News

In fulfilling its charge to develop proposals for additions or changes to the Model Social Work Practice Act, RAS Committee members will be considering how social work regulation is affected by emergencies such as the current pandemic. Although this public health emergency is unprecedented, regulators need to consider how emergency provisions affect public protection in […]

ASWB’s signature program, the development and maintenance of the social work licensing examinations, remains strong in the face of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most significant of the challenges has been Pearson VUE’s suspension of testing at its test centers in the United States and Canada beginning on March 17. Cancellation of the March […]

The pandemic interrupted all the warm goodbyes and fond farewells. And that is regrettable. It’s regrettable that we will not be able to do an in-person send-off at this time. Plans are being made to make sure everyone can offer her a resounding farewell once we are no longer social distancing. One of the biggest […]

Dwight and I had been having regular transition meetings as outlined in ASWB’s Policy 7.4, CEO Succession Plan, so that we could execute a smooth, seamless, and coordinated transfer of power and responsibilities of the executive leadership of ASWB. Then, unexpectedly in mid-March, the dang Coronavirus Pandemonium arrived and upended our careful planning. It threw […]

Regulatory challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic The public health emergency has produced many problems that affect the social work regulatory community, including: The increased need to provide continuation of care via electronic means because of social distancing protocols, students leaving universities and their support networks, and clients and practitioners being separated by state lines […]

Association Asides, January/February 2020

The ASWB examination program is such an example. Use of the exams to assess applicants’ entry-level competence increases regulatory boards’ efficiencies and effectiveness. In addition, a defensible examination program promotes uniformity across jurisdictions. Another justification for regulatory board delegation regarding the examination program is the composition of ASWB. Uniquely, ASWB is a not-for-profit membership organization […]

Since that time, ASWB has collected qualitative data and collaborated with stakeholders to help its member boards understand the challenges faced by social workers who are adding a new license. Eventually, a mobility strategy was implemented through amendments to the organization’s Model Social Work Practice Act, a document designed to help regulatory boards harmonize their […]

In presenting the bill to the North Dakota House of Representatives in March, Representative Dick Anderson cited several reasons for voting to pass the bill. They include workforce shortages of licensed social workers and the need to make it easier for social workers to gain licensure in North Dakota to “fill more jobs in rural […]

Dwight Hymans, ASWB chief operating officer, shared Lincoln’s quote during his remarks following ASWB President Harold Dean’s announcement to staff that the Board of Directors had selected Hymans as incoming CEO. Hymans used the opportunity to offer thoughts about leadership and teamwork to the rest of the staff and to the Board. His pledges to […]