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NASW – Iowa Chapter

Newsletter

June 2025 EDITION

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 NASW IA CHAPTER

Dear NASW-IA members,

I want to start by first congratulating those who have or are graduating this spring!  I hope all the best for the next steps in your journey.

The NASW-IA Chapter Board elections closed at the end of May.  I would like to congratulate the following individuals for being elected to the chapter board:

• Nolan Vitzthum - President Elect
• Susin Bredice - 1st Vice President
• Jamie Nagel - Central Branch Chair
• Darique Rodriquez- MSW Representative
• Mary Ellen Stocks - BSW Representative
• Although not a chapter board position, Judy Nemmers was elected Nominations and Leadership Identification Chair

Please note, the SW Branch Chair and the SE Chair positions are vacant.  If you are interested in be appointed to one of the positions, please reach out to me at abevysocky@gmail.com or fill out a nominations form at this link to be considered. 

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the outgoing board members for their service on the chapter board.  These individuals stepped up to volunteer their time to serve members of the NASW-IA chapter and advance the social work profession in a variety of manners including planning and hosting events, offering their expertise in trainings, attending bimonthly and/or monthly meetings, advocating and lobbying for policy change, and much, much more.  Thank you.

• Willa Casstevens - 1st Vice President
• Sarah High - Central Branch Chair
• Lynnea Andersen - SW Branch Chair
• Lauren Gil Hayes - SE Branch Chair
• Myke Sehla - Nominations and Leadership Identification Chair
• Ashley Harvey - MSW Representative
• Elise Morrow - BSW Representative

Abe Goetz, LISW, CADC

NASW-IA Chapter President

IN OUR COMMUNITY

Juneteenth in Iowa

This year, the Iowa Juneteenth Observance proudly celebrates an extraordinary milestone — 35 years of honoring history, heritage, and hope.

The Iowa Juneteenth Observance was founded in 1990 under the visionary leadership of Gary Lawson, who sought to ensure that the stories of freedom, resilience, and African American achievement were recognized and celebrated across the state. For more than two decades, Gary faithfully nurtured the observance, building it into a vibrant, educational, and cultural tradition for all Iowans. In 2015, Gary entrusted the custodianship of Iowa Juneteenth to Dwana Bradley, appointing her as the new General Chairperson in October 2015.

Under Dwana’s leadership, Iowa Juneteenth has entered a new era of growth, inclusion, and purpose. She has emphasized that Juneteenth is American History — a vital story that belongs to all people. This commitment has broadened the reach and impact of Iowa Juneteenth, with events welcoming everyone, regardless of background, to join in remembrance, celebration, and progress.

Throughout the month of June, Iowa Juneteenth hosts a series of signature events, including Neighbors Day, the Juneteenth Jubilee, educational programming, storytelling, youth initiatives, and faith-based activities. Each event is designed to reflect on the journey from enslavement to freedom while also inspiring hope and unity for the future.

This year’s theme, “Remember Our History, Release the Past, and Reshape Our Future,”invites all to honor the significance of the past while working together to build a better tomorrow.

As Iowa Juneteenth commemorates 35 years, it remains deeply rooted to celebrate freedom, uplift community voices, and promote understanding across generations.

Everyone is welcome — and encouraged — to take part in the month-long celebration. Learn more about our history, upcoming events, and how to get involved at www.iowajuneteenth.org

-by Dwana Bradley

Find more information regarding Juneteenth on the Iowa Juneteenth website - www.Iowajuneteenth.org. You can also read more in the Juneteenth magazine. 

IOWA NASW NEWS

Have something you would like to share?

On behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter, we are pleased to announce a Call for Proposals for our upcoming symposium, titled Hope, Healing, and Advocacy: Managing the Personal and the Professional. We invite scholars, researchers, practitioners and professionals to submit abstracts for consideration.

Event Details:

• Date: September 18 and 19, 2025

• Location: DMACC FFA Building 1055 SW Prairie Trail PKWY Ankeny, IA 50023

The symposium aims to foster compassion, embrace diversity, and advance ethical standards, innovation and advocacy within the field of social work.

We encourage submissions across the spectrum of topics that relate to social work practice, social work-related research, practitioner skill development, and self-care!  Note that submission does not guarantee acceptance of a proposal.

​

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstracts are due June 30, 2025

• Abstracts can be submitted by clicking this link

Accepted symposium presenters will present at the Symposium, and receive free registration and CEUs for Friday September 19, 2025 ONLY. Lunch is not included with the free presenter-registration; However, you can purchase lunch only for that day.

Questions can be directed to Denise Rathman at exec.naswia@socialworkers.org

Looking to give back or know someone who is?

Voting for the next board ended on May 23 but we still need nominations for the SE and SW Branch Chairs. Please consider volunteering if you live or work in these areas and have a passion for supporting your fellow social workers. It’s important that our board have representatives from all areas of our state. This is an opportunity to make a difference for social workers across Iowa.

If you are interested in be appointed to one of the positions, please reach out to Chapter president Abe Vysocky at abevysocky@gmail.com or fill out a nominations form at this link to be considered. 

Chapter office hours

Our executive director, Denise Rathman, is the Chapter’s only full-time employee, which means our staffed office hours are somewhat irregular.  The best way to reach her is to send an email and let her know the best times to call you.

Exec.naswia@socialworkers.org

Now that the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session has adjourned, she is in the office more often, and more available to answer the phone. If you get voicemail, please be sure to leave a message , so she knows how she can be of assistance. 

MEMBER BENEFIT

Did you know that… NASW members are eligible for discounts on travel including airfare, hotels and car rentals? Don’t forget about this benefit as you plan summer travel! Check out NASW Membership benefits for more information.

IOWA EVENTS AROUND THE STATE

Iowa Social Work CEU Events

6/10/25  - 12:00 - 1:00p - What is A-NOD?- zoom

Presenter:  Diane Thacker

6/13/25 - 8:30a - 4:30p - Clinical Supervision in Social Work: Monitoring and Mentoring Social Work Practitioners - Virtual

 **This course has been designed to meet the 6 hour requirements of the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals for LISWs, LMHCs and LMFTS who are providing clinical supervision to LMSWs, t-LMHCs and t-LMFTS working towards their clinical licensure. **

7/23/25 - 12:00 - 1:30p - Loneliness Epidemic: A Social Work Call to Connection. Facilitator: Lauren Gil Hayes - Zoom

8/5/25 - 5:00p - 845p CT - Honoring Invisible Messengers: The case for integrating Pain management into practice; Facilitator: Lee Westgate, MSW, MBA, LCSW-C, LCSW, via Zoom

8/15/25 - 1:00 pm – 4:15 pm - The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders - with Greg Nooney, MSW. ACSW, LISW - Zoom

To register and find more events visit: https://naswia.socialworkers.org/Events/Events-List-View

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Myke Selha, LISW, MSW is the BSW Program Director and Associate Professor at Grand View University. They are the outgoing chair for the Iowa Chapter’s Leadership Identification and Nominations Committee (LINC). Myke is also a frequent presenter for NASW on topics such as clinical supervision, ethics, and LGBT+ cultural competency.

Since earning their MSW at the University of Iowa, Myke has worked as a clinical social worker at a couple of rural community mental health centers and their own private practice. They have been the executive director of the LGBT Community Center of Central Iowa and Poweshiek County Mental Health Center. Currently Myke is the Vice President for the board of Iowa ACES 360.

Myke has served on several NASW committees. Myke was Chapter President 2010-2012. They have been on the Chapter Ethics Committee for the last 12 years.

Myke was one of the first therapists in Iowa to accept Bitcoins as payment. Nobody ever paid in Bitcoins. If they had, Myke might be one of those rare “retired” social workers today.

HONOR YOUR FELLOW SOCIAL WORKERS

We are currently accepting nominations for:

• Emerging Social Worker - an individual who has been a social worker for 5 years or less.
• Catherine G Williams Diversity Award -an individual social worker who has demonstrated and made a commitment to the advancement of diversity in the social work profession.
• Social Worker of Excellence Award - an individual who demonstrates exceptional professional qualities, which make them stand out beyond the expectations of their job.
• Public Citizen of Excellence Award - someone who, though not a social worker, has an understanding of social work and a personal commitment to support social work goals and ideals.

More information on who may qualify and how to make a nomination can be found at: NASW Award Nominations. Or contact Myke Selha, LINC chair at LINC.Naswia@socialworkers.org.

2024 NASW Iowa Chapter Awardees

CONTACT US         

515-277-1117

Nasw.naswia@socialworkers.org

Naswia.socialworkers.org

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