NASW Ohio Chapter

If your organization is looking to connect with social workers for the purpose of recruiting, increasing referrals, building partnerships, or promoting your organization's mission, the NASW Ohio 2026 Annual Conference is the place to be! Check out the exhibit and sponsorship opportunities for November 12th & 13th in Columbus at https://www.naswoh.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2062964&group=

Connect with fellow social workers at these upcoming NASW Ohio events:

Monday, August 31: Grief and Collective Care Group, noon–1 p.m., virtual.

Tuesday, September 1: Social Work Environmental Action Team meeting, 6–7 p.m., virtual.

Friday, September 4: Boundaries & Birdies with Region 4, 6 p.m., Oasis Indoor Golf in Salem.

Find details and register at naswoh.org/calendar.

Welcome our 2026–2027 NASW Ohio student interns!

We’re excited to kick off a new academic year with four new social work students joining the NASW Ohio team:

Jonathan Merriman Velez, BSSW student at The Ohio State University, with interests in macro social work, child welfare, health and human services, and community development.

Kristyna Clark, BSW student at Capital University, with a passion for social policy, advocacy, and creating change through macro social work.

Gadge Redman, BSSW student at The Ohio State University, with interests in community program development, policy, environmental social work, food insecurity, and organizational leadership.

Cyrus Horsley, BSW and psychology student at Ohio University Chillicothe, with interests in macro social work, political advocacy, public policy, and community change.

They join our continuing interns, Aaron Thomas, an MSW student at The Ohio State University, and Bo Demming, a BSW student at Cleveland State University.

We love having social work students as part of NASW Ohio and giving future social workers the opportunity to experience advocacy, policy, association leadership, and macro social work firsthand. We’re looking forward to everything this group will contribute and learn during the year ahead. Please join us in welcoming Jonathan, Kristyna, Gadge, and Cyrus to NASW Ohio!

We joined The Ohio State University during their Welcome Week as part of their social work resource fair. We can come to your campus next! To invite us to an event or request us to speak to your classroom, visit naswoh.org/SpeakerRequest

NASW Ohio Region 2 proudly joined the Akron Pride March last weekend, standing alongside our community in support of LGBTQ+ people and the dignity and worth of every person.

Thank you to everyone who marched with us and everyone along the route who cheered us on. We are grateful to be part of a community that shows up for one another and celebrates the freedom to live authentically.

Thank you, Akron, for an incredible Pride!

Join us for the September Social Workers for Environmental Action Team Meeting
On Tuesday, September 1 we will be meeting virtually for "Environmental Issues in the Political Space" facilitated by NASW Ohio Professional Advocacy Coordinator Matthew Tippit, LSW.

The presentation will give an overview of how to effectively communicate and build relationships with legislators, how to gather and track information about legislation and some of the most recent developments in environmental issues in the political space. This timely discussion will support social workers to feel more confident engaging with community and legislators about issues that intersect both social and environmental justice.

Join us after for a short meeting and learn more about SWEAT, a newly launched space for connection, learning, and action at the intersection of social and environmental justice.

Mark your calendars for the first Tuesday of every month and register for upcoming meetings: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Almzar8_RxCZsS1MIa2JbQ #/registration

Take a break and join NASW Ohio Region 4 for Boundaries & Birdies, an evening of indoor golf, connection, and conversation with fellow social workers. Whether you are an experienced golfer or picking up a club for the first time, everyone is welcome!

Friday, September 4, at 6 p.m.
Oasis Indoor Golf, 2487 E. State St., Salem, Ohio

Register: https://www.naswoh.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2076585

The discounted early bird rate for the NASW Ohio 2026 Social Work Conference is closing soon - make sure to register before September 1st! www.naswoh.org/annualconference

You are invited to join NASW Ohio and MACC-Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence for this FREE CEU workshop, “Beyond Sobriety: Empowering Lives through Trauma-Informed Recovery.” The workshop will be hosted on Wednesday, September 9th from 10am – 12pm at the Haile Community Hub, River Room at 720 E. Pete Rose Way, Suite 120, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Available for Ohio CSWMFTs, Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals, and Ohio Certified Peer Supporters. Register today at https://BeyondSobrietySept2026.eventbrite.com.