Happy Social Work Month from NASW-CA 

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

1. Follow NASW-CA on social media to engage with us throughout the month.
   • Facebook  
   • Instagram  
   • LinkedIn  
   • Twitter  
   • YouTube
     
2. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest social work news and all upcoming events.
   • The Social Work Voice
     
3. Be the first to know about upcoming live and online CE events by signing up for our EmpowerEd Program Updates
   • EmpowerEd Program
     
4. 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.
   • Submit a Speaker Request Form to get started
     
5. 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!
   • Become an NASW-CA Approved CE Trainer
     
6. 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. 
   • The Social Workers Movement
     
7. Sign up for NASW Advocacy Alerts to be notified when it is time to act on national and statewide issues.
   • NASW Advocacy Alerts
     
8. Join and connect with a NASW-CA Council(s). 
   • View NASW-CA Councils
     
9. 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.   
   • Explore our Committees
     
10. 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. 
    • Submit a Nomination
      
11. 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. 
    • Explore our Collection
      
12. 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.  

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.