Protestors rally for a higher minimum wage in Seattle. Photo courtesy of the Washington Post. Social workers and other members of the social justice community are disappointed the Senate on Wednesday failed to pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act (S.460). Fortunately, the Obama Administration will continue to press for the passage of the bill. In turn, they are asking Americans in favor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act to press... 

This day, April 8, 2014, symbolizes how far into 2014 women have to work to catch up with what men were paid in 2013. Still 50 years after the Equal Pay Act, women who are employed full time, are paid only 77 cents for every dollar paid to men. However, the wage gap for women of color (African American and Hispanic) is significantly wider than for women in general. Today, President Obama’s Administration issued and... 

Part 2 of NASW’s analysis of President Obama’s FY 2015 Budget addresses Department of Justice (DOJ) provisions.  Several programs and services that align with key NASW public policies receive renewed attention and increased funding. Department of Justice www.justice.gov Criminal Justice President Obama’s FY 2015 Budget proposal for the Department of Justice calls for $173 million in targeted investments for criminal... 

President Obama’s 2015 budget created equal measures of excitement and dismay in Congress last week, but NASW was pleased to see that social and economic justice and potential opportunities for the social work profession factored prominently into many areas of the proposal. In the President’s budget, several programs and services created to support vulnerable families receive renewed attention and increased funding. Here’s... 

By Paul R. Pace, News staff NASW has issued a social justice brief regarding President Obama’s nominations to the D.C. Circuit Court in June. Mel Wilson, manager of the NASW Department of Social Justice and Human Rights, authored the brief, titled “President Obama Nominates Three to the D.C. Circuit Court: Why Should Social Workers Care?” Wilson points out that Obama’s nominations have points of view that correlate... 

By Paul R. Pace, News staff NASW CEO Angelo McClain attended the National Conference on Mental Health at the White House on June 3. He was among 150 leaders and health care experts from across the country who discussed ways of working together to reduce stigma and aid those struggling with mental health problems. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, left, and President Barack Obama listen to Janelle... 

By Paul R. Pace, News Staff Marriage equality in the U.S. has enjoyed several milestones so far this year, and NASW has been active in many of these efforts. President Obama’s announcement in May that he supports same-sex marriage was the most high-profile development regarding marriage equality, but there have been other advancements as well. The following is a summary of recent marriage equality activity and NASW’s... 

On March 21st, the White House honored ten Champions of Change  - including NASW member Alice Kitchen of Kansas City – who are dedicated to improving access to health care. These individuals are helping others in their community understand the impact and opportunities from the health care law, the Affordable Care Act. “The President’s health law gives hard working, middle-class families the security they... 

On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (H.R. 4872). NASW strongly supported this bill and has tirelessly advocated for the creation of public policies that make health care and higher education more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The higher education provisions are expected to generate significant savings by redirecting lender subsidies... 

March is Women’s History Month and NASW’S longstanding advocacy as well as success on women’s issues prompted an invitation from the Women in Politics Institute to attend a panel discussion and reception acknowledging the contributions of women in government, including those within the Obama Administration.  The event will occur on March 23, 2010 at the Katzen Arts Center on the campus of American University located...