Social Work Speaks, 13th Edition

Policy Statement Topic Areas
Foreword
Acknowledgment of Social Work Speaks NASW Policy Statement Panelists
Introduction

Public and Professional Policy Statements

Adolescent and Young Adult Health
Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting
Affirmative Action
Aging and Wellness
Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Welfare Workforce
Civil Liberties and Social Justice
Community Development
Confidentiality and Information Utilization
Crime Victim Assistance
Cultural and Linguistic Competence in the Social Work Profession
Death Penalty
Deprofessionalization and Reclassification
Disasters
Early Childhood Care and Services
Economic Justice
Education of Children and Adolescents
Electoral Politics
Employee Assistance
End-of-Life Decision Making and Care
Environmental Policy
Family Policy
Family Violence
Foster Care and Adoption
Genetics
Healthcare
HIV and AIDS
Homelessness
Hospice Care
Housing
Human Trafficking
Immigrants and Refugees
International Policy on Human Rights
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Language Diversity in the United States
LGBTQIAS+ Issues
Licensing and Regulation of Social Work Practice
Long-Term Services and Supports
Mental Health
Parental Abduction
People with Disabilities
Professional Impairment
Professional Self-Care and Social Work
Racism
Reproductive Justice
Role of Government, Social Policy, and Social Work
Rural Social Work
School Safety
Sex Trade and Social Work Practice
Social Justice
Social Services
Social Work in the Criminal Justice System
Sovereignty, Rights, and the Well-Being of Indigenous Peoples Living in the United States
Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Technology and Social Work
Voter Rights and Voter Participation
Welfare Reform
Women in the Social Work Profession
Women’s Issues
Workplace Discrimination
Youth Suicide

NASW Code of Ethics
Index

It is our sincere pleasure to introduce the 13th edition of Social Work Speaks, a vital publication by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) that compiles and articulates the policy positions of the profession. This publication is an essential road map for social workers committed to advancing social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These policy statements result from our inclusive membership engagement process and reflect the many voices and experiences of NASW members nationwide. They are integral in shaping the policies confronting some of our most pressing social issues and guiding our collective efforts in social work practice, advocacy, and political action.

We are incredibly proud to be a part of such an amazing profession with a long-standing tradition of advocating for individuals, families, and communities, particularly those who are historically marginalized. At our core, we have a collective dedication to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other defining characteristics. Our profession calls us to be advocates for change—not only at the individual level but also within the systems and structures that create and perpetuate inequality.

Social work is inherently political, and today, more than ever, political action and advocacy are crucial in pursuing social justice. As social workers, we work at the intersection of people and policies. We understand the significant impact of legislative action on the lives of the individuals and communities we serve, and we advocate to enhance the lives and well-being of our communities. Whether we are advocating for healthcare, criminal justice reform, or economic justice, our collective efforts in political action help ensure that policies reflect the needs and realities of those most affected by them. Our Social Work Speaks publication provides the framework we should use for our advocacy to enable us to use our collective power to influence policymakers and create systemic change.

As proud social workers and NASW members, we know and believe that our profession thrives on the principle that our voices can affect change. These policy statements attempt to capture the nuanced needs of our profession and the communities we serve. Through our collective voices, NASW can advocate for policies that promote DEI and challenge the systemic inequities that have historically overlooked marginalized communities.

In today’s sociopolitical climate, where issues of hate, inequality, injustice, and discrimination continue to dominate the national conversation, we have the profound responsibility to not only speak out against injustice but also fiercely advocate for policies that promote greater access and opportunity for all. Whether through lobbying, grassroots organizing, or participating in policy forums, our engagement in political action is essential for advancing social justice on a broad scale. The policies outlined in this publication reinforce social work’s commitment to the ongoing fight for equity and social justice.

As we continue to engage in political action and advocacy, we must never lose sight of the fact that the communities we serve are as diverse as the challenges they face. Social workers are uniquely positioned to bridge gaps between policymakers and marginalized communities, advocating for equitable and inclusive solutions. Our advocacy ensures that diverse populations are heard and represented in the policies that affect their lives. Through intentional advocacy, social workers can help dismantle the systems of oppression that disproportionately affect many individuals and the communities we serve.

We want to conclude this foreword with a reminder that every social worker at the micro, mezzo, and macro level that this publication of Social Work Speaks is more than just a collection of policy statements; it is also a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of advocacy in our profession. As social workers, we are charged with using our voices to create meaningful change, and this publication equips us with the tools to do so. All social workers should engage with these policies, use them as a guide for advocacy, and continue to lend their voices to the ongoing efforts to build a more just and equitable society. Together, we can ensure that social work remains a force for social justice in every corner of our communities.

Yvonne Elder Chase, PhD, LCSW, ACSW
President, NASW

Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C
Chief Executive Officer, NASW

Introduction

The policy statements in this book set the parameters for official positions of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) on a broad range of critical public policy and professional issues. Thank you for your support.

Social Work Speaks is a comprehensive collection of policies adopted and revised by NASW’s key policymaking body, the Delegate Assembly, comprising 277 professional social workers representing NASW’s diverse membership. The Delegate Assembly sets broad organizational policy, approves program priorities, and develops a collective stance on public and professional issues. Since NASW’s inception in 1955, policy statement adoption has been an integral part of its governance process.

This edition of Social Work Speaks includes the revised policies approved by the Delegate Assembly. These position statements guide NASW’s advocacy on local and national policy efforts.

THE PROCESS

The policy revision process for the 2023 Delegate Assembly continued to use online tools that began with the first virtual Delegate Assembly in 2008. Panels for each policy revision included delegates who volunteered to serve because of their expertise and other NASW members who were subject matter experts. The panels worked with NASW’s social work staff to review policies and identify areas that needed to be updated.

After initial revisions, policy statements were made available online for public comment by NASW membership. This allowed members to make suggestions to improve the updated policies.

With input from members, NASW’s public policy statements represent the collective thinking of thousands of experienced social work practitioners. Once policies were finalized, all delegates participated in an online voting process, resulting in the adoption of 12 revised policy statements on October 18, 2024.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

Before taking a position on any legislation, NASW staff compares the proposed legislative policy with policies published in Social Work Speaks. In many cases, the proposed legislation contains some provisions that support NASW’s positions and some that are inconsistent with, or only partially support, NASW’s positions. NASW weighs the potential for revising the proposed legislation, the overall value of possible policy gains, political concerns, and other factors before deciding to support, oppose, or remain neutral regarding the legislation.

LEGAL ACTION

The NASW Legal Defense Fund initiates or participates in a number of amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs annually in precedent- setting cases that advance social policy and the social work profession. In deciding which cases to support with a brief in a federal or state court, NASW looks to the policy statements published in Social Work Speaks for guidance.

POLICY STUDY AND ANALYSIS

Social Work Speaks may be used as a text or as supplementary reading for overview, introductory, or macro courses in social work and public policy. It may also enhance instruction for a wide range of specialty courses because many of the policy statements address specific fields of practice.

For lobbying or analysis, NASW policy statements should be considered in the context of their purpose and the time in which they were adopted. Social workers developed the statements to serve as broad parameters for advocacy work and to help professionals who are concerned with social or professional issues focus their thinking. Readers may find that they need more specificity than what the statements contain. Professional social work literature, including additional resources published by NASW, will serve as an important extension of these policy statements.

Click here to hear former NASW senior practice associate, Roxana Torrico Meruvia, explain the NASW policy statements and how to get involved on the NASW Social Work Talks Podcast!