The NASW-WA Legislative Action Committee (LAC) worked to organize a hybrid event this year. We're pleased to announce that the 2023 Policy Conference will be held both virtually and in-person at St. Martin's University in Lacey, Washington on February 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific Time.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND TO REGISTER TO HOLD YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Our Legislative Priorities this year include, but are not limited to:
- Social Work Professional Issues
- Behavioral Health Issues
- Social Justice
- Economic Justice
The LAC is working to organize the list of bills in these priority areas. The Chapter supports HB 1021/SB 5354 (Aligning social worker licensing requirements). HB 1021/SB 5354 will align the experience requirements for all three behavioral health professions (Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists) licensed under RCW 18.225 at 3,000 hours — the prevalent requirement across the country. Of the total hours of experience, current statute requires LICSW applicants to acquire 130 hours of supervision; 70 hours with an LICSW and the other 60 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. The bill proposes a decrease from 130 hours to 100 hours of total supervision, with 70 hours of supervision from an LICSW. The other 30 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. The bill will also shorten, from three years to two, the time required before applying for full licensure.
These changes will reduce significant barriers of time and expense for applicants for full licensure. At a time of increasing need for mental health professionals, this is a crucial step toward putting more Clinical Social Workers in the field.
The Chapter also has participated in a task force hosted by the University of Washington related to examining the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) testing data released this year. The data show massive disparities and negative outcomes for social workers. We will continue to meet and discuss a path forward to address institutional racism and barriers that social workers experience when working to fully participate in the profession.
We look forward to an impactful legislative session and hope that you will join us for our Policy Conference virtually or in-person.
Sincerely,
Nichelle Curtis-McQueen, MSW
Chair, NASW-WA Legislative Action Committee