Earlier, HB 231 was heard in the House Finance Committee with NASW-NC staff in attendance. With the bill requesting $0 in appropriations, it passed the committee unanimously. The companion bill in the Senate - SB155 - is still waiting to be heard in the Senate Committee on Finance. NASW-NC staff continue to connect multiple times each week with legislators and
legislative staff to aid the progression of the Compact bill.
The North Carolina legislation (SB155 and HB231)
would allow licensed clinical social workers to apply to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created so the public could be kept safe and informed regarding social worker’s current license status
and any adverse actions associated with a licensed clinical social worker.
We need your voice to ensure the success of this compact! Here’s how you can take action:
Email your Senator: Reach out to your Senator and urge them to support SB155.
Explain how this compact will improve the practice of social work in your community and enhance client care. If they are a sponsor be sure to thank them for their support.
Email your House member: Reach out to your Representative and urge them to support HB231.
Explain how this compact will improve the practice of social work in your community and enhance client care. If they are a sponsor be sure to thank them for their support.
Subscribe to NASW-NC Advocacy Alerts: NASW-NC will be working hard to move the legislation through committees and will be letting members know when to
reach out to the appropriate committee members with talking points.
Join NASW! The NASW-NC lobbying team would not exist without the incredible support of the membership. Thank you if you are a member of NASW. We have been
able to do this work because of you!
HB 523 - Restoring Master's Level Pay bill introduced in Health!
School social workers from Charlotte Mecklenburg County came to the North Carolina Legislature on March 26, 2025 to speak with their elected officials about how school social workers are trained and licensed professionals who provide a link between
the home, school and community through support services that positively impact the development of the whole child. School social workers help students deal with a wide range of challenges such as failing grades, bullying, violence, thoughts of suicide and other mental health issues, chronic absenteeism and difficult home situations.
Yesterday, House Bill 523 was introduced to restore School Social Workers Masters degree pay: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H523 This has been a legislative priority for NASW-NC for over 10 years and the NASW-NC lobbying team has worked hard to have this bill introduced again. Please sign up for NASW-NC Action Alerts here: https://votervoice.net/NASWNC/home
Charlotte Mecklenburg School Social Workers Advocacy Day
On Wednesday, March 26th, Charlotte Mecklenburg County School Social Workers made the trip to Raleigh to advocate directly at the NC General Assembly for the Restoration of Master's Level Pay. The group met with Senator Mohammed; Senator Waddell; and
Senator Graig Meyer, who used to be a school social worker before serving in public office. The school social workers also had meetings with Representative Dew and Representative Majeed.
This was an amazing opportunity for the Charlotte Mecklenburg legislators to hear first-hand from the school social workers their stories and lived experiences.
In addition, the Charlotte Mecklenburg County School Social Workers stopped by representative offices if they lived in a nearby county (Union, Cleveland, Cabarrus, etc.) to share the important need for the Restoration of Master's Level Pay and increased
funding in the budget for more school social workers. NASW-NC staff had a wonderful time hosting the group! Many thanks for their advocacy in action during Social Work Month!
NCDHHS to cut 80 jobs, lose $100 million in funds
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is planning to cut 80 jobs and will lose more than $100 million in funding.
The reductions are due to the federal government’s “abrupt and immediate termination of several federal grants,” a department spokesperson said in a statement. The cuts are part of the Trump administration cutting $12 billion in federal grants
to state health services.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday said it would eliminate 10,000 more jobs as it restructures. Overall, the agency, which is responsible
for monitoring infectious diseases, inspecting foods and hospitals and overseeing health insurance programs for nearly half the country, says it will decrease its workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 positions. That includes 10,000 in layoffs as well as
another 10,000 workers who are taking early retirements or buyout offers that were given to nearly all federal employees by the Trump administration.
The $100 million North Carolina is losing in funding directly contributes to the “health, safety and wellbeing of the people we serve,” the NCDHHS spokesperson wrote.
Specifically, the federal grant funding impacts several areas of work, including immunization efforts, funding for the new NC Immunization Registry, infectious disease monitoring and response, behavioral health, substance use disorder services and more.
Some of the impacted funding supports work that is done by local health departments, universities, hospitals and local departments of social services.
The NCDHHS is also putting impacted vendors on notice to pause work supported by the funding.
Social work has always been a profession of compassion + action. Rooted in justice, dignity, and the unwavering belief in human worth, we are called to challenge oppressive systems, dismantle barriers to equity, and advocate for those whose voices have
been silenced. In this moment—one of uncertainty, division, and urgent need—our profession must stand firm in our core values and rise to the work ahead. Social workers are uniquely prepared for this moment in history, as we understand that the systems
and environments surrounding individuals and families are rooted in systemic oppression, disproportionate poverty, and targeted injustices. We know how to navigate unjust policies, combat systemic racism, and provide and lead critical care and healing
interventions. Please find support and guidance in the NASW-NC Social Work Advocacy Guide - Social Work Core Values as a Foundation for Action: Reclaiming Our Power, Advancing Justice.
Moms Demand Action 2025 Advocacy Day
Join Moms and Student Demand action volunteers and other gun safety advocates from across the state to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that keeps our communities safe, and to oppose bills that do not. We'll hear from great speakers, review our priorities,
and meet with lawmakers.
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Time: 9am–3pm Location: Raleigh, NC
NAMI NC Advocacy Day invites legislators and mental health advocates to come together to discuss key mental health legislation and policy priorities for 2025. This event allows mental health advocates to hear from government officials and legislators,
tell their stories about mental illness, and let their voices be heard.
The deadline to register is Monday, March 31!
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Location: Raleigh, NC
SB 155 (HB 231): The Social Work Interstate Licensure Compactworksto
increase access to social workers and this bill would add North Carolina into a compact where social workers from other states who meet requirements within the bill can serve North Carolinians. Click Here for how you can support passage of the Social Work Compact.
HB171: Equality
on State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. This bill will eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and prohibit public funding for DEI initiatives in state and local government.
HB430: Protect Youth From Harms of Vaping & Nicotine. This will raise the legal sales age of tobacco products
to 21.
HB523: School Social Workers/Master's Pay. This bill will restore master's level
pay for school social workers.
HB434: The CARE FIRST Act. This bill will reform the process of patients seeking prior authorization from their
health insurance provider.
SB 50: Freedom to Carry Act. Permits any US citizen at least 18 years old to carry a concealed handgun in North
Carolina.
SB227: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education. This bill will ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) content and
programs in public education.
SB362: Strengthen Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This will appropriate additional funds for the Long-Term
Care Ombudsman Program to support them and the residents they serve throughout North Carolina.
SB516: Women's Safety and Protection Act. “Bathroom bill” - This bill will make it illegal for people to use restrooms
that do not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. It will also take away the ability for people to change their sex on their driver’s license even after sex reassignment surgery has been completed.
NASW-NC will be adding more bills & you will find them at our NASW-NC Bill Tracker HERE.
2025 NASW-NC Clinical Institute
The Clinical Social Work Institute is one of NASW-NC's flagship conferences, offering 1.5-hour workshops for both advanced and beginning
clinical social workers. Past attendees have shared that the workshops offered are an enhancement to their practice and areas of specialization. The conference welcomes Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) from across North Carolina, with others
joining in from other states and a few from other countries.
May 12,-13, 2025 Virtual Up to 31 hours of CE Live and Recorded
Registration Fees: Members $125 Not yet a member? $250
Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker
and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.
Print Page
Email to a Friend
