCSW, Social Worker of the Year
Latesha Lillie Newson, MSW, LCSW, Emerging Social Work Leader
You can read more about the achievements of this year’s awardees at 2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter Statewide Awards.
NASW-IL PAC Election Endorsements and Illinois Guide
Many thanks to our NASW-Illinois Chapter Political Action Committee that has put together a voter guide for Illinois social workers. You can download the voter guide here.
Comment on the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS)
The Council on Social Work Education's proposed Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) are open for public comments. I encourage members to share their thoughts about the proposed changes here.
2026 NASW Delegate Assembly
The Delegate Assembly (DA) is the representative, decision-making body through which NASW members set broad organizational policy, establish program priorities, and develop a collective stance on public and professional issues and review proposed revisions to the Code of Ethics. The DA’s culminating meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. The following are the elected NASW-Illinois Chapter Delegates:
LaTasha Roberson-Guifarro
Thalia Anderen
Vincent Cieslak
Diona Shelton
Samantha Allen
Anna Gamez
Latesha Newson
Adam Scheffler
Jennifer Gazda
Suzanne Brasche
Please make sure to vote on November 3rd and encourage family, friends, and social work colleagues to do same.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
