Chapter Meetings/Events:
Rural Member Committee - First Tuesday of every month, 5:00 PM -Email admin.naswnv@socialworkers.org to join the committee meeting!
Racial Equity Committee - Second Monday every month, 6:00 PM
Your Nevada Chapter presents:
See My Color: Why Racial Colorblindness is Unethical
More than 50 years after Dr. King's speech, individuals continue to use his words to justify their claim of being racially colorblind. Racial colorblindness is modern-day racism and denies the racial disparities that continue to exist in various systems, including healthcare, education, and the criminal justice system. In the helping profession, not only is it unrealistic to be racially colorblind, it is dangerous and does more harm than good. If you don't see my color, you can't see me. And if you can't see me how can you empathize with my racial experiences, accept my whole being and validate my perspectives?
Date: Mar 18, 2023, 09:00 AM Pacific Time
Venue: Zoom
Presenter: Crystal Bennett, LMSW Is the founder and CEO of THRYVE, LLC, and an Adjunct Professor at Florida State University and Sante Fe College. Ms. Bennett brings over 20 years of experience with youth and families to the leadership of THRYVE. Her areas of expertise include Human Trafficking, Suicide Prevention, Child Trauma/Maltreatment, Motivational Interviewing, Racial Trauma, Cultural Humility and working to dismantle systems of white supremacy to promote equity and justice.
Cost: 2 CEUs / $25 Nonmember / $15 NASW Member / Free for students (no CEUs)
Sign up here: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/zpv2npt00wg7lq/
"Free Your Mind": Breaking the Chains of Imposter Syndrome
Impostor Syndrome is a pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity, or fraudulence despite often overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Often described as something “normal” and an experience that “many go through” imposter syndrome impacts women, women of color, and LGBTQ2IA individuals at disproportionate rates. In this workshop, we will do just that! Let’s stand in solidarity and discuss the impacts of racism, sexism, and colonialism on our feelings of inadequacy and belonging. Learn 4 steps to reframing Imposter Syndrome and walk away knowing that You Belong Where You Walk.
Date: Apr 22, 2023, 09:00 AM Pacific Time
Venue: Zoom
Presenter: Crystal Rozelle – Bennett, LMSW is the founder and CEO of THRYVE, LLC and an Adjunct Professor at Florida State University and Sante Fe College. Ms. Bennett brings over 20 years of experience with youth and families to the leadership of THRYVE. Her areas of expertise include Human Trafficking, Suicide Prevention, Child Trauma/Maltreatment, Motivational Interviewing, Racial Trauma, Cultural Humility and working to dismantle systems of white supremacy to promote equity and justice.
Cost: 2 CEUs / $25 Nonmember / $15 NASW Member / Free for students (no CEUs)
Sign up here: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/z6lf88318a5w1j/
If you would like to present a workshop for NASW-Nevada Chapter- Submit your request here: https://naswil.wufoo.com/forms/x5oe7n115szsiw/
NASW Opposes Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Exams
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) opposes the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) social work licensing exams after a review of ASWB data shows significant disparities in pass rates for prospective social workers of color, older adults, and those who speak English as a second language.
NASW is prepared to oppose the Social Work Interstate Compact Legislation being developed by the Council of State Governments (CSG) if the bill is not substantially improved, including the removal of provisions which codify the ASWB exams. NASW is eager to work with CSG to develop multi-state social work practice legislation.
In an August 2022 statement after the release of the ASWB data, NASW committed to working closely with its partners to propose innovative solutions that reduce harm and increase diversity at all levels of social work practice.
These efforts will initially target removal of non-independent social work practice exams which may be biased, and support efforts to strengthen competency measures.
NASW looks forward to working with its partners to implement these strategic initiatives and to promoting the diversity and well-being of the social work profession, and the health and well-being of the populations social workers serve.
2022 EPAS and Licensing Exam Pass Rates
CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation has made the decision to remove licensing exam pass rates from the 2022 EPAS accreditation standards. This change reinforces the 2022 EPAS’ emphasis on anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, which supports social work education programs in developing a workforce of social workers who are knowledgeable about the ways positionality, power, privilege, and difference affect all levels of practice. https://www.cswe.org/news/news/coa-removes-licensing-exam-pass-rates-from-the-2022-epas/
ASWB Pass Rates Released
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) on August 5 published data in a 2022 ASWB Exam Pass Rate Analysis. This disclosure stems from years of advocacy by NASW and other social work organizations, schools of social work, and individual advocates to push ASWB to post data that it has been unwilling to release for decades.
The data revealed glaring disparities in pass rates among racial groups, particularly for Black test takers. It also raised concerns about disparities in pass rates for other demographics, including social workers who are older adults.
All social work institutions - including ASWB and licensing boards, NASW and other associations, and social work higher education programs - must openly confront systemic racism within our profession. We must all commit to working to ensure reforms are made to ensure the licensing process is equitable for all, protecting the public without unnecessary gatekeeping and discrimination.
NASW through its national office and its 55 chapters is committed to working closely with partners to develop a coordinated and timely response to this issue and propose innovative solutions that reduce harm and increase diverse representation at all levels of social work practice.
The Chapter will be setting up a task force to review the data further and discuss possible actions further and will be reaching out to the Nevada Social Work Board of Examiners to collaborate on a path forward that ensures social work equity in Nevada.
Social Work Inter-State Compact
What is an interstate licensure compact?
An interstate compact is a legal contract between two or more states/territories enabling practitioners (in this case, social workers) to practice in each other’s jurisdiction, once practitioners demonstrate they meet the compact requirements.
The draft legislation for the social work interstate licensure compact has been released by the Council of State Governments (CSG). The public comment period is now open and is expected to last for approximately two months.
To download a copy of the draft legislation, review the fact sheet, read FAQs, register for their weekly stakeholder review sessions, and access the survey link to provide your comments. Visit the Council on State Governments (CSG) to learn more.