News

DeVos has limited experience and not willing to develop high-quality public education for all children WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) chooses not to support the Senate confirmation of Betsy DeVos to become U.S. Secretary of Education. The overarching reasons for our position are that DeVos is woefully inexperienced in managing a major federal agency, appears to have very limited knowledge of federal and state government public education policies and regulations, and her seeming unwillingness to embrace the long-standing commitment of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to developing a high-quality ...

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Case centered upon statutory immunity for social workers who must report suspected child abuse WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent court decision issued by the North Carolina Supreme Court is a positive outcome for social workers in North Carolina. In Piro v. McKeever, Ms. McKeever, LCSW, fulfilled her duty to report suspected child abuse when she reported sexual abuse allegations to authorities against her client’s father. The allegations were not substantiated by the Department of Social Services (DSS), and the father sued Ms. McKeever. He alleged that Ms. McKeever improperly conducted therapy sessions with his son, which resulted ...

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Carson has no discernible qualifications to lead U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) withholds its support of the confirmation of Dr. Ben Carson to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) because he has no discernible qualifications to manage an agency of such magnitude and complexity. It is crucial that HUD has a qualified leader. The agency oversees housing programs, policies and initiatives that are critical for clients who are low or moderate income, especially those who are persons of color. The emergence...

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Price would likely severely erode health care protection for millions of Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) opposes the Senate confirmation of Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) to become Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over concerns he will erode health care protections for millions of Americans and support efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. HHS is one of the most important federal agencies that oversees social safety net programs, including child welfare, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food and drug safety. The agency affects the health and well-being of...

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Sessions has dismal record on legislation and policies that protect civil and human rights WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) opposes the confirmation of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions to be the next U.S. Attorney General over deep concerns that during his tenure the United States could lose ground on important advances made during the past 50 years in civil and human rights. NASW for more than 60 years has advocated for social justice and civil rights legislation and policies that move our nation toward being a more just and fair society. Sessions’ record, over the course of his career as a state...

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Association urges President-Elect to help heal divisiveness, trauma from his campaign WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) congratulates Donald J. Trump on his election to become the 45th president of the United States. The Association is deeply concerned by statements Mr. Trump has made regarding women, people of color and immigrants. At the same time, we acknowledge we must work with the new administration to address pressing issues of the day, including justice reforms, racial and gender inequality, access to health care for all, and helping more Americans achieve economic self-sufficiency and stability....

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Around 50 schools will participate in NASW event on November 9 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is holding its first Virtual Grad Fair on November 9 from noon to 4 p.m. EST that will connect prospective social work graduate students with admissions recruiters from college and university social work graduate programs. “NASW determined there was a demand for a Virtual Grad Fair after we held two successful Virtual Career Fairs,” said Raffaele Vitelli, NASW’s Director of Professional Development. “This event will virtually connect prospective social work graduate students with premi...

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Needed reforms include national use-of-force standards, training to de-escalate tense situations WASHINGTON, D.C. - In what seems to be an unending national dilemma, the country is again grappling with the shooting deaths of black men during encounters with law enforcement officers. In Tulsa, Okla. police approached a vehicle in a traffic stop related encounter with Terrance Crutcher, 40. The officers were initially responding to a report of a stalled vehicle. Crutcher, who was unarmed and not resisting, was shot with a stun gun by one officer and shot with a pistol by a second officer. The gunshot wound was the cause of his death. The off...

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Priorities are voting rights, criminal and juvenile justice reforms, immigration and economic equity WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has set five social justice priorities to address over the next year - voting rights, criminal justice reforms, juvenile justice, immigration reform and economic justice and equity. Within this set of social justice priorities are four sub-priorities - health and behavioral health equity, racial and population-based discrimination, matters involving courts such as U.S. Supreme Court and federal judge nominations and environmental justice. “These are social justice ...

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#SWRocktheVote campaign will run September 12-30, 2016 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is partnering with Social Work Helper Magazine and the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW) on a nationwide Rock the Vote registration drive. During the #SWRocktheVote campaign, which runs September 12-30, social workers and their allies are encouraged to each register five people to vote using the Social Work Helper mobile app, online registration forms or mail-in forms. “NASW and the social work profession have a long history of ensuring everyone has the right to cast a ballot,...

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