Offer tangible support to trans folks by donating to TransOhio’s emergency fund>>

To our fellow social workers and mental healthcare providers:

While HB 68 will affect the regulation of our practice, HB 68 does NOT ban gender affirming mental healthcare, even for minors. Now is NOT the time to change how you practice. In the next 90 days before the law takes effect, it IS time to get informed and get prepared so that you can continue to offer the best possible care to your clients. Here are some things you can do to start preparing:

Read the final version of the bill yourself so that you are not relying on synopsis, headlines, or misinformation. The bill language is quite confusing at times, especially in its practical application to mental health practice, so take note of your questions. Read here>>

Read our summary of the bill. We will issue more practice guidance about how to adapt your practice in the coming weeks. Read NASW Ohio's guidance>>

Read NASW Ohio’s Gender-Affirming Care Whitepaper. Please note that there have been some small changes to HB 68 since the whitepaper was written. Read the white paper>>

Think through all the possible scenarios in which this bill could affect your practice and begin to think through how you would respond based on regulations, professional ethics, best-practice standards of care, etc. As you do this, write down practice scenarios in which the bill language leaves ambiguity or conflicts with other regulations, ethical standards, or even the safety of clients. NASW will ask for these scenarios soon.

Seek consultation. It is essential to seek consultation as you determine how you will respond to various situations given this new law. Email your questions and practice scenarios to NASW Ohio at info.naswoh@socialworkers.org. While we will likely not respond to your email right away, these questions and practice scenario examples will help us help you as we create practice guidance in response to this new law.

Today, October 9, marks Indigenous Peoples' Day, a day to celebrate the many contributions of Indigenous people past and present. Indigenous history is left out of most formal education, including social work education, so in order to properly celebrate, those of us who are not Indigenous can also use today to learn. If you are not an Indigenous person, we encourage you to learn about the land you live on, the people who cultivated the land for hundreds of years before colonization, where those people are now, how you can support their present-day tribes, and how you can stand in solidarity with Indigenous people living in Ohio now. Here are some suggestions to begin:

As our state's name indicates- Ohio has always been home to Indigenous people. Ohio takes its name from the Ohio River, whose name in turn originated from the Seneca word ohiːyo', meaning "good river", "great river", or "large creek." Prior to colonization, indigenous communities were shaping our landscape in many ways, including the 70 mounds built by the groups we now refer to as the Adena and Hopewell. More modern groups including the Shawnee, Chippewa/Ojibwa/Anishinaabe, Delaware, Wyandot, Eel River, Kaskaskia, Iroquois confederacy/Seneca, Miami, Munsee, Mingo, Ottawa, Piankashaw, Sauk, Potawatomi, Wea, and others lived across the state for hundreds of years. Notably, Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee lived in the Chillicothe area and is regarded as a hero for his attempts to resist colonization and genocide of his people.

Ultimately the last recognized tribe was forced out of the state by 1843 but this does not mean that these tribes and indigenous people no longer live in Ohio. Despite the attempts of genocide many of these tribes have survived to current day, living in Ohio, across the United States, and on tribal lands. Even though Ohio does not have reservations or federally recognized tribal groups, indigenous people of many tribal affiliations live within the state.If you are not an indigenous person, we encourage you to learn about the land you live on, the people who cultivated the land for hundreds of years before colonization, where those people are now, how you can support their present-day tribes, and how you can stand in solidarity with indigenous people living in Ohio now. Here are some suggestions to begin:

-Find who's land you are on: https://native-land.ca/

-Learn where Ohio tribes are now (this information is our best attempt and is likely, in part, inaccurate. This list is incomplete as many more indigenous groups called Ohio home. We welcome any corrections.)

-Shawnee>>

-Ojibwe/Anishinaabe>> (Today, the Ojibwa nation is represented by numerous  federally-recognized tribes across the U.S. and Canada. In 2005, approximately 176,000 Ojibwa resided in North America.)

-Delaware>>

-Wyandot>> (The Wyandot have four bands with recognition in the U.S. and Canada: the Wyandotte Nation (Oklahoma); the Huron-Wendat Nation (First Nation in Canada); and the Wyandot Nations of Anderdon (Michigan) and Kansas

-Eel River (now descendents part of Miami)>>

-Kaskaskia (now descendents part of the Peoria)>>

-Iroquois confederacy>>

-Seneca>> (Three bands of Seneca people are federally recognized by the U.S. government: the Seneca Nation of New York in far western New York; the Tonawanda band of Seneca Indians in New York; and the Seneca-Cayuga Indians of Oklahoma. Many Seneca with historic roots in Ohio, along with Seneca-Cayuga and Ohio Cayuga, are a member of this latter band.)

-Miami>> (Miami Nation of Indiana)

-Munsee>>

-Mingo (now descendents part of the Seneca-Cayuga)>>

-Ottawa (Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians)

-Piankashaw (members of the Miami nation, although lived separately. Now descendents are federally recognized as the combined Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma)

-Sauk (Sac and Fox Nation (Oklahoma), the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri (Nebraska and Kansas))

-Potawatomi (the U.S. government recognizes seven active bands of Potawatomi -- in Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas, Oklahoma and Indiana; and other bands of Potawatomi are federally recognized First Nations in Canada.

-Wea (Descendents are now part of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma)

-We strongly encourage those with privilege to donate to the tribes above as a micro form of reparations for the land you occupy.

-Support and stand in solidarity with indigenous people in Ohio by donating to the following organizations:

-Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio

-Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition

-Lake Erie Native American Council

-Cleveland American Indian Movement

All donors will be recognized in the NASW Ohio magazine. Donors can elect to make a monthly donation. Donate here>>

https://www.naswoh.org/page/boardvote2023

Contact your state Representative In support of amendment HC0294 for behavioral workforce sustainability using the example script below. Look up your representative by visiting https://ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map 

"Hello, Representative [your rep's name]. My name is [your name] and I am a [your title: social worker, student, etc.] contacting you in support of amendment HC0294. With the majority of Ohio counties being in Health Professional Shortage Areas, we know that the current worker capacity is unable to meet Ohio's high demand for mental health and substance use treatment. Without access to adequate care, our most vulnerable populations are more likely to experience worsening symptoms, causing harm to our clients and further straining Ohio’s healthcare system. The Medicaid rate increase in amendment HC0294 would be invaluable in leveling Ohio's behavioral health workforce crisis by investing in mental health practitioners. Thank you."

Advocacy Alert: Stop SB 83

Help keep DEI in higher education and allow collective bargaining rights for all

If passed, SB 83 would:

• Create policies for "intellectual diversity" and "controversial" concepts

• Ban mandatory DEI programs and training for staff at stated funded universities

• Ban affinity groups and affirmative action policies in higher education

• Ban public positions on controversial issues, such as advantages/disadvantages based on race or sex

• Ban relationships with China, such as receiving donations/gifts or study abroad programs

• Require US history and government courses

• Require online posting of course syllabi, including biographical information of the instructor, assignments, and a description of each lecture
• Establish criteria for performance evaluations for instructors
• Ban striking and forms of collective bargaining for public employees, including any employee of state institution of higher education, law enforcement officers, first responders, and correctional facility employees
• Revise faculty workload policies
• Require discipline & funding loss for violations

Why this matters for social workers:

SB 83 is an attempt to dismantle diversity and inclusion efforts in higher education and allows for discrimination and hate to occur where students and staff should feel welcome and safe to have the freedom to learn.

SB 83 is particularly harmful to social work education as specific coursework related to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion is a requirement for CSWE Program Accreditation.

What you can do:

1) Call and email the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee to voice your opposition and ask the committee to VOTE NOon SB 83

2) Prepare opponent testimony (written or verbal) to be submitted for the opponent testimony hearing. If you have questions about how to do this, please email us a info.naswoh@socialworkers.org

3) Follow Honesty for Ohio Education or become a partner agency to stay updated and involved (https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org/)

4) If you have questions regarding SB 83 or DEI efforts andcollective bargaining, please email us at info.naswoh@socialworkers.org!

Workforce and Higher Education Committee Contacts

Jerry C. Cirino (R) - Chair  
Cirino@OhioSenate.gov
(614) 644-7718

Michael A. Rulli (R) - Vice Chair 
Rulli@OhioSenate.gov
(614) 466-8285

Catherine D. Ingram (D) - Ranking Member 
Ingram@OhioSenate.gov
(614) 466-5980

Bill Reineke (R)  
Reineke@OhioSenate.gov
(614) 466-8049

Michele Reynolds (R) 
Reynolds@OhioSenate.gov
(614) 466-8064

As social workers, it is critical that we are supporting our clients as best as we can. We need to make sure we are checking in with our clients to ensure that their contact information on file with ODJFS is up to date, making sure that they are regularly checking their mail in order to respond to requests for information in a timely manner, and helping them transition to other insurance benefits as applicable.

Here are some useful links to utilize during your work with clients:

• Get Covered Ohio - Trained Insurance Navigators
• Ohio Medicaid Benefits Enrollment
• ACA Enrollment
• Planning for Medicaid Unwinding 2023
• Communications Toolkit
• Educators Toolkit
• Ohio Department of Insurance - contact for questions/complaints/appeals
• Ohio Medicaid Care Coordination Resources

We know that state-by-state licensing is extremely difficult to navigate for social workers and our clients. Telehealth has grown in such significance that it is unacceptable to have social workers who need to be licensed in multiple states to serve clients or for a client to move and not be able to continue to see their therapist. Or for those on state lines, it is difficult to carry licenses in all of those states. NASW nationally has been working with the Council of State Governments to create an interstate licensure compact to ease these burdens. 

The interstate compact would be a separate license that someone could choose to obtain on top of their regular state license. The compact license would then authorize the social worker to practice in any other state that has also implemented the compact by passing the legislation. The compact will start when seven states across the country have passed the compact legislation. Anytime licensure is discussed it is important to acknowledge that there are significant concerns about the ASWB exams that are used for licensure. States across the country, including Ohio, are looking at how to make changes to the exam to ensure that social work is not gatekeeping people from our profession. NASW had a significant victory on this front by ensuring that the interstate compact legislation did not require states to use the ASWB exams moving forward. We were concerned that we would be in an impossible situation of either making a change to the exam in Ohio or having the compact. But fortunately NASW’s advocacy was successful and we can move forward with potentially changing the exam without endangering the compact.The ASWB exam would be required to obtain an interstate license.

Ohio could be one of those original seven states as SB 90 has been introduced in the Ohio Senate. Read the bill draft here>>

Read more about the compact>>

Take Action

To help pass the interstate compact contact your state Senator (look up their information) and ask them to support SB 90 when it comes before them.

Learn More

Attend a special member meeting Friday, March 24 from 10am-11am to learn more about the compact (and other issues NASW is working on). The recording will be posted on this webpage following the meeting. RSVP to attend the meeting live via Zoom or have the recording e-mailed to you.

Action Alert

We are calling on you to join us in contacting Governor Mike DeWine using the following sample script.  You may reach Governor DeWine by calling 614-644-4357. "Hello, Governor DeWine. My name is [your name] and I am a [your title: social worker, student, etc.] from Ohio contacting you urgently about the train derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio. Residents in East Palestine and surrounding communities need your immediate support as its residents desperately need resources and healthcare. I am calling on you to declare a State of Emergency and mobilize Ohio's Rainy-Day fund which rests at a historic high near $3.5 Billion. I hope you will make the call to be proactive rather than reactive when considering the lives of Ohioans to reduce harm and mitigate future safety concerns by holding those responsible accountable. Thank you for your time."

Continue to watch NASW social media pages for additional updates.

NASW Ohio and Pennsylvania Chapters’ Statement on the Train Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio

The train derailment that took place earlier this month in East Palestine, Ohio is an emergency situation that requires social workers to take action. East Palestine is adjacent to Pennsylvania. Ohio and Pennsylvania have a duty to their citizens to take action. Environmental justice is social justice– people are a part of and tremendously affected by the environment.

This disaster has and will continue to have environmental consequences. The Ohio River is a major waterway that flows through six states and serves as a source of drinking water for five million people, and contaminated waterways have already led to the deaths of an estimated 3,500 fish. Affected residents have reported nausea, shortness of breath, and headaches. Also reported have been the sickness and death of animals in the vicinity of the derailment site, including livestock. Economic consequences are also at play; many people cannot afford to move out of the area, and homeowners will now face difficulty selling.

Ohio and Pennsylvania need to ensure communities within a 50-mile radius of the derailment have what they need as they endure the aftermath of this incident. Reparations should be provided for related costs including those for relocation and healthcare.

We urge Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to declare an emergency for East Palestine and use Ohio’s resources to appropriately assist those affected by this disaster. Federal assistance offered by President Biden has been requested, however just last month DeWine announced the largest “Rainy Day” fund in Ohio history– the state has the ability to provide aid to those affected.

Norfolk Southern Corporation needs to be held accountable for not only the safety issues that 

led to the derailment, but the mismanagement of the incident response as well that put residents and first responders at risk. We thank Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for his letter criticizing Norfolk Southern and its failure to coordinate with Ohio and Pennsylvania response teams, and share his belief that decisions were made to prioritize profit over safety.

As we recover from this incident, mechanisms for ongoing monitoring of the possible long-term health and environmental effects need to be put in place. As we know from past incidents such as September 11th or the use of burn pits in the military, health impacts from exposure to toxic chemicals can take years to develop. We cannot simply clean up and return to normal.

Prevention efforts to minimize future safety concerns need to be prioritized rather than simply responding to disasters when they occur. Improvements need to be made to railroad safety regulations that are informed by our workers. Rail unions should be empowered to raise safety concerns, and those concerns should be addressed. Efforts should also be made to ensure railroads are adequately staffed and have appropriate sick leave policies.

Specifically, we urge President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg to immediately reinstate safety measures, including the requirement to upgrade braking systems, that were implemented by the Obama administration and repealed under the Trump administration. We also urge that the category of “high-hazard flammable trains” be expanded to cover Class 2 flammable gasses – such as the vinyl chloride involved in the crash – as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board nearly a decade ago.

To those affected by this disaster, NASW Ohio and Pennsylvania stand with you. We have heard reports from our members that many local residents and surrounding areas are facing significant mental health consequences, as they deal with the fear and anxiety of what may happen to themselves and their families. Social workers in Ohio and Pennsylvania are prepared to help alleviate those challenges. If you know of efforts where social workers could assist please contact our chapters, Ohio- dsmith.naswoh@socialworkers.org and Pennsylvania- jbyrd.naswpa@socialworkers.org. 

Evacuated residents can request assistance by visiting the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center at Abundant Life Church located at 46469 State Route 46, New Waterford, Ohio or calling 1-800-230-7049. Air and water testing can be accessed by calling the Residential Re-Entry Request Hotline at 330-849-3919.

If you are in the position to financially support those affected, follow the link below to donate to their GoFundMe campaigns. https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/ohio-train-help

Anyone who planned on testifying in-person tomorrow (Wednesday, December 7) is still welcome to do so but it is not needed. Thank you so much for planning on being there.

Our next advocacy step to stop HB 509 from removing title protection for social workers is to testify against the bill this Wednesday, December 7 at 10am. We must urge the committee to adopt

Senator Antonio's amendment to remove the section of the bill that allows related degrees to be licensed as a social worker. The testimony can be in-person in Columbus at the Ohio Statehouse or via submitting written testimony. All testimony is due by Tuesday, December 6 at 10am so please submit ASAP. For steps on how to testify visit naswoh.org/testify509.

An update on title and practice protection issue in Substitute HB 509:

The Ohio Senate Workforce & Higher Education committee adopted the substitute bill at their hearing on Wednesday, November 30, so the language that would allow for people without degrees in social work to be a LSW is now in the bill. NASW expected this to happen, in simple terms it moved from a proposal to being in the legislation text.

The committee will hold a hearing next week (currently not scheduled) where they will consider amendments to the bill. We need social workers to contact the members of the committee to urge them to support an amendment introduced by Senator Nickie Antonio to remove the related degree section of the bill. Read the amendment>>

We are hopeful they will adopt the amendment to protect social work. Our hope is based in so many contacts happening to Senators, that many other professions are also negatively impacted by this bill and are lobbying against it, and from a question during the hearing from committee member Senator Reineke indicates concern for the impact on the future interstate compact. The interstate compact is an important talking point for us to stress. Ohio will want to enter the compact when it is ready but if this legislation passes Ohio would likely be unable to join as we would not meet the base requirements. To our knowledge there are no other states that allow a related degree to become licensed as a social worker, putting us out of compliance with the model regulation standards. We will need help to keep pressure up, particularly on the Republicans on the committee who voted for the substitute bill, to urge them to adopt that amendment next week.

Sample script- I am a licensed social worker/degreed social worker/or social work student and I am calling to urge Senator {NAME} to support an amendment to Substitute HB 509 next week that would remove the section that would allow people without degrees in social work to become licensed as a social worker. This is a public protection issue and an issue that would negatively impact Ohio as it would likely bar our state from joining the interstate licensure compact that is currently in progress. 

Members of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee

Republican members of the committee- 1st priority for contacts

Terry Johnson
(614) 466-8082
johnson@ohiosenate.gov

Jerry C, Cirino
(614) 644-7718
cirino@ohiosenate.gov

Rob McColley
(614) 466-8150
mccolley@ohiosenate.gov

Bill Reineke
(614) 466-8049
reineke@ohiosenate.gov

Michael A. Rulli
(614) 466-8285
rulli@ohiosenate.gov

Democrat members of the committee
Dale B. Martin
(614) 466-4857
martin@ohiosenate.gov

Nickie J. Antonio- Senator Antonio is the sponsor of the amendment so less important to contact her other than to thank her
(614) 466-5123
antonio@ohiosenate.gov

Update 12/5

Our next advocacy step to stop HB 509 from removing title protection for social workers is to testify against the bill this Wednesday, December 7 at 10am. We must urge the committee to adopt

Senator Antonio's amendment to remove the section of the bill that allows related degrees to be licensed as a social worker. The testimony can be in-person in Columbus at the Ohio Statehouse or via submitting written testimony. All testimony is due by Tuesday, December 6 at 10am so please submit ASAP. For steps on how to testify visit naswoh.org/testify509.

Update

An update on title and practice protection issue in Substitute HB 509:

The Ohio Senate Workforce & Higher Education committee adopted the substitute bill at their hearing on Wednesday, November 30, so the language that would allow for people without degrees in social work to be a LSW is now in the bill. NASW expected this to happen, in simple terms it moved from a proposal to being in the legislation text.

The committee will hold a hearing next week (currently not scheduled) where they will consider amendments to the bill. We need social workers to contact the members of the committee to urge them to support an amendment introduced by Senator Nickie Antonio to remove the related degree section of the bill. Read the amendment>>

We are hopeful they will adopt the amendment to protect social work. Our hope is based in so many contacts happening to Senators, that many other professions are also negatively impacted by this bill and are lobbying against it, and from a question during the hearing from committee member Senator Reineke indicates concern for the impact on the future interstate compact. The interstate compact is an important talking point for us to stress. Ohio will want to enter the compact when it is ready but if this legislation passes Ohio would likely be unable to join as we would not meet the base requirements. To our knowledge there are no other states that allow a related degree to become licensed as a social worker, putting us out of compliance with the model regulation standards. We will need help to keep pressure up, particularly on the Republicans on the committee who voted for the substitute bill, to urge them to adopt that amendment next week.

Sample script- I am a licensed social worker/degreed social worker/or social work student and I am calling to urge Senator {NAME} to support an amendment to Substitute HB 509 next week that would remove the section that would allow people without degrees in social work to become licensed as a social worker. This is a public protection issue and an issue that would negatively impact Ohio as it would likely bar our state from joining the interstate licensure compact that is currently in progress. 

Members of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee

Republican members of the committee- 1st priority for contacts

Terry Johnson
(614) 466-8082
johnson@ohiosenate.gov

Jerry C, Cirino
(614) 644-7718
cirino@ohiosenate.gov

Rob McColley
(614) 466-8150
mccolley@ohiosenate.gov

Bill Reineke
(614) 466-8049
reineke@ohiosenate.gov

Michael A. Rulli
(614) 466-8285
rulli@ohiosenate.gov

Democrat members of the committee
Dale B. Martin
(614) 466-4857
martin@ohiosenate.gov

Nickie J. Antonio- Senator Antonio is the sponsor of the amendment so less important to contact her other than to thank her
(614) 466-5123
antonio@ohiosenate.gov

Monday, November 28 Action Alert

An amendment to HB 509 has been proposed that would allow for people with degrees other than in social work to be licensed as an LSW. If the amendment is adopted and if the bill is passed by the Senate, title and practice protection for social workers in Ohio would end. The public could no longer trust that a “licensed social worker” is actually someone with a degree in social work, eroding our professional standing and reputation. Social work is a specific profession with regulated standards for education, field practicums, and licensure. A degree from a related field likely carries no requirements for an internship meaning that an LSW could have no practical experience before becoming licensed. Furthermore, it devalues and disincentives earning a social work degree as a baccalaureate program requires 400 hours of field education and a master program requires 900 hours. 

Title protection is a public protection issue. It is critical to note that the LSW in Ohio has a significant scope of practice with the ability to diagnose and assess mental health disorders under supervision. If the amendment and bill passes, Ohio faces a future where someone who has no training in mental health is able to diagnose under supervision which could result in serious harm to people experiencing mental health struggles.

There are no “related fields'' that are social work; social work is social work. Ohio has repeatedly taken the position that title protection and practice protection are important. In 2012, the state removed the ability for people who earned related degrees before 1992 (degrees that consisted of social work curriculum but with a different degree name) to become licensed. This proposed amendment would not only return our state to one without title protection but it would take it a step further by not requiring any social work training for social work licensure, deeply harming the reputation of our profession.

The proposed change would remove Ohio from compliance with the ASWB exam, requiring Ohio to seek a waiver to allow non-social work degree holders to be able to take an exam. ASWB may not permit Ohio to have a waiver which would deny non-degreed social workers from becoming licensed. NASW is currently engaged in advocacy work to address inequities in the profession caused by the ASWB exam but this legislative proposal does nothing to address the exam. People with degrees in non-social work fields would be ineligible in most other states to become licensed as other states are maintaining title protection. 

The amended bill also contains proposed changes to the fee structure for LSWs. The amendment would lower the renewal fee for LSWs from $80 to $60 and create a mechanism for LSWs to request a hardship exemption from paying initial licensure and renewal fees. While we appreciate the Ohio General Assembly’s interest in addressing financial barriers in social work we believe this is a misguided attempt as it would increase the workload for the licensing board at the same time as lowering their revenue. This would result in less availability of the board to provide customer service and increase already long wait times for licensure processing and other critical services. The Ohio General Assembly should enact these policies to help social workers cover licensing costs but fund them through the general revenue fund rather than forcing social workers to work with an overburdened licensing board. 

We need social workers to contact members of the Ohio Senate Workforce and Higher Education committee and the sponsors of the bill to urge them to oppose the proposed language on line 12858 as underlined here: “A baccalaureate degree in social work or another field acceptable to the board.” 

We need these calls and emails to happen immediately as the committee will hold a hearing on the bill on Wednesday at 3pm.

Sample script- I am a licensed social worker/degreed social worker/or social work student and I am calling to urge Senator {NAME} to oppose the proposed change to HB 509 that would allow people without degrees in social work to become licensed as a social worker. This is a public protection issue and could result in serious harm to the vulnerable community members. This proposed change would devalue the social work profession by eroding our professional education, values, practice standards, and reputation.

• Members of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee

  • Terry Johnson

    • (614) 466-8082

    • johnson@ohiosenate.gov

  • Jerry C, Cirino

    • (614) 644-7718

    • cirino@ohiosenate.gov

  • Dale B. Martin

    • (614) 466-4857

    • martin@ohiosenate.gov

  • Nickie J. Antonio

    • (614) 466-5123

    • antonio@ohiosenate.gov

  • Rob McColley

    • (614) 466-8150

    • mccolley@ohiosenate.gov

  • Bill Reineke

    • (614) 466-8049

    • reineke@ohiosenate.gov

  • Michael A. Rulli

    • (614) 466-8285

    • rulli@ohiosenate.gov

• Primary Sponsors

  • Marilyn S. John

    • (614) 466-5802

    • Rep02@ohiohouse.gov

  • Sarah Fowler Arthur

    • (614) 466-1405

    • Rep99@ohiohouse.gov

About NASW Ohio

NASW is the largest and most recognized membership organization of professional social workers in the world. There are more than 150,000 members nationwide and more than 3,800 in Ohio. NASW is the only organization dedicated to the entire profession of social work. NASW supports social workers– everything we do at NASW is focused on making their professional lives better. Support for social workers includes holding the profession accountable to the NASW Code of Ethics by centering anti-oppression and anti-racism as the foundation of our work.  Our clients, communities, and systems will benefit from a workforce of social workers who are working to dismantle systemic oppression while having what they need like reasonable caseloads, fair compensation, and educational debt relief. 

NASW continues to work toward these goals. Currently that looks like combatting the criminalization of social work practice that is occurring through the local and state government’s attacks on bodily autonomy for pregnant people and LGBTQIA folks, taking on the social work license exam that has caused demonstrable harm to minoritized individuals, challenging our profession to address ways we engage in family policing, and addressing the need for anti-oppressive tenets to be included in all levels of social work education. Much of NASW Ohio’s work is bringing to light harms caused by social workers through the harmful systems we often work in and the profession’s alignment with white supremacy. NASW itself also must make changes and amends for the way our professional association has upheld these damaging systems which is a requirement in our pursuit of social justice. 

NASW is a strong advocate on both the state and federal levels. In Ohio, NASW is a member of many coalitions to address the needs of clients and is an active advocate for the needs of the profession (workplace safety, compensation, title protection, paid field practicums, and educational debt relief). In addition to advocacy for the profession, NASW offers members the opportunity to excel in the profession by giving you access to cutting-edge ideas, the most up-to-date information and research and the highest-quality resources available to social workers. You can advance and protect your career with NASW membership.

NASW works to promote the professional development of its members, establishes and maintains professional standards of practice, advances sound social policies and provides services that protect its members and enhance their professional status. We take positions on social issues and legislation concerning social workers and social justice like abortion, the death penalty, gun control, climate change, and more.

Job Summary

The National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter is looking for a Practice Associate whose primary responsibility will be to provide support, guidance, and strategic vision toward transformative, anti-oppressive, ethical and sustainable social work practice in Ohio. The Practice Associate will work in a team environment to ensure overall success of the NASW Ohio Chapter.

Our challenges are great. NASW Ohio is actively working on issues impacting social work and social justice like criminalization of ethical practice through abortion and gender-affiming care bans, workforce shortages, widespread burnout and moral injury in our field. NASW is a large institution– and working within a system does not align with everyone’s theory of change– but if you could see yourself or someone you know that’s right for NASW Ohio, please apply. 

Learn more and apply: https://us63.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/nasw/Posting/View/417

Applications due by December 15, 2022

Our neighbors to the south in eastern Kentucky need help given the unprecedented flooding occurring. Here are some ways to support them:

Housing Development Associates

Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards

• That individuals of any race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin are inherently superior or inferior
• That individuals should be adversely or advantageously treated, or should treat others disrespectfully, on the basis of their race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin
• That an individual, by virtue of the individual’s race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously
• That individuals, by virtue of their race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin bear collective guilt and are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin
• That meritocracy or traits such as hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by individuals of a particular race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin
• That any individual cannot succeed or achieve equality because of the individual’s race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin
• That an individual’s moral character or worth is necessarily determined by the individual’s race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, or national origin

This prohibition targets grades K-12 as well as higher education. Sub HB 327 would have a devastating impact on education of social work.  If this proposed legislation is passed, a significant of social work courses will be destroyed. Sub HB 327 is housed in the Committee of State and Local Government. Take action against Sub HB 327 and contact the committee chair, Scott Wiggam and inform him of your stance against Sub House Bill 327. Because this issue impacts all Ohioans, he needs to hear from all of us regardless of your district. Please call Chair Wiggam at (614) 466-1474 or email him at rep01@ohiohouse.gov.

You can say something like: My name is [name], and I am calling/writing to ask Chair Wiggam to stop Sub HB 327, an anti-academic freedom legislation that unfairly targets LBGTQ+ students and hinders efforts to address racial disparities. I am asking Chair Wiggam to keep politicians out of our classrooms and defend the freedom to learn. Please stop Sub HB 327 and do not allow this bill to receive another hearing.

In just a couple of minutes, you can make a powerful impact toward the future of our education.

Each year the NASW Ohio Chapter recognizes exceptional social workers, students, agencies, community members, and elected officials whose work in service to their community reflects the values of the social work profession. Regional winners are selected form the nominees for each of the NASW Ohio Chapter's 8 regions. 

We are excited to announce our 2021 Regional Award Winners!

Region 1- Toledo Area & Northwest Ohio

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Leslie Fall - Retired, Wood County Hospital

Social Worker of the Year - Co-Winners

• Elizabeth Chambers - Clinical Therapist, Dr. Adler and Associates
• Dr. Megan Gonyer - Assistant Professor & Field Coordinator, University of Findlay

Student of the Year

• Alexus Sponseller - BSW Student, Bluffton University

Agency of the Year

• Full Circle Recovery Services

Community Member of the Year

• Aleiah Jones - Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Success, University of Toledo

Region 2- Akron Area

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dr. Mark McManus - MSW Coordinator, University of Akron School of Social Work and Family Sciences

Social Worker of the Year

• Kandice S. Lacy - Detention Mental Health Clinician, Summit County Juvenile Court

Outstanding Service to NASW

• Dana Cameron - Discharge Planner, Aultman Hospital

Emerging Leader

• Megan Solsman - Behavioral Health Navigator, Coleman Health Services

Student of the Year

• Sylvia McDonough - BSW Student, University of Akron

Agency of the Year

• Limitless Ambition

Elected Official of the Year

• Councilwoman Veronica Sims - Summit County Council, District 5

Community Member of the Year

• Bronlynn Thurman - Program Officer, GAR Foundation
  

Region 3- Cleveland

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Eugenia Cash-Kirkland - Retired, ADAMHS Board Member

Social Worker of the Year

• LaToya Logan - Founder & CEO, Project LIFT Behavioral Health Services

Outstanding Service to NASW

• Mike Dover - Associate College Lecturer Emeritus, Cleveland State University

Emerging Leader

• Phillip Emerson - Bilingual Therapist, Allied Behavioral Health Services

Student of the Year

• Jeffrey Goad - MSW Student, Cleveland State University

Agency of the Year

• Thrive Peer Support

Elected Official of the Year

• Senator Sherrod Brown - U.S. Senator for Ohio

Community Member of the Year

• Yvonka M. Hall - Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition
  

Region 4- Youngstown Area & Northeast Ohio

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Russell Curry - Director, A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center

Social Worker of the Year

• Candace Carlton - Quality Improvement & Compliance Director, Hopewell Therapeutic Farm Community

Emerging Leader

• Tabitha Fitz-Patrick - Therapist, Healing and Wellness Therapy, New Beginnings Residential Treatment Center

Student of the Year

• Betty Haynes-Jacobs -  BSW Student, Youngstown State University & Founder of LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County

Agency of the Year

• Cadence Care Network

Elected Official of the Year

• Judge Anthony M. D’Apolito - Mahoning County Common Pleas Court

Region 5- Columbus Area & Southeast Ohio

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Solveig Spjeldnes - Retired Associate Professor, Ohio University

Social Worker of the Year

• Erin Michel - Director of Compliance & Quality Improvement, North Community Counseling Centers, Inc.

Outstanding Service to NASW

• Steve David - Advocacy Director, The Ohio State University College of Social Work

Emerging Leader

• Bailey Fullwiler - Neighborhood Social Worker, Columbus Public Health

Student of the Year

• Tahira Easley - MSW Student, The Ohio State University

Agency of the Year

• SourcePoint

Elected Official of the Year

• Priscilla R. Tyson - Member, Columbus City Council

Community Member of the Year

• Michael Young - Lead Pastor, City of Grace Church

Region 6- Cincinnati Area & Southwest Ohio

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dr. Nina E. Lewis - Multi-Systems Director, Hamilton County Job & Family Services

Social Worker of the Year

• Josh Spring - Executive Director, Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition

Student of the Year

• Rose M. Hurley - BSW Student, Miami University

Agency of the Year

• Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio

Elected Official of the Year

• Representative Brigid Kelly - 31st District, Ohio House of Representatives

Region 7- Dayton Area

Social Worker of the Year

• Kerri Shaw - Community Health Worker Program Coordinator, Ohio Alliance for Population Health

Outstanding Service to NASW

• Jill Bucaro - Social Worker, Law Office of The Public Defender of Montgomery County

Emerging Leader

• Megan Cerney - Clinical Therapist, Rise Counseling Group

Student of the Year

• Rebecca Avery Neal - MSW Student, Miami University

Agency of the Year

• House of Bread

Elected Official of the Year

• Judge Helen Wallace - Montgomery County Juvenile Court

Community Member of the Year

• Tae Winston - Founder & Owner, The Entrepreneurs Marketplace

Region 8- Canton Area & Northcentral Ohio

Social Worker of the Year

• Kelli Cary - Vice President of Programming, RAHAB Ministries

Outstanding Service to NASW

• Patrice M. (Patti) Fetzer - Director of Prevention, Stark County Educational Service Center

Student of the Year

• Cassady Paige Starkey - BSW Student, The Ohio State University, Marion Campus

Agency of the Year

• Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc.

Community Member of the Year

• Angel N. Singleton - Recreation Coordinator, City of Mansfield Parks & Recreation Department; Co-founder, We ACT