MASSW

02/01/2026

📢 Public comment is now OPEN until March 2nd!

The Department of Education’s proposal could restrict access to graduate student loans for many mental health and healthcare professions by changing the definition of a “professional degree.”

➡️ Submit a comment: bit.ly/ProfessionalDegreeCOMMENT

01/27/2026

Member benefit: Ethics CEs!

MASSW Region B is hosting a virtual 2 CE Ethics professional development course in March. It Is free for MASSW members!

Non-members are welcome to register as well for a fee. See details below.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5TKgy3NnVqBdzPCU7GbpDplBlMdZaejVLJkQ8yI4NxZ7ntw/viewform

01/21/2026

Have you wanted to engage in advocacy but weren’t sure where to begin? You’re not alone—and MASP is here to help! MASP has invited MASSW members to participate in a few upcoming events:

MASP is offering practical, step-by-step advocacy training to help you engage confidently with policymakers and elevate the voice of school psychology in Michigan.

Advocacy Webinar – January 30
This interactive session will:
• introduce key advocacy strategies
• prepare you to speak with lawmakers
• build confidence in sharing your professional expertise

Virtual Advocacy Day – February 6
Put your skills into action. After a brief preparation session with MASP’s lobbyist, you will have the opportunity to attend one or two 15–30 minute meetings with your state legislator. Meetings will be scheduled by MASP’s lobbying firm, and you may join as your schedule allows—no need to step away for the entire day.

Participation in the January 30 webinar is encouraged but not required to attend Advocacy Day.

** Registration closes January 23.
Learn more and register for one or both events here: https://forms.gle/vCzio272eT1xQny7A

Join us as we strengthen our collective voice and advocate for students, families, and our profession!

This form is to register for the Friday, January 30th, 9-11 AM Advocacy Webinar and the Friday, February 6th, 9 AM-1 PM Virtual Capitol Advocacy Day. The January 30th webinar is intended to prepare participants to speak with Michigan lawmakers for the February 6th advocacy day, just one week after t...

01/12/2026

Please find this reminder and registration link for our next virtual drop in session Tuesday, January 13th from 4:45 - 5:45 pm below. Please share out with your regions as a reminder as well.

Here is the registration link to earn 1.0 CE: https://forms.gle/Z8JX9kbQnKQS695v8
And the zoom link:
MASSW is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting

Topic: Michigan's Guidance For a Comprehensive School Mental Health System of Supports: Scott Hutchens, MDE
Time: Jan 13, 2026 04:45 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87402433101?pwd=fLsTyH3NW8XiNehfSUMpeby5piaOAp.1
Meeting ID: 874 0243 3101
Passcode: 972092

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

01/09/2026

❤️❤️❤️

01/04/2026

12/21/2025

This week, MASSW joined behavioral health and healthcare partners across the state to send a coalition letter to Michigan’s Congressional Delegation opposing a proposed federal definition that would exclude social work from “professional degree” status. Protecting access to social work education means protecting access to care. We’ll continue advocating for policies that strengthen, not weaken, Michigan’s behavioral health workforce.

Don't forget to take action on this directly if you haven't already!

You can still send emails/take action at https://www.votervoice.net/NASWMI/home.

Below is an example you can use to communicat your concerns:
Dear __________________,

On behalf of the Michigan Mental Health and Healthcare Coalition, please find attached a joint letter from behavioral health organizations across Michigan regarding the Department of Education’s proposed definition of “professional degree” under the RISE rulemaking process.

Given the significant workforce implications for Michigan, we respectfully ask for your review and consideration.

Thank you for your time.
Best regards,

12/11/2025

What’s on your SSW gratitude list?

12/01/2025

‼️Opportunity: Schools are able to apply for this funding in partnership with local community violence intervention organizations.

$10 Million for Schools to Prevent Gun Violence

Learn about Michigan's new school-based community violence intervention granting program.

Dec. 2nd, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM via Zoom. RSVP to be sent a link.

Community organizations won a major victory in the last Michigan state budget:
$10 million for community violence intervention programs in schools. This is a tremendous opportunity to invest in our youth and prevent cycles of violence before they even start. Guns are the #1 cause of death for children and our schools must be part of a holistic solution to this crisis

Please join us for an online information session to discuss:
-What is community violence intervention?
-Who is eligible to apply for this funding?
-How is the funding structured?
-Partnerships between schools and community violence intervention organizations.
-Evidence-based school programs to reduce violence.

Who should attend this info session?
-School leaders who want to learn more about the funding opportunity.
-CVI leaders who may wish to partner with their local schools on the grant.
-Education and gun violence prevention advocates who want to learn more and encourage their schools to take action.
-Parents, students & community members who want to get involved.

RSVP HERE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGPf3XtrLbmamfClBKcDiIgxESUrPppKMFUv9zyUYV48woNA/viewform?emci=bddc1f57-2ac6-f011-8196-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=30a92654-2ec6-f011-8196-6045bdfe8e9c&ceid=343581

Speakers include:
-Zoe Kennedy, FORCE Detroit
-Prof. Chris Melde, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University
-Dr. Kenlana Ferguson, Michigan Transformation Collective
-and more!

Co-Sponsored by: FORCE Detroit, End Gun Violence Michigan & the Michigan Transformation Collective

Dec. 2nd, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM via Zoom. RSVP to be sent a link. Community organizations won a major victory in the last Michigan state budget: $10 million for community violence intervention programs in schools. This is a tremendous opportunity to invest in our youth and prevent cycles of violence b...

11/30/2025

CLARIFICATION ON INTERNS PROVIDING IEP SERVICES: Under Michigan law, the supervision and allowable practice of Social Work interns are governed by the Michigan Public Health Code and regulated by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Because interns function under a limited or training status, they may not independently provide clinical or IEP-related services without oversight from a fully licensed School Social Worker.

Key points:

School Social Work interns cannot independently carry an IEP caseload or serve as the provider of record.

Interns may participate in the delivery of IEP services, but only under the direction and supervision of a fully licensed LMSW who also holds School Social Worker certificate.

For services to count as IEP services, the approved School Social Worker must maintain responsibility, oversight, and ensure that documentation meets both educational and licensure requirements.

These supervision expectations come from the Public Health Code and LARA’s licensing requirements, not MARSE. MARSE does not permit interns to function as independent IEP service providers.

Districts with questions about allowable supervision structures should consult LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing, which oversees social work licensure and supervision.

Send a message to learn more

11/26/2025

11/21/2025

Social work is professional work- and we need the Department of Education to treat it that way. Recent federal changes to loan limits for professional and graduate programs leave social work out, despite the fact that MSW and DSW programs meet rigorous professional standards and prepare practitioners for licensed, regulated, life-impacting work. This exclusion harms social workers and threatens access to our profession. NASW is working with CSWE and coalition partners to push the DOE to recognize social work as a professional degree. We’ve updated our student loan relief resources with the latest information and will be issuing an action alert as soon as the public comment period opens. When that happens, we will need social workers, students, educators, and allies everywhere to submit comments. Your voice will matter, your expertise will matter, your solidarity will matter.

Learn more:
socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Policy-Issues/Student-Loan-Debt-Relief-for-Social-Workers