2022 NASW-NJ Annual Conference Program

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SHAPE THE

FUTUR

OF SOCIAL WORK

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE MAY 1-2

E C EN R M FE A N R O G C RO P PREMIER SPONSORS

TABLE OF CONTENTS 03

Message from the NASW-NJ President and Executive Director

04

Welcome from the Conference Chair

05

Navigating the Conference Website

11

Additional Information

12

Schedule-at-a-Glance

16

Social Work Fellows in Conversation with Laura Nissen

17

Meet Our Moderators

19

Conference Bonus Activities

20

Benefits of Membership

22

Sponsor Directory

25

Recommended Media: Read, Listen & Learn

27

2022 NASW-NJ Chapter Elections

28

Oral History Project

50

Get Involved

51

FAQs & Help

53

Glossary

SPONSORS

MESSAGE FROM THE NASW-NJ PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Friends & Colleagues, Welcome to the third virtual conference of NASW-NJ! It is hard to believe that just a few years ago we endeavored to move our annual event online, amid the height of the pandemic. There were many unknowns, more questions than we could anticipate and a new, virtual world we were pushed into with only a moment’s notice.

The profession of social work—you, our colleagues—did what we do best: show up and adapt. You embraced the new platform, you rolled with the punches, and you connected, despite all the challenges we faced. You navigated pulse checks, you allowed grace when the platform was on overload, and you built community in new ways.

WIDIAN NICOLA DSW, LCSW

And you’ve continued to do so over the course of the last few years. While our world is slowly returning to what will surely be a new normal, these moments have left us thinking about the future of social work.

Our profession is one of innovators, problem solvers, and advocates. We believe in taking the best of our history, our research findings, and our practice knowledge to build a future that is nimbler, more just, more compassionate, more accessible, and equitable for all. But what does that future look like, practically?

This year’s conference aims to dive into these questions and explore solutions. We will explore trauma-informed work, explore what we do when history and present day collide, discuss income equity for the profession, and explore the intersection of technology and social work and how we implement new tools ethically.

JENNIFER THOMPSON, MSW

It is our hope that this year’s conference is the launching pad for more discussion and thought on the future of our profession. We hope it answers some of your questions, provides you with new tools to use in your practice today, but also sparks your desire to envision our profession in ten, or even twenty years—and to continue our thinking about how social workers can co-create an anti-racist tomorrow.

We hope this year you’ll be inspired to continue building upon our work of the last several years, drawing from past discussions to create the future with your professional home and family here at NASW-NJ.

-Widian & Jennifer

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WELCOME FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIR

Dr. Dawn Apgar - From -

Social work education and practice have changed dramatically in recent years with the proliferation of online programs and the expansion of telehealth. Additionally, there is a commitment by the profession to develop and enact an interstate compact that will allow portability of social work licenses across state lines. There is a renewed commitment to racial justice and the need to advocate for those who are marginalized has never been more important.

It is fitting that we dedicate this year’s conference to the future of social work. We must be “forward thinking” in order to ensure that we are prepared to meet the needs of others. Some challenges facing the profession are predictable, but many are not. This year’s conference sessions aim to ensure that social workers are at the forefront of social innovations and are pushing the boundaries to help advance the profession and those it serves.

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While many of us miss the opportunity to be together in person, this virtual platform provides accessibility to national experts in the field. Also, the affordability and convenience have allowed unprecedented access, especially for students who are prospective leaders in the profession.

As we envision what the world and profession will look like in the future, ask “Are we ready for the challenge?” The answer is “Yes!” Together we will ensure that social work stays true to its core mission while appropriately adapting to changing social, environmental, technological, and economic conditions. Hold on and “think big” as we do this important envisioning work together over the next two days.

-Dawn

NAVIGATING THE

CONFERENCE WEBSITE ACCESSING THE VIRTUAL CONFERENCE The conference website is: https://thefutureofsocialwork.org/ The day of the conference go to the website, click login in the upper right hand corner of the screen, and enter the email address you registered with.

You will be taken to the conference exterior space. To enter the conference main area, click the sign that says "CLICK HERE TO ENTER".

LOBBY The Lobby contains the doors to other spaces of the event, such as the Exhibit Hall, Auditorium, and Information Desk. You can access these areas by simply clicking on the titles/banners.

You can also access these other rooms through the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Hey! Is that a scavenger hunt item? Click it to find out!

Click to access the Chat Box feature.

Learn more about the chat feature on page 8.

Click the NASW-NJ Swag banner to go to our shop page.

Click the Agenda banner to view the schedule for the conference.

Click the Scavenger Hunt banner to view the rules for the game.

Learn more about it on page 10.

Click one of our static sponsor banners to be taken directly to their exhibit booth. Clicking on a rotating sponsor banner will take you to the exhibit hall main page.

Click any of the room signs to go to that area.

Click the Photo Booth banner to take a commemorative conference selfie.

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NAVIGATING THE

CONFERENCE WEBSITE AUDITORIUM & WEBINARS The Auditorium is where you will access all the conference sessions, including the keynote, plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, and on-demand workshops.

To access the session listings, you need to click on the screen in the auditorium.

Joining the Keynote, Plenaries, and Concurrent Sessions The sessions are broken down by day. Attendees are automatically registered for all sessions on Sunday, May 1st and for all sessions on Monday, May 2nd, except for the concurrent sessions (1:15PM-3:15PM). You chose your concurrent session when you registered.

Five minutes before the session is scheduled to begin, a CLICK HERE button will appear on the session selection list. Press CLICK HERE to join the conference session.

Click here for additional help for accessing conference sessions. (This will take you to an external webpage).

Accessing the On-Demand Workshops You can access the On-Demand workshops from May 1-31, 2022. Go to the Auditorium and click the On-Demand tab.

The On-Demand sessions WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AFTER MAY 31, 2022 ASKING QUESTIONS DURING THE SESSIONS Keynotes and Plenaries You can ask questions by typing into the Q&A tab on your screen. Please refrain from using the Q&A tab for chatting and commenting.

This will ensure our moderators can best manage the Q&A queue.

Concurrent Sessions You can ask questions via the chat feature. Please refrain from using the chat feature for chatting and commenting. This will ensure our moderators can best manage the Q&A queue.

On-Demand Sessions There is no Q&A or chat option during the on-demand sessions.

ACCESSING PLENARY AND WORKSHOP MATERIALS You can access handouts by going to the Auditorium and clicking the screen. Materials will be available under each workshop's title.

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NAVIGATING THE

CONFERENCE WEBSITE EXHIBIT HALL The Exhibit Hall contains virtual booths where you can interact with our sponsors and exhibitors regarding their services. From the overhead exhibit hall view, click on any booth to be taken to their booth interior. This is where you will interact with booth staff, access exhibitor resources, and search for valuable scavenger hunt items.

BOOTH INTERIORS To visit an exhibitor, you need to click on their booth in the exhibit hall. In the booth interiors, you will find many clickable tabs such as: Description Videos Documents Chat Q&A (live discussion forum page) Other redirecting links/tabs

Note: Don’t forget to click on the booth banners. The booth banners contain redirection links for you to explore more about the exhibitor. Don't forget to keep your eyes open in the exhibit booth interiors! A few of our exhibitor booths are hiding places for scavenger hunt items.

SWAG BAG When you click on the Swag Bag tab in the menu bar at the top of the screen, you can find all the resources (documents and videos) you have saved for yourself. You can always email your Swag Bag items to yourself and your friends/colleagues.

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NAVIGATING THE

CONFERENCE WEBSITE CHAT FEATURES You can find the blue Chat icon on the right-hand side of most conference webpages, or by visiting a booth as explained above. In the chat area you can access technical assistance, chat with other attendees, or join existing chats, including exhibitor booth chats.

Chat icon in lobby

Chat tab on booth interior

By clicking on the ‘Chat’ tab, you can interact and chat with different Booth Reps/exhibitors as well as other attendees who are online in the event.

Using a chat tab, you can do the following: Join different chatrooms Initiate private chat with a booth rep/exhibitor Initiate private chat with other attendees Start an audio/video call (this will take you to an external website) with a booth rep/exhibitor Start an audio/video call (this will take you to an external website) with other attendees Send a file attachment Click to watch a chat tutorial (this will take you to an external website) Click to learn more about chat features (this will take you to an external website).

CHAT INVITATION Chat invitation is a chat request sent by a booth representative/exhibitor who might want to draw your attention to their services. Click to learn more about chat invitation (this will take you to an external website).

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NAVIGATING THE

CONFERENCE WEBSITE NETWORKING LOUNGE The Networking Lounge is where you can go to find and chat with other attendees. You can also link out to your social media from the lounge. And if you look closely in the Lounge you may find a scavenger hunt item!

INFO DESK If you face any technical issues during the event, you can get assistance from vFairs technical support staff by submitting your query in the Technical Support chat room which can be accessed at: Help or Info Desk tab in the Menu bar Technical Support chatroom in the CHAT tab

NOTIFICATIONS During the live event, you might get various notifications at different times. These notifications help you view/explore/attend things happening during the event.

Click here to learn how to minimize notifications and keep your screen clutter free.

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NAVIGATING THE

CONFERENCE WEBSITE GAMES AND PRIZES LEADERBOARD A virtual leaderboard displays the points that you have scored either by finding scavenger hunt items or by exploring the event features such as visiting a booth, opening a chat window, attending a webinar session, or any other activity against which points can be scored.

You can find the point system and current leaderboard rankings by clicking "Leaderboard" in the navigation menu.

WINNING A PRIZE Six prizes will be awarded based on leaderboard standing.

Attendees in the top 20 leaderboard scores will be entered into a random drawing to receive 1 of 6 prizes.

Available prizes are: iPad Air Occulus VR goggles Beats Headphones FREE 2023 Conference Registration Free NASW-NJ Membership for one year Gift Card

SCAVENGER HUNT The Scavenger Hunt is a side game to play while navigating the conference website.

Pay close attention in each conference area as we've hidden 10 icons (shown in the image to the right) throughout the conference website. After finding and clicking an icon, you will see the following message: "Congratulations on finding the [item name] icon. Continue your hunt to find all 10!"

You'll earn points on the leaderboard for each scavenger hunt item you find.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION HAVE FUN WITH YOUR VIRTUAL REALITY 3-D GLASSES If you registered for conference by March 18 you should have received a swag bag of fun conference giveaways in the mail. One of those Items is a pair of 3-D glasses, so you can experience a bit of 3-D in your home.

HOW TO VIDEO ON ASSEMBLING THE GLASSES 360° VIDEOS TO CHECK OUT Clouds Over Sidra Inside Drama: A 360 degree VR Video Drama

HOW TO USE THE PHOTOBOOTH Earn leaderboard points by visiting the Photobooth.

Earn additional points for your first photo share from the Networking Lounge.

Share your photo by going to the Networking Lounge and clicking the corresponding social media icon of where you'd like to share it.

Use these hashtags when posting on social media: #TheFutureofSocialWork and #NJSocialWork2022

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SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE

SUNDAY, MAY 01 8:45AM - 9:00AM

WELCOME & OPENING MEDITATION 9:00AM - 11:30AM

KEYNOTE:

(2.5 Ethics CEUs)

Laura Nissen, MSW, PhD. Anticipatory Social Work in Post-Normal Times

SPONSORED BY:

CONVERSATION WITH: DR. SAM BRADLEY, DR. JUAN RIOS, FINN BELL, PH.D. CANDIDATE, DANIELLE LITTMAN, PH.D. CANDIDATE, LILLIAN BEAUDOIN, MSW

11:30AM - 11:45AM

BREAK/VISIT EXHIBITS

11:45AM - 12:15PM

CALL TO ACTION

12:15PM – 12:45PM

LUNCH/VISIT EXHIBITS

12:45PM - 2:45PM

PLENARY:

(2 Clinical CEUs)

Jill Levenson, PhD, LCSW. Transforming the Future of Social Work by Translating Trauma-Informed Care Principles into Practice

SPONSORED BY:

MODERATED BY: LA'TESHA SAMPSON, PH.D, MPA, MSW, LCSW

2:45PM - 3:00PM

BREAK/VISIT EXHIBITS

3:00PM – 5:00PM

PLENARY:

(2 Clinical or Social/Cultural Competence CEUs)

Henrika McCoy, MSW, MJ, PhD, LCSW Being Black in America and Race-Based Trauma: When History and Present Day Collide

SPONSORED BY:

MODERATED BY: KRISTIN MILLER, LCSW

5:00PM – 5:15PM 5:15PM – 6:45PM (1.5 Ethics CEUs)

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BREAK/VISIT EXHIBITS PLENARY: Steve Burghardt, MSW, PhD It's Time for Dignity, Empowerment & Income Equity for Social Workers Too! MODERATED BY: DAWN APGAR, PHD, LSW, ACSW

SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE

MONDAY, MAY 02 8:45AM - 9:00AM

WELCOME & KICKOFF 9:00AM - 11:00AM

SPECIAL SESSION:

(2 Clinical CEUs)

Juan Rios, DSW, LCSW and Cortney Harding The Reality of Virtual Reality in Social Work

SPONSORED BY:

MODERATED BY: JENNIFER THOMPSON, MSW

11:00AM - 11:15AM

BREAK/VISIT EXHIBITORS

11:15AM - 12:45PM

PLENARY:

(1.5 Ethics CEUs)

Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD Technology and Boundaries: The Future of Professional-Personal Interactions in Virtual Spaces

12:45PM – 1:15PM

LUNCH/VISIT EXHIBITS (OPTIONAL 10 MIN CHAIR YOGA)

1:15PM - 3:15PM

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS

(2 CEUs)

(SEE PAGE 14 FOR DETAILS)

3:15PM - 3:30PM

BREAK/VISIT EXHIBITORS

3:30 – 5:30PM

PLENARY:

(2 Clinical or Social/ Jeffrey Cultural Competence CEUs) SPONSORED BY:

Marsh, Danielle King, MPH, and Kimberly Keyes, LCSW Queer and Gender Non-Conforming Populations

MODERATED BY: SUSAN MENAHEM, LCSW AND JENNIFER THOMPSON, MSW

5:30PM – 6:00PM

FAREWELL & CALL TO ACTION

ON-DEMAND WORKSHOPS Complete between May 1 - May 31, 2022 See page 15 for more information

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SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS MONDAY, MAY 02, 1:15-3:15PM

Edith Slater, DSW, LCSW

Sandy Gibson, PhD, LCSW, LCADC & Jennifer Oliva, JD, MBA

Trinay Thomas, LCSW

Addressing Social Injustice in Social Work Practice: The Clinical Advocacy Model

Antiracist Addiction Treatment Requires Decriminalization and Harm Reduction

Advanced Clinical Supervision: Integrating Best Practices of Race, Ethnicity and Equity in Supervision

2 Clinical or Social/Cultural Competence CEUs

2 Ethics or Social/Cultural Competence CEUs

2 Clinical or Social/Cultural Competence credits

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

PH

Annie Marie Ramos, LCSW, RPT-S Healing After Domestic Violence: Working Creatively with Caregivers and Children 2 Clinical CEUs

OT

B OU NAVAILA

LE

Melissa Castor, MSW, LCSW & Elisabeth Mamourian Corona, MSS, LCSW Developing Resiliency as Schools Return to the Classroom 2 Clinical CEUs

Noelle M. St. Vil, PhD, MSW An Overview of Black Male-Female Relationships, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, and Intimate Partner Violence: Implications for Culturally Specific Social Work Interventions

2 Clinical or Social/Cultural Competence CEUs SPONSORED BY:

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SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

SCHEDULE-AT-A-GLANCE

ON-DEMAND WORKSHOPS MUST BE COMPLETED BETWEEN BETWEEN MAY 1 - MAY 31, 2022

Jennifer A. Pax, PhD, JD, MSW, LCSW Ethical Implications of Virtual Social Work Practice Following the COVID-19 Pandemic 2 Clinical or Ethics CEUs

Jacqueline Uveges, LSW & Nancy Graham, LCSW Focusing on Emotion: An Evidence Based Trans-Diagnostic Approach to Treating Eating Disorders 2 Clinical CEUs

SPONSORED BY:

Rachael Miller, MSW, LCSW & Lauren St. Hill, MSW, LSW Suicide Prevention Online: Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Veterans at Risk

Andrea Cole, MSW, LCSW, PhD & Zakia Clay, DSW, LCSW, CPRP Improving Engagement of Youth and Young Adults in Telemental Health Services 2 Clinical CEUs SPONSORED BY:

Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, DSW, LCSW, MBE Termination of Pregnancy Due to Fetal Anomaly: A Unique Form of Grief 2 Clinical CEUs

2 Clinical CEUs

Karie McGuire, DSW, LCSW, CHES & Jamie Wasserman, DSW, LCSW Unwanted Consensual Sex: Addressing the Hidden and Unspoken Education of Submission in Clinical Practice 2 Clinical or Ethics CEUs

SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

Zakia Clay, DSW, LCSW, CPRP & Elma Kaiser, PhD, MSW Overcoming Barriers to Help-Seeking Among Immigrants and Refugees 2 Cultural or Social/Competence CEUs SPONSORED BY:

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SOCIAL WORK FELLOWS IN CONVERSATION WITH LAURA NISSEN Lillian Beaudoin, MSW Lillian (she/her) is a recent MSW graduate from Cal State Northridge and current research fellow with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Social Work Health Futures Lab. Her work is rooted in climate justice at the intersection of art, foresight, and communication. She recently founded the grassroots project Cool Down LA to grow support for extreme heat initiatives and to serve as a resource hub for local collective action. Before pursuing social work, Lillian worked as a writer and artist in Los Angeles for almost a decade, particularly in queer and subversive spaces. Her approach to work is multi-disciplinary, forward-thinking, and is rooted in the catharsis of radical expression.

Finn Bell, MSW Finn Bell is a PhD candidate in social work and sociology at the University of Michigan and a Social Work Health Futures Lab Fellow, committed to advancing environmental justice through community-based participatory research. The big question that motivates Finn’s work is how communities can build the emotional, spiritual, and cultural sustenance needed to effectively confront the climate crisis.

Samuel L. Bradley Jr., MSW, DSW Dr. Samuel L. Bradley, Jr. is a faculty member at the Boston College School of Social Work. His research focus is on innovation and equity within organizations.

Within Boston College, Dr. Bradley is chair of the Leaders for the Equity and Justice in the Workplace certification and Co-Founding Director of the Black Leadership Initiative. He is passionate about leveraging higher education programs to support community outcomes in marginalized communities. Dr. Bradley is a fellow with the Social Work Health Futures Lab funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Danielle Maude Littman, AM, LCSW Danielle is a PhD Candidate in Social Work at the University of Denver. She uses place-based and arts-based methods to explore (and reimagine) supportive settings and care practices among individuals and groups who experience present and historical marginalization from our current societal structures. Her current research explores third places (community settings) and sense of community among young people in permanent supportive housing, mutual aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, peer support among young people experiencing homelessness, and arts programs as sites of possibility in prisons.

Juan Rios, DSW, LCSW Dr. Rios is a practitioner scholar and works to integrate theoretical knowledge with practice in the field of Social Work. His academic mission is to ensure students are constantly applying scholastic thought with applied learning. Dr. Rios has experience in both non-profit and government sectors and is presently the Clinical Director of a multiservice specialty practice as well as a clinical consultant to community mental health agencies.

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MEET OUR MODERATORS Keynote and Plenary sessions will consist of one hour of presentation, followed by a 5 minute break. After the break presenters will be joined by a moderator to facilitate discussion.

La'Tesha Sampson PhD, MPA, MSW, LCSW In conversation with Jill Levenson Dr. La'Tesha is a licensed psychotherapist, professor, author, grant writer, corporate trainer and social justice activist. Dr. La'Tesha is a serial entrepreneur and owns a mental health agency, Great Joy Counseling and Consulting Services, as well as a skincare line, Real Melanin Monroe. Dr. La'Tesha believes that all things are possible with caffeine and a dream!

Kristin Miller LCSW In conversation with Henrika McCoy Kristin Miller, LCSW, has more than 20 years of experience providing clinical social work services to children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including in home therapy, community mental health centers, and private practice. She is a workshop facilitator, speaker, clinical supervisor, founder of the group practice Mosaic Counseling & Consulting, and a professor in the Social Work Department at Seton Hall University. She is also the Director of Outreach and Community Wellness for Community Care & Justice. Ms. Miller’s areas of expertise include: racism and racial trauma, depression, suicide prevention and awareness, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, attachment and relationship issues, and faith-based counseling.

Dawn Apgar PhD, LSW, ACSW In conversation with Steve Burghardt Dr. Dawn Apgar is an Assistant Professor and director of the BSW Program at Seton Hall University. Dr. Apgar has served in many NASW leadership positions on the state and national levels, including as a former President of the NASW-NJ Board of Directors and the current Chair of the national Credentialing Committee. Dr. Apgar’s scholarship and writings focus extensively on social work education, licensure, and practice, the three pillars of the profession.

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MEET OUR MODERATORS Jennifer Thompson MSW

In conversation with Juan Rios & Cortney Harding In conversation with Jeffrey Marsh, Danielle King, & Kimberly Keyes Jennifer Thompson is the Executive Director of the NJ Chapter of the NASW. She has worked in the nonprofit and public sector for more than a decade. She has served as a Sr. Adviser to Mayor Michael Bloomberg on a number of citywide initiatives including homeless services, affordable housing, transportation and infrastructure. In the nonprofit sector, she developed programs funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for young breast cancer survivors at Sharsheret, and most recently was the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for Girl Scouts, where she led advocacy initiatives that included a collaboration with the office of the First Lady, Michelle Obama, and her initiative, Let Girls Learn.

Jennifer is passionate about advocating for social workers in both traditional and non-traditional roles throughout New Jersey.

Susan Menahem LCSW

In conversation with Jeffrey Marsh, Danielle King, & Kimberly Keyes Susan Menahem, LCSW is the Executive Clinical Director for Institute of Personal Growth, a therapy center that is internationally known for its work with the LGBTQ community, and has a particular expertise working with transgender and gender non-conforming children and youth.

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BONUS CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES Opening Meditation with Anthony Nicotera JD, DSW, LSW Dr. Nicotera has his law and social work degrees, is an educator, clinician, development professional, licensed social worker and counselor, multifaith spiritual practitioner, and leader. He has over 20 years of spiritual and clinical counseling, coaching, and teaching experience, as well as nonprofit leadership and management experience.

He serves as Assistant Professor in the Bachelor of Social Work Program in Seton Hall University's Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work. He also serves as Adjunct Professor in New York's University's Silver School of Social Work, where he has been teaching courses in social justice, nonviolent peacemaking, multifaith leadership and spirituality for the past 13 years. He and a former student partnered with Vietnamese Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh (Thay), to create the mixed-media films Planting Seeds of Mindfulness for Children, based on the book written by Thay and his Plum Village community, a favorite at the Illuminate Film Festival, and The 5 Powers, which won best film at The People's Film Festival in Harlem, NY. Anthony also helped found Newark's Cristo Rey High School and practices clinically at Mental Health Counseling and Wellness in Wayne, NJ.

CHAIR YOGA SESSION WITH ALLISON STOVALL Sitting in front of the computer is tough. We know! Join us for some relaxation and stretching.

Allison Stovall is a 500+ hour experienced certified yoga instructor offering classes in Central and North Jersey, and beyond—virtually. Prepandemic, Allison was teaching in-studio classes throughout Monmouth & Middlesex counties as well having created a pay-what-you-can yoga program in Hudson County, where she currently resides. Since March 2020, classes have been offered virtually from her living room in Jersey City.

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BENEFITS OF NASW-NJ MEMBERSHIP $$$ GET CASH BACK WHEN YOU JOIN! $$$ Join NASW during the 2 days of Conference – May 1 or May 2 – and receive a partial refund for your Conference registration fee to make up some of the difference between the non-member and member Conference pricing.

GET BACK: $75 if you registered for 1 day; $100 if you registered for 2 days. For more information, click here to learn more about member benefits. Or click here to join now. Refunds will be processed within 2 weeks after Conference. The refund will be applied to the payment method used to register for conference. This offer is only valid for people who join the NASW New Jersey Chapter. It is not valid for those who join other state NASW Chapters.

Make sure to email us at: conference.naswnj@socialworkers.org to let us know you joined!

What does it mean to be a member of NASW-NJ in 2022?

Social workers are currently being called upon to provide expertise, step up and take action, and pave the way for a brighter, safer, and more inclusive future. Though this work is not new to our profession, there’s no better or more important time to come together as a collective and amplify our voices and values by being part of the largest, most influential organization of social workers in the world.

What can NASW-NJ provide?

Advocacy: Social workers speak out and NASW-NJ takes action—whether that’s creating a Call to Action for telehealth expansion in the state of NJ, developing Virtual Advocacy Days to call for police reform, contacting the ASWB to make license exams available online, or meeting with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs to understand pandemic-related licensing delays and develop a plan for the future.

Professional Development: Your membership allows NASW-NJ to develop and provide the resources you need to support your clients, colleagues, and communities at-large. Since March 2020 alone, NASW-NJ has provided over 170 programs to keep social workers informed, including our Community Conversations, Race, Responsibility & Reconciliation series, Road to November efforts, and continuing education programs.

Your Professional Home: In a time where the terms “social distancing” and “unprecedented times” are becoming the “new normal,” NASW-NJ makes it easy for social workers to connect and collaborate virtually through our county-based Unit events, Shared Interest Group gatherings and leadership opportunities within the Chapter.

Being a part of your professional association is much larger than free CEUs or licensing support (though those benefits are still included!), and we invite you to engage with us to learn more about what it means to be a member of NASW-NJ. As social work professionals, you influence the lives of many around you, and you encourage, support, advocate for, and inspire your clients, colleagues, and the community to be better. At NASW-NJ, we work to provide you with the tools, resources, and opportunities you need to keep doing just that.

Interested in learning more? Call our Member Services Team at 800-742-4089 or join online at www.socialworkers.org/join

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Thanks to Our

YEAR-ROUND PARTNERS difference maker

shaker mover

champion

Reach Your Audience with a Year-Round partnership.

Email: hfrench.naswnj@socialworkers.org

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SPONSOR & EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY Bancroft NeuroRehab Bancroft NeuroRehab offers a broad spectrum of care, with a 360 degree approach to rehabilitation following a brain injury, stroke, concussion, and the effects of Parkinson’s, MS, lingering COVID symptoms, and other neurological conditions. We offer a full range of services at each of our three locations - in Mt. Laurel, Plainsboro and Toms River, New Jersey. Learn more at https://neurorehab.bancroft.org

Fairleigh Dickinson University FDU’S MSW program educates advanced generalist social workers to act as powerful catalysts of change, help solve problems and contribute toward social, economic, environmental, and legal justice.

Our program integrates the latest theories, best practices and multidisciplinary perspectives in all courses, augmented by rich experiential learning and research opportunities. Learn more at www.fdu.edu/msw

Bridge to Balance Bridge to Balance Inc. is a group private practice that provides individual, family, couples and group counseling in a relaxed setting. Our clinicians work with a wide range of issues, from Anxiety and Depression, Adjustment Issues and Trauma. Some of our therapeutic approaches include: CBT, Creative Therapies, DBT, EMDR, Mindfulness, Sand Play Therapy. Learn more at https://bridge2balance.com

FieldWorker.ai Empowering care agencies and workers through state-of-the-art tech. FieldWorker's all-in-one platform allows you to manage your agency's operations in one place. FieldWorker is an accessible platform that gives your agency the tools to become the best in the field. Learn more at https://fieldworker.ai/

CareOne Our integrated healthcare network is designed to create total continuity of care across every stage of your loved one’s journey—including assisted living, post-acute rehabilitation, memory care, home care, long-term care, long-term acute care, hospice and palliative care, and even pharmaceutical services. No matter the need, we’re there every step of the way to ensure care is coordinated and seamless to give every resident the quality, personalized experience they need and deserve. Learn more at https://www.care-one.com Emmanuel Cancer Center ECF provides NJ families facing pediatric cancer comfort and support through a uniquely tailored package of assistance. Our services include professional in-home counseling for the entire family, advocacy, material support, and emergency financial aid. Learn more at https://www.emmanuelcancer.org/

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Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic is a notfor-profit behavioral health care provider specializing in psychiatric and addiction treatment.

Hackensack Meridian Health Carrier Clinic includes an inpatient psychiatric hospital, detoxification and rehabilitation center, OP addiction Services, adolescent residential facility, and a fully accredited middle and high school for students classified emotionally disturbed. Learn more at https://carrierclinic.org/ Hampton Behavioral Health Center Hampton Behavioral Health Center offers a full continuum of care for adolescents, adults and older adults with mental health and substance use issues.

Specialized services include Electroconvulsive Therapy, Military Treatment, and Hampton Academy.

The Access Center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide free confidential assessments. Learn more at hamptonhospital.com

SPONSOR & EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY Handspring Health Handspring is a modern behavioral health clinic for children and families. Our ultimate objective is to create a world in which children are empowered to lead resilient and fulfilling lives by making quality mental healthcare accessible to all families. Currently, we offer therapy services via telehealth. Learn more at https://www.handspringhealth.com/ Horizons Neurological at Allaire Rehab Horizons Neurological at Allaire Rehab is one of the only Specialized Care Nursing Facility (SCNF) in NJ to offer a Medicaid funded short-term and long-term care program for young adults ages 18 - 59, with TBI, Stroke, MS, Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson's, and other neurological conditions. Learn more at https://allairehc.com/our-programs/neuro-care/ Integrity House Established in 1968, Integrity House is one of New Jersey's oldest and largest providers of social work services (substance use and mental health services).

We incorporate a client-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach to care. Integrity welcomes various disciplines and promotes staff advancement through clinical supervision, tuition reimbursement, credentialing, and more. Learn more at https://integrityhouse.org/ Institute for Personal Growth (IPG) IPG is a group mental health practice founded in 1983 with offices in Highland Park, Freehold, and Jersey City, New Jersey. We have therapists who specialize in sex therapy, LGBTQ issues, transgender and gender non-conforming youth, PTSD and trauma (including EMDR treatment), couples and marriage counseling, polyamory and unconventional lifestyles, youth/adolescents and family counseling, eating disorders, substance abuse, and of course more common afflictions like depression, anxiety, stress, and grief/loss. Learn more at https://ipgcounseling.com/

Meridian Counseling Meridian Counseling Services is an established group private practice in Southern New Jersey providing services to a diverse clientele for over 18 years.

Learn more at http://meridiancounseling.net/ Monmouth University Monmouth’s Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Human Rights Leadership prepares you to be an agent of change at the executive level. Learn to design, evaluate, and implement effective human rights programs and policies that positively impact individuals and communities. Our DSW features a 48credit online synchronous practice-based curriculum. Learn more at https://www.monmouth.edu/graduate/doctor-ofsocial-work-dsw/ NASW Assurance Services, Inc. NASW Assurance Services (ASI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NASW and exists to manage social worker and other behavioral health professional insurance programs with our policyholders’ best interests in mind. We work hard to be a socially responsible organization dedicated to improving the lives of behavioral health professionals. Learn more at https://naswassurance.org/ Newport Academy Newport Healthcare is a series of evidence-based healing centers for teens, young adults, and families struggling with mental health issues and cooccurring eating disorders, and substance abuse issues. Newport Healthcare offers a family-systems approach, providing gender-specific, individualized, and integrated programs that encompass clinical therapy, academic support, and experiential practices. Through Newport Academy for teens and Newport Institute for young adults, our resultsdriven care gives young people the sustainable healing required for a thriving life. Learn more at https://www.newporthealthcare.com/

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SPONSOR & EXHIBITOR DIRECTORY NJ Department of Children and Families New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families is the state’s designated family support agency, focused and committed to assisting and empowering all NJ residents to be safe, healthy and connected through an array of programs and services that incorporate racial equity, healing-centered practice, family voice and a protective factors framework.

Learn more at https://www.nj.gov/dcf/ Ramapo College Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) is dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement. RCNJ is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. RCNJ proudly offers a CSWE accredited BSW program and MSW program.

Learn more at www.ramapo.edu RingCentral Ring Central offers a variety of services that include phones, secure texting, and fax-to-email solutions, as well as video conferencing for large organizations, solo practices, and all settings in between. They have established a dedicated portal where NASW-NJ members can learn more about their services for our profession and have created a dedicated line, specific for NASW-NJ members to contact – so that you can easily have your questions answered and lock in special rates as a member of NASW-NJ. Learn more at https://www.ringcentral.com/go/association.html?

BMID=SIANASWQNALP&SPID=78354 Rutgers University School of Social Work Rutgers School of Social Work prepares passionate, committed students to become global leaders in the field. As one of the nation’s largest and most highly regarded schools of social work, we offer students nationally recognized faculty, rigorous academics, and unbeatable real-world experience. Learn more at https://socialwork.rutgers.edu/

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Sakala School of Integrative Teaching Sakala School of Integrative Teaching is dedicated to providing healthcare professionals with evidenceinformed integrated training approaches that promote health, growth, and well-being. The Witnessing Beauty Yoga Teacher Training program aligns with trauma-informed methodologies that emphasize principles of neuroscience and ancient philosophies, while focusing on the domains of posttraumatic growth. Learn more at www.sakalaschool.com Senior Care Therapy At Senior Care Therapy, our mission is to provide patient-centered psychotherapy services to residents in subacute, LTC, and assisted living settings. We take pride in ensuring we create a meaningful impact to daily lives. We are rapidly expanding and seeking LCSWs to work with us on a full-time, part-time or Fee-for-Service basis. Learn more at www.Seniorcaretherapy.com/careers

Springpoint Senior Living Springpoint is a nationally recognized senior living provider, with a legacy of over 100 years serving the Mid-Atlantic region. It consists of Springpoint Senior Living and its eight full-service Life Plan Communities and 19 affordable housing communities. It also includes Springpoint at Home, providing homecare and care management services, and Springpoint Choice, a membership-based program offering security for members. Learn more at https://springpointsl.org/

BOOKS AND PODCASTS AND BLOGS, OH MY! Books by our Conference presenters The Road to Freedom. Jill S. Levenson. Safer Society Press 2021 Racial Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System. Henrika McCoy. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Social work. Oxford University Press.

2019 The End of Social Work: A Defense of the Social Worker in Times of Transformation. Steve Burghardt. Cognella Academic Publishing. 2020 Allan Barsky. To view a comprehensive list of his books, visit: https://barsky.org/publications Parents as Healers: Bringing the Caregiver into the Healing Process Through Play and Home-Based Strategies. Anne Marie M. Ramos.

CreateSpace Publishing. 2017 Grieving for the Sibling You Lost: A Teen's Guide to Coping with Grief and Finding Meaning After Loss. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt. Instant Help.

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Other Good Books Hey, Brown Girl. Janay Harden. Janay Harden, 2021 (An NASW-NJ member!)

Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do, Jennifer L. Eberhardt, Penguin Books, 2019 A Guide for Interprofessional Collaboration. Edited by Aidyn L. Iachini, Laura R. Bronstein, and Elizabeth Mellin, CSWE Press, 2018 Untamed. Glennon Doyle. The Dial Press, 2020 Thriving in the Wake of Trauma: A Multicultural Guide. Dr. Thema Bryant Davis. AltaMira Press. 2008 USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work put together a list of books that every social worker should read: https://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/10-social-work-books-every-social-worker-should-read/

Podcasts Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness: https://jonathanvanness.com/podcasts/ The Social Work podcast: https://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/ Helpful Social Work: https://www.helpfulsocialwork.com/ NASW Social Work Talks: https://www.socialworkers.org/news/nasw-social-work-talks-podcast

Ted talks https://www.ted.com/playlists/670/a_blueprint_for_diversity_in_the_workplace https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity https://www.ted.com/talks/emilie_wapnick_why_some_of_us_don_t_have_one_true_calling

Blogs Laura Nissen Blog https://socialworkfutures.com Link to top 60 social work Blogs https://blog.feedspot.com/social_work_blogs/

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MUSIC OF THE FUTURE Song List – songs about the future, hope and social work social change. Listen along with us.

1.“Firework” by Katy Perry 2. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles 3. “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson 4. “Shake It Out” by Florence + the Machine 5. “Try” by Pink 6. “No Regrets” by Aesop Rock 7.“Lose Yourself” by Eminem 8. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child 9. “No Regrets” by Aesop Rock 10. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem 11. “All the Stars (with SZA)” by Kendrick Lamar 12. “They Say Vision” by R.E.S. 13. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack 14. “Wide Open Spaces” by The Chicks 15. “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” by Travis Tritt 16. “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts 17. “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane 18. “Seasons of Love” from Rent 19. “My Shot” from Hamilton 20. “No One Is Alone” from Into the Woods 21. “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls 22. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey 23. “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole 24. “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson 25. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston 26. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran 27. "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell 28. "Love Train" by the O’Jays 29. "The Times They Are A-Changin’ " by Bob Dylan 30. "The Wind Of Change" by Scorpions 31. "Imagine" by John Lennon 32. "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby and The Range 33. "Geraldine" by Glasvegas 34. "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke 35. "Believe In Yourself" by Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers 36.The entire Encanto soundtrack 37. "Nina Cried Power" (feat. Mavis Staples) by Hozier 38. "Jackboot Jump" by Hozier 39. "Year 3000"by the Jonas Brothers 40. "Anna Sun" by WALK THE MOON 41. "I Wanna Get Better" by the Bleachers 42. "Found/Tonight" by Ben Platt and Lin-Manuel Miranda

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VOTING IS OPEN!

2022 NASW-NJ CHAPTER ELECTIONS President Elect

Lisa Lawson

VP Finance

Dr. Tina Maschi

Jennifer Sorenson

Secretary

Tiffany L. Mayers

Courtney Wise

Ruslana Church

Ratna Joshi-Nelson

Nikia Palmer

MSW Representatives

Matt Sato

Olivia Monahan

BSW Representative Lorna Jones

L. Kahn

Candidates

Justin Bucchio

Regional Representatives

CCNLI Click Here to

VOTE NOW

Resia Cooper

Elisabet Amadiz

Josh Collins

Hannah Korn Heiler

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Stories of Change:

THE SOCIAL WORK ORAL HISTORY INSTITUTE Stories are powerful. Through story telling we make sense of our world, spread ideas, and document our history. The stories of the social work profession represent the efforts of social workers, the communities they served, the lives they changed, and the policies they drove.

The history of the social work profession is long and deep—marked by the deeds of advocates who led us, teachers who inspired us, colleagues who mentored us, and coworkers who uplifted us on the hardest of days.

These are the stories of change agents, leaders, and helpers—generations of social workers who uplifted communities and the legacies they have built. They enrich our understanding of our past, allow us a glimpse into the lives of those on the front lines, and help us understand how our profession changes the lives of everyday people, families, and communities across our nation.

Now, NASW-NJ has made it possible for these stories to be documented and preserved for generations to come. In March 2022, in recognition of Social Work Month, we launched “Stories of Change: The Social Work Oral History Institute” in collaboration with StoryCorps. These stories will be preserved for posterity in the American Folklife Center at the U.S. Library of Congress.

Institute with the stories of more than a dozen prominent and well-known social workers—including Dr. Mildred "Mit" Joyner, current President of NASW National; Dr. Tawanda Hubbard, the first woman of color to serve as President of the NASW-NJ Chapter; Bill Waldman, former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services; and Dr. Phylis Peterman, long-time Chair of the Department of Social Work at Rutgers University – Newark, among others.

We invite you to listen to the stories we’ve collected already and to help shape the growing Oral History Institute, as well, by capturing the stories you hold and those of the colleagues you know.

Each social worker has a powerful story to tell—a story of a life touched, a community uplifted, a project that affected change, and more. We invite you to share your sories and those of your colleagues. Learn more at our website.

Ready to hear from some passionate, inspiring social workers?

Click the photos to the left to hear their stories of change.

NASW-NJ SWAG

REP YOUR NJ PRIDE

G E A R

F O R

SOCIAL WORKERS, D E S I G N E D

B Y

SOCIAL WORKERS. L I V E

T H E

VALUES, LOUDLY.

SHOP HERE 29

Strengthen your connection to social work. Connect with other members and social workers throughout the state. Develop your leadership experience while learning new skills.

The NASW-NJ Chapter volunteer leadership is composed of social workers just like yourself, who are passionate about our field, our collective purpose, and have a desire to contribute to the dialogue and lend their talents and voices to the betterment of our Chapter.

Here’s a few ways you can volunteer with us: • Serve as a Unit Leader – NASW-NJ has units across the state to provide members with regionally based networking and educational opportunities. As a volunteer chair or co-chair, you can help plan and coordinate events that bring value to our members.

• Serve as a Shared Interest Group Facilitator – Social work is one of the most diverse professions, and our Shared Interest Groups allow members in similar practice-areas to talk through shared experiences, challenges, opportunities, and to network. As a facilitator, you can help guide the group, coordinate meetings, and lead the discussion.

• Serve on a Committee – Committees are a great way to learn more about the inner workings of our professional organization and help shape programs and policies. These are one-year appointments and typically meet via phone or Zoom on a monthly basis.

• Serve on the Board of Directors – Lead and serve our organization at the highest level! Board positions are elected by member vote and serve one to two-year appointments. Our Board meets bi-monthly and is active in conversations, dialogue, and Chapter governance in-between meetings.

Am I qualified to volunteer?

You should be an NASW-NJ member and a social worker (but if you’re an associate member, we can talk with you about those qualifications as well!). Social workers are in every aspect of our community and we hope our leadership is as diverse as our membership.

Sound exciting? Contact us today about becoming a volunteer! You can email Christina Mina, Director of Membership, at cmina.naswnj@socialworkers.org or complete the form online.

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FAQS & HELP ACCESSING CEUS HOW DO I RECEIVE MY CEUS? CEU certificates for both the live and On-Demand sessions will be sent via email by June 15, if not sooner.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY CEU CERTIFICATE FOR THE ON-DEMAND WORKSHOPS? Certificates will be emailed for the On-Demand workshops by June 15, if not sooner.

IS THERE A POST-TEST/EVALUATION? There are no post-tests to take.

WILL THE SESSIONS BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE CONFERENCE? The sessions will not be available to watch after they have occurred. However, some of the sessions will be available for purchase via our on-line learning platform, InReach. It may take several weeks for content to appear there. Visit https://naswinstitute.inreachce.com/?TabName=newjersey WILL THESE CE CREDITS COUNT IN OTHER STATES? YES! NASW-NJ Continuing Education credits are valid for licensed social workers in all 50 states.

WILL THESE CREDITS COUNT FOR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS, LPCS, LMFTS, LCADCS, ETC? YES! NASW-NJ Continuing Education credits are valid for school social workers, LPCs, LMFTs, and LCADCs in NJ. Please check with your state’s regulations if you are from outside NJ. HOW MANY CREDITS DO I NEED TO EARN AS A NEW JERSEY SOCIAL WORKER? If you are an LCSW: An LCSW shall complete a minimum of 40 credits of continuing education, of which at least 20 credits shall be in courses or programs directly related to clinical practice, 5 credits must be related to ethics, 3 credits must be related to social and cultural competency, and 1 credit must be related to prescription opioid addiction. If the LCSW earns more than 40 credits during a biennial period, the LCSW may carry a maximum of eight surplus credits into a succeeding biennial period.

If you are an LSW: An LSW shall complete a minimum of 30 credits of continuing education, 5 of which must be related to ethics, 3 credits must be related to social and cultural competency, and 1 credit must be related to prescription opioid addiction. If the LSW earns more than 30 credits during a biennial period, the LSW may carry a maximum of six surplus credits into a succeeding biennial period.

If you are a CSW: A CSW shall complete a minimum of 20 credits of continuing education, 5 of which must be related to ethics, 3 credits must be related to social and cultural competency, and 1 credit must be related to prescription opioid addiction. If the CSW earns more than 20 credits during a biennial period, the CSW may carry a maximum of four surplus credits into a succeeding biennial period.

If an applicant initially obtains a license or certificate within the second year of a biennial license period (September 1, 2021 or later) the applicant shall complete not fewer than one-half of the minimum required credits of continuing education, 3 credits of which shall be related to ethics and 2 credits of which shall be related to social and cultural competency. An LCSW shall complete at least 10 of their 20 credits in programs which directly relate to clinical practice.

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FAQS & HELP TECHNICAL HELP! I’M HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES No worries – we are here to help! Click on the blue text box on the right hand side of the screen to access technical help, or visit the Infodesk. A live person is available to help you.

I CANNOT LOG ON TO THE WEBSITE The website address is: thefutureofsocialwork.org. If you cannot log on email: thefutureofsocialwork@getvfairs.io for help.

I AM NOT SEEING THE CLICK HERE BUTTON TO ACCESS THE SESSIONS The sessions will be open five minutes before the start time of the session. If it is five minutes before the start of the presentation and you still cannot access the session, you may need to clear your browser’s cache. To do so: On Windows: ctrl + F5 On a Mac/Apple: Apple + R or command + R On Linux: F5 For the concurrent sessions, the CLICK HERE button will not appear until the exact start time.

If you still cannot see the CLICK HERE button, click on the blue text box on the right hand side of the screen to access technical help.

MISCELLANEOUS

HOW DO I BECOME AN NASW-NJ MEMBER? You can join NASW here: https://www.socialworkers.org/nasw/join If you join NASW-NJ as a full member during conference (May 1-2) you will receive cash back on your conference registration.

(Sorry students this doesn’t apply to student memberships). If you registered for one day of conference you receive $75 back when you join. If you registered for two days of conference you will receive $100.

Make sure to email us at: conference.naswnj@socialworkers.org and let us know you have joined so we can process your refund.

The refund will be applied to the payment method used to register for conference.

This offer is only valid for people who join the NASW New Jersey Chapter. It is not valid for those who join other state NASW Chapters.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED WITH NASW-NJ? Make sure to follow us on social media (@naswnj) and sign-up for newSWire, our weekly e-newsletter, at https://naswnj.socialworkers.org/News/Newsletters . Visit page 50 to learn more.

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GLOSSARY There are a lot of technical terms when you talk about the future. Below is a glossary to explain some of the concepts discussed at the conference this year.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)

AUGMENTED REALITY

Virtual reality is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the user in such a way that the user suspends belief and accepts it as a real environment. On a computer, virtual reality is primarily experienced through two of the five senses: sight and sound.

Augmented reality (AR) is an enhanced version of the real physical world that is achieved through the use of digital visual elements, sound, or other sensory stimuli delivered via technology. It is a growing trend among companies involved in mobile computing and business applications in particular.

Because VR provides a safe environment, without the need for expensive training mock-ups, many companies and Social Work schools have tapped into it as a training tool.

The most commonly known example is Pokémon Go where characters appear in the user’s real-world through their phone lens.

For example, our Annual Conference presenter, Cortney Harding, and her company, Friends with Holograms, developed a virtual reality training pilot. Using a 23-minute virtual home visit, with real people and voice-activated conversations, trainees interviewed a mother, her boyfriend, and her 7-yearold daughter to assess risk of abuse and neglect. The participant is given three questions to choose from and pose one to the family member. The next questions flow from the previous questions, so there can be literally thousands of different conversation pathways. At the end of the scenario, the trainee is forced to make a decision to place the child in foster care, or not. The trainee then must announce the decision to the anxious mother.

MIXED REALITY (MR)

Virtual reality is used in therapy, too. Virtual reality therapy (VRT), is the use of virtual reality technology for psychological or occupational therapy and in affecting virtual rehabilitation.

Patients receiving virtual reality therapy navigate through digitally created environments and complete specially designed tasks often tailored to treat a specific ailment; and is designed to isolate the user from their surrounding sensory inputs and give the illusion of immersion inside a computergenerated, interactive virtual environment.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans because they require human intelligence and discernment.

METAVERSE Metaverse generally refers to the concept of a highly immersive virtual world where people gather to socialize, play, and work. Awareness of this term surged on October 29, 2021, when Facebook rebranded itself “Meta” and released a video in which CEO Mark Zuckerberg says, “I believe the metaverse is the next chapter for the internet.”

Mixed reality is a blend of physical and digital worlds, unlocking natural and intuitive 3D human, computer, and environmental interactions. This new reality is based on advancements in computer vision, graphical processing, display technologies, input systems, and cloud computing.

MR combines aspects from both VR and AR to create a virtual environment within the real world, allowing users to interact with both virtual and real objects simultaneously.

MR is sometimes called enhanced AR, but MR actually takes AR to a new level. Need help visualizing MR? Think about it like this.

You can use a headset, turn it on, and essentially turn your physical computer into an interactive touch screen.

Instead of selecting an object with your keyboard or mouse, you could affect changes on your computer via the holographic overlay you see with the goggles.

This type of MR has been gaining traction in assistive applications as well. For example, by using a holographic image, automotive technicians can get step-by-step overlays of exactly how to repair a car engine using gestures, gazes, and voice as commands.

EXTENDED REALITY (XR) Otherwise known as “XR” extended reality is a term used to define the concept of “extending” or transforming our reality with the use of technology. In simple terms, it's how we build on the world we have with technology to create unique environments, experiences, and interactions. XR is the umbrella term for VR, AR, and MR. XR is commonly seen in popular social media apps, like Snapchat and Instagram, where users can add filters to their selfies to alter their appearance and background.

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