Every year in March, we celebrate the profession of social work. This is a time for us as a profession to learn and reflect upon the contributions we make. Every year, the theme for Social Work Month is set by the National Association of Social Workers.
This year, CSWE is offering an exciting Social Work Month Webinar Series centered around this year’s theme, Compassion and Action. Our educational webinars will cover a range of important topics, from substance use disorder ethics for professionals to environmental justice social work and social security benefits. Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing valuable resources for members and the public, spotlighting the meaningful work of our members and showcasing other CSWE initiatives.
Ethics and Boundaries for Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
CE Eligible
Sound ethics and boundaries are critical to the provision of Substance Use Disorder treatment. Ethical behaviors and boundaries support a client's treatment process, foster a positive client recovery environment, and promote service engagement. On the other hand, challenges related to unethical practices and boundaries can impact the professionals' well-being, resulting in negative job consequences. In this training, participants will reflect on their experiences with ethical dilemmas and explore strategies to deliver effective and professional care to SUD clients.
Moderator
Dr. Patricia Stoddard Dare, PhD, MSW
Professor, School of Social Work; Women's & Gender Studies, Cleveland State University
Speaker
Deana Leber-George, M.Ed, LPCC-SCenter for Evidence-Based Practices (CEBP) and the Substance Use Disorder Center of Excellence (SUD COE) at Case Western Reserve University
For more information on PCSS-MOUD please visit their website.
Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
An Overview of Social Security Benefits
Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
Social Workers provide essential services to people at critical moments in their lives. Many of these people receive or may be eligible for Social Security benefits. Join a Social Security representative for an overview of Social Security programs and services, including retirement, survivors, disability, and SSI benefits. We will also spend time discussing other topics of interest, such as, recent changes to the SSI program, and some of our most frequently asked questions.
Speakers
Lydia E. Chévere, Social Security Administration
Trisha Mentzer, Social Secuirty Administration
Devera Woolford, Social Security Administration
Nourishing action: Environmental Justice in the classroom
Presented by the Council on Enviornmental Justice and Human Rights(Opens in a new window)
Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET
CE Eligible
This presentation will explore how to teach environmental justice within social work, emphasizing our interconnectedness within the planetary community. Through research, theory, and practical classroom strategies, presenters will share ways to teach about environmental changes, collective human rights, and the rights of nature. Participants will gain tools to engage students in critical discussions, encouraging a shift toward a more just and interdependent approach to social work education.
Speakers
Leah Prussia, DSW, LICSW
Associate Professor, The College of St. Scholastica
Brooks Zitzmann, PhD, LCSW
Adjunct Professor & Social Work Practitioner, Tulane University
Keri Otte, LCSW
DSW Student, University of Louisville
Mariann Bischoff, MS, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Teaching Professor/Practicum Coordinator, Rutgers University
Natalie Moore-Bembry, EdD, MSW, LCSW
Director Camden BASW Program, Rutgers University
Helo Oidjarv, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor/BSW Program Director, Greenville University
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Radical Self-Care as Resistance—Navigating Professional Ethics in the Current Climate
Presented by The Council on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education (Women's Council)(Opens in a new window)Monday, March 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM ET
CE Eligible
This webinar explores the connection between self-care, ethical practice, and professional sustainability through a coaching-based lens. Participants will engage in self-coaching strategies, reflective exercises, and guided discussions designed to deepen self-awareness, align actions with core values, and reframe internal narratives around self-care. The session will challenge the notion that prioritizing well-being is selfish, instead positioning it as a necessary foundation for ethical excellence.
Through an interactive session, participants will leave with a renewed understanding of radical self-care as an ethical responsibility and the tools to integrate it into their professional lives in a meaningful and sustainable way. Whether you are a social worker navigating systemic challenges or striving to maintain ethical clarity under pressure, this webinar will provide the insights and strategies needed to practice self-care as a form of resistance and radical self-compassion.
Speakers
Laurel Hitchcock, Ph.D., MPH, MSW, LICSW-S, ACC
Professor of Social Work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
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