NASW, TENNESSEE CHAPTER SOCIAL WORK REINVESTMENT INITIATIVE INITIAL PLAN REPORT, FEBRUARY 2008 INTRODUCTION

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1 NASW, TENNESSEE CHAPTER SOCIAL WORK REINVESTMENT INITIATIVE INITIAL PLAN REPORT, FEBRUARY 2008 INTRODUCTION Social work professionals in Tennessee provide important services to Tennesseans from all walks of life. The Tennessee Chapter of NASW was pleased in 2007 to join with other states around the nation in gathering data about the social work profession in our state and to begin planning how we could increase investments in the social work profession. From the beginning of our efforts we realized it was important to maximize the involvement of NASW-TN s leadership and other key social work leaders in a collaborative effort. Our work in 2007 led to the development of this document and our collaborative efforts will continue in future years. Our initial steps included: 1. Creating a Tennessee Social Work Snapshot that will soon be published on our website ( that provides details about social work professionals in Tennessee. This snapshot includes information on the number of certified and licensed social workers in each county of the state, a listing of accredited social work programs in Tennessee, details about social work licensure, and workforce projections from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 2. Making the theme for the Chapter's March Legislative Conference social work reinvestment. This event, attended by social work students and professionals from around the state, will include facilitated panels featuring social workers and Tennessee's key leaders in services for Children and Families, Refugees and Immigrants, Veterans and other vulnerable populations. Elizabeth Clark, NASW's Executive Director will provide the keynote for this event. 3. Convening two meetings of social work leaders from across the state to begin to develop our Social Work Reinvestment Initiative Plan. The Tennessee Social Work Snapshot and plans for the upcoming Legislative Conference were previewed at the gathering of social work leaders and input was invited. Most leaders were already aware of and had been actively involved in discussions related to introducing Multi-level Social Worker Licensure legislation. Information on this initiative was also highlighted. The majority of the meetings focused on beginning to develop our collaborative process by having leaders meet in small groups to brainstorm and report back on other important issues to address as part of Tennessee s ongoing Social Work Reinvestment activities. A key issue identified as an important next step was to increase the involvement of social work employers by convening a special meeting for this group. Following the employers meeting, the expanded SWRI team will re-convene to develop our plans for

2 PARTICIPANTS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2007 TENNESSEE SWRI PLANNING MEETINGS Lisa Pote, MSSW Facilitator,Consulting Director Center for Nonprofit Management William (Bill) Sinclair, ACSW Executive Director Catholic Charities of Tennessee Kate O'Day, MSW CEO Child and Family Tennessee Bonnie McCrickard, CMSW Coalition Coordinator Community Anti-Drug Coalitions Across Tennessee Paul Baggett, ACSW, LCSW, PhD Chair, Department of Social Work East Tennessee State University Helene Halvorson, PhD MSW Program Director East Tennessee State University Nadine McNeal, BSW, MSW Social Work Program Faculty Freed Hardeman University Kay Paris, MSSW, ACSW, PhD Social Work Program Director Lincoln Memorial University Rebecca Patterson, MSW, ACSW Social Work Program Faculty Lincoln Memorial University Bo Walker, LCSW, DCSW Vice President NASW National Georgia Alexander, LCSW Director at Large NASW-TN Board of Directors Paula Foster, LCSW President-elect NASW-TN Board of Directors Sandra J. Gonzalez, LCSW Director at Large NASW-TN Board of Directors Michelle Holt Horton, CMSW President NASW-TN Board of Directors Rhonda Jacks, ACSW, LCSW Vice President NASW-TN Board of Directors Miriam McFadden, ACSW, LCSW Professional Issues Rep. NASW-TN Board of Directors Sherri Sedgebear, LCSW Midwest Branch Representative NASW-TN Board of Directors Connie Taylor, LCSW Knox Branch Representative NASW-TN Board of Directors Julia Mynatt Axley, BSW Practicing BSW Representative NASW-TN Board of Directors & TN Society Health Care Social Workers Karen Franklin, CMSW Executive Director NASW-TN Staff Jennifer Scruggs, MSSW Program Manager NASW-TN Staff Emily Gordon MSW Intern NASW-TN Staff Jennifer Williams, CMSW SWRI Data Consultant NASW-TN Stanley Stevenson Social Work Faculty Southern Adventist University Lou Martinez, MSW Pre-service Director Tennessee Center for Child Welfare Vicki Williams, MSW, ACSW Social Work Program Director Tennessee State University Eileen Woodside President TN Association School Social Workers Beverly English Member TN Association School Social Workers Angie Gardner Member TN Association School Social Workers Vicki Fleming, CMSW Chairperson TN Social Work Licensure Board Mary Ann Poe, MSW, ACSW Social Work Program Director Union University Karen Sowers, MSW, ACSW, PhD Dean University of Tennessee College of Social Work Sherry Cummings, MSW, PhD Associate Dean University of Tennessee College of Social Work Valerie Radu, PhD, LCSW, ACSW Social Work Program Director University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Cindy West, MSW, LCSW Social Work Program Director University of Tennessee at Martin

3 TENNESSEE SOCIAL WORK REINVESTMENT ISSUES ISSUE: MULTI-LEVEL LICENSURE Tennessee s current social work licensure law focuses on certification and licensure of clinical social workers. Individuals seeking certification or licensure must have an MSW and can immediately qualify to become a CMSW after graduation by submitting the appropriate paperwork and fees. CMSWs must complete two years of supervised practice after receipt of the CMSW prior to applying to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. State recognition and regulation of social work clinicians is crucial. However, professional social workers are currently helping Tennesseans in a variety of ways that are not recognized or regulated by state licensure. Tennessee s social work certification and licensure law needs to be strengthened and revised to recognize the diversity of social work practice and to strengthen the public s trust in the qualifications for licensed social work professionals. DATA TO BUILD CASE: Comparing Tennessee s social work certification and licensure law to similar laws in others states and particularly states surrounding Tennessee illustrates that we are out of step with current practice. In addition to regulating clinical practice: o 35 states plus DC certify or license BSW s and 31 states require a test for licensure at this level. o 7 of the 8 states surrounding Tennessee certify or license BSW s and 7 require a test. o Most states license instead of certifying MSWs after graduation. 37 states require a test for licensure at this level. (Tennessee currently certifies and does not require a test.) o Many states also regulate the advanced practice of non-clinical social workers with a generalist or macro credential, Tennessee does not. This state practice information is supplemented by the Association of Social Work Boards model social work practice act that recommends licensure and testing for BSW and MSW practitioners. BACKGROUND 1. After reviewing the model social work licensure law and licensure information from other states, the Tennessee Chapter of NASW unveiled a draft Multi-level Licensure plan in April 2007 at a presentation at our annual Legislative Conference. 2. Additional feedback from social workers has been requested as the draft proposal was shared in presentations to over 600 social workers across the state and through a mailing to all Chapter members. 3. NASW-TN s Multi-level Licensure Committee recommended in December 2007 a proposal that was approved by the Chapter Board of Directors to introduce multi-level social worker licensure legislation.

4 MULTI-LEVEL LICENSURE TASKS/TIMELINE Define Task By whom? By when? Notes Introduce Multi-level Licensure Legislation Chapter staff and legislative liaisons work with key legislators January 2008 Monitor legislation s progress and advocate in State Legislature, with the Governor and with key departments. Mobilize active membership involvement in supporting legislation Chapter s Executive Director, Legislative Liaisons and key volunteer leaders Staff facilitates membership involvement January May 2008 January May 2008 Passage of legislation May 2008 Work with Tennessee Department of Health on rules implementing new legislation Staff and key Chapter leaders From Passage of legislation through 2009 See Attachment A Fact sheet on Tennessee s Multi-level Licensure Legislation

5 ISSUE: PUBLIC EDUCATION The research conducted prior to launching the NASW Public Education Campaign clearly illustrates the need for expanded public education about the social work profession. Social work leaders in Tennessee know it is important to compliment national public education efforts with state level efforts. We will begin our efforts in 2008 by educating social work students and professionals about key national SWRI efforts at our 2008 Social Work Legislative Conference in the spring. We will ask our attendees to share information about the importance of SWRI as they visit their legislators during the conference. Other future efforts will be prioritized later in the spring. PUBLIC EDUCATION TASKS/TIMELINE Define Task By whom? By when? Notes Media strategy to NASW-TN March 2008 promote Social Work Legislative Conference will focus on public education about the profession and SWRI Social work leaders reconvene to prioritize future action steps based upon ideas brainstormed and information shared at conference NASW-TN convenes May 2008 See Attachment B Legislative Conference Brochure

6 ISSUE: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT - PARTNER WITH KEY SOCIAL WORK EMPLOYERS Social work employers will be dramatically impacted by social work labor force shortages, yet many are not aware of the growing need for trained social work professionals. Social work employers also have crucial information to share with Universities and professional associations regarding the skills and abilities social workers will need for the future in their organizations. The partnership must be strengthened between employers, educators and NASW at the state level. DATA TO BUILD CASE Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development data on labor force needs National SWRI Fact Sheets NASW-TN SWRI Data Report FAVORABLE CONDITIONS SUPPORTING ACTION The small number of employers participating in the Chapter s initial SWRI meetings highly recommended additional involvement with employers and volunteered to participate in such meetings. Employers of social workers will be dramatically impacted by the projected social work labor force shortage. ESTIMATED TIME FRAME FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: Will initiate activities in 2008 and continue to expand in future years EMPLOYER STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TASKS/TIMELINE Define Task By whom? By when? Notes Involve key social work employers on facilitated panels at March Legislative Conference on Investing in the Elderly, Investing in Refugee and Immigrant Populations, Investing in Our Children, Investing in Our Returning Veterans, Investing in Mental Health, and Investing in Health Care. NASW-TN Staff (Executive Director, Program Manager) and panel facilitators On-going through March Contact University social work programs to ask their assistance in identifying key employers based upon field internship settings NASW-TN Graduate Social Work Intern Coordinating SWRI Efforts March 2008 Convene meeting of 20 key social work employers to discuss workforce challenges, hear their recommendations and mobilize their support. NASW-TN and key employers from December SWRI meeting April 2008

7 Attachment A Social Work Licensure Law Changes Needed Support SB2932/HB3802 The Tennessee Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers has identified the need for revisions to the law under which Social Workers practice in Tennessee. Professional social workers are currently helping Tennesseans in a variety of ways but our current state licensure law chiefly regulates social workers in clinical practice. Proposed changes will promote public protection through regulation of social worker practice in clinical and other community settings. Senate Bill 2932/House Bill 3802 revises the social worker statute to license baccalaureate social workers, change certification to licensure for master social workers, initiate an advanced practice license, and modify scope of practice provisions. These licensure changes are needed because: current law does not license Bachelors or Masters level Social Workers who aren t practicing clinical social work. As such, there is no defined scope of practice for either of these fields. SB2932/HB3802 would establish standards of minimal social work competence, methods of objectively addressing consumer complaints and means for removing incompetent or unethical practitioners. entry level social workers, especially BSWs, provide direct care, case management and intervention for many of our most vulnerable citizens. These front line practitioners often work with individuals and families in their homes and community and should be held to reasonable best practice standards. masters social workers often work in the administration of policies, programs and activities and should also meet ethical and best practice standards. persons serving vulnerable Tennesseans should meet high standards. This legislation would require that a candidate for licensure be a graduate of a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, pass a nationally approved test and meet continuing education requirements. it would provide a grand fathering clause for many current practitioners. SB2932/HB3802 brings Tennessee up to the standards required by most states. 35 states recognize BSWs and seven of the eight surrounding states license or certify BSWs. All seven states require a test for this level of practice. 30 states license Masters practitioners and all surrounding states regulate MSWs at this level. All surrounding states require a test for the credential similar to Tennessee s CMSW. (Tennessee does not currently require a test.) For additional information contact: Karen Franklin, NASW-TN Executive Director, kfranklin@naswtn.com, (615) Stewart Clifton, NASW-TN Legislative Liaison, stewartclifton@comcast.net, (615)

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