The Social Work Interstate Compact Commission held a two-day meeting last month, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss governance, structure, and future plans. Here’s what Michigan social workers need to know about the latest developments:

NASW Gains a Permanent Seat at the Table
A major outcome of this meeting was the adoption of bylaws that grant permanent ex officio seats to three major social work organizations: the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA). This means that NASW will have a non-voting seat on the commission’s executive committee, allowing for direct engagement in discussions rather than being limited to public comment.

Additionally, a fourth rotating ex officio seat will be assigned to other national social work organizations, with current representation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the National Association of Black Social Workers, and the Latino Social Workers Association.

Bylaws Approved & Executive Committee Elected
The commission finalized and adopted its bylaws during this meeting. While they are not yet posted, they will be available soon on the Social Work Compact website after legal review.

Elections were also held for the commission’s executive committee, with the following individuals selected to lead the compact’s work:

Chair – Kentucky
Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect – South Dakota
Secretary – Utah
Treasurer – Ohio
Members-at-Large – Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri

Other Key Takeaways

Public Comment Process: Some confusion arose about the process for public comments, but efforts are being made to improve clarity for future meetings.
Data System Review: The commission reviewed a potential data system that other interstate compacts are using, though no decisions have been finalized.
Exam Discussion Postponed: While an agenda item on licensing exams was scheduled, it was postponed for a later date.

What’s Next?
No date has been set for the next commission meeting, but we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. You can stay informed by following developments on the Social Work Compact website and reviewing meeting materials here. As always, NASW-Michigan is committed to keeping social workers informed about licensure changes and interstate practice opportunities. Stay tuned for more updates!