Happy Social Work Month! We are delighted to celebrate this year’s theme, “Empowering Social Workers!,” with you. Join us throughout March as we elevate the life-affirming contributions our profession has on individuals, families, communities, schools, healthcare, policy, and our society.
For over a century, social workers have been on the frontlines of change. Through advocacy, leadership, education, policy, and beyond, social workers are dedicated to improving lives, transforming systems, and advancing social justice in all settings. Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States and is integrated in a breadth of public and private settings, including schools, hospitals, community organizations, the military, mental health centers, social service agencies, corporations, and local, state, and federal government.
With years of education, training, and supervision, social workers are uniquely qualified to provide appropriate, responsive, and effective care. Although the demand for our profession continues to grow, social work has been under-resourced and underappreciated for far too long. Empowering Social Workers! aims to highlight the significant impact our profession has in all facets of our society, while also calling attention to the burnout and underpayment of social workers.
We call upon our community, advocates, and policymakers to support legislation and initiatives that empower and strengthen the social work profession. By investing in our workforce, social workers are better equipped to address societal issues, provide crucial services across many systems, and improve the health and well-being of the clients and communities we serve. NASW-CA is proud to promote the invaluable contributions of social work and to amplify the need for better compensation, and we invite you to celebrate and advocate with us.
Connect and Get Involved with NASW-CA
- Follow NASW-CA on social media to engage with us throughout the month.
- Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest social work news and all upcoming events.
- Be the first to know about upcoming live and online CE events by signing up for our EmpowerEd Program Updates
- Share your expertise by requesting to speak at one of our Chapter events on a variety of topics – ranging from professional development to social work trends.
- Do you have experience teaching and providing training on relevant topics within the social work community? Consider applying to become an NASW-CA approved Continuing Education trainer!
- Through the Social Workers Movement, NASW-CA offers a variety of training and consultation services from qualified professionals who are ready to help you enhance your organization and practice, to maximize the benefits of employing the social work workforce.
- Sign up for NASW Advocacy Alerts to be notified when it is time to act on national and statewide issues.
- Join and connect with a NASW-CA Council(s).
- Apply to a NASW-CA Committee! Through committee work alongside Chapter staff and Board Members, you can provide input and thought leadership on a variety of Chapter initiatives and priorities. Applications to be appointed to one of our Chapter Committee are usually made in the summer and fall, although vacancies occur year-round. Appointments are made for two years starting in July of each year.
- Nominate a social worker for the 2024 Social Work Awards. Every year at the NASW-CA Annual Conference Social Work Awards, we honor and celebrate extraordinary individuals and organizations for their achievements and significant contributions to social work, social justice, and their communities. These awardees embody NASW values and ethics in their practice and advance social change in their communities. Consider nominating yourself or a colleague for one of this year’s awards.
- Show your social work pride with NASW-CA official merchandise! Our online store is stocked with a wide range of social work themed clothing, all designed by us. With so many styles and colors to choose from, there is a favorite piece (or two!) for everyone.
- We have created 4 new digital Zoom backgrounds to help you uplift the power of social work and to remind yourself of the innovative ways in which social workers support individuals and communities to overcome challenges. Browse and download your favorites to use during March and throughout the year! View instructions for uploading a Zoom background here, and be sure to click “Mirror My Video” so text displays correctly on the screen.
NASW-CA Social Work Month Events
Throughout March, join us to celebrate our profession and colleagues, recognize how social workers break barriers in all communities, earn CEUs, practice self-care, and receive support.
Occupational Council – From MSW to Public Office: An Interview with Dr. Victor Manalo
March 1 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM PT | Virtual
Kick off Social Work Month with NASW-CA’s Occupation Council as we celebrate Social Work month 2024 by exploring non-traditional social work paths! We are honored to host an interview with Dr. Victor Manalo to discuss his incredibly diverse social work journey from MSW to public office and university faculty.
Free to attend.
Do No Harm – Trauma Informed, Anti-Oppressive Practices in Social Work (6 CEUs)
March 8, 15, 22 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT | Virtual
This class is a 3-part course that will take place on March 8, March 15, and March 22. Attendance to all three days is required to receive 6 CEUs.
This 3-part workshop series will explore the implications of racism, anti-LGBTQ+ practices and white supremacy within the social work profession.
Inland Empire Unit: Empowering Social Workers (1.5 CEU)
March 11 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT | Virtual
Join the Inland Empire Unit to advance your practice in cultural, competence in maternal mental health. Dr. Dretona Maddox and Theresa Fortune will share evidence-based approaches, advocacy strategies, and inclusive practices to empower social workers and the clients they serve.
Mindfulness Time for Social Workers
March 12 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT | Virtual
We invite all NASW members to engage in self-care practice at our upcoming Mindfulness Time for Social Workers. We will continue to practice and develop healthy ways to decompress and unwind from our professional work. Let’s learn to take care of ourselves and our well-being.
LGBTQ+ Virtual Support & Consultation Group
March 13 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT | Virtual
Join the LGBTQ+ Council for an evening of socializing, connecting, and supporting your fellow social workers.
This virtual space will offer social workers a safe place to discuss the various challenges and opportunities they face as LGBTQ+ practitioners.
Free to attend.
Council on Aging: Becoming a Medicare Part B Provider
March 19 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PT | Virtual
The Council on Aging is celebrating Social Work Month with a free virtual presentation to empower private practitioners with what you need to know to become a Medicare provider! This overview on the role of LCSWs in Medicare Part B Behavioral Health offers accessible information to get started along with a connection to your colleagues.
Free to attend.
Region A & San Francisco Volunteer Unit: Social Work Month 2024 Celebration
March 20 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM PT | Corx Wine Cafe, San Francisco
Join Region A and the San Francisco Volunteer Unit for an evening Social Work Month celebration! We will be meeting at Corx Wine Cafe in San Francisco to relax, socialize, and reflect what Social Work Month means to them while enjoying free appetizers and door prizes.
Free to attend.
NASW-CA Virtual Peer Support Group
March 25 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT | Virtual
Whether it’s professional, personal, or a little bit of both, the NASW-CA team is here for you every month to hold space for professional and/or peer support.
All social work students and professionals are welcome to join this support group, regardless of the area you are in!
Free to attend.
Office Hours with Kimberly
March 26 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM PT | Virtual
Connect and collaborate with NASW-CA’s Executive Director, Kimberly Warmsley, LCSW! Whether you have specific inquiries about the Chapter’s initiatives, want to learn about upcoming events, or have suggestions for new innovative ideas, this is the perfect space to get involved.
Free to attend.
Mindfulness Time for Social Workers
March 27 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PT | Virtual
Need time to decompress after a long day at work? NASW-CA invites all members to join us at our Mindfulness Time for Social Workers!
This will be a virtual space to support your mental and emotional well-being. We will be continuing to practice mindfulness techniques to reduce our stress and increase our capacity as social workers.
Region E: Social Work Appreciation Month
March 28 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM PT | Bronx Pizza, San Diego
What is a better way to enjoy Social Work Month than connecting in-person with others in your field? Mingle with others as we celebrate the power of social work and enjoy an evening together.
Free to attend.
NASW Celebrates Social Work Month
National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers across the country and their allies to turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions they make to society.
The annual Social Work Month campaign in March is a time to inform public, policymakers, and legislators about how social workers have always broken barriers when it comes to the services they provide in an array of sectors, including hospitals and mental health centers, federal, state, and local government, schools, community centers, and social service agencies.
People become social workers because they have a strong desire to help others and make society a better place. Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). More than 700,000 professional social workers are working hard nationwide, but that number is expected to rise to more than 800,000 by 2030, BLS said.
