In this week's update:
- Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact Introduced!
- 2025 NC Social Work Advocacy Day - THIS WEDNESDAY! BRING AN UMBRELLA!
- NASW-NC Social Work Advocacy Guide
- Governor Stein declares March 2025 Social Work Month
- March 2-8, 2025 -NC School Social Worker Week
- Federal Budget Cuts means possible Medicaid Reductions
- ACTION ALERT: Protect Telemental Health Coverage for Social Workers & Clients!
- NCGA Bills to Watch
- Equality NC's Thriving Loudly Listening Tour
- NASW-NC Needs to Hear From You!
- NASW-NC Ethics Conference
Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact Introduced!
This week, members of the North Carolina Senate and House of Representatives introduced legislation to add North Carolina to the list of states that are members of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
The North Carolina legislation (SB155 and HB231) would allow licensed clinical social workers to apply to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created so the public could be kept safe and informed regarding social worker’s current license status and any adverse actions associated with a licensed clinical social worker.
The legislation, sponsored by Senators Corbin, Hise and Burgin in the Senate and Representatives Dr. Reeder, Dr. Campbell, Potts and Blackwell in the House, is a game-changer for our profession and the communities that rely on us.
NASW-NC has worked tirelessly for the last two years to secure the 40 primary and co-sponsors in both the Senate and House of Representatives. NASW-NC is the only organization with registered lobbyists working to advance and promote the social work profession at the North Carolina General Assembly. This work would not be possible without the support of the members of NASW-NC. If you are a social worker and not a member of NASW, we ask that you please join us in this important advocacy work.
Read entire press release here.
2025 ADVOCACY DAY – THIS WEDESDAY! BRING AN UMBRELLA!
The 2025 North Carolina Social Work Advocacy Day registration is full & over-capacity for both morning orientation sessions on Wednesday, March 5th. Our wait-list is also completely full.
We would love to be able to accommodate all the hundreds of social work students and other social workers who still wish to register, however we have reached maximum capacity inside the auditorium. Please do not email other NASW-NC staff requesting exceptions for Advocacy Day. The emails have been overwhelming. Thank you for your support and patience.
NASW-NC's 2025 Advocacy Day is WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 in Downtown Raleigh! We will have a new location for morning orientation (sessions between 9AM-12PM) this year due to the NC History Museum being closed for renovation.
Read More Here: 2025 NORTH CAROLINA SOCIAL WORK ADVOCACY DAY
New Location: Church on Morgan
136 E Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Church on Morgan's meeting space is like an auditorium, not with religious symbolism of any kind. An OPTIONAL contribution is available during the online registration process. NASW-NC is proud to make the North Carolina Social Work Advocacy Day free for all. We welcome your contribution to this event. All contributions will be donated to social work students from across the state to aid in their travel to Raleigh. Please consider contributing to this effort to help connect the social work profession to those who represent us and our communities at the North Carolina General Assembly.
- Click here to access the recording of 2025 NASW-NC Legislative Agenda and Advocacy 101: Advocating for Social Work webinar
- 2025 Advocacy 101 Webinar slides
- 2025 North Carolina Social Work Advocacy Day Toolkit -Just Added!
NASW-NC Social Work Advocacy Guide
Social work has always been a profession of compassion + action. Rooted in justice, dignity, and the unwavering belief in human worth, we are called to challenge oppressive systems, dismantle barriers to equity, and advocate for those whose voices have been silenced. In this moment—one of uncertainty, division, and urgent need—our profession must stand firm in our core values and rise to the work ahead. Social workers are uniquely prepared for this moment in history, as we understand that the systems and environments surrounding individuals and families are rooted in systemic oppression, disproportionate poverty, and targeted injustices. We know how to navigate unjust policies, combat systemic racism, and provide and lead critical care and healing interventions. Please find support and guidance in the NASW-NC Social Work Advocacy Guide - Social Work Core Values as a Foundation for Action: Reclaiming Our Power, Advancing Justice.
Governor Stein proclaims March 2025 Social Work Month
The theme for Social Work Month 2025 is Social Work: Compassion + Action.
Read more about Social Work Month: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month
NASW-NC is pleased to announce that Governor Stein proclaims March 2025 as Social Work Month in North Carolina.
"Thank you to Governor Stein for recognizing Social Work Month during his first year in office. Governor Stein has long been a strong supporter of the social work profession and understands that social workers are on the frontlines of addressing critical societal challenges,” says Valerie Arendt, Executive Director of NASW North Carolina. “In a world marked by political turmoil and societal upheaval, the 2025 Social Work Month theme, 'Compassion + Action,' reflects the heart of our profession: transforming compassion into tangible action that produces positive change. It urges social workers not only to provide support but also to engage in advocacy, influence policy, and work toward lasting, systemic solutions.”
Click Here to Read the Governor's Proclamation.
March 2-8, 2025 -NC School Social Worker Week
The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina chapter is pleased to announce that North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed March 2-8, 2025 as School Social Worker Week.
“Thank you to Governor Stein for honoring the School Social Workers of North Carolina this week. School Social Workers are a critical team member of our schools who support students to deal with a wide range of challenges such as failing grades, bullying, violence, thoughts of suicide and other mental health issues, chronic absenteeism and difficult home situations,” says Valerie Arendt, Executive Director of NASW North Carolina.
School social workers support students by promoting academic success, improving students' emotional and mental well-being, and prioritizing positive behavioral interventions. School social worker services result in better academic achievement, lower dropout rates, increased school attendance, decreased school violence, and reduced discipline problems.
NASW-NC continues to advocate for the hiring of more school social workers to address caseload ratios, increase school social worker pay including the restoration of paying master level social workers at the master's pay level.
Federal Budget Cuts means possible Medicaid Reductions
It could be months before we know how Medicaid could be affected as Congress attempts to trim $2 trillion from federal government spending. State lawmakers have started planning for a possible decrease in funds.
Republicans in the North Carolina House of Representatives, including Donny Lambeth of Forsyth County and Larry Potts of Davidson County, have filed a bill to set up a committee exploring what the state will do if funds are reduced.
Lambeth says House Bill 113 is a way to plan ahead.
“The fundamental question to me is, 'What would the state of North Carolina do if Medicaid funds are cut at the federal level with the idea that they would shift the obligation down to the states?'" he says. "And I felt like rather than waiting, we really need to be proactive and know what to do.”
Lambeth says among the things that could change are optional services that Medicaid allows and North Carolina offers, such as dental work.
The federal government pays 90 percent of expansion-eligible Medicaid expenses and providers pay 10 percent.
Lambeth says the state’s expansion will be phased out if those federal funds drop below 90 percent unless providers are willing to make up the difference.
More than 620,000 North Carolinians are enrolled through the Medicaid expansion that launched in December 2023.
(Source: WFDD)
ACTION ALERT: Protect Telemental Health Coverage for Social Workers & Clients!
Social workers across are facing uncertainty regarding continued Medicare coverage for telemental health—a vital service for many vulnerable clients. If Medicare ends coverage, commercial insurers may follow, threatening access to mental health care for countless individuals.
What’s Happening?
- Medicare's 2025 "Medicare and Me" manual suggests mental health and substance use services may not be guaranteed continued telehealth coverage.
- Congress must pass legislation to ensure telemental health remains covered.
- A decision could come by March 14 through a budget resolution, or later, with potential delays in coverage.
Take Action NOW!
Tell your lawmakers that permanent telemental health coverage is essential for patient care. Use this template:
SAMPLE MESSAGE:
"I am a licensed clinical social worker and a constituent. It will be harmful to vulnerable patients with serious mental health and substance use disorders if they lose telemental health access. Many who couldn’t get help in person have thrived using telehealth. I urge you to extend Medicare telemental health coverage permanently as soon as possible."
Contact Your Senators & Representative Here: Congress Contact Page
NCGA Bills to Watch
SB 155 (HB 231): The Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact works to increase access to social workers and this bill would add North Carolina into a compact where social workers from other states who meet requirements within the bill can serve North Carolinians. Click Here for how you can support passage of the Social Work Compact.
HB5: NC Constitutional Carry Act. This bill will allow North Carolinians to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
HB66: Reduce Early Voting Period. This bill will reduce the early voting period across NC by nearly two weeks (12 days).
HB72 (SB58): AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EO's. This bill will prohibit the NC Attorney General from challenging executive orders issued by the President.
HB76: Protect Access to In Vitro Fertilization. An act to protect access to in vitro fertilization in NC.
HB77: Environmental Justice. This bill will require consideration of the cumulative impact of a proposed environmental permitting decision on minority or low-income communities. It will also enhance public participation in environmental permitting decisions in minority or low-income communities.
HB 87: Cell Phone-Free Education: Would prohibit or drastically reduce cell phone usage during instructional time for students in public schools.
SB94: Repeal Death Penalty. This bill will repeal the death penalty and all current prisoners sentenced to death will be resentenced.
SB153: North Carolina Border Protection Act will require cooperation with federal immigration officials and “prohibit UNC constituent institutions from becoming sanctuary universities.”
HB237: Child Welfare: An Act to Make Various Changes to the Laws Affecting Juveniles and Associated Services
HB171: Equality on State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. This bill will eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and prohibit public funding for DEI initiatives in state and local government.
SB177: Add Psychiatric Hospitals to Medicaid HASP will add psychiatric hospitals to Medicaid coverage.
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Equality NC’s Thriving Loudly Listening Tour
In times like these, we know that community is everything. That’s why Equality North Carolina is embarking on a Statewide Listening Tour, creating a space for LGBTQ+ North Carolinians to share their experiences, voice their concerns, and connect. This is more than a conversation—it’s a commitment to listening, learning, and building power together. We want to hear from you.
Find a stop near you and register today!
Equality NC Storytellers Training
One powerful way to counter this hostile legislative agenda is through personal stories. These stories highlight the real impact of harmful policies on our communities. That’s why we’re launching the first phase of a long-term storytelling project—and we need your help.
We aim to build a diverse network of people willing to share how these policies affect their lives. Ideal storytellers are comfortable speaking out online, in the press, in state legislature, or in similar settings.
Join Our Storytellers Training:
To support this effort, we’re hosting virtual Storytellers Trainings on:
- Wednesday, March 5th at 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 12th at 6:00 PM
After signing up, our team will follow up with more details and the link to join.
NASW-NC Needs to Hear From YOU!
NASW-NC is seeking feedback from social workers and social work students in North Carolina... please click here to take the survey! It should only take 5-10 minutes to complete, and you can be entered into a drawing to win a free social work t-shirt!
The survey is open to all social workers and social work students in North Carolina, regardless of NASW membership status (current NASW members, former members, and social workers/social work students who have never been a member). All responses are appreciated. This survey helps NASW-NC determine what social workers and social work students in North Carolina need from their professional association, and will impact the work NASW-NC does over the next few years.
Click here to take the survey!
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NASW-NC Ethics Conference
The 2025 Ethics Conference "Innovation and Ethics: The Future of Social Work in a Tech-Driven World" will explore the intersection of technology and social work in the modern era. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the role of technology in social work is becoming increasingly significant. This conference aims to create meaningful discussions around how innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital platforms can enhance the delivery of social work on all levels, while also addressing the ethical challenges they present.
Key topics of focus will include the integration of technology and AI in social work practice, clinical documentation considerations with data privacy and security, and the ethical responsibilities of social workers in navigating the digital divide. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with seasoned practitioners in these areas and learn how social workers can leverage technological advancements and maintain their commitment to ethical principles, client autonomy, and social justice.
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 8:15am - 4:00pm EST
Location: Virtual on Zoom
6.5 Hours Ethics CE
Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.
Learn more about NASW-NC membership here.
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