Joel L. Rubin, MSW, LSW, ACSW, CAE
NASW-Illinois Chapter Executive Director
The summer of 2024 is winding down, but last week’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) that took place in Chicago was a great and historic week to usher out the summer. For the first time in recent memory, NASW had a significant presence at the convention. We were present at a range of ancillary events, on the floor of the convention at the United Center, at individual state delegation meetings, as well as hosting a special event for the social work community on August 20th at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The event, moderated by NASW National CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, that focused on our strengthening the social work workforce, breaking down barriers to licensure, and increasing access to mental health services. I had the honor to join a panel of my colleagues from around the country that included Gwen Bouie-Haynes, Executive Director of the Mississippi and Alabama Chapters; Kimberly Warmsley, Executive Director of the California and New Mexico Chapters; and Johanna Byrd, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Chapter.
One of the ancillary events I attended during the DNC was a panel on, “The Politics of Student Debt: Unprecedented Progress and the Path Ahead,” sponsored by Protect Borrowers Action. Student debt for social workers continues to be an issue for many social workers across the country, whether they have just graduated from social work school or have been out working for several years. NASW has been a leading advocate for student loan debt cancellation and forgiveness. According to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), master’s level social work students have on average between $68,000 and $76,000 total of student loan debt after graduation. Recent data indicates that social workers of color are carrying much higher student loan debt than their white peers, with Black social work graduates’ total student loan debt averaging at approximately $92,000 and at $79,000 for Hispanic graduates.
A special social work moment that took place at the convention was Ashley Biden, President Joe Biden’s youngest daughter, introducing her father. She is a social worker and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice.
As many of you are aware, the NASW-Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President. You can read the full press release here: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/News-Releases/ID/2923/NASW-PACE-Endorses-Vice-President-Kamala-Harris-for-President.
There is much to look forward to this fall, whether it be chapter district networking events or CEU workshops as we enter the second year of the state’s licensure. Registration is now open for our 2024 NASW Chapters Virtual Conference: Empowering Social Workers. Organizations, group practices, and schools of social work should also consider the opportunity to be a conference digital exhibitor or serve as a sponsor. Complete information can be found at the conference webpage: naswmeets.org.
Other Chapter Updates:
Over the summer, the chapter posted its long-awaited Clinical Supervision Hours Tracking Log. Longtime supervision presenter Natalie Holzman, LCSW, provided valuable assistance in developing this voluntary tracking log designed to help social workers track their clinical supervision. This log is a practical tool to support you in your journey toward obtaining your Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license. The log is just another example of the important value one’s NASW membership provides. Read more about the tracking log here: https://www.naswil.org/post/introducing-the-nasw-il-clinical-supervision-hours-tracking-log-a-guide-for-illinois-social-workers.
NASW-Illinois Chapter President Latesha Newson, Chapter President-Elect LaTasha Roberson Guifarro, and I participated in the NASW National Association Leadership Meeting (ALM) on July 9 and 10. This is an annual gathering of chapter presidents and executive directors with NASW national leadership. This year’s meeting was held virtually.
Welcome to Telisha Taylor (she/her) who will be joining the NASW-Illinois Chapter as our new Education and Events Coordinator. A hearty welcome to Telisha!
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