The official theme for Social Work Month in March 2024 is Empowering Social Workers. Social workers deserve better compensation for the important work they do. Our nation needs social workers more than ever.

The demand for social workers is reflected in the statistics. Did you know that by 2030 there will be more than 782,00 social workers in the United States? This makes social work one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. However, social workers need support to meet the high demand for their vital work. That is why the Social Work Month theme for 2024 is Empowering Social Workers!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for social workers in 2022 was $55,350. Considering that in order to do their work many social workers must earn a master’s degree and go through the expensive process to gain licensure; this is not enough. In fact, Ipsos did a National Social Work Public Opinion Survey that found that slightly more than half of respondents think social workers should get higher pay.

It is important for the public to support legislation and initiatives that empower and support the social work profession and improve their bottom line. This includes the Improving Access to Mental Health Act, student loan debt relief, and social work safety legislation.

NASW-Michigan is committed to empowering social workers and advocating for increased compensation and improved working conditions. The Chapter recently formed a Social Work Working Conditions and Workforce Committee which aims to:

We thank you for the exceptional and invaluable contributions you make to your communities and our society every day. Thank you to the members of NASW-Michigan for your support. We would not be able to to support, promote and advocate for professional social work practice, practitioners and the social work profession without a robust and engaged NASW membership. We wish you a celebratory Social Work Month and hope you feel recognized, honored, and empowered this month and beyond.

Attend an Event

Honor Colleagues

Another way NASW-Michigan will celebrate social workers across the state is by providing a celebratory breakfast, lunch, or dessert assortment to an agency in each of our regions.

Congratulations to the following Social Work Agencies Nominated by the NASW-Michigan Board of Directors to be Recognized during 2024 Social Work Month:

Great Lakes Recovery Center

Head & Heart Therapeutic Solutions

Region 9 Area Agency on Aging

Network180

Mid-Michigan Industries

Livingston County CMH

Turning Point Macomb

Family Service Agency of Mid Michigan

ISK Behavioral Health Urgent Care

Michigan Medicine 

American Indian Health & Family Services (AIHFS)

If your agency is recognizing social workers this month, we'd love to hear how! Email any stories you would like to share to klewis.naswmi@socialworkers.org.

Network Online

Participate in an NASW-Michigan Giveaway

Submit an Official Proclamation Request to Your Local, State, or Federal Legislators

Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has proclaimed March as Social Work Month! View the proclamation below. Thank you to Governor Whitmer for valuing the social work profession!