The National Association of Social Workers – New York Chapter (NASW-NY) created the NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. (Community, Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Support) initiative to provide free, accessible educational programming and resources to social workers across New York State. Our goal has always been to foster learning, connection, and professional growth by making these opportunities available to both members and non-members.
NASW-NY has recently become aware that presentation slides and other materials from NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. programs have been captured and used outside of these events without the knowledge or consent of the Chapter or the presenters. We are continuing to gather information and assess the full scope of these incidents, and we believe it is important to communicate transparently while this review is underway.
Unauthorized recording, reproduction, or distribution of C.A.R.E.S. materials violates both NASW-NY policy and the conditions of participation communicated to attendees, as well as the trust upon which these programs are built. Given that C.A.R.E.S. programming often includes discussions of complex, emerging, and at times sensitive topics affecting the social work profession and the communities served, presenters must be able to rely on those choices being respected. Disregarding those choices has the potential to expose them to professional, personal, or other unintended consequences and may discourage experts from participating in future programming.
These actions are also inconsistent with the professional values that guide the social work community. Integrity, respect, informed consent, and ethical responsibility are foundational to our profession and should extend to how we participate in professional learning environments.
To better protect our presenters and the integrity of the NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. community engagement initiative, NASW-NY will be reviewing and revising how these programs operate. As stated in Chapter policy effective October 2025, AI recording tools, AI note-taking applications, automated transcription software, and other unauthorized recording technologies are not permitted during NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. events. We are also evaluating additional safeguards, which may include enhanced registration requirements, new technological protections, transitioning some or all NASW-NY C.A.R.E.S. programming from a free public resource to a benefit available at no cost exclusively to NASW-NY members, or otherwise restructuring the initiative to better protect presenters and the educational environment.
This is not the outcome we envisioned. C.A.R.E.S. was designed to make high-quality professional education freely accessible to all New York social workers. However, protecting our presenters, respecting intellectual property, and preserving the integrity of the educational experience must remain our priority. Unfortunately, recent events have demonstrated that we may no longer be able to sustain the initiative in its current format.
We appreciate the overwhelming majority of participants who engage in C.A.R.E.S. with professionalism and respect. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we determine the best path forward to ensure these programs remain safe, ethical, and sustainable for everyone involved.
Dr. Shakira Kennedy Executive Director
National Association of Social Workers – New York Chapter