The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and its Board of Accreditation (BOA) are closely monitoring recent federal executive orders, state legislation, and institutional decisions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other restricted language. CSWE and CSWE-BOA remain committed to supporting social work programs in developing a workforce of social workers who understand theories of person-in-environment, human behavior, and the impact of ideologies, policies, and systems on the individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities that make up our constituents.
The CSWE-BOA will continue to support and accredit social work programs as they prepare social workers to engage in practice that recognizes and responds to the reality that the needs of our clients, constituents, and communities differ significantly as a function of lived experience, identities, and differential access to resources. Competent social work education and practice advocate for and advance a just and fair society and value the dignity and worth of all people. In response to current and emerging legislative restrictions, CSWE and CSWE-BOA have constructed guidance for affected social work education programs to aid them in responding to legislative mandates while maintaining the values and principles of social work education and practice.
CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation is available to provide individualized guidance to help programs to demonstrate compliance with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) while also aligning with federal, state, or institutional directives or regulations. This guidance includes information about CSWE’s response to DEI-related legislation and advisement to programs with federally funded field placement sites. Both accredited and candidate programs are advised to seek guidance first from your program’s CSWE Accreditation Specialist, who are equipped with timely resources to meet the immediate needs of your program. Any applicant programs and those with more general inquiries about accreditation support, please direct your questions to [email protected].
As this is an evolving landscape requiring much collaboration, coordination, and dialogue, we request your patience and compassion so we can meet all program and public needs to the best of our ability.
Signed,
Tom K. Gregoire, PhD, MSW
Chair, Board of Accreditation
Shanéa Thomas, EdD, LICSW, CSE
Executive Director of Accreditation
Halaevalu F. Ofahengaue Vakalahi, PhD, MSW
President and Chief Executive Officer
The CSWE-BOA will continue to support and accredit social work programs as they prepare social workers to engage in practice that recognizes and responds to the reality that the needs of our clients, constituents, and communities differ significantly as a function of lived experience, identities, and differential access to resources. Competent social work education and practice advocate for and advance a just and fair society and value the dignity and worth of all people. In response to current and emerging legislative restrictions, CSWE and CSWE-BOA have constructed guidance for affected social work education programs to aid them in responding to legislative mandates while maintaining the values and principles of social work education and practice.
CSWE’s Department of Social Work Accreditation is available to provide individualized guidance to help programs to demonstrate compliance with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) while also aligning with federal, state, or institutional directives or regulations. This guidance includes information about CSWE’s response to DEI-related legislation and advisement to programs with federally funded field placement sites. Both accredited and candidate programs are advised to seek guidance first from your program’s CSWE Accreditation Specialist, who are equipped with timely resources to meet the immediate needs of your program. Any applicant programs and those with more general inquiries about accreditation support, please direct your questions to [email protected].
As this is an evolving landscape requiring much collaboration, coordination, and dialogue, we request your patience and compassion so we can meet all program and public needs to the best of our ability.
Signed,
Tom K. Gregoire, PhD, MSW
Chair, Board of Accreditation
Shanéa Thomas, EdD, LICSW, CSE
Executive Director of Accreditation
Halaevalu F. Ofahengaue Vakalahi, PhD, MSW
President and Chief Executive Officer