In This Issue | OCTOBER 2024 |
| Upcoming events
Membership year runs from October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025 |
Letter for All Members about Amended Bylaws
We, the members of the GWSCSW Board of Directors are writing to update you about a recent change to our Bylaws that was made to allow our current Co-President, Karla Abney, to run for and serve for a second term as President of GWSCSW.
Some brief background: Karla was our Vice President in 2022 when our President resigned. Karla became the Interim President on October 19, 2022. The Board of Directors deeply appreciated her willingness to serve as Interim President and ultimately elected her as Co-President, along with Steve Szopa as her fellow Co-President. At that time, a Co-President with an LCSW, LICSW or LCSW-C was required because Karla had not yet completed the clinical hours needed for her LCSW-C. Consequently, the board appointed Steve Szopa because he had 10 years of service in various roles on the GWSCSW Board including serving as President from 2016-2018. Additionally Steve is licensed in all three local jurisdictions which the Board felt would be beneficial for the Co-President role.
The Board recently voted to amend the bylaws to allow candidates with direct relevant experience to run for the office of President and serve as President before receiving their independent clinical license.
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Karla Abney has agreed to serve another term as President. Karla has 2 years of direct experience as GWSCSW President and is well-qualified to continue in that role as she completes the clinical hours needed for her LCSW-C.
You will soon receive a ballot with the candidates running for office for this current term. Karla Abney will be included on the ballot to continue her role as President with no ongoing requirement for a Co-President and Steve Szopa will be stepping down from the Co-Presidency role.
We extend our gratitude to Steve Szopa for his dedicated service to the Society these past two years as Co-President and ask our members for your ongoing support in electing Karla to serve as the sole GWSCSW President as Steve transitions out of this role.
Welcome and Thank You to Our New Board Members
It is with great appreciation that Co-Presidents Karla Abney and Steve Szopa welcome our new Board Members, without whom we could not provide the many services GWSCSW offers to its members:
Rebecca Armendariz (she/her)
Social Justice Branch Chair
I'm passionate about learning how we embody emotional/relational experiences and macro-level political realities in order to facilitate increased collaboration that supports the well-being of all people. I currently practice clinical social work, providing EMDR and ego-state psychotherapy to individual adult clients. I'm stepping into the Social Justice Branch Chair position after years of organizing with others for institutional and legislative changes. In my free time I like cooking elaborate meals, watching movies, reading, listening to music, tent-camping and hiking outdoors.
Matt Levine
Member Events Committee Chair
Being able to have a community of social workers to turn to for professional, business, and emotional support has been key to my growth. I hope to plan more events where social workers can connect, relax, and learn. I own Summit Counseling, a practice in Arlington that serves all age groups, with a specialty in children and families. In my free time I like to be outdoors with my family.
Gracie Trigger
Low Cost Therapy Chair
I began my therapeutic work with clients as an Addictions Counselor at a residential program for women in Maryland, a program I have been a part of since 2019. During this time, I developed a pursuit of helping clients reach their potential for maximum growth and recovery and recognized the importance of merging addiction treatment with mental health treatment. I enrolled in the MSW program at George Mason University because I wanted to expand my expertise and build competency in my abilities to provide clients with mental health therapy, with a focus on complex trauma, in addition to addiction treatment services. I graduated this past May, and connected with the GWSCSW at that time. As a recent graduate, I have a good understanding of the support that is needed for MSW students during their MSW journey and welcome the opportunity to provide them with that needed support. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, reading, engaging in word games and participating in guided meditation.
Amber Collazo
Member Events
Committee
My name is Amber (she/her/ella) and I have been a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in DC since May 2024. I am currently a social worker in the District of Columbia Public Schools. I will be supporting the branches of Membership and Social Justice with the GWSCSW. I am grateful for this opportunity to network and learn from professionals in the field!
We also want to thank the following new Board volunteers:
- Sapna Singh – Candidate for Secretary (member voting to begin soon)
- Ashley Wilson – Early Career Committee Chair
- Mimi Stearman – University Liaison
new member Welcome event
GWSCSW had a Welcome to New Members gathering on Friday, September 13th. Over 25 people attended this event, held at Matt Levine’s office in Arlington, VA. The event was organized by Matt and Amber Collazo, both members of our Member Events Committee. Nancy Harris, a long-serving member of Society leadership, was their advisor. There was a lot of animated conversation before a brief break for introductions and an overview of the mission and structure of the Society. Attendees voiced appreciation for this in-person event which helped them meet other new members and feel more connected to the Society and to one another.
REGISTER NOW - FREE EVENT FOR MEMBERS (CHARGE FOR OPTIONAL 2.5 CATEGORY 1 CEUs)
2024 LEGISLATION & ADVOCACY (L&A) BRUNCH: L&A PRIORITIES: Completing the Compact; Stopping Insurance Interlopers in Treatment; Motivating Voters
The GWSCSW will host our 10th Annual FREE Legislation and Advocacy Brunch IN-PERSON on October 20, 2024, 10 am to-1 pm. “PRIORITIES” will feature our lobbyists, Christine Krone (MD) and Mark Smith (VA), as well as all of our committee chairs. Laura Groshong, CSWA Director of Policy and Practice, will also join us to give a national view. Help us in our continuing efforts to get the compact passed in Maryland and DC! Examine what’s needed/realistic in stopping insurance interference in our practices! Motivating voters in this crucial election! Come learn-and help educate us about what’s on your mind!
MEMBERS ATTEND A BRUNCH AND INFORMATIVE EVENT FOR FREE AS A MEMBER BENEFIT! CEUs OPTIONAL for $50.00.
Non-member’s cost: BRUNCH AND INFORMATIONAL PROGRAM - $60.00. CEUS OPTIONAL FOR ADDITIONAL $50.00. TOTAL FOR BRUNCH, PROGRAM AND CEUS FOR NON-MEMBERS, $110.00.
(TO JOIN OUR SOCIETY AND GET THE MEMBER BENEFITS, GO TO OUR MEMBERSHIP PAGE.)
Attendance is a free benefit to our members, but you must register to attend. OPTIONAL TWO-AND-A-HALF (2.5) CATEGORY 1 CEUs FOR $50.00.
Legislation & Advocacy BRANCH REPORT
Judy Gallant, Chair, MD Legislation and Advocacy Committee
In case you missed them, ProPublica and NPR have been publishing an excellent series of articles on insurance companies and the barriers patients face as a result of health insurance companies’ successful avoidance of their responsibilities to provide contracted care. These are important reads, whether or not you take insurance in your practice.
Find them here:
- https://projects.propublica.org/why-i-left-the-network/
- https://www.propublica.org/article/mental-health-wiltn-states
- ‘I Don’t Want to Die’: Needing Mental Health Care, He Got Trapped in His Insurer’s Ghost Network
- https://www.propublica.org/article/how-to-find-in-network-mental-health-provider
Legislation & Advocacy Annual Luncheon, October 20, 2024, 10 am – 12 noon
Friendship Height Maggiano’s
5333 Wisconsin Ave. | Washington, DC 20015
As always, you can reach me at 301-717-1004 or at judy.gallant@verizon.net.
Legislation & Advocacy | DC
Adele Natter, Chair, DC Legislation and Advocacy Committee
The DC BOSW did not meet in August.
At the July meeting, it was announced that the Dept. of Health is moving to a new renewal schedule: renewal every two years based on the month of your birth.
The Board voted to update the character reference requirement on the license application. The new requirement is to provide three names of character references, instead of submitting three written statements from character references.
Proposed change in license requirements:
Dr. Ayanna Bennett, the Director of the DC Health Department, presented her ideas for a pathway to licensure for all levels of license (BSW, LGSW, LISW, and LICSW). This pathway would be based on education and supervised experience, without need to take the ASWB exam.
The idea behind this proposal is to increase the number of social workers available for agencies to hire, and to increase the number of LICSW supervisors in agencies. There are downsides for clinical social workers, including that insurance may decide not to reimburse us or our clients if DC licenses do not meet the standards for licensure elsewhere. Also, the education and supervised experience requirements in social work education programs are not uniform in quality, nor are the field placement experiences comparable. Diverse social work jobs, settings, populations and experiences differ very widely; and no two supervisors are alike, making the requirements decidedly subjective.
The Board wants to hear comments and feedback about this proposal from the social work community. Email the Board at: DCBOSW@DC.gov. The next meeting of the Board will be September 23, at 10:00 am. The open session is usually an hour or less, and the Board invites comments from visitors (us). Everyone who can is encouraged to attend and make our presence felt.
THE SOCIAL WORK COMPACT:
We continue to advocate for and express our members’ interest in the Social Work Compact. Our advocacy is hindered by the fact that the Executive Director and the rest of the BOSW is not in favor of it. Therefore, we are seeking the assistance of a lobbyist for the Compact issue.
The DC Mental Health Counselors Association has already introduced a compact bill for counselors.
How you can show up for the Compact:
1. Email your comments to the Board at: DCBOSW@DC.gov
2. The new legislative session opens on September 16th. Write to the City Council members, Christina Henderson, Chair of the Committee on Health, and Mayor Muriel Bowser. Say that you are a member of GWSCSW. Say that you are a social worker licensed in DC. If you live in DC and are a constituent, add that fact.
3. State your thoughts about the importance of the Compact. A few talking points might include: serving our clients where they are; increasing the mental health workforce; and providing services to underserved populations.
Adele Natter, LICSW, Co-Chairs the GWSCSW Legislation & Advocacy Committee for DC.. Adele has been an active participant on the Committee for the past four years; she represented GWSCSW on a Board of Social Work sub-committee, which included NASW and CSWA representatives. Adele maintains a private practice focused on helping individuals with anger and emotional regulation issues. She is also a Clinical Instructor in the Psychiatry Residency Program of the George Washington University Medical School. She holds a BA in Psychology from UCLA and received her MSW from the University of Maryland.
Legislation & Advocacy | Maryland
Judy Gallant, Chair, MD Legislation and Advocacy Committee
This report is based, in part, on the multi-page summary of this year’s legislative session from our lobbyists, Christine Krone and Pam Metz Kasemeyer, JD; Schwartz, Metz and Wise, PA.
Following up on the June 2024 Maryland L&A Committee Report, here are a few more notable bills from the 2024 Legislative Session:
House Bill 576/Senate Bill 453: Mental Health - Assisted Outpatient Treatment Programs (passed) establishes an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program – a legal framework by which individuals with serious mental illness may be compelled by a court to adhere to a regimen of outpatient behavioral health treatment. All jurisdictions must have an AOT program by July 1, 2026. A county may establish their own program or opt not to, in which case MDH must establish a program in that county. AOT applies only to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, which is defined as “a mental illness that is severe in degree and persistent in duration, that causes a substantially diminished level of functioning in the primary aspects of daily living and an inability to meet the ordinary demands of life, and that may lead to an inability to maintain independent functioning in the community without intensive treatment and support. Serious and persistent mental illness is just one of several conditions that must be met before an individual may be subject to AOT·
1. The person must be 18 years or older.
2. The individual has demonstrated a lack of adherence with treatment for the serious and persistent mental illness that has, either twice been a significant factor in necessitating inpatient admission to a psychiatric hospital for at least 48 hours or receipt of psychiatric services in a correctional facility, or
3.Once resulted in an act of serious violent behavior toward self or others, or patterns or threats of, or attempts at, serious physical harm to self or others.
4.In view of the individual’s treatment history and current behavior, the individual is in need of AOT in order to prevent a relapse or deterioration that would create a substantial risk of serious harm to self or others;
5 The individual is unlikely to adhere to outpatient treatment on a voluntary basis, as demonstrated by a history of treatment nonadherence over the prior 36 months that is not due to financial, transportation, or language issues; and
6. In consideration of all these factors, AOT is the least restrictive alternative appropriate to maintain the health and safety of the individual
AOT treatment plans must be developed by a multi-disciplinary care coordination team in consultation with the individual and their representative, be recovery-oriented and consistent with evidence-based and evolving best practices in the treatment of serious and persistent mental illness. They need to include services of a treating psychiatrist, case management, services of a certified peer recovery specialist and, if clinically appropriate, assertive community treatment. Care coordination teams must assist in connecting the individual to services that will help them successfully adhere to a treatment plan, including transportation, housing, accessibility services, and any other services necessary to address the individual’s health-related social needs.
Individuals subject to an AOT petition may voluntarily agree to the treatment plan, in which case the petition is dismissed.
The AOT statute sunsets and requires reauthorization by the legislature after five years.
House Bill 204/Senate Bill 165: Education - Coaches - Mental Health Training (passed) requires public schools and public institutions of higher education that offer an athletic program provide mental health training to each participating coach. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), in collaboration with MDH, the local board of education, and the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association will develop guidelines for public schools to train coaches in recognizing the indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress in students (including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse). Likewise, the Maryland Higher Education Commission must work with MDH to develop guidelines for public institutions of higher education to train coaches in recognizing the indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress in students. The bill went into effect July 1, 2024.
House Bill 522/Senate Bill 492: Public Schools – Student Telehealth Appointments – Policy and Access (passed) addresses a number of issues. The bill requires MSDE and MDH to develop State guidelines for school health services regarding the availability for student participation in telehealth appointments during the school day on the premises of public middle and high schools, by December 31, 2024. In developing the guidelines, MSDE and MDH must consult with a broad range of stakeholders. The State Board of Education must adopt the State guidelines as developed by MSDE and MDH, and, before the start of the 2025-2026 school year, each local board of education must adopt and implement a policy in accordance with the State guidelines. Each local board must ensure that the local school system publishes the student telehealth policy in the student handbook and makes school personnel aware of student telehealth policy objectives and requirements. The bill went into effect July 1, 2024.
Hope to see many of you at our L&A Brunch on October 20, 2024! See details above.
Judy Gallant, LCSW-C, is the director of the Society’s Legislation & Advocacy program, as well as chair of the Maryland Clinical Social Work Coalition, our GWSCSW legislative committee in Maryland. She maintains a private practice in Silver Spring.
Pamela Metz Kasemeyer, JD, as well as the firm of Schwartz, Metz & Wise, PA, represent us in Annapolis and guide our advocacy strategy. Specifically, we have also had the able assistance of Christine Krone during this legislative session. Ms. Kasemeyer is an acknowledged authority on Maryland’s health care and environmental laws and has represented a variety of interests before the Maryland General Assembly and regulatory agencies for more than 25 years.
COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH REPORT
I would like to start by thanking our Newsletter Editor, Nancy Pines, for staying on for another term. She works diligently, along with our Executive Administrator, Donna Dietz, to bring you this quarterly newsletter. I deeply appreciate Nancy, Donna and her assistant, Courtney, for putting together our newsletters.
I would also like to thank Alex Wood, who is continuing a second term as our Social Media Coordinator. Alex has also been our Treasurer for over two terms.
The Communications Branch overseas our listserv, social media presence, website and newsletter. If you are interested in knowing more about the various aspects of the Branch or volunteering, please reach out to me at: steveszopa@gmail.com
All aspects of the Communication Branch are going well. We are seeking volunteer listserv moderators and any other volunteers interested in helping with the other committees within our Communications Branch.
EDUCATION BRANCH REPORT
The education branch of the Society has been actively hosting numerous training sessions this fall. The sessions have covered a wide range of essential topics, including: The Impact of Racial Injustices on Children and Adolescents; Let's Talk About Sex Baby; Lets Talk About Sex In Therapy; Process-Focused Therapy; and The Gender Transition Process. Participants have the opportunity to deepen their expertise while earning necessary CEUs for licensure renewal.
Led by experienced professionals, the workshops combine interactive learning with practical insights, reinforcing the Society’s commitment to supporting the ongoing professional development of social workers. We are working on several offerings coming up in the next couple months including: How to Help a Client Have a Psychologically Flexible BDSM Relationship; Professional Boundaries and Social Media; Postpartum Planning for Reduction of PMADs with Clients; Supervisors as Managers; Essential Concepts and Tools; and Everyday Mindfulness. Please submit a proposal if you are interested in presenting for GWSCSW.
SENIOR SEMINAR
Grace Lebow, Senior Seminar Chair
After 18 years of being the coordinator and representative for the senior seminars of the GWSCSW, it is time for me to move on to other endeavors.
The later career seminars were formed out of a desire to continue my identity and connection to social work after retirement. To fill my need, i formed the first senior seminar in 2006 in the N.W. DC. area, with ten members .As time went on, this group became the model for organizing and coordinating other senior seminar groups in the greater metro Washington area.
The best way to describe the function and meaning of the seminars is to quote comments from leaders:
"It is an opportunity to connect regularly with a group of people who share similarities in psychological mindedness and work-life experiences as a way of continuing to foster personal and professional growth.”
“This supportive group of therapists, who are at various stages of contemplating retirement, offers me a haven to confirm and assist in processing this very important stage in my life.”
All six of the senior seminar groups remain active and vital, thanks to each of the following dedicated leaders and co leaders, most of whom continue in their roles over many years.
- Estelle Berley
- Carolyn DeVilbiss
- Susan Miller
- Karen Brandt
- Marcie Solomon
- Rebecca Harrison
- Karen Goldberg
- Judy Gallant
- Sydney Frymire
- Patti Gibberman
- Hannah Craven
At age 95, I have a full, more leisurely life, focusing on painting, taking care of myself and my household, still driving, and spending more time with dear friends and family.
I am proud and gratified to have developed a program within our Society addressing the needs of senior members.
Mentor Program
What is a mentor?
How can a mentor help me in the early stages of my career?
How do I get one?
Who is eligible?
The Mentor Program is available for GWSCSW members still in school, newly-graduated, approaching their clinical licensure and wondering about the next steps. Mentors can assist with questions about career direction, licensing, continuing education, relationships with supervisors, and decisions about what to do after clinical licensure. Mentorship is a powerful tool to enhance new social workers’ development.
If you are a member of GWSCSW and interested in signing up, please fill out the Mentor program form or contact Nancy Harris, LCSW-C, coordinator of the mentor program, for questions. Her phone is (301) 385-3375, email is nlharris1214@gmail, or.ww.gwscsw.com/mentoring
ATTENTION: I am low on mentors and I am asking the same people over and over! Please volunteer to be a mentor. It takes a small amount of time – 1-2 hours/month - and does so much. It is a wonderful thing to be helping new social workers and keeping in touch with basic elements of our profession. The application form to be a mentor is found at the same place on the GWSCSW website.
GWSCSW Job BoardGWSCSW is proud to feature a job resource to connect career opportunities with our members.
Visit the GWSCSW job board to look for jobs or to post a job today. Manage Your Career:
Recruit for Open Positions:
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Classified Advertising
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NEWS & VIEWS
Nancy Pines, Editor
News & Views is published four times a year: March, June, September and December.
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