Download - National Association of Social Workers

Specialty Practice Sections—InformingSocialWorkers,EnhancingCare…NASW believes it is critical for social workers to be informed about current trends and policy issues that affectsocial work practice and service delivery—specialized knowledge that can help them better serve individuals,families, and communities.For this reason, NASW created the NASW Specialty Practice Sections (SPS), which provide essential resourcesfor social workers, whose interests and practice needs often extend across a broad spectrum.On July 1, 2002, NASW launched four new sections—Health, Mental Health, Child Welfare, and Policy andSocial Justice—which joined the four existing sections: Aging; Private Practice; School Social Work; andAlcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs.The addition of these new sections attracted more than 2,800 members, with an overall increase in sectionmembership of nearly 40 percent (3,618 new SPS memberships).Throughout the year, SPS produced and disseminated 16 newsletters, eight practice updates, an annualbulletin, and five Web-based practice alerts—publications that provide current, practical information onpolicy and practice issues within the specialty field—to SPS members.Additionally, the Specialty Practice Sections Chapter Partnership Pilot Program awarded grants to 21NASW chapters to provide face-to-face networking and educational opportunities to members.18