Joel L. Rubin, MSW, LSW, ACSW, CAE
NASW-Illinois Chapter Executive Director
I recently returned from the National NASW conference in Washington, DC, which included visits to Capitol Hill, a reception for attendees from Illinois as well as our sibling chapters in Nevada and North Dakota, and a workshop that NASW-Illinois Chapter President Latesha Newson and I presented on "Leading Social Change in Illinois: Breaking down barriers to social work licensure." One of the bigger announcements was that the 2025 National NASW Conference will be coming to Illinois on June 16–19, 2025, in Chicago! We are very excited to host the 2025 conference, the first time the national conference will be taking place outside of Washington, DC, in many years. There is currently an early bird pre-sale for the 2025 conference at 2024 rates through July 5, 2024, so register now!
Earlier in June, our NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors met at Turning Point Behavioral Center in Skokie, IL. The meeting was highlighted by our 2024 NASW-Illinois Chapter Awards presentation as well as welcoming our new 2024–2025 NASW-Illinois Chapter Board of Directors. This year's board includes:
1. Latesha Newson, MSW, LCSW, President
2. Latasha Roberson-Guifarro, MSW, LCSW, President-Elect
3. Hilary Edgerly, LCSW, Vice President for Budget & Finance
4. Diane D. Williams, AM, MSW, Secretary
5. Michael Mallory, LCSW, Member At-Large
6. Anjanette Young, LCSW, Member At-Large
7. Jacki Brunk, MSW, LCSW, Northeastern District Chair
8. Melissa Box, MSW, LCSW, LSOE, LSOTP - East Central District Chair
9. Jasmine Chandy, MSW, LCSW, Chicago District Chair
10. Staci M. Knox, LMSW, LCSW, Calumet District Chair
11. Alnita Myles, LCSW – Calumet District Chair
12. Skip Dettman, LCSW, CADC, ASCW, Jane Addams District Chair
13. Kimberly Stoerger, MSW, West Central District Chair
14. Roxann Camparone, LCSW, CAADC CODP II, Three Rivers District Chair
15. Rayne Stokes, Undergraduate Student Representative
16. Kendra Smith, Graduate Student Representative
Welcome to our new leadership team!
In other news….
Congratulations to the following recipients of 2024–25 NASW Foundation Student scholarships :
Kendall Larry Straughter - University of Chicago, Lyons Scholarship
The Lyons Scholarships are awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated an interest in or have experience with health/mental health practice and have a commitment to working in African American communities.
Lisette Garcia - University of Chicago, Gosnell Scholarship
The Gosnell Scholarships are awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated a commitment to working with, or who have a special affinity with, American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations.
Leidy Barrientos Jiménez, Loyola University Chicago, Gosnell Scholarship
The Gosnell Scholarships are awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated a commitment to working with, or who have a special affinity with, American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations.
NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee Transition
We would like to thank the many legacy members who are cycling off the NASW-Illinois Chapter Ethics Committee, effective July 1st. The chapter will begin recruitment for a new ethics chair and committee members within our chapter membership with recruitment efforts to begin this summer. Stay tuned.
State of Illinois new Creating the Department of Early Childhood
Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday creating a new cabinet-level state agency dedicated to early childhood education and development. This is great news for all social workers who work to strengthen children and families' well-being.
New U.S Surgeon General Report on Gun Violence
This week, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the public health crisis of firearm violence in the United States: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/06/25/us-surgeon-general-issues-advisory-public-health-crisis-firearm-violence-united-states.html. This is vital issue for social workers who work with individuals, families and communities impacted by gun violence and its resulting trauma.
NASW at Democratic National Convention (DNC)
The NASW will be holding a reception/panel at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) later this summer on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, @ 5:00pm at the University of Illinois at Chicago. More details to follow.
Have an enjoyable and safe summer!
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