NASW-IL Chapter Task Force on Racial Justice

NASW-Illinois Chapter Task Force on Racial Justice Co-Chairs Latesha Newson, LCSW, and Kristin Rubbelke, MSW, LSW

Early last month, the chapter announced it was taking applications for individuals to join the chapter Task Force on Racial Justice led by co-chairs Latesha Newson, LCSW, and Kristin Rubbelke, MSW, LSW. The task force was called to review issues of police reform in Illinois and to gather member opinion on how to approach racial justice initiatives in Illinois.

Several worthy applicants applied, and the below individuals were selected to join the task force. Task force members will meet to work on creating a survey that will go out to the entire membership later this fall to gather information, and work on recommendations to present to the chapter board to potentially help inform the chapter's future advocacy efforts.

Thank you to all who applied. An announcement will go out later this fall when the survey is finished and available for member submission.

NASW-Illinois Chapter Task Force on Racial Justice Members

Co-Chairs: Latesha Newson, MSW, LCSW, and Kristin Rubbelke, MSW, LSW

Jenny Andersen, LCSW

Jasmin Aramburu, MSW

Merari E. Fernandez Castro, LCSW

Chante Gamby, LCSW

Brit Holmberg , LCSW

Michelle McMartin, LCSW

Darby Morhardt, PhD, LCSW

LaTasha Roberson Guifarro, MSW

Jenna Sullivan

Heather Fraser, LCSW

Charisma Pryor, LSW

Cassandra Walker, LCSW

Ex-Officio: Grisel Rodríguez-Morales, MSW, LCSW

About the NASW-Illinois Chapter Task Force on Racial Justice

The NASW-Illinois Chapter Task Force on Racial Justice will review the issue of police reform in Illinois with an emphasis on gauging where member support is on this issue. The task force will work to create a membership survey, review the responses to the survey, and provide recommendations to the chapter board which may help to inform the chapter’s advocacy efforts. The task force will eventually shift to a programming role and assist the chapter identify and develop possible speakers and CEU presentations based on their recommendations as well as additional programming on social justice, anti-racism, and related topics.

Task Force Goals:

• Review internal and external efforts regarding social work and racial justice including police reform

• Develop survey to gather feedback from chapter membership regarding racial justice initiatives and the role of social work

• Review feedback and create recommended advisories

• Present recommendations to NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors

• Assist NASW-IL staff in identifying and developing possible speakers and CEU presentations based on chapter board–approved advisories

Latesha Newson, LCSW

NASW-Illinois Chapter Calumet District Chair & Board Member

Kristin Rubbelke, MSW, LSW

NASW-Illinois Chapter Member At-Large & Board Member