From the Desk of the President

September 2024

Bridging Generations for a Stronger Social Work Future

As I begin my first year as president of NASW-Wisconsin, I find myself reflecting on my own Social Work journey. Like many of you, I was drawn to social work because I wanted to help people. This passion for service has guided my career and deepened my commitment to our profession. But as I’ve grown in this field, I’ve also come to realize that helping people goes beyond individual interactions—it’s about shaping systems, advocating for justice, and, most importantly, empowering others.

And let’s be clear: in no way am I saying helping others should come at the expense of helping ourselves. Social work is not a vow to poverty. We deserve fair wages for the critical work we do. Our value to society must be recognized in the compensation we receive, and this is part of the changing conversation within our profession. The times are changing, and so must the expectations.

One of the most pressing shifts I have noticed is the growing gap between generations. The seasoned social workers who have built the foundation of our field and the younger professionals who are now entering it have different perspectives, expectations, and needs. And yet, both generations are essential to the future of social work.

This year is particularly special, as NASW-Wisconsin celebrates 50 years as an organization—more than my lifetime if I might say. For half a century, NASW-Wisconsin has been a guiding force for social workers across the state whether you were a paid member or not. We have built a legacy of advocacy, leadership, and service. But as we reflect on our past, we must also look forward to the next 50 years. How will we continue to lead and inspire the next generation of social workers while uplifting the diverse voices and opinions that make our profession so great?

I believe now, more than ever, it is time for a critical dialogue between generations.

I see a generational disconnect that often leaves both our elders and younger social workers feeling misunderstood. The seasoned practitioners have a wealth of knowledge and experience, but how do we pass that on to the next generation in a way that resonates? How do we teach, guide, and mentor when younger social workers feel invalidated or, worse, attacked for their new ideas and approaches?

I’ve noticed one key difference that stands out between generations: younger social workers often ask me, “How can NASW help me?” rather than “How can I help NASW?” While some may see this as a negative, labeling them, I see this as an opportunity. If we take a strengths-based approach, we can recognize that this generation isn’t afraid to take risks, push boundaries, and demand the support and services they know they need. These are qualities we need in our profession.

In contrast, many of us from older generations, such as Gen X and baby boomers, were taught to stay the course, remain in one job, and work within a more structured system. But today’s world is different. Younger social workers are driving change because they are willing to question long-standing systems and take bold actions. This is especially evident in their advocacy for social justice and mental health services, which has become a focal point in both their personal and professional lives.

At the same time, we must acknowledge that social work today is more diverse than ever before. Diverse voices and opinions must be valued if we are to fully understand the communities we serve. Whether it’s diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political views, age, or experience, every perspective adds depth to the work we do. It is critical that we foster an inclusive environment where all social workers—no matter their background—feel seen, heard, and respected.

As we celebrate 50 years of NASW-Wisconsin, it is more important than ever to embrace these generational and diverse perspectives—not as challenges, but as strengths. It’s easy to look at what separates us, but what if we focused on what unites us? We are in a time where our profession needs all hands on deck. The social issues we face are too complex, too urgent, for any one generation—or any one group—to tackle alone.

My hope for NASW-Wisconsin during my term is to create space for dialogue, mentorship, and collaboration across generations and communities. Let’s start asking what each generation and each voice needs, and how we can work together. The future of social work depends on our ability to combine the wisdom of experience with the courage of innovation and the richness of diverse perspectives.

My personal goal is to build a bridge. I invite all of us to pause, listen, and learn from one another. We need open, honest conversations, where no one feels attacked or dismissed, but rather heard and respected.

In solidarity,

Kim Howard, MSW, CAPSW

President, NASW-Wisconsin

June 2024

Dear chapter members,

It has been an honor to serve as the president of the Wisconsin Chapter over the past two years. I am grateful to have been trusted with the responsibilities involved. I have been on the board for six years, which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Getting involved in the Chapter’s leadership is vital for many reasons. Unlike other professional associations, NASW runs not only for its members but also by its members. To best represent the vast diversity of what social workers do and attend to the variety of needs and interests of our profession and the communities we serve, we must support the Association not only financially but also with our time and talents.

My involvement journey began by filling out the forms that many of you have seen around in conferences and seminars and just indicating my interest. I strongly encourage you to consider running for a position on the board or at least get involved in committee work. I began to actively participate in the work of the Professional Standards and Regulation Committee and the Legislative and Social Policy Committee. Out of those grew opportunities to be part of ad hoc task forces opportunities to meet with legislators and key figures in DHS and DSPS who shape the environment in which we practice. As someone who is deep in micro clinical practice, I find that these are excellent opportunities to keep one foot in the macro arena.

We have a vibrant and active chapter in Wisconsin under the leadership of our soon-to-be-legendary Executive Director, Marc Herstand. Thanks to his vision and drive, our Chapter’s operations are more similar to those of larger chapters than what one would expect from a chapter our size. We have taken many initiatives that are being recognized on the National NASW level and have become a model for other chapters. There are many things going on and opportunities to get involved. In addition, the Chapter is always open to member-led initiatives. Just in the past year, the board approved a handful of new special interest groups proposed by members who identified unmet needs.

Your next president, Kimberly Howard, is a phenomenal woman and strong leader! I could not think of a better person for the position! She brings excellent vision and ideas, along with vibrant energy. With thinking outside the box talent and inclusive perspective, she is unafraid to address uncomfortable issues and challenge the status quo. Congratulations, Kim, on taking on the leadership role of the Chapter!

Dafna Berman, MSW, LCSW

March, 2024

By Dafna Berman, MSW, LCSW

Happy Social Work Month! Our theme for this year is "Empowering Social Workers – Inspiring Action, Leading Change." For some time, the Association has worked towards empowering social workers to actively attend to burnout prevention by prioritizing self-care and approaching it as an ethical responsibility. The Association also prioritizes compensation and working conditions for social workers. Social workers increasingly feel empowered to engage in salary negotiations, and we are witnessing a movement among students calling for paid internships. One of the goals of the Chapter's strategic plan is to empower social workers towards self-promotion, individually as employees in agencies and organizations and as a profession. We need to normalize highlighting ways in which, with our unique skillset and perspective, we bring tremendous added value to our employers and multidisciplinary teams. Social workers are also well-positioned to take on leadership positions in various settings.

 Social workers lead and inspire action to address society's most pressing issues in the 21st Century. We know that the problem of climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable and marginalized communities. Social workers collaborate with other disciplines in taking action to address climate justice, including working with communities to plan and mitigate adverse consequences. As the profession embraces advanced technologies and harnesses their potential to improve lives, we are also aware of the importance of Algorithmic Justice. Artificial intelligence is a great tool, but it also has the potential to perpetuate existing biases and inequities or even deepen them. This arena offers social workers, who are empowered to lean into the discomfort we often have with technologies, multiple opportunities to collaborate with the tech industry to continue and protect civil rights.

 A leading edge that Social Work practice and scholarship hold, which has allowed us to be effective change agents, is our ecological systems approach to understanding various situations and the challenges inherited in them. It is, therefore, crucial for social work practitioners and scholars to be empowered to practice intellectual curiosity and Socratic methods. Social workers need to maintain the freedom to consider a variety of theoretical frameworks and conceptualizations when seeking to gain an understanding of complex human conditions. "Insistence on seeing the world in this rigid and simplistic way cannot hold up in the face of critical thinking, evidence, or appraisal of person-in-environment. It cannot maintain its current hold as the best way for a social worker to think unless it is presented as the only way a social worker is allowed to think" (Farber & Fram, 2024).

 Social workers must be able and willing to consider the unique historical contexts of geopolitical problems prior to jumping in and proposing solutions. A cookie-cutter approach is antithetical to social work practice and scholarship. Our conceptualizations and understanding of injustices and social problems in North America cannot be superimposed, as a one-size-fits-all template, on geopolitical conflicts in faraway places with a markedly different historical context. "Over recent decades, social work has become increasingly hegemonic in its condemnation of any idea, any society, any people to which the word 'oppressor' can strategically—however wrongly— be attached. This is reflected in the explicit language that characterizes social work curricula and that fills the pages of our journals, and in the informal norms that shape what can be said in faculty meetings versus what is denigrated, silenced, and punished" (Farber & Fram, 2024).

 When we prioritize adhering to a theory and attempt to manipulate facts to fit it while intentionally overlooking information that doesn't fit its premise, we have replaced the theory with an ideology. Throughout the history of our profession, theoretical conceptualizations have evolved to incorporate new knowledge and scientific findings. "This ideology is self-reinforcing as it shuts down dialog and debate; prevents thorough vetting and ongoing refinement of ideas; is intolerant of nuance and complexity; and replaces independent, thoughtful analysis with blind allegiance" (Farber & Fram, 2024).

 At our 2022 Annual Conference, the late Dr. Mildred "Mit" Joyner (past president of the Association) discussed her belief that the world is ready for the social work profession and her concerns that perhaps social work might not be ready for the world. I believe that it is imperative for our profession to maintain its intellectual curiosity and humility if we are to remain strong in the 21st Century. It is tough to learn when one already knows everything. Personal and professional growth comes from asking questions, not from having all the answers.

Best regards,

Dafna

References:

Naomi B Farber, Maryah Stella Fram, The Danger of Ideology: Social Work, Israel, and Anti-Semitism, Social Work, 2024;, swad052, https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swad052

By Dafna Berman, MSW, LCSW

September 2023

Dear Chapter members,

Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of traveling to Washington, DC, on your behalf to the NASW Association Leadership Meeting (ALM). I was joined by our regional representative to the National Board, and our former Chapter president, Kristi Wood, and, of course, our executive director, Marc Herstand. Coming together with fellow presidents and executive directors from states and territories chapters and the leadership of the National Office and National Board was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I was so proud (still am:-) of our Chapter’s accomplishments and ongoing work, which are on par with those of Mega Chapters.

We addressed pressing issues and challenges facing the profession and their implications for practice. The absence of the late Dr. Mildred Joyner hovered like a dark cloud the entire duration of the gathering. There was an unspoken consensus that things are just not the same without her. Her passing in the week that followed was a tremendous loss for our profession. Our Chapter was graced to have her as the keynote speaker of our 2022 Annual Conference, with her talk “The World is Ready for Social Work - Is Social Work Ready for the World?” Her monumental work during her tenure as the President of the Association inspires and strengthens us as we face an uncertain future. I was delighted to meet in person, at the ALM, our new Executive Director, Dr. Anthony Estreet, and inspired by his vision for ‘One Association.’ As an Association and as a profession, we could not be in better hands, and I have full faith that he is absolutely the right person to lead us into the 21st Century.

The highlight of our trip to D.C. was, of course, Advocacy Day! It was truly humbling to walk around Capitol Hill on our way from the office of one elected official to another. Unfortunately, Congress was not in session, and our Senators and Congressional Representatives were back home in Wisconsin! We had the opportunity to meet and connect with the Legislative Directors and Legislative Assistants of Senators Baldwin and Johnson, Representatives Moore, Grothman, Gallagher, and Fitzgerald. We asked them to cosponsor and support four pieces of legislation that directly affect practitioners and our clients:

The Improving Access to Mental Health Act (S. 838/H.R. 1638) will increase reimbursement rates for LCSWs from 75% to 85% of the physician rate and put us on par with other master’s level providers (e.g., Speech Therapists)

The School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act (H.R. 1415) will provide grants to schools to maintain the minimum ratio of student/social workers and establish the National Technical Assistance Center for School Social Work

The More Social Workers in Libraries Act (H.R. 3006) will fund internships for social work students in public libraries and employ social workers to oversee the interns

The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act (S. 1452/H.R. 3073) will establish CDC grants for community initiatives to enhance and sustain population-level mental wellness and resilience

As we wrap up a summer filled with many burning issues (literally and figuratively), I hope we can all find the inner peace we need to keep doing our important work. We are also approaching the Jewish New Year and High Holidays, a time for reflection, introspection, and soul searching. May we all find a way to be the best version of ourselves in the upcoming year!

Dafna

June 2023

The sky is falling! …but not all the way.” I appreciate this phrase because it acknowledges the troubles we are facing yet allows for a dose of optimism and hope for the future. I am wrapping up my first year as the Chapter’s president, unfortunately, my statement in my very first newsletter, that we are living in unprecedented times is just as true now as it was then.

We are witnessing the unthinkable unfolding right before our eyes. Our democracy is falling apart, and our gains since the civil rights movement are so easily knocked down. Abortion bans, LGBTQ bans, book bans, we’ve seen it before. The parallels and similarities with Germany of the 1930s are too stark to ignore. As a Jewish person, I have always asked myself how it was possible for a country with such rich culture and enlightened intelligentsia to descend to the darkest version of humanity. Never in my wildest imagination did I believe that I would understand exactly how it happens, because I am witnessing it in my lifetime.

I want to suggest that we consider the State of Florida as a preview of a very realistic future for the rest of us. Parents who attend to LGBTQ children’s healthcare needs, often lifesaving, risk having those children taken into State custody. The State can press charges against people accessing lifesaving medical procedures in another state. History books that suggest our history is less than rosy are banned. The teachings and discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion are prohibited in public universities. It has become impossible to practice and teach social work in the State. Travel advisories have been issued for Florida: unless you are white, heterosexual, and conservative, you are not safe. Florida is turning into a fascist regime, and the governor could very well end up being our president.

To top this off, we are dealing with a looming climate crisis and Artificial Intelligence that cannot be trusted to make ethical decisions. So, how do we sustain a hopeful outlook in this doom-and-gloom scenario? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? The Dutch philosopher and historian Rutger Bregman believes so. In his book “Humankind – a Hopeful History,” he argues that humans are in fact good and caring by nature. He argues that leaders in Western civilizations have falsely perpetuated the notion that people are motivated by self-interests over the millennia. He refers to the Nocebo Effect (opposite of placebo), in which expecting the worst of each other leads to self-fulfilling prophecies. He revisits critical historical events and narratives from a challenging point of view and dispels myths about how our evil inclinations drive us.

So what is the solution? What can we do in our everyday life? The answer may seem counterintuitive, but I believe it is love. Yes, unconditional love for all G-d’s creatures. In Judaism, our oral traditions teach us that the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed some 2,000 years ago because of “sinaat chinam” – senseless hatred. We also learn that all suffering in the world will end when we have “ahavat chinam” – unconditional love for one another. It is very easy to love people who are like us in terms of beliefs and ideas. It is very difficult to love someone whose beliefs and ideas go against everything we stand for. Yet, this is precisely what we need to do. By being generous with our love, kindness, and compassion (without a reason, just because), we can overcome the senseless hatred brewing in our midst. Many faiths and spiritual practices share this concept. Spiritual practice is an essential component of self-care. How do we embody the change we want to see? In Hebrew, we greet each other with “shalom aleychem” – peace be onto you (“Salaam alaykum” in Arabic). The word for peace (shalom) is of the same root as the word for wholeness (shalem). Let’s remember that we, whether we like it or not, are all connected and greater than the sum of our parts.

“The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it,
if only we’re brave enough to be it.”

(Amanda Gorman – most recent scholar to be banned in Florida)

Peace,

Dafna

March 2023

Happy Social Work Month!

We’ve come a long way since Social Work instruction began 125 years ago. I am so proud of us! We are a unique bunch of go-getters and fierce advocates. We roll up our sleeves and get things done. This year, our theme is ‘Social Work Breaks Barriers.’ There is a long list of barriers we have broken over the history of our profession, of which we should be very proud. One aspect that I believe could use some improvement is learning to take credit for our accomplishments, collectively and individually. More than any other profession, we tend to experience discomfort around self-promotion. Sometimes we even have a hard time explaining what we do. That is, I believe because our impact is so much more than the sum of our activities. We are agents of change.

That being said, we mustn’t rest on our laurels. I believe our profession has arrived at a maturity level where we are ready to take a hard look at ourselves and consider ways we sometimes are part of the problem. To echo our President, Dr. Joyner, and her message at our annual conference – is social work ready for the world? What barriers do we need to overcome in the 21st Century? I would argue that at this point in our journey, our barriers within are what we need to examine.

Paradoxically, at a time when the need for social workers is most dire, we are the ones putting up barriers that are preventing people from entering the profession. The corporate world understands that diversity of cultural backgrounds, viewpoints, and perspectives is good for innovation and novel solutions. We could use some disruption and radical changes to how we conceptualize and approach societal problems. Our profession misses out on talent and transformation when we exclude BIPOC, neurodivergent, and older-wiser individuals. Our Western/Euro-centric perspectives have taken us as far as they could, and we must be able to think out of the box. Why, then, are we insisting that in order to enter the profession, one has to think like a middle-class white person? What is the benefit of that?

I believe we have an ethical obligation to work towards the decolonization of our profession and incorporate abolitionist practices. I also think it is time to reevaluate our problematic relationships with law enforcement, criminal justice, and child welfare (family policing). These systems are direct offshoots of slavery, Jim Crow, and white supremacy. They continuously cause more harm than good, and we remain unsuccessful in changing them from within. Being associated with them causes distrust from clients and increases practitioners’ vulnerability to moral injuries.

In the conversation around the ASWB exam pass rate disparities, there are voices concerned that our profession’s esteem is tied to having licensing exams. We have worked hard over the years to establish ourselves as equals among other professions and academic disciplines, and we have successfully leveraged this position to effectively advocate for our clients. That being said, we have an ethical obligation to follow our True North as the only helping profession whose vision and mission are primarily concerned with social justice. Breaking barriers is inherently an uncomfortable endeavor.

As we approach spring, many celebrate Ramadan, Passover, and Easter. Many know Passover to be a story of redemption from slavery for the ancient Hebrews. It is also a story of courage and faith that better is possible when we overcome and transcend our fears. The Hebrew name for Egypt (‘Mitzrayim’) means constraints. Our Sages teach us that we were redeemed from a state of constraints and narrow-mindedness. Our oral traditions also tell us that most Hebrews chose to stay due to fear of the unknown. For those that did leave for the long journey, the Red Sea didn’t actually part until they were neck deep in the water. This story might offer inspiration as we navigate uncertainty in our worlds.

Yours,

Dafna

December 2022

Dear chapter members,

I am writing this column on the Friday following Thanksgiving. The Holiday Season is once again upon us as we transition from a holiday of gratitude to a holiday of giving. There are communities amongst us that don’t share this sentiment and narrative. “Many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the pilgrims and other European settlers. To them, Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”

How do we hold space in our hearts for the pain carried by so many communities? How do we acknowledge that our prosperity has, and continues to, come at the expense of others here and across the globe? I don’t have the answers. However, I believe that the value of these questions is more in them being articulated than in rushing to furnish answers with which we can live comfortably. The abundance that many of us enjoy in western countries is made possible through ongoing traditions of extraction and practices of exploitation. We consume disproportionate amounts of earth’s resources, and the mechanisms by which cheap goods and services are furnished to us are destroying the planet and making us sick in the process.

Those who attended our annual conference will remember that we began with land acknowledgment. We also verbalized intentions to respect the elders, past, present, and future, of the First Nations, whose land we now populate. What does respecting elders look like? Different cultures might have various traditions around that; one thing that comes to my mind is upholding the values and priorities that elders instill in their communities. As we approach the holiday season, I encourage you to identify the traditional inhabitant of the area where you live and acknowledge that as you come together with family and friends.

As a profession, I believe we need to be more vocal and call attention to how climate change and extreme weather disproportionately affect poor and marginalized communities. What is the role of social work in addressing the consequences of exploitation of land, labor, and natural resources? The discourse on environmental justice is already ongoing and leading it is a natural place for our profession to be. Please reach out to me and let me know what New Year resolutions you believe we should make as a profession and as practitioners.

Wishing you a meaningful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Dafna

Mequon, WI – unceded land of the Potawatomi, Myaamia, Kickapoo, and Peoria People

https://blog.nativehope.org/what-does-thanksgiving-mean-to-native-americans

Marya, R., & Patel, R. (2021). Inflamed: deep medicine and the anatomy of injustice. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

https://native-land.ca