NASW – Iowa Chapter

Newsletter

November 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.”

LETTER FROM NASW IA PRESIDENT- 

Hi everyone,

NASW exists to advance our members' professional development and to promote the social work profession.  As a membership organization, we are stronger together.  The more members we have, the more we are able to advocate for the profession, hire staff, offer free and discounted events, and more.  Thank you for being a member, as you make this mission possible.  I would further ask and encourage you to consider ensuring your membership is set to auto-renewal and recruit your friends and colleagues to join.

The NASW Iowa Chapter has a paid staff consisting of one full time person and two very part-time folks.  Needless to say, in order to accomplish all that we would like, we need to engage our members as volunteers.  If you are interested in developing professional skills, sharing your expertise, networking and growing our profession, we invite you to join in one of our many opportunities to strengthen the social work field.

The survey in the link below is an opportunity to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the Chapter as well as to indicate what activities may be of interest to you. Please complete the survey and one of our Chapter board members or committee chairs will be in touch with you to discuss your interests.

We hope that you will take the time to complete this quick survey for us:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGNKHGX

Thank you for being a member of the NASW Iowa Chapter!

Abe Goetz LISW, CADC

NASW - IA President

IN OUR COMMUNITY 

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in Iowa

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples. Across Iowa, universities and communities are hosting events, workshops, and discussions, including cultural programs at the University of Iowa, Upper Iowa University, and Iowa State University.

Social workers can use this month to learn, reflect, and connect with Indigenous communities, while supporting clients with culturally responsive practices. For ongoing updates and events, check out:

Iowa PBS Resources
Upper Iowa University Resources

Learn more and explore resources: https://www.ncai.org/

IOWA NASW NEWS

Iowa’s New Behavioral Health Service System: What Social Workers Need to Know
 As of July 1, 2025, Iowa launched a major redesign of its behavioral health and disability services to make care more accessible, consistent, and coordinated statewide.

The previous 32 regions have been replaced by seven Behavioral Health Districts, managed by a statewide Administrative Service Organization (ASO). This streamlines administration so providers — including social workers — can focus more on client care.

A key feature is the “no wrong door” approach: whether individuals reach out to a local agency, call a helpline, or connect through their community, they’re guided to the right support. Your Life Iowa (24/7 via phone, text, or chat) connects clients to Behavioral Health System Navigators who help them find mental health, substance use, and disability services.

For social workers, this shift brings both opportunity and responsibility. As clients adjust to the new system, social workers play a crucial role in helping them navigate changes, advocate for their needs, and access coordinated care.

Stay informed:

● Iowa Department of Health & Human Services (HHS): Redesign updates, district maps, and monthly Behavioral Health Town Halls (last Thursdays, 4 p.m. CT).
 

● Your Life Iowa: 24/7 navigation and referral support.
 

● Iowa Primary Care Association (PCA): Maps and resources on the seven new districts.
 

By staying engaged with these resources, social workers can help ensure Iowa’s new behavioral health system meets community needs.

ITS NOT TOO LATE - NASW-IA T-SHIRT

You may have seen it on Social Media or at Symposium - You still have time to get yours! Printed by RAYGUN using union labor, our t-shirt features the slogan “Social Workers: Where Compassion Meets Action.”

Proceeds benefit the NASW-IA’s advocacy and education efforts.

Available in sizes S–4XL, the shirt is $25 and printed on heather burgundy fabric with black ink. This is a limited edition – the last holiday season for this t-shirt!

Order here

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

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…

Members receive exclusive legal and professional support through NASW’s Legal Defense Fund and risk management resources — protecting both your career and your clients. Find more legal resources and access the Legal Defense Fund information here.

IOWA EVENTS AROUND THE STATE

NASW – IA Continuing Education Events

November 24, 2025 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm (1.5 contact hours) - Caring Through the Holidays: Recognizing and Supporting Family Caregivers.  FREE!

December 5, 2025 – 8:30 am to 4 pm (6.0 contact hours) Initial Clinical Supervision of Social Workers, by Zoom

Social Work Social Events

November 10, 2025 - 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM - Southeast Branch Event - Virtual meeting via Zoom
 

November 11, 2025 – 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM - Student Committee Meeting - Virtual meetings via Zoom - Details: Meetings for students to engage with the NASW Iowa Chapter, discuss initiatives, and network with peers.

November 20, 2025 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM  - Student Committee Meeting - Virtual meetings via Zoom - Details: Meetings for students to engage with the NASW Iowa Chapter, discuss initiatives, and network with peers.

December 9, 2025 – 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM - Student Committee Meeting - Virtual meetings via Zoom - Details: Meetings for students to engage with the NASW Iowa Chapter, discuss initiatives, and network with peers.
 

December 11, 2025 – 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Northeast Branch Event - Virtual meeting via Zoom - Details: A session for social workers in the northeastern region to discuss local issues and collaborate on initiatives.
 

**Be on the look out for more social events coming soon in your branch!**

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

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Denise Rathman, LMSW

Denise Rathman, LMSW, has been the executive director of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Iowa Chapter since December 2013.   This position allows her to utilize the variety of skills she has obtained during her career such as workforce development; public policy, including lobbying & government relations; community and political organizing; research and evaluation; and campaign and election compliance. 

Prior to working for NASW Iowa, she facilitated the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Partnership for Central Iowa Works, served as the Executive Director of the Iowa Innovation Gateway and was the project manager for the Siouxland Tri-State Regional Innovation Grant.  Her campaign experience includes working on US Senator Tom Harkin’s 1990 re-election campaign, his 1992 presidential campaign and during the 1994 cycle for the national fundraising office of the Committee to Re-Elect Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

In 2000 she earned her Masters in Social Work from the National Catholic School of Social Service.  Her undergraduate degree is from Drake University, where she majored in international relations.

Denise made a very conscious decision to earn an MSW because she wanted to do graduate level studies that somehow combined what she then described as “psychology and politics” and now knows as “human behavior in the social environment.”  Her goal was to help create public and social policies that actually take into account the way that people behave.  As a macro social worker, she calls upon all of her peers, colleagues and NASW members to help inform social policy at the state and federal level.

Contact Us:                   

515-277-1117

Nasw.naswia@socialworkers.org

Naswia.socialworkers.org

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NEW!  NASW Iowa Chapter has a LinkedIn group!

https://bit.ly/NASW-IowaChapterLinkedin