Latesha Newson, LCSW, Calumet District Chair
Greetings Calumet District,
In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness month, I would like to offer a reminder of the importance of mental wellness not only for the individuals we serve but also our own mental health as clinicians. These past years living in this pandemic have highlighted the importance and necessity for mental health care. As clinicians, may we always be mindful of those we serve and their battle for mental wellness. May we be inspired as clinicians by the impact we make daily in our work and never lose sight of our own mental health. As clinicians, let us be mindful of the signs of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma and understand that we cannot pour from an empty cup.
This month I would like to challenge us to be intentional about our own mental health and showing ourselves a greater measure of self-compassion by implementing and engaging in a self-care regimen and encouraging those around us to do the same. Mental health matters!!!
All the best,
Latesha Newson, MSW, LCSW
NASW-IL Calumet District Chair
CHAPTER NEWS
2022 NASW-Illinois Chapter Elections
Please stay tuned! Election results will be posted to the chapter website in mid-May.
Group Participants Needed for NASW-IL Workforce Diversity Focus Group
In our continued efforts regarding strengthening the social work workforce in Illinois, the NASW-Illinois Chapter received additional funding to develop, Strategies to Strengthen the Social Work Workforce Diversity Pipeline in Illinois, from the Telligen Community Initiative (TCI). Part of this wide ranging grant will be examining barriers to entry to the social work profession by establishing five focus groups across the state of Illinois with under-represented communities (Black Latinx, Asian, Native American) social workers. Find out more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/group-participants-needed-for-nasw-il-workforce-diversity-focus-group
NEW! 2022 NASW-Illinois Chapter Social Work Awards
Deadline: Sunday, July 31, 2022
Awards season is now OPEN! 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. There are four award categories: Social Worker of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Public Citizen of the Year, and Emerging Leader. For more information, go to: https://www.naswil.org/post/accepting-nominations-for-the-2022-social-work-awards
Save the Date! 2022 NASW-Illinois Chapter Hybrid Conference
Mark your calendars! The NASW-Illinois Chapter will be back and meeting in person for this year’s conference! Taking place in a hybrid format, we’ll be offering in-person CEUs on November 17, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle Naperville in Lisle, IL, and running it back as a live virtual conference on Thursday, December 1, 2022. More info to come later this June but stay tuned and circle those dates in your calendar!
2021–2023 LSW/LCSW Licensure News and Updates
We announced changes in IDFPR licensure renewal requirements in an article published on November 30, 2021, and updated it with frequently asked questions. We’ve been getting questions from members about whether the in-person CEU waiver will be repeated for the new cycle. Read about that and more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/idfpr-licensure-renewal-requirements-for-2021-2023
Other Chapter News
NASW responds to leaked draft opinion that suggests U.S. Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-responds-to-leaked-draft-opinion-that-suggests-u-s-supreme-court-may-overturn-roe-v-wade
NASW-Illinois Chapter Announces 2022 Illinois Primary Election Endorsements: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-illinois-chapter-announces-2022-primary-election-endorsements
NASW Practice Alert: Updates about Social Security: What You Need to Know – https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-practice-alert-updates-about-social-security-what-you-need-to-know
Governor Pritkzer Grants One-Time Fee Waiver for First-Time & Renewing LSW & LCSW License Applicants: https://www.naswil.org/post/governor-pritkzer-grants-one-time-fee-waiver-for-first-time-renewing-lsw-lcsw-license-applicants
April 2022: Illinois Spring Legislative Session Update - https://www.naswil.org/post/april-2022-illinois-spring-legislative-session-update
NASW-IL Advocacy at Work: Financial Assistance for SSWs Approved in Recent Budget - https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-il-advocacy-at-work-financial-assistance-for-ssws-approved-in-recent-budget
For more news, go to the NASW-Illinois Chapter News page: https://www.naswil.org/blog