Massachusetts Chapter

of the

National Association of Social Workers

Strategic Plan 2014-2017

(Presented to the Board of Directors 6/10/14)

______

The Mission of the MassachusettsChapter of NASW is: To advocate for social workers, the social work profession, and the enhancement of social work practice, policies, programs and services that promote social and economic justice and human rights.

Vision Statement: The Massachusetts Chapter ofNASW is the leading voice for professional social work across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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Compensation and Reimbursement

Purpose: To advocate for fair wages and benefits for social workers.

Goal / Activities / Responsible Parties / Updates
Increase Medicaid rates

To support agencies in service delivery
Increase social work rates to be equitable with that of licensed clinical psychologists & psychiatrists
Increase reimbursement rates

Form partnerships with Association of Behavioral Health, etc.
Lobby on a state level

Increase Medicare rates

To support agencies in service delivery
Increase social work rates to be equitable with that of licensed clinical psychologists
Increase reimbursement rates

Partner with other chapters
Gain commitment from National to prioritize this issue
Lobby congressmen & staff in Massachusetts

Increase rates from commercial insurers / Explore, decide, & implement partnerships with

Other professional organizations
SEIU Local 509

Focus on increasing social work compensation and benefits across micro and macro work settings /

Identify experts to guide this effort

Insure that social workers are fully integrated into the new health reform delivery models
Educate social workers on the changing reimbursement environment

Professional Development
Purpose:To continue to provide high quality and relevant programming.

Goal / Activities / Responsible
Parties / Updates
Include CE programs that address a macro focus /

For community organizers, policy-practitioners, administrators, and researchers

Include CE programs that address a micro focus /

For direct practice and services

Include CE programs that address vulnerable and/or marginalized populations
Include CE programs specific to diverse populations
Include CE programs that address social and economic justice and human rights /

Develop CE programs that link direct practice to social and economic justice and human rights

Provide opportunities to strengthen the social work community and enhance social worker’s professional identity

Diversity

Purpose: To provide education, affirmation and advocacy on behalf of diverse populations.

Goal / Activities / Responsible
Parties / Updates
Outreach to social workers from racial, ethnic, and immigrant groups /

Involve staff, board, and executive committee in generating ideas

Enhance NASW’s presence in coalitions advocating for rights of diverse populations /

Participate in coalitions advocating for the rights of diverse populations

Ensure Chapter communication reflects information about individuals from diverse populations /

Use FOCUS and social media to reflect the accomplishments, issues, and needs of diverse social workers
Provide community involvement with agencies located in communities of color

Commit to eliminating racism and all forms of oppression /

Offer programs and communication on anti-racism topics

Increase membership among diverse populations /

Involve staff, board, and executive committee in generating ideas

Ensure Chapter programming reflects the needs and interests of diverse populations /

Review criteria for presenting at Chapter-sponsored programs and Symposium
Review criteria for evaluation of diversity as related to the topic of Chapter-sponsored programs

Advocacy

Purpose: To continue to advocate for core social work values and initiatives.

Goal / Activities / Responsible
Parties / Updates
Ensure social work’s position in health care and health care reform /

Promote the services of the social work profession
Continue to advocate with HMOs, MCOs, and insurance companies on behalf of members
Increase hiring of social workers at all levels
Advocate for social work inclusion on insurance panels

Expand social work’s impact on policy makers and legislators /

Identify and partner with political candidates who share social work values and support NASW MA
Identify and advocate for top legislative priorities focusing on professional social work issues and client needs
Enhance relationships with incumbents and newly elected officials

Increase participation in legislative activities to enhance professional social worker’s position in social service agencies /

Research and evaluate title protection options
Continue to advocate with human service agencies to hire professional social workers

Professional Membership

Purpose: To provide strength in numbers for NASW-MA’s advocacy efforts. We will work to reach social workers who are not currently NASW members and to better engage members in various leadership roles.

Goal / Activities / Responsible
Parties / Updates
Strengthen the recruitment and retention plan for general membership /

Develop a strategic marketing plan to recruit and retain members
Identify and implement new incentives for social workers to join NASW and maintain their membership

Recruit and retain a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse membership /

Collaborate with the Cultural, Ethnic and Racial Affairs (CERA) Shared Interest Group to inform the Chapter’s communication and recruitment strategies

Recruit and retain student members /

Develop a strategy to reach out to students
Expand collaboration with Deans and Directors of BSW and MSW programs

Recruit and retain faculty from schools of social work /

Develop a strategy to reach out to faculty
Expand collaboration with Deans and Directors of BSW and MSW programs

Strengthen communication of the value and benefit of NASW membership

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