Event date: 10/14/2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

NASWNY Chapter / Monday, September 21, 2026

[The Election Series] Advocacy to Action: Social Workers, Voting & Civic Engagement

Wednesday, October 14 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM ET

C.A.R.E.S.
Election Series
Virtual
Free
No CE

Free and virtual on Zoom. Part two of the Election Series.

Please note: This event is free for everyone. Beginning in November 2026, most C.A.R.E.S. events will be free for NASW-NY members, with a nominal fee for non-members. Read the chapter statement on this change (opens in a new tab).

Cost: Free
Format: Virtual (Zoom)
Speakers: Voting is Social Work and HeadCount
CE credits: Not offered

How can social workers turn advocacy into action and help strengthen civic engagement in their communities?

Join us for the second event of the NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. Election Series, led by the NASW-NY Policy Team. This conversation with leaders from Voting is Social Work and HeadCount will explore the connection between social work, voter engagement, and community mobilization.

Speakers

Shannon R. Lane, LMSW, PhD

Director, Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work (opens in a new tab), University of Connecticut

Shannon will share practical training and resources to help social workers mobilize voters and check their registration status. She'll also highlight ways to get involved with Voting is Social Work, including the Campaign School for Social Workers at UConn and volunteer opportunities.

Tom Bergan

Director of Voter Engagement, HeadCount (opens in a new tab)

Tom will share how HeadCount uses the power of music and live events to engage voters, working with artists and fans at concerts to encourage voter participation. He'll also provide information and resources on current voting issues, including recent redistricting in Southern voting districts, what's on the ballot, and the SAVE Act.

Show your support and solidarity

Attendees will receive a social media toolkit with ready-to-use resources for the Election Series' Chapters Connect: Social Workers for Democracy Day of Action on October 15.

This event does not offer CE credits.

Recording in any form, including AI note-taking apps such as Otter.ai or Zoom AI Companion, is not permitted during NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. events.

Questions or ADA accommodation requests: cares.naswny@socialworkers.org

Frequently asked questions

Is this event free?

Yes. This event is free to attend.

Will C.A.R.E.S. events stay free?

Beginning in November 2026, unless otherwise noted, most NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. community engagement events will transition to a new registration structure: NASW-NY members will attend free of charge, while non-members will pay a nominal registration fee.

This change was previously identified as a potential update in the chapter statement, An Important Update on the NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. Community Engagement Initiative (opens in a new tab).

Who is speaking?

Shannon R. Lane, LMSW, PhD, of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work at UConn, and Tom Bergan of HeadCount.

Does this event offer CE credits?

No. This NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. event does not offer CE credits.

Who can attend?

Social workers, students, and community members interested in voter engagement and civic participation.

1406

Tags: CARES Advocacy Division

Continuing Education & Licensing FAQ

Find answers regarding NYSED accreditation, member benefits, student access, and required contact hours.

How do I register for a CE webinar?

Registering for a NASW-NY continuing education webinar takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps:

Find your course. Browse the CE Schedule above and select the workshop or webinar you want to attend.
Log in or create a free account. Members log in with their NASW-NY credentials; non-members can register for a free account to sign up for open-to-all programs.
Complete registration and payment (if applicable). Member-exclusive and VMHTI programs are free; other programs may carry a registration fee, due at checkout.
Check your email for confirmation. You'll receive a confirmation email with the webinar link and calendar invite.
Attend the live session or access the self-study course. Live webinars count the same as in-person programs under NYSED requirements.
Receive your CE certificate. After attendance and any required evaluation are verified, your certificate will be available to you in InReach.

Watch: How to Register for a CE Webinar → (opens in a new tab)

How do I get my CE certificate for a live webinar?

Certificates for live webinars are issued after your attendance is confirmed. Here is what has to happen:

Attend for the minimum required time. You must be present for the required portion of the session.
Complete the evaluation. Submit the course evaluation after the session.
Attendance is confirmed. NASW-NY verifies your attendance.
Get your certificate. Once confirmed, your certificate will be available to you in InReach.

Self-study courses work differently. Certificates are generated as soon as you finish the course and evaluation.

Is NASW-NY an officially approved provider of CE credits in New York?

Yes. The National Association of Social Workers - New York Chapter (NASW-NY) is recognized by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for LMSWs, LCSWs, LMFTs, LMHCs, and Licensed Psychologists.

What learning formats are available for CE credits?

NASW-NY offers flexible learning formats to fit your schedule:

Live Virtual Webinars: Interactive sessions that count the same as live, in-person training under NYSED requirements. Earn CEs and complete requirements from anywhere.
Self-Study (On-Demand) Courses: Complete state-approved continuing education at your own pace, anytime.

Explore On-Demand Self-Study CE Courses → (opens in a new tab)

What are the NYS continuing education requirements for social work license renewal?

Licensed Social Workers in New York State are required by NYSED to complete 36 hours of continuing education during each 3-year registration triennium. Effective April 2023, at least 3 contact hours must specifically address maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

Which upcoming courses satisfy the NYS Professional Boundaries requirement?

NASW-NY regularly schedules 3-contact-hour boundary workshops led by industry leaders like Dr. Kathryn Krase. Upcoming programs include:

What Happens in Therapy, Stays in Therapy. Unless... Exploring the Ethics of Confidentiality - November 17, 2026 (1:00-4:00 p.m. ET)
The Challenging Ethics of Mental Health Supervision - December 8, 2026 (10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. ET)

Check the CE Schedule above for newly added boundary workshops.

What free CE programs are available to NASW-NY members?

NASW-NY members receive 12 free CEs per year through Member-Exclusive Free CE programs. They run on a rotating schedule tied to awareness observances, such as Social Work Month (March), Autism Awareness Month (April), Pride Month (June), and World Suicide Prevention Day (September). Registration opens approximately two months before each program.

Browse the CE Schedule above for current dates and topics.

Are there free NASW-NY programs for social work students?

Yes. Registration is always free for student members. These programs are for professional development only. They do not carry NYSED continuing education contact hours.

Cost: Free for student members.
Credit: None. Professional development only.
Not a member yet? Join NASW to get access.

Join NASW as a Student Member → (opens in a new tab)

What Veteran Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI) programs are offered in 2026?

The Veteran Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI) offers close to 20 free CEs in 2026, open to both members and non-members.

March: Equine Therapy and Veteran Support (downstate and upstate sessions), live virtual, 2 CEs each
April: NY State Dwyer Coalition's Veteran Suicide Intervention Conference, in person at Fordham University, Lincoln Center, 4 CEs
August: Annual VMHTI Conference, live virtual, up to 10 CEs
Winter: one live virtual session between September and December 2026 (details TBD)

Do I need updated Mandated Reporter Training in New York?

Yes, if you're a mandated reporter in New York State, recent law changes require you to complete updated training, even if you've taken Mandated Reporter Training before.

Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2024 added training on identifying abuse or maltreatment in children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Anyone who completed training between 11/1/2022 and 8/31/2025 must complete the updated curriculum by November 17, 2026. A short 15-minute addendum is available through most approved providers for those who only need to cover this update.
Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2021 added training on implicit bias, adverse childhood experiences, and recognizing signs of abuse in virtual interactions, with a completion deadline of April 1, 2025.

NASW-NY offers self-study options to meet these requirements, open to everyone:

Making the Decision to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment: Updated NYS Mandated Reporter Training (opens in a new tab): full training for those who need the complete course.
Meeting the Updated NYS Mandated Reporter Training Requirement (An Addendum to Previous Training) (opens in a new tab): the short addendum for those who already completed training between 11/1/2022 and 8/31/2025.

New: NASW-NY has also added one live, full 3-hour version on Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET. Previously the full training was available as self-study only. Find it on the CE Schedule above.

How many free CEs do NASW-NY members receive?

NASW-NY members receive up to 12 free CE credits per year (36 total credits across a 3-year renewal cycle). In addition, members gain free or discounted access to specialty initiatives like the Veteran Mental Health Training Initiative (VMHTI), which offers about 20 additional free CE hours annually.

Are these CE credits accepted outside of New York State?

Most state licensing boards recognize NYSED-approved continuing education courses, particularly for ethics and professional boundary requirements. However, practitioners licensed outside NY should verify specific reciprocity guidelines with their local state board.

Who do I contact if I have trouble with InReach or my NASW login?

Contact the team that handles your issue:

Technical Support (InReach): Email Technical Support (opens in a new tab) | (877) 880-1335
NASW Login Support: Email | (800) 742-4089

NYSED-Approved Continuing Education for Social Workers