NASW National Association of Social Workers Michelle Garcia

NASW National Association of Social Workers Michelle Garcia, Valerie Garcia, Carmina Rendon

Itinerary ● Mission ● Endorsement ● Demographics ● History ● Major Topic Areas ● Explicit v. s. Implicit ● Aspirational v. s. Obligatory ● Unique Aspects ● Comparisons ● Suggested Changes Michelle

Mission Promote, develop, and protect the practice of social work and social workers Seek to enhance the effective functioning and well-being of of individuals, families and communities through its work and through its advocacy. Michelle

Endorsement ● NASW Delegate Assembly ● The Delegate Assembly is the representative, decision-making body-comprised of 277 elected delegates-through which NASW members set broad organizational policy, establish program priorities, and develop a collective stance on public and professional issues. ● PACE: Political Action for Candidate Election is a political action arm of the NASW. PACE endorses and financially contributes to candidates from any party who support NASW’s policy agenda. Valerie

Demographics ● Valerie The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 132, 000 members.

History NASW was established in 1955 through the consolidation of seven organizations: ● American Association of Social Workers (AASW) ● American Association of Psychiatric Social Workers (AAPSW) ● American Association of Group Workers (AAGW) ● Association for the Study of Community Organization (ASCO) ● American Association of Medical Social Workers (AAMSW) ● National Association of School Social Workers (NASSW) ● Social Work Research Group (SWRG) The NASW Delegate Assembly adopts the first NASW Code of Ethics on October 13, 1960. Valerie

Revision History ● 1967 - Principle added to address non-discrimination ● 1979 - Revision added 6 sections of standards, consisting of 82 principles and a preamble. Introduced the enforcement of ethical practices among social workers using the Code as a basis and standard for everyday conduct of social workers. ● 1990 - Modified following an inquiry by the U. S. Federal Trade Commission. Focused on principles related to solicitation of clients, fee setting and acceptance compensation for referrals. ● 1993, 1996, 1999 ● 2008 - Revision incorporated sexual orientation, gender identity and immigration status into the existing non-discrimination standards. Valerie

Major Topic Areas ● Preamble ● Purpose ● Ethical Principles & Values (6) ● Ethical Standards (6 Sections consisting of 51 standards) Michelle

Preamble “The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs to all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. ” Michelle

Purpose ● NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies. ● The NASW Code of Ethics is intended to serve as a guide to everyday professional conduct of social workers. Carmina

Ethical Principles & Values Service Social Justice Dignity and Worth of the Person Importance of Human Relationships Integrity Competence Carmina

Ethical Standards ● Section 1: Responsibilities to Clients (16) ● Section 2: Responsibilities to Colleagues (11) ● Section 3: Responsibilities in Practical Settings (10) ● Section 4: Responsibilities as Professionals (8) ● Section 5: Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession (2) ● Section 6: Responsibilities to the Broader Society (4) Valerie

Explicit v. s. Implicit Section 1: Responsibilities to Clients (16) Section 2: Responsibilities to Colleagues (11) Explicit Value: Informed Consent (Section 1. 03) Explicit Value: Referral for Services (Section 2. 06) Implicit Value: Cultural Competence and Social Diversity (Section 1. 05) Implicit Value: Respect (Section 2. 01) Valerie

Explicit v. s. Implicit Section 3: Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities in Practice Settings (10) Section 4: Social Workers’ Ethical Responsibilities as Professional (8) Explicit Value: Billing (3. 05) Explicit Value: Competence (4. 01) Implicit Value: Supervision and Consultation (3. 01) Implicit Value: Discrimination (4. 02) Michelle

Aspirational or Obligatory ● Some of the standards set by this code are enforceable “obligatory” guidelines for professional conduct, and some are aspirational. ● This code of ethics sets forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals aspire and by which their actions can be judged. ● The extent to which each standard is enforceable is a matter of professional judgement to be exercised by those responsible for reviewing alleged violations of ethical standards. Valerie

Unique Aspects ● March is National Social Work Month ● 2015 marks the NASW’s 60 th Anniversary ● NASW Code of Ethics became available in Spanish in 2008 ● Key Terms: enhance, help, empowerment, respect, engage. Carmina

Comparisons Similar Principles Specific to Marriage & Family Therapy Carmina Mission Statements Obligatory

Suggested Changes ● Alternate word choices. ● Stressing the importance of some issues more clearly. Michelle

Tha nk Y ou!!

References American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2015). Code of Ethics of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Retrieved from https: //www. aamft. org/i. MIS 15/AAMFT/Content/Legal_Ethics/code_of_ethics. aspx American Counseling Association. (2014). Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association. Retrieved from http: //www. counseling. org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics. pdf National Association of Social Workers. (2014). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from http: //www. naswdc. org/pubs/code. asp National Association of Social Workers. (2007). On Any Given Day Social Workers Help. Video retrieved from https: //youtu. be/LGGIKZE 0 de. U