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Experience the Meeting of the Profession
Join more than 2,000 social workers, like-minded professionals, and social work thought leaders at NASW’s 2024National Conference. Take advantage of unparalleled opportunities in professional development, continuing education, and networking. Engage in thought-provoking conversations tackling the most pressing issues facing the social work profession across the world.
- Experience the latest education and insights from leaders in the social work field
- Earn CE Credit toward licensure
- Engage with peers in the profession
- Explore cutting-edge products, programs, and services in the Exhibit Hall
CALL FOR STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
NASW is seeking student members to volunteer at the 2024 NASW National Conference in Washington, DC , June 19 – 22, 2024. All student volunteers will receive complimentary registration to the conference. To apply to volunteer please e-mail Dave Miller at dmiller.nasw@socialworkers.org and include the following: Full Name; Cell Phone Number; Student e-mail address; and name of College or University no later than March 29, 2024. Volunteers will be selected by random drawing on April 8, 2024.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
(subject to change as program evolves)
Tuesday, June 18, 2024▼
8:00am - 5:00pm | NASW Advocacy Day Program on Capitol Hill |
8:00am - 9:00am | Issue Briefing – Omni Shoreham Hotel – Empire Room |
9:30am - 5:00pm | Hill Day – Capitol Hill |
Wednesday, June 19, 2024▼
9:00am - 6:00pm | Registration |
11:30am - 2:30pm | ▶PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS» Dignity of Risk: An Integral Component of Person-Centered Work with Older Adults | 3 Social Work CEs Chris Herman, MSW, LICSW, Senior Practice Associate–Aging, National Association of Social Workers Bonnie Olsen, PhD,Vice Chair of Academic Affairs,Department of Family Medicine,Keck School of Medicine,University of Southern California Lori Mars, JD, LLM, Deputy Director, National Center on Elder Abuse, and Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine Risk taking and risk exposure are inherent in our everyday lives. Yet, as we become older adults, our right to engage in any behavior that may involve risk tends to be challenged, especially if our physical or cognitive abilities have changed. Balancing competing expectations and ethical responsibilities in such situations presents significant challenges for social workers who serve older adults. This practice-based, interactive workshop will delve into the concept of dignity of risk as integral to person-centered service delivery. Participants will gain knowledge, tools, and strategies to inform assessment of capacity, optimize older adult decision making, and practice professional self-care. » Documenting in the Private Practice Setting to Successfully Pass an Audit and Prevent Claw Back | 3 Clinical CEs Mirean Coleman, MSW, LICSW,Director, Clinical Practice, National Association of Social Workers The landscape of documentation in a private practice setting is included in this pre-conference workshop through tips, tools, and case examples to help private practitioners receive reimbursement, pass an audit, and prevent claw backs. This presentation will assist private practitioners and other clinical social workers in improving their skills in developing a diagnostic assessment, creating treatment plans and goals, preparing progress notes, filing a claim, using procedural, diagnostic, place of service, and telehealth codes, and more. » Engaging Clients Around Geek Interests | 3 Clinical CEs Kayla Balensiefer, LICSW, LCSW,Owner/Director,Saving Throw Therapeutics LLC In this training we will focus on geek therapy techniques aimed to provide mental health professionals with innovative tools rooted in geek culture. We will cover a comprehensive understanding of what geek culture is and explore various interests such as video games, comics, movies, technology, and tabletop role playing games within the geek community. The training explores how therapists can leverage these interests to create meaningful connections with clients and facilitate therapeutic interventions. Ultimately, the goal of the training is to equip therapists with the knowledge and skills to begin to consider the implementation of geek culture as a therapeutic medium, enhancing their ability to connect with clients, and promote positive mental health outcomes while meeting their clients where they are at. » Social Work is a Political Profession | 3 Macro CEs Victor Manalo, PhD, MSW - President, NASW-California Chapter In this preconference session, we'll explore the inherent political nature of social work, focusing on its connection to societal structures and policies. Through interactive discussions and skill-building exercises, participants will learn how to advocate for policy change and challenge existing power dynamics to advance social justice. By examining power structures within client interactions and society, attendees will be equipped to address systemic barriers and promote inclusive policies, guided by ethical obligations outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics. » Risk Management: Ethical Dilemmas that Could Harm Your Career | 3 Ethics CEs This session will provide participants with an update on the most common allegations social workers face from the risk management angle in their daily practice. Situations that resulted in license suspension or revocation, claims, and lawsuits are part of the discussion, as well as preventive measures to avoid serious actions. » Suicide Prevention is Everybody’s Business |3 Social Work CEs Jonathan Singer, PhD, LCSW, Professor of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago Nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. lost their lives to suicide in 2022, according to a provisional tally from the National Center for Health Statistics. The agency said the final count would likely be higher. The suicide rate of 14.3 deaths per 100,000 people reached its highest level since 1941. The record reflects broad struggle to help people in mental distress following the pandemic where more than one million in the U.S lost their lives, upended the economy and left many people feeling alone and fearful. Illicit drugs and the readily availability of guns have also contributed to the rise in suicides. Structural changes are needed to implement suicide prevention and intervention strategies, including a reduction in access to lethal means and an increase in access to affordable, culturally appropriate mental health services. Join this pre-conference workshop to explore suicide prevention strategies. |
3:00 - 3:30pm | Welcome & Opening Remarks Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C Chief Executive Officer National Association of Social Workers Awards: Introduction and overview of award presentations during the conference |
3:30 - 4:30pm | Opening Presentation |
4:30 - 6:00pm | Opening Keynote Presentation Building A Better World Eddie S. Glaude Jr, PhD James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies, Princeton University; Best selling author Picture this: It’s the 1960s in rural Mississippi. Several black sharecroppers were sitting on a bus on their way to register to vote. They knew what could be in store for them—jail, attacks from a mob or even death. And then, one lone woman began singing spirituals to lift them. Her name was Fannie Lou Hamer. Although not yet one of the most powerful voices for voting and civil rights we all know, she had already pictured a better world where everyone was equal … and she was willing to die for it. That story was told to Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. by Bob Moses, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee activist and founder of The Algebra Project. In this powerful talk, Dr. Glaude shares stories of those who resisted the voices who urged them to settle for the world as it is and why we must do the same. You’ll learn how we can train ourselves to see what’s possible instead of what’s impossible and the incredible power of curiosity. |
6:00 - 7:30pm | The Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall |
Thursday, June 20, 2024▼
7:00am - 6:00pm | Registration |
7:00 - 8:30am | Continental Breakfast |
8:30 - 10:00am | ▶ Plenary SessionLeading Social Change: Maximizing Opportunity for a Just Society (Macro Social Work CE) Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C Monica Barrera, MSSW Leslie M. Proll, JD Dr. Tara D. Wallace, MSW, LSCSW, CTF-CBT, RYT, SLC Award Presentation: NASW Foundation Knee-Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award – Peter Buxton, JD |
10:00 - 10:30am | Break |
10:30am - 12:00pm | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from multiple session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
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12:00 - 1:30pm | Lunch (on your own) |
1:30 - 3:00pm | Keynote Presentation Patrick J. Kennedy Founder, The Kennedy Forum Author, Profiles in Mental Health Courage Patrick will discussthe current state of mental health parity and his upcoming book,Profiles in Mental Health Courage.In this book, former Congressman Kennedy adapts his uncle’s idea to inspire the “mental health courage” it takes for those with these conditions to treat their illnesses, and risk telling their stories to help America face its crisis in our families, our workplaces, our jails, and on our streets. The resounding silence surrounding these illnesses remains persistent, and this book takes an unflinching look at the experience of mental illness and addiction that inspires profound connection, empathy, and action. Award Presentation: National Social Worker of the Year Award – State Representative Lydia Crafts, LCSW (ME) |
3:00 - 3:30pm | Break - Exhibit Hall |
3:30 - 5:00pm | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from multiple session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
5:00 - 6:00pm | Networking, Exhibits, Poster Presentations |
7:00 - 9:00pm | NASW Film Festival -2 CEs » Park View » Angels and Saints - Eros and Awe » Unseen |
9:00 - 11:00pm | A Night Out with NASW! |
Friday, June 21, 2024▼
7:00am - 6:00pm | Conference Information Center |
7:00 - 8:15am | Continental Breakfast |
8:15 - 9:45am | ▶ Plenary SessionEnvironmental Justice is Social Justice (Macro Social Work CE) Rachel Forbes, MSW Associate Professor, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Ande Nesmith, PhD, MSW Director and Professor, School of Social Work, University of St. Thomas Ben Fulgencio-Turner, MPP Director, Climate for Health, ecoAmerica Meredith Powers, PhD, MSW University of North Carolina, Greensboro The professional commitment to underserved and vulnerable populations necessitates that social workers are knowledgeable about climate change and its effects on people. As noted in the Grand Challenges for Social Work, a changing global environment requires transformative social responses: new partnerships, deep engagement with local communities, and innovations to strengthen individual and collective assets. This session will address how the social worker community can help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on individuals and communities. The session will bring together experts to share insights about the intersection of social work and environmental justice. Award Presentation: National Lifetime Achievement Award – Richard L. Edwards, PhD, MA (NY) |
9:45 - 10:45am | Keynote Presentation |
10:45 - 11:00am | Break |
11:00am - 12:30pm | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from multiple session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
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12:30 - 2:00pm; | Lunch (on your own) |
2:15 - 3:15pm | ▶ Plenary SessionDecision 2024: An Election Forecast (Macro Social Work CE) Award Presentation: National Public Citizen of the Year Award– Cynthia Herrara, JD (TX) |
3:15 - 3:30pm | Break |
3:30 - 5:00pm | ▶Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from multiple session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
5:00 - 6:00pm | Networking, Exhibits, Poster Presentations |
6:30- 9:30pm | Evening Program Capital Fools |
Saturday, June 22, 2024▼
7:00am - 2:00pm | Conference Information Center |
7:30 - 8:30am | Continental Breakfast |
8:30 - 10:00am | ▶ Plenary SessionArtificial Intelligence and Social Justice (Macro Social Work CE) Juan Rios, DSW, LCSW Associate Professor, Seton Hall University Jamie Sundvall, PhD, LICSW At the intersection of social work and AI lie untold potential for achieving the goals of social justice. Through on-the-ground applications, social work can take AI out of the laboratory and render it an operational tool for good. Through social work initiatives—whether one-on-one clinical work or macro-level organizing—AI researchers have the opportunity to implement models and adjust them in accordance with real-time feedback, moving the needle on social justice. Award Presentation: Emerging Social Work Leader – Olymphia O’Neale White, DSW (AZ) |
10:00 - 10:15am | Break |
10:15 - 11:45am | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from multiple session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
11:45am - 12:00pm | Break |
12:00 - 1:00pm | Closing Keynote Presentation Reviving the Art of Communication: Building Rapport and Collaborative Relationships with Clients Maryum Ali Social Worker, Activist & Author Award Presentation: National Public Elected Official of the Year Award - Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, City of Austin (TX) |
1:00 - 1:15pm | Closing Remarks and Adjournment Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C Chief Executive Officer National Association of Social Workers |
VIRTUAL PROGRAM
(subject to change as program evolves)
The Virtual Program will live-stream keynote presentations, plenary sessions and select breakout sessions soyou can view the 2024 National Conference from your computer or mobile device anywhere. Earn up to 16.5 CEs by attending the whole virtual program!
Thursday, June 20, 2024▼
8:30am | Welcome Remarks Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C Chief Executive Officer National Association of Social Workers |
8:30 - 10:00am | ▶ Plenary SessionLeading Social Change: Maximizing Opportunity for a Just Society (Macro Social Work CE) Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C Monica Barrera, MSSW Leslie M. Proll, JD Dr. Tara D. Wallace, MSW, LSCSW, CTF-CBT, RYT, SLC |
10:00 - 10:30am | Break |
10:30am - 12:00pm | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from three session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
12:00 - 1:30pm | Lunch (on your own) |
1:30 - 3:00pm | Keynote Presentation Patrick J. Kennedy Founder, The Kennedy Forum Author, Profiles in Mental Health Courage Patrick will discussthe current state of mental health parity and his upcoming book,Profiles in Mental Health Courage.In this book, former Congressman Kennedy adapts his uncle’s idea to inspire the “mental health courage” it takes for those with these conditions to treat their illnesses, and risk telling their stories to help America face its crisis in our families, our workplaces, our jails, and on our streets. The resounding silence surrounding these illnesses remains persistent, and this book takes an unflinching look at the experience of mental illness and addiction that inspires profound connection, empathy, and action. |
3:00 - 3:30pm | Break |
3:30 - 5:00pm | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from three session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
Friday, June 21, 2024▼
8:15 - 9:45am | ▶ Plenary SessionEnvironmental Justice is Social Justice (Macro Social Work CE) Rachel Forbes, MSW Associate Professor, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Ande Nesmith, PhD, MSW Director and Professor, School of Social Work, University of St. Thomas Ben Fulgencio-Turner, MPP Director, Climate for Health, ecoAmerica Meredith Powers, PhD, MSW University of North Carolina, Greensboro The professional commitment to underserved and vulnerable populations necessitates that social workers are knowledgeable about climate change and its effects on people. As noted in the Grand Challenges for Social Work, a changing global environment requires transformative social responses: new partnerships, deep engagement with local communities, and innovations to strengthen individual and collective assets. This session will address how the social worker community can help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on individuals and communities. The session will bring together experts to share insights about the intersection of social work and environmental justice. |
9:45 - 10:45am | Keynote Presentation Debbie Stabenow United States Senator State of Michigan |
10:45 - 11:00am | Break |
11:00am - 12:30pm | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from three session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
12:30 - 2:00pm | Lunch (on your own) |
2:15 - 3:15pm | ▶ Plenary SessionDecision 2024: An Election Forecast |
3:15 - 3:30pm | Break |
3:30 - 5:00pm | ▶Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from three session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
Saturday, June 22, 2024▼
8:30 - 10:00am | ▶ Plenary SessionArtificial Intelligence and Social Justice (Macro Social Work CE) Juan Rios, DSW, LCSW At the intersection of social work and AI lie untold potential for achieving the goals of social justice. Through on-the-ground applications, social work can take AI out of the laboratory and render it an operational tool for good. Through social work initiatives—whether one-on-one clinical work or macro-level organizing—AI researchers have the opportunity to implement models and adjust them in accordance with real-time feedback, moving the needle on social justice. |
10:00 - 10:15am | Break |
10:15 - 11:45am | ▶ Concurrent Breakout SessionsChoose from three session topics across the social work spectrum and earn 1.5 CEs.
|
11:45am - 12:00pm | Break |
12:00 - 1:00pm | Closing Keynote Presentation Maryum Ali Social Worker, Activist & Author |
1:00 - 1:15pm | Closing Remarks and Adjournment Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C Chief Executive Officer National Association of Social Workers |
REGISTRATION FEES
Early Bird Rate:Available Through March 31, 2024
Regular Registration:April 1– June 8, 2024
Onsite Registration:June 9– June 22, 2024
Pre-conference Workshop Registration Fees▼
Membership Category | Early-Bird | Regular | On-site |
---|---|---|---|
NASW Member | $135 | $135 | $175 |
Non-Member | $185 | $185 | $225 |
Student Members | $100 | $100 | $140 |
Retired Member | $100 | $100 | $140 |
In-Person Registration Fees▼
Membership Category | Early-Bird | Regular | On-site |
---|---|---|---|
NASW Member | $499 | $559 | $659 |
Non-Member | $725 | $785 | $950 |
Student Members | $250 | $275 | $299 |
Retired Member | $250 | $275 | $299 |
Virtual Registration Fees▼
Member Category | Full Package | Day One | Day Two | Day Three |
---|---|---|---|---|
NASW Member | $349 | $175 | $175 | $125 |
Non-Member | $499 | $250 | $250 | $175 |
Student Members | $175 | $125 | $125 | $75 |
Retired Member | $175 | $125 | $125 | $75 |
Exhibitors Registration Fees▼
Membership Category | Early-Bird | Regular | On-site |
---|---|---|---|
NASW Member | $1300 | $1300 | $1750 |
Non-Member | $1300 | $1300 | $1750 |
FILM FESTIVAL SELECTIONS
"Park View”
Talana Kreeger, a woman who identified as lesbian, was murdered near Wilmington, NC and her body left in the woods. From the beginning homophobia marred the case, with funeral homes and churches refusing to hold services and law enforcement taking the position that Kreeger must have done something that caused the murder. Social worker, NASW member and filmmaker Tab Ballis’ film Park View looks at the battle it took to bring justice for Talana Kreeger and her loved ones.
"Angels and Saints - Eros and Awe” This documentary, from social worker and NASW member Vic Compher (his previous film “Caregivers” was featured at the conference), examines the way religion hampers the way people view their bodies, sexuality, and reproductive rights. The film in particular looks at the way people who are LGBTQIA have balanced their sexuality and religious faith. "Unseen” Most people dream of a better future. Pedro, an aspiring social worker, is no different. But as a blind, undocumented immigrant, Pedro faces political restrictions to obtain his college degree, secure a job in his field, and support his family. As he finally graduates, uncertainty looms over Pedro. What starts as a journey to provide mental health care for his community ultimately transforms into Pedro’s path towards his own healing.
SPEAKERS
Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr.
New York Times Bestselling Author & James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Princeton University
One of the nation’s most prominent scholars, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. is an author, political commentator, public intellectual and passionate educator who examines the complex dynamics of the American experience. His writings, including Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul, In a Shade of Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics of Black America, and his most recent, the New York Times bestseller, Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for our Own, takes a wide look at Black communities, the difficulties of race in the United States and the challenges we face as a democracy. In his writing and speaking, Glaude is an American critic in the tradition of James Baldwin and Ralph Waldo Emerson, confronting history and bringing our nation’s complexities, vulnerabilities and hope into full view. Hope that is, in one of his favorite quotes from W.E.B. Du Bois, "not hopeless, but a bit unhopeful."
Jonathan Singer, PhD, LCSW
Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW is an internationally recognized expert in youth suicide and social work technology. He is Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago, Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology, coauthor of two editions of the best-selling text Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner's Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention, co-lead of the Social Work Grand Challenge “Harness Technology for Social Good,” and founder and host of the award-winning Social Work Podcast, for which he was named an NASW Social Work Pioneer in 2023. He has chaired national committees for NASW and CSWE and served on youth advisory boards for Sandy Hook Promise, JED Foundation, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. He is the author of over 90 publications and his research has been featured in national and international media outlets like NPR, BBC, Fox, Time Magazine, and The Guardian. He lives in Evanston, IL with his wife and three children and can be found on X/Twitter as @socworkpodcast and Facebook at facebook.com/swpodcast.
Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of Social Workers
Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, earned a bachelor’s in science in psychology from Bowie State University, an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University, a doctorate in social work at Morgan State University, and an MBA at the University Maryland-College Park. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest intercollegiate African American fraternity.He has been a professor and chair of the Master of Social Work Program at Morgan State University since 2013. Estreet is also founder and chief executive officer of Next Step Treatment Center in Baltimore, which provides substance use treatment and mental health services. He is an active member of the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Black Social Workers.While at Morgan, Estreet was awarded more than $6 million in extramural grant funding for social work workforce development, research, and training. He also led the development and expansion of the first MSW program in the United States, and at a historically Black college or university, to have an area of specialized practice focused on addressing substance use disorders.During his career, Estreet has also been tapped to turn around and expand an underperforming clinical program and speed up public health action to address HIV health disparities among men in Baltimore and Jackson, Mississippi. Estreet has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, is a prolific national conference presenter and keynote speaker, and has two published books.
Former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy
During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law). In 2013, he founded The Kennedy Forum, a nonprofit that unites advocates, business leaders, and government agencies to advance evidence-based practices, policies, and programming in mental health and addiction. In 2015, Kennedy co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, “A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction,” which details a bold plan for the future of mental health care in America. In 2023, The Kennedy Forum launched the Alignment for Progress, a movement to align leaders from across industry and across the aisle to achieve 90/90/90 by 2033: 90% of all individuals will be screened for mental health and substance use disorders; 90% of those screened will be able to receive evidence-based treatment; 90% of those receiving treatment will be able to manage their symptoms in recovery. Kennedy’s second co-authored book “Profiles in Mental Health Courage” available April 2024 will delve into the compelling stories of a diverse group of Americans who have struggled with their mental health – many of whom are sharing their stories for the first time.
Kennedy is also the founder of DontDenyMe.org, an educational campaign that empowers consumers and providers to understand parity rights and connects them to essential appeals guidance and resources; co-founder of One Mind, an organization that pushes for greater global investment in brain research; co-chair of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19 (National Response); and co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Behavioral Health Integration Task Force.
Maryum Ali
Social Worker, Activist & Author
When Maryum was a child, her father Muhammad Ali would often ask her, "What is your purpose?" She would give the same response, “I want to help people.” For over a decade, Maryum has worked with and provided services to youth and families in underserved communities.
She has been a Director of social services programs and a Regional Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development in Los Angeles. In 2016, the A&E Network heard about her work and invited her to participate in their ground-breaking docuseries, 60 Days In, where she spent two months in a real jail as an undercover inmate in order to make recommendations on jail reform.
For the past seven years, Maryum has been a Public Speaker for social and human services organizations and departments; sharing thought-provoking stories about working with people impacted by institutional disparities, high rates of violence and other social issues. As an advocate for Parkinson’s disease awareness and research, Maryum gives presentations about her father’s journey with Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Tara D. Wallace, MSW, LSCSW, CTF-CBT, RYT, SLC
Tara D. Wallace is a licensed clinical social worker, certified spiritual life coach, and registered yoga teacher in private practice. She volunteers on numerous community boards whose missions advocate for children and families in the state of Kansas. Tara is also the CEO of a non-profit, Lighthouse Therapeutic Community Outreach Foundation, which promotes holistic wellness in low income and low access communities. She holds national certifications in art therapy, maternal mental health, and trauma. As an adjunct professor, advocate, and public speaker, Tara promotes understanding of issues related to child welfare and foster care, cultural bias, and maternal mortality. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in community care and counseling with emphasis in traumatology from Liberty University.
Kayla Balensiefer, LICSW, LCSW
Kayla Balensiefer, LICSW, LCSW works as the owner and director of Saving Throw Therapeutics LLC. She graduated in 2013 from the University of Southern California with her MSW and has over 10 years of experience working with children and families. Kayla is a huge fan of tabletop role playing games, board games, Marvel, Harry Potter, video games, Pokémon, and Minecraft. She has been playing in a weekly Dungeons & Dragons campaign with the same friends since 2016. She also works on the podcast Full Metal RPG and is on the board of directors for the nonprofit Saving Throw Society, an organization dedicated to expanding access to gaming and gaming diversity. Kayla is also affiliated with Geek Therapeutics.
Chris Herman, MSW, LICSW
Chris Herman (she/her), MSW, LICSW, has served as Senior Practice Associate–Aging at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for 17 years. In that capacity, she analyzes and advocates for aging-related federal policy, develops resources to enhance social work practice with older adults, and provides technical assistance to NASW leaders, members, and other stakeholders. Chris also represents NASW in numerous national coalitions and initiatives focused on older adults; those specific to elder abuse include the National Center on Elder Abuse advisory board, the National Center for State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalitions advisory committee, and the Reframing Elder Abuse advisory committee. Before joining the NASW staff, Chris worked directly with adult clients for 15 years in various aging, disability, and health settings.
Bonnie Olsen, PhD
Bonnie Olsen, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience as a geropsychologist, working in academic medicine for over 20 years. She provides cognitive assessment and short-term mental health treatment in a collaborative geriatric primary care setting. As the Vice Chair of Academic Affairs in the Department of Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, Dr. Olsen is involved in a number of research and program grants that focus on interprofessional geriatric education and elder abuse education and prevention. She is particularly interested in elder mistreatment as it occurs in the context of dementia caregiving and understanding decisional capacity. In 2009, she was awarded the Gold Humanism Honor Society’s Gold Star Award for Humanism in delivery of health care and has remained dedicated to community service throughout her career. Dr. Olsen is a passionate advocate and expert for elder justice and the prevention of elder abuse and has guest lectured throughout the country on the topic.
Lori Mars, JD, LLM
Lori Mars, JD, LLM, is the Deputy Director of the National Center on Elder Abuse. She is an assistant professor of clinical family medicine in the Department of Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. After practicing law for over 20 years, Lori’s concentration lies in the area of elder abuse research and education. She is interested in scholarship at the intersection of law, aging, and elder abuse. Ms. Mars has a master’s in law in alternative dispute resolution and serves as a volunteer long-term care ombudsman. She is passionate about elder justice and advocating for the rights of all older adults to live with dignity and respect.
Mirean Coleman
Mirean Coleman is a professional social worker who is a licensed, independent clinical social worker in Washington, DC. She has practiced in the field of social work for over 25 years as a clinician, supervisor, administrator, auditor, trainer, and consultant in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, community mental health, acute care hospitals, long term care facilities, family service agencies, and private practice. She is currently the Director of Clinical Practice at the national office of NASW.
Rachel Forbes, MSW
Rachel Forbes, MSW, is an associate professor of the practice of social work and the Western Colorado MSW program director at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. She is an appointed member of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Commission on Educational Policy, the inaugural cochair of the CSWE Committee on Environmental Justice, and a former member of CSWE’s Council on Global, Learning and Practice. Rachel was the taskforce cochair for the CSWE Curricular Guide for Environmental Justice (2020). She is co-editor of the book Ecosocial Work: Environmental Practice and Advocacy (2023) and co-author of the book The Intersection of Environmental Justice, Climate Change, Community and the Ecology of Life (2021). Rachel is an elected member of the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers Board of Directors. She has taught coursework on sustainability, ecological justice, culture and place-based equity, and fostering sustainable behavior across undergraduate and graduate programs for over 10 years. Rachel’s current research and teaching looks at the impacts of climate change on mental health and ecological justice social work practice. Her work has been published in Environmental Justice and has been funded by the CSWE Katherine A. Kendall Institute for International Social Work. Rachel lives in Glenwood Springs, Colorado where she advocates for environmental justice in mountain communities across Colorado’s Western Slope.
Ande Nesmith, PhD, MSW
Ande Nesmith is School of Social Work Director and Professor at the University of St. Thomas in the Morrison Family College of Health. Her passion is environmental justice. She has developed curricular tools to integrate this into the classroom and community. Dr. Nesmith serves on the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Committee on Environmental Justice and the CSWE Commission on Global Social Work Education. Dr. Nesmith also studies outcomes for youth and young adults in foster care and juvenile justice. She was recently awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study child welfare in the Czech Republic.
Monica Barrera
Monica is Hub's Chief Managing officer and leads the Hub’s strategic organizational planning efforts. As part of the executive leadership team, she helps drive the organization’s overall strategy and oversees the Hub’s leadership development programs. In her previous role as the Hub’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, she led efforts to cultivate and strengthen partnerships in and outside of the immigrants' rights movement to leverage a broader base of support for pro-immigrant policies. Prior to joining the Hub, Monica served as a senior advisor to Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid on legislative and policy developments impacting Latino and AAPI communities, including immigration policy. Monica also served as the Senior Policy Advisor for Latino Affairs to Senator Bob Menendez in the years during and following the establishment of DACA and the Senate fight to pass comprehensive immigration reform. She began her work on Capitol Hill as a postgraduate legislative fellow in the office of Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and has worked in DC on policy advocacy benefiting immigrant communities for more than a decade. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., Monica worked at the Women of Color Policy Network at NYU Wagner and advanced the policy institute’s legislative priorities in the areas of economic security, social equity, and immigration reform. Monica is a Peace Corps alumna (Dominican Republic) and a graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia University School of Social Work.
Ben Fulgencio-Turner, MPP
Ben Fulgencio-Turner leads the Climate for Health program, a national initiative to build climate leadership and action in the health sector, advancing solutions that protect personal and community health. Ben started his career as a community organizer in New Orleans, supporting neighborhood leaders and building power in communities recovering from Hurricane Katrina. He has studied and worked within systems of safety-net health care for over fourteen years, developing cross-sector partnerships to address root causes of health inequities. He received a BA from Tulane University and a MPP from Georgetown University.
Leslie M. Proll
Leslie Proll is the Senior Director for Voting Rights at The Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights coalition. She helps lead the national voting rights coalition in working to strengthen our democracy by ensuring that all voters, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or ability, can fully participate in the political process.Leslie served as Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Obama, where she advised the Secretary of Transportation on civil rights matters. For many years, she served as Policy Director of the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, where she worked extensively on Congressional reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2006 and on legislation responding to the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder. Leslie began her civil rights career in Birmingham, Alabama. She litigated class actions and jury trials in the areas of voting rights, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and higher education school desegregation. Leslie served as a law clerk to the late Chief Judge Sam Pointer, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. A native Californian, Leslie is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and the University of California at Davis School of Law.
Hsun-ta Hsu, PhD, MSW
Dr. Hsun-Ta Hsu is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Social Work and School of Data Science in Society. His research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in promoting health and housing outcomes among individuals experiencing homelessness. His most recent work uses a community-engaged machine learning approach to connect individuals with rural housing resources fairly and efficiently.
Jamie Sundvall, PhD, LICSW
Dr. Jamie Sundvall, PhD, LICSW, BCD is the Director of Online Education for the MSW program at Touro University. She has been a leader for clinical and advanced generalist program development, implementation, and oversight, supporting various institutions of higher education in online education and in clinical practice. She holds a CSWE-accredited MSW, with dual concentrations in Clinical Practice and Gerontology. She earned a research-based PhD in International Psychology specializing in Trauma Services. Dr. Sundvall completed a prestigious two-year, post-graduate trauma fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and served as Medical Service Corps Officer in the United States Navy, holding various leadership positions. She is an expert in online clinical care and educational program delivery. She engages in cutting edge technology and online practice to support and advance training within the profession. Dr. Sundvall believes in harnessing the power of technology to build better programming, improve professional training and competency, and improve access to care in a rapidly advancing digital world. She emphasizes the importance of boundaries, ethical awareness, and responsibility for professionals on the front lines.
Meredith Powers, PhD, MSW
Dr. Meredith C.F. Powers (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at UNC Greensboro, in North Carolina, USA. She teaches, facilitates community-engaged, action-research, and has co-authored and co-edited a growing body of open-access work on topics of climate justice, climate migration, ecosocial worldviews, eco-therapeutic practices for healing, ecosocial work, and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Dr. Powers is the founding Director of the Climate Justice Program of the International Federation of Social Workers. With this role, she also produces and co-hosts a new podcast project, JAM Sessions. She established and co-administers the global Green / Environmental Social Work Collaborative Network. Her local, community-engaged, action research projects include: “Parks for All People”, for the extensive enhancement of outdoor recreation spaces; “Climates of Inequality: Stories of Environmental Justice”, focused on global and local climate migration and resettlement; and, most recently, “All That We Share”, an inclusive, community public art project that serves to enhance the community as we celebrate diversity and strengthen our bonds to each other and our environment
Debbie Stabenow Senator Stabenow is the leader in the United States Senate in the movement to improve access to mental health and substance abuse services. In 2014, her bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act created a new, transformational system that funds community behavioral health services the same way we fund physical health services. Senator Stabenow is also the leader in strengthening school-based health services including behavioral health. Senator Stabenow is a champion for behavioral health care providers as well. With her bipartisan Improving Access to Mental Health Act, she has been leading the effort to increase Medicare’s reimbursement rate for clinical social workers and ensure they can provide their full range of services to Medicare beneficiaries. As Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Stabenow has been the leader for protecting and strengthening national food assistance programs and child nutrition initiatives, so that children have access to healthy meals at school. She is also the author of the new permanent summer meals program for children. As a state representative in Michigan in the 1980s, Representative Stabenow chaired the Mental Health Committee. Among many laws enacted to improve the lives of Michiganders, she authored the Children’s Mental Health Act and the Family Support Subsidy Act to help families caring for severely disabled children at home. Senator Stabenow received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Michigan State University. She is a proud member of the Congressional Social Work Caucus.
United States Senator
State of Michigan
“Made in Michigan” through and through, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow continues to lead on public policy and improve the lives of the people of Michigan and Americans across our country. Her leadership is characterized by an unrivaled work ethic, the ability to build bipartisan coalitions to get things done, and a commitment to public service that has set the standard for constituent service.
Throughout her years in public service, she has blazed trails and opened doors for women and girls. Among her many “firsts” – she was the first woman elected to the United States Senate from Michigan.
Omni Shoreham Washington DC Hotel
Hotel
The NASW room block at the Omni Shoreham Hotel for the 2024 NASW National Conference has sold out. We have secured additional rooms for registrants at The Churchill Hotel.1914 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009
Transportation between The Churchill Hotel and the Omni Shoreham will be provided.
Travel
With hundreds of daily flights, getting into Washington, DC is easy! Choose from three major airports in the metro area.
FROM RONALD REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT – 13 MILES
Take a taxi from Ronald Reagan International Airport for roughly $20 or take the Metro to Adams Morgan/Woodley Park metro stop. Walk south from the metro exit and take a right from Connecticut Ave NW to Calvert Street NW. You will see the hotel on your left.
FROM DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – 28 MILES
Take the Dulles Airport Toll Road to Route 66 East. Proceed East on Route 66. After crossing the Roosevelt Bridge and entering Washington, D.C., exit onto Constitution Avenue. Stay on Constitution, then make a left onto 18th Street. Then make a left onto Connecticut Avenue. You will go through an underpass under Dupont Circle. After you pass the Hilton on your right, you will go 1 mile, crossing over the Taft Bridge and Rock Creek Park. At the end of the bridge, make a left onto Calvert Street. The hotel will be on your left.
FROM BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT — 38 Miles
Proceed through the airport and follow the signs for I-95 South. Take 495 West toward Silver Spring to Exit 33 (Connecticut Avenue South) toward Washington, D.C. Proceed South on Connecticut Avenue for approximately 5 miles. The National Zoo will be on your left. Proceed another 5 blocks and make a right onto Calvert Street. The hotel will on your left.
From Union Station
If you are arriving by train or bus at Union Station, you can reach the venue by car or cab in about 20 minutes or by the Metro in about 25 minutes. Take the Red Line towards Shady Grove from Union Station and get off at Adams Morgan/Woodley Park Metro. Walk south from the metro exit and take a right from Connecticut Ave NW to Calvert Street NW. You will see the hotel on your left.
EXHIBITORS
Be part of an event that showcases innovative social work programs, research, and advocacy work across the country. Access this group of dedicated, engaged professionals in an opportunity to connect with leaders in the field who are seeking information about products and services that can help them do their jobs and serve their clients more efficiently.Download the Exhibitor Prospectus .
Download the Exhibitor Kit
Spotlight Your Solution
- Audience - Speak with key social work leaders who have purchasing power, private practitioners that need small business products and services, and other helping professionals
- Reception & Refreshments – The opening reception as well as daily refreshment breaks and meet ups will all take place in the Exhibit Hall, driving traffic to your booth
- Prizes - All attendees are eligible to win prizes by visiting exhibitors, enticing them to engage with you.
PATRON PROGRAM
Get in front of your target audiencevirtually.
- Your organization's logo posted on the conference site
- 1 complimentary registration to the Virtual Conference
- Your organization’s logo will be featured in a powerpoint loop that will be broadcast during the virtual conference
SPONSORSHIP For questions and to sign up for the Patron Program or to become a Sponsor, email Richard Loomis:rloomis.nasw@socialworkers.orgor Raffaele Vitelli:rvitelli.nasw@socialworkers.org
Interested in highlighting your company?Download the Sponsor Prospectus .
SPONSORS
In June 2024, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) will bring together more than 2,000 socialworkers and related professionals from across the world to expand their understanding on how social workis leading social change. Over the span of four days, attendees will hear from inspiring internationallyrenowned keynote speakers, have access to unparalleled opportunities for professional development, and network with leaders in their field. Whether you offer health and human service products and services,continuing education opportunities, or simply want to get in front of social workers, the2024 NASW National Conference is the place to be.
Download the Sponsor Prospectus
Secure Your Sponsorship
You are welcome to customize a sponsor package to fit you specific marketing and budget needs. To secure your sponsorship ordiscuss custom sponsor opportunities, please contact Rafaelle Vitelli at rvitelli.nasw@socialworkers.org or Richard Loomis at rloomis.nasw@socialworkers.org.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Social Work Leadership Roundtable Statement on Safety and Inclusiveness
Members of the Social Work Leadership Roundtable, representing their respective organizations — American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, Association of Social Work Boards, Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Council on Social Work Education, Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work, Grand Challenges for Social Work, National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work, National Association of Black Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers, Saint Louis Group, and Society for Social Work and Research — stand united in support of the professional culture that we want to cultivate at our events. Social work conferences and meetings are places where we gather to learn, share information, and begin and renew professional collaborations. As such, it is important to foster an atmosphere that promotes safety and inclusiveness. We are committed to fulfilling the expectation for an atmosphere that is physically and psychologically safe.
While none of our organizations have the power to monitor spaces such as online platforms and we recognize that some societal norms continue to fuel behaviors that can be problematic or unsafe, we will continually strive to urge and administer expectations for decorum, respectful communication, safety, and inclusiveness. As leaders in our profession representing diverse organizations, we are committed to communicating the importance of gracious conduct to our members. By encouraging the positive intentions of our members and ensuring a sound means for providing feedback and responding swiftly when those intentions are not met, we commit to building and maintaining a culture of dignity and respect at all our events and workplaces.
The 2024 NASW National Conference, “Social Work: Leading Social Change” will be held in Washington, DC at the Omni Shoreham Washington Hotel from June 19 to June 22, 2024. Registration will open in January 2024. No, in addition to social workers, we encourage other health and human services professionals to attend the conference. Registration for the conference includes all keynote presentations, breakout sessions, plenary programs, materials, refreshment breaks, admission to the exhibit hall and Social Work Film Festival. Register for the 2024 NASW National Conference online through Friday, June 7. Following June 7, registration will be available onsite at the conference. The deadline for the Early-Bird Registration rate is March 31 2024. Register early as space is limited! Yes. Online registrants will receive an email confirmation shortly after submission. There is a special Early Bird registration rate of $499 (members) and $725 (non-members) available through March 31, 2024. Regular registration fees are $599 (members) and $785 (non-members). Yes, a reduced registration rate is available for student members of NASW. Early bird rate (through March 31) for NASW student members is $250. Regular student rate is $275. The onsite student registration rate is $299. Yes, a reduced registration rate is available for retired members of NASW. Early bird rate (through March 31) for NASW retired members is $250. Regular rate for retired members is $275. The onsite retired member registration rate is $299. Written requests for refunds must be sent to NASW by email tonaswconference@socialworkers.org. Refunds will be issued 30 days following receipt of the request and will follow the schedule below: Pre-conference workshops are 3-hour intensive sessions held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. There is a separate registration fee for the pre-conference workshops: NASW Members: $135 and $175 onsite; Student members & retired members: $100 and $140 onsite; Non-members: $185 and $225 onsite. You must register for the full conference in order to be able to register for a pre-conference workshop. The conference includes up to 24.5 CEs which are included in your registration. Attendees will need to scan their badge into each session in order to obtain CEs. There are 3 CEs for the pre-conference workshops and are included in the price of the workshop. - Social Work Film Festival - Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7:00 pm. Three films featuring critical social work issues will be screened. Attendees may select one of the three films to view. There is no additional registration fee for the film festival.- NASW Career Development Forum - Social Work Practice Meet-Ups Volunteer opportunities are available to NASW student members only. The deadline to sign-up to become a volunteer is March 31, 2024. If you are interested in volunteering for the conference, please send an email todmiller.nasw@socialworkers.org. Volunteers are responsible for their own lodging and travel costs. Conference attendees can book their hotel stay at the conference hotel, the Omni Shoreham Washington Hotel. A single/double room can be booked for $269(+tax) per night.Online reservations can here. FAQs
↓ Where and when will the 2024 NASW National Conference take place? ↓
↓ When can I register for the 2024 NASW Conference? ↓
↓ Do I have to be a social worker to attend the 2024 NASW National Conference? ↓
↓ What is included in the registration cost? ↓
↓ What is the deadline for registration? ↓
↓ Will I receive written confirmation of my registration? ↓
↓ Are there any discounted rates for registration? ↓
↓ Is there a student member registration rate? ↓
↓ Is there a Retired Member registration rate? ↓
↓ What is the conference cancellation policy? ↓
- For cancellation requests received before March 31, 2024: You will receive a 75 percent refund of your registration fee.
- For cancellation requests received April 1 - May 31, 2024: You will receive a 50 percent refund of your conference registration fee.
- After May 31, 2024: No refunds will be issued for any reason.
- Payments for pre-conference workshops and continuing education credits are non-refundable.
- NASW regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows.↓ What are pre-conference Workshops? ↓
↓ How many continuing education contact hours are available at the conference? ↓
↓ Are there special events associated with the conference? ↓
- A Night Out with NASW - featuring a DJ, photobooth, bar and more.↓ Are there volunteer opportunities at the conference? ↓
↓ Is there a discounted hotel rate for conference attendees? ↓
Foundation Awards
The NASW National & NASW Foundation Awards shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of social workers and other remarkable individuals who tirelessly champion the principles and ideals of the social work profession.
Their recognition isn't just about acknowledging past achievements; it's also about empowering and creating hope for the future. We honor these individuals who have gone above and beyond, to express gratitude for their dedication and commitment and to inspire the next generation of social workers.
NASW and the NASW Foundation celebrate the resilience, courage, and unwavering dedication of those who lead by example and inspire us to reaffirm our commitment to building a more just and equitable society for all.
NASW Social Justice Award
Barbara Lee
NASW Foundation International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award
Pedro Navarro Aguilar, MSW
NASW Foundation Knee-Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award
Peter Buxton, JD
Peter Buxtun was a former employee of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) who became known as the whistleblower responsible for ending the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, also known as the “USPHS study of untreated syphilis in the negro male at Tuskegee Macon County, AL 1932-1972.” Buxtun’s life experiences led him to identify the study as morally indefensible and to seek justice for the male victims. After earning a European History BA at the University of Oregon, Buxtun served in the U.S. Army as a Psychiatric Social Worker. Later, as a 27-year-old epidemiologist in San Francisco, he was hired by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) in December 1965 as a venereal disease (VD) investigator to interview patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In the course of his duties, he learned about the Tuskegee experiment from co-workers. In November 1966, he filed an official protest on ethical grounds with the USPHS Division of Venereal Diseases. The men were vulnerable populations of poor farmers who were deceived about the offerings of free medical care and other benefits for their participation. Buxtun’s protest was rejected on the grounds that the experiment was not yet complete. He filed another protest in November 1968, seven months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., pointing out the political volatility of the study. Again, his concerns were ruled irrelevant. In 1972, Buxtun leaked information on the Tuskegee experiment to Jean Heller of the Associated Press. It first appeared in the Washington Star. Heller's story exposing the experiment was published on July 25, 1972. Senator Edward Kennedy called Congressional hearings, at which Buxtun and officials from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare testified. The experiment was terminated shortly afterwards. In May 1999, Buxtun attended the launch of a memorial center and public exhibit dedicated to the history of the Tuskegee Experiment. Buxtun’s charges led to new laws governing human research and governing medical ethics committees with non-physician members. In 1997, U.S. President Bill Clinton apologized for the Tuskegee Experiment: “The United States government did something that was… profoundly, morally wrong… clearly racist.” The Tuskegee men, their partners, and their children/descents still receive payments of restitution from the CDC today for its lifelong effects on the families. Buxtun's efforts led to the creation of the Belmont Report, which established new laws governing human research, as well as Medical Ethics Committees featuring non-physician members. These measures safeguard against unethical treatment of human subjects, families, groups, and communities. Many textbooks today in social work analyze his study and how it relates to research and healthcare social work practice. Buxtun came to America as an infant when his family fled the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939. Born in 1937 in Prague, Czechoslavakia, Buxtun was of Jewish and Czech descent. A self-described child of the Holocaust, he was born to a Jewish father and a Christian mother who took him to America in 1938. He grew up speaking German and was a German history and Nuremburg trials researcher. It was this expertise that led to Buxtun joining the CDC in 1965 as a VD investigator. Throughout her years in public service, she has blazed trails and opened doors for women and girls. Among her many “firsts” – she was the first woman elected to the United States Senate from Michigan. Senator Stabenow is the leader in the United States Senate in the movement to improve access to mental health and substance abuse services. In 2014, her bipartisan Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act created a new, transformational system that funds community behavioral health services the same way we fund physical health services. This new approach is expanding community mental health services nationwide. It’s also reducing the stigma around mental illness and moving us closer to true parity between physical and mental health care. Senator Stabenow is also the leader in strengthening school-based health services including behavioral health. Senator Stabenow is a champion for behavioral health care providers as well. In the end of the year funding bill, she secured the inclusion of provisions to expand and strengthen the behavioral health workforce. With her bipartisan Improving Access to Mental Health Act, she has been leading the effort to increase Medicare’s reimbursement rate for clinical social workers and ensure they can provide their full range of services to Medicare beneficiaries. As Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Stabenow has been the leader for protecting and strengthening national food assistance programs and child nutrition initiatives, so that children have access to healthy meals at school. She is also the author of the new permanent summer meals program for children. As a state representative in Michigan in the 1980s, Representative Stabenow chaired the Mental Health Committee. Among many laws enacted to improve the lives of Michiganders, she authored the Children’s Mental Health Act and the Family Support Subsidy Act to help families caring for severely disabled children at home. Senator Stabenow received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Michigan State University. She is a proud member of the Congressional Social Work Caucus.National Social Worker of the Year Award
State Representative Lydia Crafts, LCSW
NASW Foundation Knee-Wittman Lifetime Achievement
The Honorable Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
“Made in Michigan” through and through, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow continues to lead on public policy and improve the lives of the people of Michigan and Americans across our country. Her leadership is characterized by an unrivaled work ethic, the ability to build bipartisan coalitions to get things done, and a commitment to public service that has set the standard for constituent service.National Public Citizen of the Year Award
Cynthia Herrara, JD
National Public Citizen of the Year Award
Olymphia O’Neale White, DSW
National Public Elected Official of the Year Award
Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes, City of Austin