April 2023 Newsletter

Social Work Month in Missouri: LEAD at the Capitol & Annual Symposium

Governor Mike Parson formally declared March 2023 “Social Work Month” in Missouri. And what a month! NASW-MO brought programming, education, and advocacy to students and professionals across the state in LEAD Day and the Annual Symposium.

Jefferson City. On March 1, over a hundred students and professors of social work joined the NASW-MO Advocacy Committee in the Capitol to learn about the processes of policy and advocacy. State representative Aaron Crossley (District-29, Independence), a social worker as well as an elected official, addressed the gathered crowd. Information about bills of importance to NASW-MO were provided by Jessica Petrie, of Winton Policy Group, NASW-MO’s lobbying team. Students were provided talking points on issues including diaper and period produce sales tax exemption and postpartum Medicaid expansion bills. Ms. Petrie had also provided more in-depth education on the advocacy process and these bills in advance through a virtual training. After enjoying a pizza lunch provided by NASW-MO, students were encouraged by NASW-MO’s Executive Director, Cassie E. Brown, to follow up with their state senators or representatives or to watch floor debates.

Ethically Speaking

Self-Care an Ethical Requirement

by Peggy Reed-Lohemeyer, MSW, LCSW

For those who attended the ethics training on the Thursday evening before the Spring Symposium began, this will be a review.

At the last Delegate Assembly, changes were made to the Code of Ethics regarding cultural competence and self-care.Last year, cultural competence was focused on in the Spring Symposium’s ethics training.This year, the self-care additions were highlighted.

Language about self-care was added to two sections of the Code: the Purpose & the Ethical Principles.Specifically, in the Purpose, the fifth purpose now reads:

The Code socializes practitioners new to the field to social work’s mission, values, ethical principles, & ethical standards, & encourages all social workers to engage in self-care, ongoing education, & other activities to ensure their commitment to those same core features of the profession (NASW, n.d.).

Please note the bold and italicized font is what was added & is included here to highlight the addition.

From the Executive Director’s Desk

Greetings Colleagues! 

Things happen in the spring. Daffodils. Robin’s nests. Rainstorms. And advocacy. Honoring our commitment to human rights, NASW-MO has repeatedly gone on record, testifying against legislation that would negatively impact the trans community and especially trans youth over this session. 

Recently, I was proud to testify in favor of MONA: the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act (SB 60). On that day, following the hearing, I had the privilege of supporting the trans community at a protest organized by PROMO. Speakers included transwomen of color from Transformations Kansas City, senators and representatives, a drag queen, representatives from PFLAG St. Louis including a transman, members of the clergy from Jewish and Christian traditions, parents and grandparents of trans kids, and a trans teen. The energy overwhelmed me, as chants echoed from the marble steps of the Capitol and transpride flags waved.