Samantha Allen, MSW, LCSW, Calumet District Chair
Greetings Calumet District,
As your district chair, I would like to wish you a Happy Social Work Month! This is a month that we observe the hard work, dedication, and empathy of social workers. As social workers, we are advocates, advisors, counselors, and facilitators in schools, clinics, businesses, and government offices. During this month, let us not only celebrate the work that we do, but let us also continue to empower each other to highlight our profession for those seeking to learn more about the roles of social workers, how to become a social worker, and how to support and celebrate social workers. In addition, let us continue to stay informed and inform others about important legislation that impacts our profession and those that we serve. Wishing you all a great and productive Social Work Month!
Please remember to be mindful about yourself and engage in self-care.
March is also Women’s History Month! Be sure to acknowledge all of the amazing women in your life. In addition, we honor women that inspire and have made important sacrifices and contributions to society both in the past and present. Happy Women’s History Month to all of the women in the NASW-Illinois Chapter! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the field of social work!
Our Social Work Month CEU event is currently postponed. I am currently working on planning our next district event. Should you have any suggestions for CEUs or networking events, please feel free to contact me at
Please see below chapter news that provides information regarding current important topics. Should you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or chapter board members.
Gratitude to all of you for the hard work that you contribute to the field of social work! Be sure to be good to yourself!
Warm Regards,
Samantha Allen, MSW, LCSW
NASW-IL Calumet District Chair
CHAPTER NEWS
2023 NASW-Illinois Chapter Legislative Awards Announced
We are proud to announce this year’s 2023 NASW-Illinois Chapter Legislative Award recipients for their efforts during the 2023 spring legislative session. Illinois State Senator Karina Villa, MSW, and Illinois State Representative Lindsey LaPointe, MSW, were imperative to getting House Bill 2365 (HB2365), a bill which created an alternative to the ASWB clinical exam for clinical licensure, passed and signed into law in Illinois. This alternative incorporates an apprentice approach to evaluating the competence and capabilities of aspiring social workers, offering them a fair and unbiased opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications. Click here to learn more about implementation of this bill, or click here to read our full article about this year’s legislative awardees.
2024 NASW-IL Advocacy Day
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
For the first time since 2019, this year's Advocacy Day is back IN PERSON! Join the NASW-Illinois Chapter on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, for our annual day of social work advocacy with other social work professionals and students. This year's Advocacy Day has been restructured to further enhance students and social workers' advocacy skills and ability to lobby directly to elected officials and their staffers. 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:
• February 2024 - Student Network SIG Update: https://www.naswil.org/post/february-2024-student-network-sig-update
• NASW Seeks Public Comments School Social Work Practice Standards: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-seeks-public-comments-school-social-work-practice-standards
• 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
• NASW Tips & Tools for Social Workers: Optum/United Behavioral Health Overpayments - https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-tips-tools-for-social-workers-optum-united-behavioral-health-overpayments
• Ask NASW-IL: How can I utilize the alternative to the ASWB exam to get my LCSW? https://www.naswil.org/post/ask-nasw-il-how-can-i-utilize-the-alternative-to-the-aswb-exam-to-get-my-lcsw
• 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
• Social Work Profession One Step Closer to Interstate Licensure Compact: https://www.naswil.org/post/social-work-profession-one-step-closer-to-interstate-licensure-compact
• February 14, 2023 Update on the Social Work Interstate Compact: https://www.naswil.org/post/february-14-2023-update-on-the-social-work-interstate-compact
For more news, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog