Mary Garrison, LCSW, ACSW, East Central District Chair
Hello to you all:
I had hoped that the next time I provided an update to all of you, we would have been done with sheltering in place but as of yet, that is not the case. We continue to shelter in place in response to Governor Pritzker’s order extension so we can all remain safe.
Happy Mental Health Month! This is a perfect time for me to ask you to focus on your mental health needs especially during this difficult time—your need for self-care is real! Your self-care may look a bit different due to the demands you have right now, but even taking 15 minutes for yourself to relax, breath, and clear your mind might help. Connecting with a friend or colleague for a brief time can make all the difference in a day, so please take time for YOU each and every day. As a reminder, please do not hesitate to reach out for support and guidance to each other and our chapter during this time.
I was able to host a Zoom event with our district members in late April, and it was WONDERFUL to see and hear from all who attended. Another event will be planned soon for mid- to late May, so stay tuned to the NASW-Illinois Chapter events page and your e-mails for details!
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:
DISTRICT EVENTS
Due to COVID-19, all in person chapter and district events have been canceled for the foreseeable future. In light of these circumstances, the chapter has been shifting our attention to identifying speakers who would be willing to convert their CEU trainings to a virtual training with the chapter. While we are still learning and mastering the teleconferencing software, the need from our membership is greater than ever. If you have suggestions of presenters in your area or would like to propose a training yourself, please contact Joel Rubin (jrubin.naswil@socialworkers.org) about coming up with a CEU training for the chapter.
2020 NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors elections are now closed and the final results will be posted to the chapter website in mid-May. Thanks to all who took part in voting in the chapter elections!
CHAPTER AWARDS
Deadline: July 31, 2020
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.
COVID-19 NEWS & RESOURCES
The NASW-Illinois Chapter is continuing our work in trying to advocate for our members as well as provide meaningful resources that help them with their practice. Be sure to check out the below resources—all are updated on a near daily basis by us as well as the national NASW office.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources: https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Infectious-Diseases/Coronavirus
NEW! 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
Project Parachute: Pro Bono Therapy for COVID-19 Frontliners - https://www.naswil.org/post/project-parachute-pro-bono-therapy-for-covid-19-frontliners
New NASW Practice Alert: Medicare Telehealth Psychiatric CPT Codes Used by Clinical Social Workers: https://www.naswil.org/post/new-nasw-practice-alert-medicare-telehealth-psychiatric-cpt-codes-used-by-clinical-social-workers
Spring 2020 FAQ for Illinois Social Work Students: https://www.naswil.org/post/spring-2020-faq-for-illinois-social-work-students
NASW urges Congress, White House to include funding for PPE for social workers: https://www.naswil.org/post/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: https://www.naswil.org/post/state-by-state-guide-to-the-rules-laws-about-telehealth-services-across-state-lines
Listen: NASW-IL Board Member & Chicago District Chair Rosanelly Garcia on NASW Social Work Talks Pod: https://www.naswil.org/post/listen-nasw-il-board-member-chicago-district-chair-rosanelly-garcia-on-nasw-social-work-talks-pod
New NASW Practice Alert: April 2020: https://www.naswil.org/post/new-nasw-practice-alert-april-2020
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