Diona Shelton (she/her), DSW, LCSW, CATP, CCTP
Southern District Chair
Greetings, Southern District!
September is here, and with it comes the change in seasons. We will soon say farewell to the summer months and hello to autumn. I often look forward to the beauty that this season brings. The kids are returning to school, routines are being established, and the aroma and colorful sights of fall will soon grace our pathway. As we begin to embark upon this seasonal change, let us remind ourselves that things are always changing and take time to enjoy the changes that make life special. Social work is an incredibly rewarding profession built on social justice principles and cultivating positive change for individuals, families, and communities. As we look ahead to this month, let us continue to remind ourselves of the change agents we are and be inspired by the beauty this season brings!
Best Regards,
Dr. Diona Shelton, DSW, LCSW, CATP, CCTP
NASW-IL Southern District Chair
There are still a few slots remaining. Please join us for our September District CEU Event!! Space is limited, and we would love to see you there!!
Southern District CEU Event
Assessing and Treating Suicidality & Self-Injury in Neurodivergent Clients
Date: Saturday, September 9th 2023, from 9:30 AM to 12:30pm
Venue: Collinsville Library - 408 W. Main Street, Collinsville, IL 62234
Presenter: Emily Kircher-Morris, MA, MEd, LPC (she/her)
Cost: 3 CEUs / $45 Nonmember / FREE NASW Member
Description: This Southern District CEU event provides an in-depth exploration of the unique risk factors for suicide and non-suicidal self-injury in neurodivergent individuals (with diagnoses like ADHD and autism), including emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and communication difficulties. These factors make traditional treatment strategies ineffective and require specialized approaches to address them in the clinical setting. In addition to exploring the complex challenges of treating neurodivergent clients who engage in suicidal and self-injurious behaviors, this session will also focus on the impact of the individual's sensory needs and environmental factors (such as difficulties with educational or social settings) on assessment and treatment.
Attendees will have the opportunity to analyze case studies and engage in interactive activities to develop strategies for addressing these challenges. Through this comprehensive approach, mental health clinicians will improve their ability to provide effective, strengths-based support and treatment for neurodivergent clients struggling with suicidal and self-injurious behaviors.
Join us for this engaging and interactive session to enhance your clinical skills and gain valuable insights into supporting this unique population.
Registration: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/z1ds0xud0pxd3ys/
CHAPTER NEWS
Registration Open! 2023 NASW Chapters Conference: A Meeting of the Profession
Join us for two days of live virtual education with social workers across our sister chapters in NASW-Nevada and NASW-North Dakota! This year's annual conference will take place on Thursday, November 2, and Friday, November 3, 2023, via Pheedloop. Up to 11.0 live virtual CEUs will be offered, including CEUs fulfilling requirements for ethics, cultural competency, and suicide prevention. For more information and to register, go to: naswmeets.org.
IDFPR Officially Removes In-Person CE Requirement
As previously reported by the chapter, rules have been officially passed by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to entirely remove the in-person continuing education requirement from social work licensure renewal. This means that for the current licensure renewal cycle ending on November 30, 2023, and onwards, the requirement that a minimum of 50% of continuing education hours be obtained by a method that includes face-to-face, in-person instruction is now entirely removed from social work licensure. Read our full article here: https://www.naswil.org/post/idfpr-officially-removes-in-person-ce-requirement.
NASW Seeks Public Comment for Draft Clinical Social Work Standards
DEADLINE: September 15, 2023
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Task Force for Clinical Social Work Practice Standards is seeking feedback from members on the draft, "NASW Standards for Clinical Social Workers in Social Work Practice," which is now available for public comment. The draft offers guidance to clinical social workers in all clinical settings and serves as a benchmark for the services they provide. Read more here: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-seeks-public-comment-for-draft-clinical-social-work-standards
Other Chapter News:
· 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
· NASW-IL Advocacy At Work: Gov. Signs HB 2365 Providing Alternative to ASWB Exam: https://www.naswil.org/post/nasw-il-advocacy-at-work-gov-signs-hb-2365-providing-alternative-to-aswb-exam
· Get Ready to Update Records and Billing with New Nonbinary Gender Option in IL: https://www.naswil.org/post/get-ready-to-update-records-and-billing-with-new-nonbinary-gender-option-in-il
· Student Loan Payments to Resume: What You Need to Know - https://www.naswil.org/post/student-loan-payments-to-resume-what-you-need-to-know
· June 2023: Illinois Spring Legislative Session Update: https://www.naswil.org/post/june-2023-illinois-spring-legislative-session-update
· 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
· Ask NASW-IL: Will this course count for CEUs in Illinois? - https://www.naswil.org/post/ask-nasw-il-will-this-course-count-for-ceus-in-illinois
· 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