Nov 01, 2024
Land Acknowledgement:
“We acknowledge that the NASW Iowa Chapter is located on the ancestral land of the Ioway and Meskwaki Nations. We recognize these Indigenous peoples long-standing presence and ongoing contributions to our community. As an institution, we are committed to decolonization and supporting Indigenous rights in our education programs and community partnerships.”
NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hi everyone,
I hope you found the October newsletter informative. In this newsletter we hope to highlight land acknowledgement, spread awareness to Native American Heritage Month as well as Alzheimer’s month, highlight our upcoming events, provide an update on our new NASW-IA Mentorship Program, invite you all to run for the NASW-IA board, and we’re excited to start sharing the Member Spotlight!
I would also like to make a quick note regarding some of the concerns noted about the Preferra lawsuit as well as allegations of unethical conduct at the national level. The Iowa Chapter Board is following up on [Image: Abe Goetz] this and calling for more transparency and unbiased investigation into these matters.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions: abevysocky@gmail.com. NASW-IA staff and volunteers remain committed in continuing to serve the needs of our members.
LOCAL EVENTS AROUND THE STATE:
- Central Branch Roundtable Discussion - 11/6/2024 5:30p
- NW Branch Roundtable Discussion - 11/7/2024 Noon - 1p
- Navigating Abuse with Survivors - 11/13/2024 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Quad Cities Social Event 11/14/24 - 5:30-7:30pm - more info to come (in person)
- SW branch event: Holiday Grief and Roundtable 11/14/24 - Noon to 1p (via zoom)
- Clinical Supervision for Social Work: Monitoring and Mentoring Mental Health Professionals - Initial 6.0 Supervision - 11/15/2024 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Iowa City Social Event - 11/18/2024 - 5:30-7:30 - In person & more to come!
- Traditional Chinese medicine: traditional medicine in the modern world - 11/20/2024 5-7pm (via zoom)
- What's Always Been at Stake: Examining the Impact of the Socio-Political Climate on the Social Work Practice - 12/2/2024 5:30 PM - 8:45 PM
- Three Secrets to Successful Supervision - 3.0 Supervision - 12/6/2024 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM
- Addressing Implicit Bias: The Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities - 12/10/2024 - 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM
To register and find more events visit: https://naswia.socialworkers.org/Events/Events-List-View
• Email: sbredice@nbcsiowa.com
• Phone: 515-450-8908
• Website: nbcsiowa.com
CELEBRATING
Honoring Native American Heritage Month: A Call to Action for Iowa Social Workers
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American communities across the United States. November also serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of Indigenous Peoples and the challenges they continue to face. As social workers in Iowa, we have a unique opportunity to engage with these communities, deepen our understanding, and advocate for their rights and needs.
Learn and Educate: Take time to learn about the history and culture of Native American tribes in Iowa, such as the Meskwaki and Sioux. The Smithsonian has several online exhibits to explore - https://www.si.edu/events/native-american-heritage-month
Attend Events: Participate in local events, workshops, and lectures that celebrate Native American heritage. Several Iowa colleges and universities are hosting events around the state. Check out your local school for what’s going on near you.
Support Indigenous Organizations: Volunteer with or donate to organizations that support Native American communities.
Reflect on Your Practice: Consider how you can incorporate culturally competent practices into your work.
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, let’s commit to honoring the rich traditions and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Together, we can promote justice, equity, and respect in our communities.
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a crucial time to educate ourselves about Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on millions of individuals and families. Understanding this condition is essential for fostering compassion and support within our communities.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
What is a Land Acknowledgment?
A land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes the Indigenous peoples who have historically and currently lived on the land where an event or activity takes place. It serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring presence of Native communities and the colonial history that displaced them. Land acknowledgments are becoming more common in institutions, educational settings, and public events as part of efforts toward reconciliation and decolonization.
For a comprehensive understanding of land acknowledgments, refer to the article - Beyond Tokenism: The Importance of Proper Land Acknowledgement by Sharaine Webster, LISW, IADC. This article explores the origins and purpose of land acknowledgments, outlines respectful approaches to crafting them, and discusses both the benefits and potential pitfalls of such statements. Local resources are also provided to support meaningful engagement and foster genuine connections with Indigenous communities.
(link)
IOWA NASW NEWS -
In October, the NASW Iowa Student Committee successfully launched a pilot project for their Mentorship Program. This initiative pairs current or recent MSW/DSW graduates with experienced social workers who have at least two years of professional practice, facilitating a structured mentoring experience.
This program is the culmination of several years of dedicated effort from committee members and students, whose commitment has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. The committee will evaluate the pilot’s outcomes with the aim of expanding the program statewide in the future.
MEMBER BENEFIT -
Did you know that…
NASW members have access to Social Work, the premiere scholarly journal of the social work profession and the official journal of NASW. Keep up on your professional knowledge by accessing the up-to-date research on a variety of topics as well as all the archived articles https://academic.oup.com/sw
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –
Member Spotlight: 
Susin Bredice, LISW, RPT-S
Role and Practice
Susin Bredice is the Co-owner and Outpatient Therapist at New Beginnings Counseling Service in Urbandale, Iowa. With 24 years of experience, she brings dedication and a wealth of knowledge to her work with children, adolescents, adults, and families across various settings, including residential, home & community-based, and outpatient clinical mental health.
[Image: Susin Bredice]
Professional Involvement
Susin is also an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa, teaching advanced clinical practice courses in the MSW program for the past five years. She’s a former NASW-IA Executive Board member, having served as VP for Education and Training, and provides national training on topics such as Attachment and Play Therapy.
Community Impact
Susin’s passion lies in supporting children and families, especially those who are often overlooked by society. She actively participates in the social work community by training interns, offering training for various organizations, advocating for policies, and engaging in committee work.
Personal Insight
“For me, this work is about creating a better future—for clients, the community, and our profession. I love learning and growing and am grateful for the lessons my clients and colleagues continue to teach me.”
About New Beginnings Counseling Service
Founded in 2007, New Beginnings Counseling Service has served the Urbandale community by providing outpatient therapy, behavioral health intervention services in clients’ homes, and habilitation services. They are committed to accessibility and do not turn clients away based on socioeconomic status.
Contact Information
• Email: sbredice@nbcsiowa.com
• Phone: 515-450-8908
• Website: nbcsiowa.com
CELEBRATING
Honoring Native American Heritage Month: A Call to Action for Iowa Social Workers![[image: Native American Heritage Month]](file:///C:/Users/NASWIA/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.jpg)
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American communities across the United States. November also serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of Indigenous Peoples and the challenges they continue to face. As social workers in Iowa, we have a unique opportunity to engage with these communities, deepen our understanding, and advocate for their rights and needs.
Learn and Educate: Take time to learn about the history and culture of Native American tribes in Iowa, such as the Meskwaki and Sioux. The Smithsonian has several online exhibits to explore - https://www.si.edu/events/native-american-heritage-month
Attend Events: Participate in local events, workshops, and lectures that celebrate Native American heritage. Several Iowa colleges and universities are hosting events around the state. Check out your local school for what’s going on near you.
Support Indigenous Organizations: Volunteer with or donate to organizations that support Native American communities.
Reflect on Your Practice: Consider how you can incorporate culturally competent practices into your work.
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, let’s commit to honoring the rich traditions and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Together, we can promote justice, equity, and respect in our communities.
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a crucial time to educate ourselves about Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on millions of individuals and families. Understanding this condition is essential for fostering compassion and support within our communities.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting memory, thinking, behavior and daily living activities. Visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website for more information on risk factors, early diagnosis and supporting those affected including families and loved ones visit https://alzfdn.org/
SEEKING LEADERSHIP -
Serve your professional organization! We are currently accepting applications for multiple board positions for the FY 2025-2026. The following board positions will be open:
- President-Elect - three-year term: 1 year as president Elect (7/1/25 - 6/30/26) and 2 years as president (7/1/2026-6/30/2028).
- First Vice President for Education & Training - Two year term 7/1/25-6/30/27
- Central Branch Chair - Two year term 7/1/25-6/30/27
- Southwest Branch Chair - Two year term 7/1/25-6/30/27
- Southeast Branch Chair - Two year term 7/1/25-6/30/27
- BSW Student Rep. - One year term - 7/1/25 - 6/30/26
- MSW Student Rep. - One year term - 7/1/25 - 6/30/26
One Non-board position is open:
- Committee Chair Leadership Identification and Nominations (LINC)- Two year term 7/1/25-6/30/27
For more information contact Myke Selha, LINC chair at LINC.Naswia@socialworkers.org
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