February 2023 Newsletter

Monthly News & Updates

SPECIAL FEATURE

NASW-MO Testifies Before House Committee on Anti-Trans Legislation

Executive Director, Cassie E. Brown, testified before the Missouri House Committee on General Laws on HBs 170, 183, and 337 (all denying the participation of transgirls/transwomen in school sports, some including even private/religious schools) and HBs 419, 463, and 540 (all denying treatment access to medically necessary and appropriate treatment for transgender youth under the age of 18). NASW-MO strongly opposed these bills and advocates for full inclusion of trans people and access to appropriate health

Ethically Speaking

Introducing our new monthly feature from our Chapter Ethics Committee, "Ethically Speaking."

by Peggy Reed-Lohmeyer

For this introductory ethics article for our chapter newsletter, I am beginning with the basic—why we have a Code of Ethics in the first place.I am writing this article as the Chair of the NASW-Missouri Chapter Ethics Committee, but I am remembering back many years ago when I was first exposed to the idea of professional ethics.I was in a Sociology class. I no longer recall the context, but I clearly remember the professor, naming requirements for some field or type of work to be considered a profession.She may have named more, but the ones that have stayed with me are (1) educational or training requirements, (2) professional organization, and (3) professional ethics. After class, I went to my social work faculty advisor, to verify that social work did meet the stated criteria to be a profession. He told me of the Counsel on Social Work Education, the National Association of Social Workers, and the NASW Code of Ethics. I remember, as a young undergraduate student, feeling proud to know that I had chosen to pursue a degree in a field that was a recognized profession. I also joined NASW as a student member that day.

Legislatie Updates

NFrom NASW-MO's Lobbying Team

1. Anti-Poverty Efforts – NASW Missouri Chapter supports policies to relieve financial hardship and provide adequate assistance for individuals living in poverty. Bills related to this policy area include:

• Develop transitional benefits to mitigate the income “cliff” for public assistance programs. SB 82, sponsored by Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman, is referred to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.HB 719, sponsored by Representative Alex Riley, is referred to the House Committee on Children and Families.
• Authorize sales tax exemptions for diapers and period products. SB 73, sponsored by Senator Curtis Trent, is referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tax Policy.

From the Executive Director's Desk

Sometimes, social work feels like Groundhog Day. We face the same battles, serving the same kinds of clients, fighting the same societal problems over and over again. Day after day, we feel the weight of the world—substance use disorders, child abuse, problematic legislation, domestic violence, families facing cancer. I could go on.

We are social workers. We live at the intersection of deep compassion and the world’s deep needs .

Like Phil Connors, we ourselves may experience rage, despair, and hopelessness at various times. We see only the shadows in front of us.

There is light. There is hope.