On February 12, the U.S. Senate passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by a comfortable 78-22 margin.  The bill included comprehensive protections for Native American women, women in same-sex marriages, and illegal immigrants, features not included in the 2012 House version of the bill. Now, we are urging the House of Representatives to pass the same version of VAWA that the Senate passed earlier this month. ... 

On January 29, 2013 President Obama gave his “The Time is Now” speech which ushered in his administration’s Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislative initiative. A day earlier, a bipartisan group of four Republican and Four Democrats (the “gang of eight”) also announced that they will introduce comprehensive immigration legislation. Because the president received 70 percent of the Hispanic... 

Today, NASW celebrates the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s special message to Congress regarding the state of mental health in the United States.  President Kennedy’s remarks brought the issue of stigma, and access to care, to the forefront of his domestic agenda.  As a result of this initiative, the Community Mental Health Centers Act was signed into law, which funded the development of mental health... 

In the last two weeks NASW has participated in several activities in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy.  Last week, NASW CEO Betsy Clark participated in the White House meeting with mental health groups where she met with Vice President Biden’s Task Force.  Since then, NASW has remained engaged in ongoing efforts with the Obama Administration and the mental health community.  This week NASW was included on two conference... 

Senator and Social Worker Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) has been named Chair of the Committee on Appropriations. She follows after Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) who died in December. Senator Mikulski will be the first woman to hold this powerful position, which reflects the growing representation of women on Capitol Hill. The Senate Committee on Appropriations is a standing committee which has jurisdiction over all discretionary... 

Senator Daniel K. Inouye died Monday, December 17, 2012, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) fondly remembers him as the first Japanese American elected to Congress, the first Congressman representing Hawaii, the second longest serving Senator in U.S. history, a highly decorated World War II Veteran, and a longtime friend to the profession of social work. According to the New York Times, Senator Inouye... 

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW-USA) denounces the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda for continuing to consider, and scheduling a vote on, the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill.” This bill, if passed, will further stigmatize the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens of Uganda and put their human rights at risk.  The “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” in the Ugandan Parliament could set a serious... 

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) celebrates Veterans Day on November 11, 2012 and thanks our nation’s Service Members, Veterans, and their families for their service. NASW is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our nation’s Service Members, Veterans, and their loved ones.  The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the needs of... 

Due to their common objectives, mutual dedication to the advancement of the social work profession, and acceptance of similar social work ethics and values, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to a collaborative relationship. By signing the MOU, the two organizations have committed to working jointly... 

The Countdown Is On: Help People Switch Now to Electronic Federal Benefit Payments   Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service Everyone who receives Social Security or Supplemental Security Income or other federal benefit payments by paper check is required by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to switch to an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013. This move will save taxpayers $1...