June 2020 - East Central District Update

Mary Garrison, LCSW, ACSW East Central District Chair

I hope this update finds you well and taking care of yourselves and one another. We continue to live in unprecedented times as we battle COVID-19 and see our country torn apart by racial injustice. I hope you have all been able to stand up and express your voice in support for all who need us right now. Our country is broken and now, more than ever, we need to fight for social justice. When I think about my role as a social worker, I know I am equipped to help our country heal, and I will do my part in any way I can to help my fellow citizens, my community, and my country.

Happy Pride Month to all! As we know, COVID-19 has changed how we do almost everything in our lives, and it will change the way we recognize Pride Month. What it won’t change is that we can and must still participate in events as we can for Pride Month—it is essential for us to engage! Here is an article from USA Today that offers ways to participate throughout the month.

Welcome to our newest members and to those that have renewed your membership—we are so glad you are a part of the NASW-Illinois Chapter family.

CHAPTER NEWS:

WE NEED NOMINATIONS! ANNUAL SOCIAL WORK AWARDS

Deadline: July 31, 2020

Nomination Form: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/2020-social-work-awards-nomination-form/

Now more than ever, social workers deserve recognition on the ways they’ve been contributing to their communities. Nominations are now being accepted for the annual NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Awards. Please consider nominating an individual in your area who’s going above and beyond and deserves recognition for all of their hard work. The chapter is seeking nominations in the following categories: Social Worker of the Year; Public Citizen of the Year; Lifetime Achievement Award; and Emerging Social Work Leader. For more details about the awards, go to: https://www.naswil.org/post/accepting-nominations-for-the-2020-social-work-awards. All nominees except Public Citizen of the Year must be current NASW members.

CHAPTER ELECTIONS

Election results for the 2020 NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors have been announced. Please check the website for full results: https://www.naswil.org/post/2020-nasw-illinois-chapter-election-results. Welcome to all new and returning board members!

COVID-19 NEWS & RESOURCES

The NASW-Illinois Chapter is continuing to share news and information pertaining to COVID-19 and how best to continue administering services at this time as reopening begins in our state. Please be sure to continue checking resources listed at the below links—all are updated on a near daily basis as new information gets shared.

• National NASW Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources: https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Infectious-Diseases/Coronavirus

• NASW-Illinois Chapter COVID-19 Updates page: https://www.naswil.org/blog/categories/covid-19

• NASW Illinois MyNASW Community (NASW-member only): http://mynasw.socialworkers.org/naswil

OTHER CHAPTER NEWS

• New NASW Practice Alert: COVID-19 Resources for School Social Workers

• Legislative Thank You to Illinois Social Workers 2020

• House Passes HEROES Act

• COVID-19: Practice Guidelines for Reopening Social Work Practices

• New NASW Practice Alert: COVID-19 Advance Care Planning in Health Care Practice

• Medicare Now Reimbursing for Audio-Only Psychotherapy

• NASW urges Congress, White House to include funding for PPE for social workers

• State-by-State Guide to the Rules/Laws About Telehealth Services Across State Lines

• News on In-Person CEU Requirement for 2021 Licensure Renewal: https://www.naswil.org/post/news-on-in-person-ceu-requirement-for-2021-licensure-renewal

For more, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog