As Social Work Month comes to a close, we want to thank you for your continued advocacy and engagement. It’s been a busy and impactful start to 2026, and we’re excited to share a few highlights and updates from our policy work so far.
Policy & Advocacy Events
Capitol Action Day
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Capitol Action Day! We had over 150 attendees connect with 54 legislative offices. Your voices made a real impact.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Campaign School last month! We’re proud to support social workers in stepping into leadership and advancing our values in the political arena.
Policy Webinars
If you missed any our free policy webinars, you can view recordings on our YouTube channel at the links below:
Throughout March, social workers were recognized across Michigan through a number of local and state proclamations and resolutions honoring the profession and its impact. These recognitions highlight the vital role social workers play in strengthening communities, advancing equity, and supporting individuals and families across the state.
To date, proclamations and resolutions have been issued in:
Together, these bills reduce barriers in the licensure process while maintaining professional standards, helping more social workers move toward full licensure and strengthening Michigan’s behavioral health workforce.
This legislation increases transparency and accountability in insurance recoupment practices, helping protect providers and reduce disruptions to client care.
We’ll be sharing an action alert soon with next steps to support these efforts. In the meantime, make sure you’re signed up for updates through our Legislative Action Center so you don’t miss opportunities to take action.
Looking to stay engaged beyond Capitol Action Day and other events? There are several ways to plug into NASW-Michigan’s advocacy work:
Legislative & Social Policy (LSP) Committee The Chapter’s Legislative & Social Policy (LSP) Committee advises the Board on social and legislative issues and helps shape our advocacy agenda. The Committee also educates and engages members in legislative processes, administrative actions, and ballot initiatives that impact social workers and the communities we serve. LSP meets the third Friday of each month from 12:00–1:00 PM (ET).
M-PACE (Michigan Political Action for Candidate Election) NASW-Michigan is working to elect social workers and strong allies to the Michigan House, Senate, and Governor’s office. MPACE engages social workers in political action, builds relationships with future leaders, and supports candidates who align with our policy priorities. Your involvement is critical to this work. MPACE meets the second Thursday of each month from 12:00–1:00 PM (ET).
NASW National Policy Updates
Public Comment Open: Suicide Prevention Standards NASW is inviting feedback on draft Standards of Care for Suicide Prevention, outlining minimum care expectations for social workers supporting individuals at risk. Submit comments by March 31, 2026
Federal Student Loan Update The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan has officially ended. NASW continues to advocate for stronger student loan relief and policies that support borrowers.
Take Action on Telehealth Access NASW is supporting federal legislation to make telehealth flexibilities permanent, including removing in-person requirements for Medicare telemental health services. Take action now!
Professional Degree Status Advocacy NASW has submitted comments urging the U.S. Department of Education to maintain social work’s designation as a professional degree which is critical for protecting student loan access and workforce pathways.
Thank you again for your commitment to advancing the social work profession and the communities we serve. More opportunities to take action are coming soon. We look forward to continuing this work together!
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