2023 NASW-NJ Impact Statement

20 23

IMPACT

Statement

Cultivating Social Work Community

TABLE OF

Contents 03 Message from our Executive Director 04 Connecting Social Workers is What We Do 06 Connecting for Professional Development 08 Connecting for Collective Action Connections: Meeting Social 10 Community Workers Where They’re At

12 Take the Student Membership Challenge 13 Connecting to Our Next Generation Connecting to Volunteer Leadership

15 Opportunities

16 Community Connections

MESSAGE FROM OUR

Executive Director Having joined the NASW-NJ just a few months ago, I am proud of the chapter's achievements outlined in this document.

This report represents a community of social workers dedicated to their profession. This community includes lifelong learners who have completed various continuing education and professional development opportunities, social workers willing to support, supervise, and train new and up-and-coming social work professionals, and those advocating on numerous issues impacting the profession and communities they serve.

Many have stepped up and taken on leadership roles within communities, NASW-NJ, and the National NASW Board of Directors.

Collectively, the NASW-NJ community has built relationships and partnerships that are the foundation for the continued growth and success of the chapter. I look forward to working with you in the coming year.

Congratulations on your accomplishments this past year.

Sincerely,

Debra A. O’Neal, MSW, ACSW, LMSW Chapter Executive Director, Delaware and New Jersey National Association of Social Workers

Connecting Social Workers IS WHAT WE DO At NASW-NJ, human connection is one of our primary focuses. Membership is more than a transaction. It's about building deep and lasting connections within your chosen profession and the power of the collective social work voice.

You’ve shown us you value this approach through your commitment to NASW-NJ membership.

New members and returning members have come to the Chapter in steady waves to access resources, attend our programs, support our advocacy, and take advantage of discount opportunities available to members.

OUR NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY

782

MEMBERS BY STATE 2,645 1,137

NEW MEMBERS JOINED OUR CHAPTER THIS PAST YEAR MEMBERSHIP DOES MORE THAN REFLECT THE VITALITY OF OUR CHAPTER.

INCREASES IN MEMBERSHIP...

2,074 739 *66 UNCONFIRMED *AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2023

ALSO INCREASE OUR REACH, IMPACT, AND COLLECTIVE VOICE.

6,661 TOTAL MEMBERS

In 2023, we reached more people than ever before, as members shared our e-mails, social media posts, advocacy alerts, and spread the word about our work through word of mouth.

ONLINE COMMUNITY NASW-NJ has achieved remarkable strides in its social media presence. Notably, we've successfully highlighted our vibrant community, shedding light on the incredible work and dedication of social workers.

Over the past year, we’ve highlighted the work of our members and their organizations through more than 120 social media posts this past year. Through a blend of engaging content, insightful resources, and inspiring stories, NASW-NJ has cultivated a dynamic online space where our community thrives. Our commitment to sharing valuable information, supporting professional growth, and showcasing the positive impact of social work has not only strengthened our online presence, but also nurtured a sense of unity and shared purpose among our members. It's a testament to our dedication in promoting the welfare of both social workers and the individuals, families, and communities they serve.

WEBSITE

48,000

EMAIL MESSAGES

VIEWS

5.8M

SOCIAL MEDIA TOTAL FOLLOWERS TWITTER

2.4K

LINKEDIN

3.9K

15.7K

FACEBOOK

SOCIAL MEDIA REACH

6.3K

INSTAGRAM

728.4K accounts across all platforms

SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH IN PAST 12 MONTHS

45.4%

3.6K

CONNECTING FOR

Professional Development NASW-NJ continues to be the leading provider of social work continuing education and professional development programs in New Jersey. This year, based on your feedback and outreach, we launched two new certificate programs: our Aging and Older Adults Certificate program and our Advanced Trauma Certificate program. And in January 2024, we’ll be introducing our new Grief Certificate Program. We also launched our 4-CEU Advanced Clinical Supervision workshop, for experienced clinical supervisors looking to refresh and update their supervision skills.

CONNECTING TO

National Conversations

16.5

46

Free CEUs available to each member

Total number of CE programs offered

263.5

3,271

Total number of CEU hours offered

Total CE program registrants

We’re excited to share that Seton Hall BSW Student, Hana Kisswani, has been elected to the role of BSW Student Representative to the NASW National Board. This is an amazing opportunity for Hana and a credit to NJ social workers that she’ll be representing our state at the National level. Here’s what Hana had to say about her new role:

“

I chose to run for the BSW Student Representative position on the NASW’s board of directors because I am dedicated to the social work profession and wanted to support the upcoming generation of social workers. With this position, I hope to gain more knowledge about NASW’s initiatives and how the organization plays a vital role in the social work profession. Additionally, I hope to

“

professionally grow as a future social worker and successfully fulfill my role with NASW.

In November 2023 NASW-NJ sent 12 elected delegates to the national delegate assembly.

The Delegate Assembly is NASW’s representative, decision-making body through which NASW members set some organizational policy, establish Program Priority Goals, and develop a collective stance on public and professional issues.

THE LARGEST GATHERING OF

Social Workers on the East Coast Our members have been advocating for a return to an in-person Annual Conference almost since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the ensuing years, we did our best to balance community demand with crucial health and safety needs. Finally, after three years of virtual conferences, the 2023 NASW-NJ Annual Conference returned to its traditional in-person venue in Atlantic City. And when we returned, we returned in force! Almost 950 conference attendees, presenters, and exhibitors joined us at Resorts Hotel & Casino for the opportunity to network with other social workers, attend presentations from nationally renowned speakers, and earn up to 23.5 CEUs over the course of the 3-day event.

In addition, the Conference also held space for our annual Social Work Student Summit. Over 100 students from colleges and universities across the state of New Jersey enjoyed a hybrid conference experience—joining social work professionals for our Keynote and Plenary sessions and also attending student-focused programming aimed at helping social work students prepare for professional careers and learning about the vast array of career pathways available to them.

CONNECTING EXPERIENCED CLINICIANS WITH

Newer Social Workers

NASW-NJ is committed to developing the next generation of social workers. This wouldn’t be possible without developing the next generation of social work clinical supervisors. In 2023, nearly 300 experienced clinical social workers took advantage of our highly regarded Clinical Supervision Course to advance their careers and prepare to train newer professionals entering the field. Supervisors who successfully completed training had the opportunity to have their names added to our Clinical Supervisor list, a searchable database that helps connect trained clinical supervisors with newer social workers seeking supervision.

Additionally, we launched our Advanced Clinical Supervision training for experienced clinical supervisors looking to further develop their skills.

274

535

Clinical Supervisors Trained in 2023

Clinical Supervisors in our Directory

CONNECTING FOR

COLLECTIVE ACTION Members keep us informed of the various issues impacting the practice of social work in our state. This year, our Chapter placed a strong emphasis on those professional issues. One result of these efforts was the press conference and rally we held at the State House on Legislative Education & Advocacy Day. Hundreds of social work students gathered in Trenton to raise awareness of the biases inherent in the ASWB Licensing Exam and to advocate for the removal of the Masters Level Exam as a requirement for licensure in our state.

WITH YOUR HELP WE PURSUED THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL ISSUES: Advocating with NJ Board of Social Work Examiners on behalf of members Advocating for improvements and upgrades at the Division of Consumer Affairs and state Licensing Boards Advocating for student loan forgiveness and loan redemption programs at the state and federal level Pursuing the Interstate Licensing Compact for Social Workers Ensuring the continuation of pay parity between telehealth and in-person services Advocating for annual Cost of Living Adjustment for public agency social workers Advocating for rate increases for mental health services under Medicare and Medicaid Addressing revisions to our state social work regulations related to Continuing Education Course approval Collaborating with individual and group practices to address problems related to provider reimbursement for mental and behavioral health services provided

CONNECTING FOR

Collective Action

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

compact, share lessons learned, and create a collection of testimony, white papers, and other resources to support the

This year, we worked hard to bring all the professional

creation of the compact in our states.

mental health groups to the table in an interdisciplinary effort to address systemic issues that cross through all our

Anti-LGBTQIA+ Policies in New Jersey School

professions. We’ve engaged in collaborative conversations

Districts

and efforts with the NJ Psychiatric Association, the NJ Psychological Association, the NJ Counseling Association,

This year, some school districts in New Jersey sought to

the NJ Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and

institute mandatory parental notification policies that are

the NJ Association of Addiction Professionals to address

not only discriminatory against LGBTQIA+ students, but

issues related to telehealth accessibility and pay parity, the

potentially harmful to them. NASW-NJ issued a policy

opioid crisis, and our various licensing boards and

stance in opposition to these efforts that social workers can

authorities. We anticipate growing these collaborations in

share with school leadership in their community should

the coming year as we work to address issues that impact all

these policies be introduced.

mental health and behavioral health professionals.

Mandatory parental notification policies—which amount to

Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact

the forced outing of trans and non-binary youth—must not be the standard procedure in our schools when students

This spring, Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald

express thoughts, ideas, and behaviors indicating they may

introduced legislation in the Assembly (A-5349) that

be trans, non-binary, or in other ways questioning their

authorizes NJ’s entry into the social work interstate licensure

gender. Social workers know that not all LGBTQIA+ youth

compact. More than 500 of you responded to our advocacy

are safe at home. Disclosure of LGBTQIA+ status to parents

alert this summer that urged you to contact your legislators

must be handled on a student-by-student basis, taking into

to support this legislation. And the list of those legislators

account student health and safety needs. Mandatory

who have signed on to our bill is now available here:

parental disclosure can lead to harm including rejection,

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/A5349. To

disavowal, and in some cases physical violence. Disclosure

build on this, we continue to work with our allies in the State

of LGBTQIA+ status to parents by school staff must only

Senate to introduce companion legislation to the Assembly

occur when it is safe and appropriate for the youth

bill. We’re also working closely with other state chapters of

involved.

NASW to discuss ongoing efforts in our states to create the

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Meeting Social Workers Where They’re At We believe in more than just connecting social workers; we strive to highlight the efforts and work of social workers across New Jersey and create opportunities for social workers to establish themselves as leaders in the profession.

THIS YEAR WE FEATURED STORIES ABOUT OUR MEMBERS ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA MORE THAN

120 TIMES

Small Business Spotlight

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlights

Black History Month Stories

Members from across our community also led workshops, presentations, and community conversations, and shared their expertise with our community through articles in NASW-NJ FOCUS Magazine.

123

43

Social Media Spotlights

Conference Presenters

24

43

Community Conversations / FB Live Events

professional and student written articles

in FOCUS magazine

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS For the first time since the COVID pandemic, we had the opportunity to get out into the community and meet social workers where they are at. We connected with you at more than a dozen social work and social work-related events and programs across the state.

Baccalaureate Child Welfare Education Program Fairleigh Dickinson University Monmouth University Montclair State University Newark Board of Education NJ Conference on Inclusive Education NJ Integrated Mental Health Conference NJ Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies Conference Ramapo College Rider University Rutgers University Seton Hall University The Annual Paul Shane Policy Symposium The College of New Jersey

Connecting Students to their Professional Association

Take the Student Membership Challenge I would like to say that being part of the NASW, and also having the privilege of being elected to the chapter’s board of directors as student representative has been a blessing. I have been able to advocate for my fellow social workers and also learn more in depth about the impact we have as an association on policy and ethics in our profession. I can't wait to continue to participate in the agency and attend more conferences!

– PAOLA BENITEZ, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, BSW CLASS OF 2024

You can help connect new social workers to the broader profession by sponsoring a student’s membership in NASW. Student membership costs $60 and helps provide students with connections to mentors and colleagues, as well as networking and other benefits.

Will you join us in connecting our students to their premier professional organization?

YOU CAN MAKE A SECURE DONATION HERE: HTTPS://FORM.JOTFORM.COM/NASWNEWJERSEY/SPONSORSHIP

All of us at NASW-NJ give thanks to you for your service and membership. We now ask you to invest in the future of social work and sponsor a student’s membership today.

If you would like to sponsor a particular student, please email Helen French at: hfrench.naswnj@socialworkers.org otherwise we will choose a student on your behalf.

Thank you for your generosity!

CONNECTING TO OUR

Next Generati n NASW-NJ continues to invest in the next generation of social workers, helping students to launch promising careers in the field and prepare for future roles as leaders in the community and our profession.

Matt Sato, MSW MSW Program Coordinator, UPenn School of Social Work I cannot express how lucky I am that my very first

and the chapter’s countless members. Any internship

MSW placement was with the NASW-NJ. As a

could have helped develop my macro social work

business major turned social worker, macro social

skills, but the feeling of being seen and valued by the

work was an exciting, yet incredibly daunting

NASW-NJ is not something I believe could

prospect for me. Surrounded by what seemed like an

have been replicated elsewhere.

endless sea of clinically focused social work students, finding a community of macro social workers was

These collective experiences helped spark

paramount. While the NASW-NJ provides

my interest in working with higher

unwavering support for clinical social workers, their

education. As the NASW-NJ helped shape

involvement with mezzo and macro practice

me and my social work career, I felt the

shouldn’t be overlooked either.

same calling to help shape the future of social work in the classroom. As I embark on

Every day was a welcome challenge interning for the

my next journey as a Program Coordinator for

NASW-NJ. Whether it was working with coalitions

the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social

on legislative work, honing my event planning skills,

Policy and Practice, I look back at my

or visits to the statehouse to advocate for our social

experiences with NASW-NJ with immense

work community, the NASW-NJ team always had

fondness and gratitude.

my back, and the sky was certainly the limit. By my Spring semester I was working on articles advocating for higher social work salaries, assisting with the annual conference and CEU programs, and even collaborated with my co-interns to develop a panel event to showcase our remarkable macro social workers. My experience with the NASW-NJ even continued beyond the end of my internship, as I continued with the organization as an elected MSW representative to their Board of Directors.

While I am grateful for the macro social work skills I developed during my time as a student in the NASW-NJ chapter, I am most grateful for the support and validation I received from the team

CONNECTING TO OUR

Next Generati n Ameerah McCoy, MSW, LSW

Director of Constituent Services, Office of Assemblyman Gary Schaer, NJ 36th Legislative District I first learned about NASW-NJ in 2019

the New Jersey State House for a rally

students. I did not want finances to

while attending a student symposium.

—one of the first post-COVID in-

cause undergrads to miss out on

This was a memorable time because it

person advocacy events. Reintroducing

exclusive opportunities and valuable

was my senior year as a BSW student at

myself as a legislative staffer and

network building through NASW.

Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ)

former student member was a full-

Sponsoring student memberships for

and two months before the onset of the

circle moment and the start of my

these students was one way I could

COVID-19 epidemic. After learning

professional relationship with the

help them advance in their social work

about all the student benefits of joining

Chapter. Since entering the public

education and in the profession. I plan

NASW, I made a beeline to the

sector, I have collaborated with

to continue to participate in this

NASW-NJ table to collect the student

NASW-NJ on major policymaking. I

initiative for

membership information. Looking

was commissioned to write two articles

years to come. I cannot

back, I am grateful I became a member

for NASW-NJ’s FOCUS magazine

thank NASW-NJ

before the outbreak. I could never have

centered on social justice by examining

enough for the

anticipated the challenges caused by the

social workers' role in the civil rights

support they have

pandemic. I started RCNJ’s Advanced

movements and reparations in New

shown me both

Standing MSW Program while we were

Jersey. Additionally, I was invited to

as a student

all still in shutdown. I stayed connected

join the Legislative and Social Action

and as a

to NASW-NJ by attending free student

Committee and served as a panelist at

young

webinars and participating in

the 2023 Legislative Education &

professional,

Community Conversations about the

Advocacy Day.

and I look

pandemic and other issues impacting

forward to

social workers in our state. By the time

Due to NASW-NJ’s role in my

growing with

graduation rolled around, I was

academic and professional journey, I

the Chapter

confident in knowing I had a

wanted to pay my experience forward.

throughout

professional organization to connect

In 2022, I was fortunate to provide

my career.

with if I needed help navigating the

three exceptional social work students

post-pandemic workforce as a young

with free one-year student

social worker.

memberships to NASW through NASW-NJ’s Sponsor a Student

In October 2021, I joined Assemblyman

campaign. Throughout college, I

Gary Schaer’s office as Director of

worked part-time and overnight,

Constituent Services in Legislative

even during the pandemic, so I

District 36. Shortly after, I reconnected

understood the financial

with NASW-NJ staff and members at

struggles faced by

CONNECTING TO

Volunteer Leadership Opportunities Dr. Tiffany L. Mayers, DSW, MSW, LCSW Secretary, NASW-NJ Chapter Board of Directors I joined the NASW-NJ in 2012, just two months after

I serve in hopes that my work with NASW-NJ and in

officially beginning my MSW studies. My journey to

the field of social work, in general, will

becoming a social worker was a lengthy, non-

positively impact other future, and current,

traditional journey. My bachelor’s degree is in

social workers like myself. The social

Psychology with a minor in Social Work. Following

worker that overcame life obstacles

graduation from those studies, I immediately began

and persevered, in spite of dark

working in politics/state government, however, I

times and challenges, to become

always knew I wanted to be a social worker. So, I

the social worker they always

decided to take my first MSW course in 2006, while

dreamed of being. This is why

working full-time in state government in Trenton,

I serve!

NJ. Subsequently, I took one course per year until I made the decision to matriculate to being a full-time

During the 11 years that I’ve been

student in 2012, while transitioning to working full-

a member of the NASW-NJ, I’ve

time at Rutgers University.

participated in various conversations, attended multiple workshops, as well

By the time I matriculated, I understood the value of

as conferences, spoken at our Annual

joining organizations that aligned with my life’s

Conference, sat on the Ethics Committee, and held

passion and mission which is to enhance the lives of

a leadership role as the Board Secretary. I

children and families dealing with mental health

serve because my voice needs to

challenges, especially within the Black community.

be heard; not just for my

As a non-traditional student pursuing her masters as

personal gain, but for my

an older adult, I appreciated the camaraderie that I

clients and those within the

received from peers and leadership within the

Black community facing

NASW-NJ. To be around likeminded people was

mental health challenges

both motivational and inspirational. As a member,

and often feel voiceless.

and even more so when I was a student, the outpouring of support made me feel that I could

I serve because I

become the social worker I knew I could be.

am a proud social worker, and that is

In 2013, I was chosen by the NASW-NJ as the Harriet

quite frankly what

Bloomfield Scholarship recipient and was asked to

we humbly do;

give an acceptance speech at the NASW-NJ

WE SERVE!!

conference in Atlantic City, NJ. This was such a wonderful honor and huge experience for me, and I delivered! So, it is only fitting that I continue giving back to the NASW-NJ as they gave to me.

VOLUNTEER NOW!

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Our sponsors in the broader community value the personal attention they receive from our staff, as well as expanded opportunities to connect with the social work community through NASW-NJ events, emails, and social media.

Shelli Williams, Springpoint Senior Living

Alisa Rosenfeld, Senior Care Therapy “NASW-NJ is a fundamental part of our culture. The

“When I call the office and speak to the professionals at

clinical social workers at our company rely heavily on

NASW-NJ, I always get great answers. We have social

NASW, whether it be for their CEU credits, for advocacy,

workers in every single one of our buildings, and their

or just to support their work in general. NASW is a big

work is integral to everything that we do, so partnering

support system for our social workers at large. Without

with NASW-NJ was perfect for us.”

them, social workers wouldn't have the foundation and support they need in order to be successful.”

Nicole Szydlowski, Walden University “We value our relationship with all the NASW chapters,

Jared Rodgers, Life Force Elder Care

and New Jersey specifically. We’ve had nothing but a

“We partnered with NASW-NJ because our largest referral

positive experience working with everyone in NASW and

source is social workers. We want social workers to know us

have been able to customize our partnership to really fit

as a resource for their clients. Also, this is one of the most

the needs of both NASW-NJ and our organization. We

involved and engaged NASW chapters that I've personally

love the opportunities our sponsorship provides us; the

come across. By getting involved with NASW, you can gain

approach NASW-NJ takes to working with its partner

better insight into what social workers are doing for the

organizations is really unique to the industry.”

community, which is extremely impressive work.”

Marcie McClintic Coates, Lotic “We consider the partnership to be one of shared learning about what we're building, working together with a shared mission to help others live life better, which is our focus and what we’re building at Lotic. Anyone who's building an organization, building a business, if you want to get a good pulse on various community needs and the perspective of a group of people who just care so much, I’d direct you to the NASW-NJ and their Annual Conference. I can't get enough of the conversations that I've had here already.”

Zakia Clay, Fairleigh Dickinson University “Our partnership with NASW-NJ has not only been beneficial for our students, but it's also been beneficial for the faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University. It has really changed the trajectory of our program. We have been able to partner with them to get our name out there in the community, to spread the word as a new MSW program in the state. And NASW really shows up for us. It's not just a partnership on paper, when you call them, when you email them, they're there, whether it's coming into the classrooms to share information with students or helping them navigate policy or advocacy issues, they've always been there for us.”

THANKS TO OUR

Year-Round Partners difference maker

shaker

mover

ambassador

champion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS INTERIM PRESIDENT, Carrie Conger 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, Kim Finnie SECRETARY, Tiffany Mayers

2ND VICE PRESIDENT, Jennifer Sorensen GRADUATE STUDENT REP, Jana Sasser UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REP, Paola Benitez

REGIONAL REPS, Courtney Wise, Ruslana Church, Franya Rodriguez, Renee Frazier

UNIT LEADERS NASW-NJ has 4 units across the state of New Jersey.

NORTHWEST

NORTHEAST

Unit Leadership

Unit Leadership

Dina Morley

Melissa Donahue

Afifa Ansari

CENTRAL SOUTH

Unit Leadership

Unit Leadership

Vimmi Surti

Open Positions

Miguel Williams

CHAPTER OFFICE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Debra O'Neal, LMSW, ACSW doneal.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 164 DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION Helen French hfrench.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 122

ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR Resia-Maria Cooper, MSW rcooper.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext: 154 MEMBERSHIP & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Johanna Munoz, MSW jmunoz.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext 160

MEMBERSHIP AND EDUCATION SPECIALIST

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Willis Williams

Katherine Girgenti

wwilliams.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 110

kgirgenti.naswnj@socialworkers.org or ext. 129

WITH WRITING & EDITING WORK BY JEFF FELDMAN, MSW, LSW

NASW–NJ Chapter Office 100 Somerset Corporate Blvd 2nd Floor, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, Ph: 732.296.8070, www.naswnj.org