Happy Social Work Month!
Dear NASW-AK Members and Colleagues,
As we welcome Social Work Month 2026, I’m honored to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary work that social workers throughout Alaska provide each and every day. This year’s national theme—“Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.”—profoundly reflects the heart of our profession and the impact you make in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across our state and nation.
To uplift means to strengthen and support—helping people build resilience, find their voice, and move toward greater well-being. You do this not only in direct practice, but also by fostering hope in the most challenging circumstances.
To defend means to protect and advocate—standing with vulnerable populations, championing human rights, and working tirelessly for equity and justice for all people, regardless of background or circumstance.
To transform means to create meaningful, lasting change—dismantling barriers that limit opportunity and advancing policies and practices that lead to healthier, more just communities.
In Alaska, social workers are essential catalysts for positive change—in tribal communities, schools, health and behavioral health systems, child welfare, rural outreach and recovery services, senior care, disability supports, public policy, education, and so much more. Your compassion, courage, and commitment uplift individuals’ dignity, defend fundamental human rights, and transform systems so that all Alaskans can thrive.
During Social Work Month and throughout the year, I encourage you to share your stories, celebrate your accomplishments, and continue to build connections with one another. Your work matters—not just to those you serve, but to the strength and well-being of our entire state.
Thank you for all you do to uplift hope, defend justice, and transform lives.
With deep gratitude,
Duane Breijak, LMSW-Macro
Executive Director. NASW- AK | MI | Int
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Uplifting Leadership. NASW-AK Board Spotlights
Jocelyn Leigh Smith, BSW
Interior Region Representative
Jocelyn Leigh Smith serves communities across Interior Alaska through her work with the Tanana Chiefs Conference, where she leads substance use prevention efforts, including Narcan training, wellness initiatives, and behavioral health policy implementation. A dedicated NASW member, she has served as both BSW and MSW Representative and participated in LEAD Day in Juneau, advocating on opioid awareness and mental health. A 2023 NASW Alaska Chapter BSW Student of the Year and scholarship recipient, Leigh is passionate about policy, prevention, and strengthening rural community resources.
MiLee Yu, BSW
BSW Student Representative
MiLee Yu is a full-time MSW student at the University of Alaska Anchorage and an active campus leader. She has served in multiple student leadership roles, including Business Manager for Club Council, Treasurer and President of the Student Social Work Coalition, and Treasurer for the Feminist Intersectional Rights Movement. MiLee is also a member of Delta Alpha Pi and Phi Theta Kappa honor societies and volunteers with Covenant House, demonstrating her strong commitment to advocacy, service, and student leadership.
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March Events
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in Social Work
March 4, 2026 | 8am – 11am AK | Register
Presenter: Frederic G. Reamer, PhD
CE Credits: 3 Ethics Contact Hours
Fee: SPS Members: FREE / Non-SPS NASW Members: $60 / Non-NASW Members: $80
Social workers often face complex ethical challenges involving boundaries and dual relationships, especially in small or rural communities. Challenges can include practitioner self-disclosure; friendships or social contact with current and former clients; gifts, favors, and invitations; hiring former clients; and online interactions. Using case examples, Dr. Frederic Reamer will introduce types of boundary issues and dual relationships, and teach participants how to address them effectively, protect clients, reduce professional malpractice risk, and avoid licensing board complaints. Key topics will include the nature of boundary issues, types of dual relationships, and practical risk-management strategies. Dr. Reamer will review and apply key social work ethics standards, statutes, and regulations.
Social Work: Under Attack and Fighting Back?!
March 4, 2026 | 3-4pm AK
Click here to register
FREE for all (no CEs available)
In honor of Social Work Month, the Social Worker Equity Campaign presents "Social Work: Under Attack and Fighting Back?!" This one-hour, unrecorded discussion features three speakers addressing the socioeconomic and political "attacks" currently facing the social work sector. How do we move from passion to action when pay is low and conditions are oppressive? Join us to explore how social workers and social work students can respond to poor working environments, cultivate collective hope and action, and implement real-world solutions to reclaiming the dignity and respect we deserve.
Ethics Table Talk: Ethical Considerations for the Use of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment
March 13, 2026 | 8am – 10am AK
Click here to register
Credits: 2 NASW Ethics CE credits OR 2 NBCC credit hours (pending NBCC approval)
No CE credits: FREE!
2 CE Credits: NASW member: $35 / Non-NASW member: $45
Join us for an illuminating discussion that examines psychedelics in clinical mental health practice—through the lens of what's ethical, what's legal, what's promising, and what practitioners must consider to uphold ethical and legally informed practices. Our esteemed panel will unpack real-world implications for mental health professionals. Pull up a chair and join this thoughtful dialogue.
Panelists:
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Dr. Jeffrey Zabinski, MD, MSW, Director of Interventional Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and an Associate Program Director in the adult psychiatry residency
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Dr. Allan Barsky, JD, MSW, PhD, Professor with Florida Atlantic University's Sandler School of Social Work
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Dr. Brenden Hargett, PhD, LCMHC, LCAS, NCC, MAC, Vice President of Operations and Director of Ethics, National Board for Certified Counselors
Transforming Communication With Older Adults: A Radically Different Response to Refusal of Care and Other Challenging Reactions
March 17, 2026 | 9am – 10:30am AK |
Click here to register
Presenter: Paige Hector, LMSW
CE Credits: 1.5 Social Work Contact Hours
Fee: SPS Members: FREE / Non-SPS NASW Members: $25 / Non-NASW Members: $40
Sometimes people do or say things that can be difficult for us to understand or tolerate. In health care settings, this may appear as “refusing” care or reactions often labeled as “behaviors.” Even with increased recognition of trauma-informed care, power dynamics within our work environments can make it challenging to respond to clients in ways that do not compromise care. Additionally, well-intentioned approaches may inadvertently perpetuate ageism, which remains prevalent in society and within health care settings.
This session explores Nonviolent Communication (NVC), a communication process designed to radically shift how we think and use language in everyday interactions to enhance relationship quality. Social workers will learn how NVC principles and skills can support a more collaborative approach to care and help create therapeutic health care environments. While this session focuses on older adults, the material applies across age groups and settings and supports social work values of advocacy, individual dignity, and our collective humanity.
Native Americans in Philanthropy Member Education Sessions: Building Power in Rural and Tribal Communities
March 18, 2026 | 9am - 10:30am AK
Click here to register
FREE for all (no CEs available)
How do geography, culture, capacity, and history shape funding realities? Join Native Americans in Philanthropy as we welcome foundation leaders from across Turtle Island to explore these issues and the unique needs of our rural and Tribal communities.
Advancing the Power of the Profession Series
March 30, 2026 | 2pm AK
Click here to register
Do you have questions related to the recent NASW restructuring? Want to know what priorities the organization is working on and how to get involved? NASW invites members to join Advancing the Power of the Profession: Community Conversations, a dynamic national series designed to keep social workers informed, aligned, and mobilized in a rapidly shifting practice and political environment. Hosted by NASW national leaders and staff, these forward-facing conversations will provide timely updates on organizational changes, the evolving political landscape, and the Association’s key program and legislative priorities — including workforce development, mental health access, economic justice, workplace safety, and ethical governance in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.
Each session will also elevate real-time updates from the field, ensuring that national advocacy remains grounded in lived practice realities. Given the anticipated high level of engagement, members are encouraged to submit questions in advance. Sessions will conclude with clear calls to action so participants can meaningfully advance the power of the profession in their communities.