UPCOMING EVENTS
Please check out the Annual Conference with pre-conference workshops, June 12 - 17 in Orlando.
UNIT LEADERSHIP
Vacant - Unit Chair
Vice Chair - Tiffany McClanathan, MSW, Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern
Secretary - Meredith Carro, BSW
Vacant - Membership Chair
· Assist in membership recruitment
Vacant - Legislative Chair
· Work with Unit leadership and State Chapter to address NASW legislative priorities with legislatures and policy makers.
Vacant - CCNLI Chair
· Oversees the Unit award process and elections
Vacant - BSW Representative
Vacant - MSW Student Representative
The Unit Steering Committee is comprised of Unit members seeking to actively participate in the development of Unit events, workshops and other activities. If you know of any students or social worker who may be interested in joining our unit steering committee, please send their names or have them contact us at naturecoast.naswfl@socialworkers.org.
2023 Social Work Award Winners
Social Worker of the Year
Christina Cazanave, MSW
Social Work Student Honoree
Reese Hathaway
Social Work Educator Honoree
Khalilah Louis-Caines, LCSW
Public Citizen Honoree
Angie Bonfardino-Walasek
Executive Director/CEO of United Way
of Hernando County
Rising to the Challenge
One Community Now
Social Work Trailblazer
Brandie Grizzel, BSW
NATURE COAST UNIT
Steering Committee Message – Change Has Arrived
The Nature Coast communities are changing. Take a drive in Pasco, Hernando, or Citrus counties, and you will see new developments, expansion of roadways, and new construction of businesses. As our communities grow, so does our professional representation.
In the past five years, we have seen an increase in the amount of BSW and MSW graduates working in our agencies, providing therapy to our neighbors, and participating in community boards. Social workers from all professional levels are reaching out and creating more accessible pathways for services. Some of us may be uncomfortable with rapid change, but it is inevitable. For that reason, the Nature Coast Unit is changing too.
As Unit Chair, I want to establish an active Unit that is strong in networking, continuing education, peer support, and advocacy. To do this, I am asking for your help and support by simply finding a way to participate. For example:
Have an idea for a workshop? Send it my way.
- Want to hold a workshop? Let me know, and I will put you on the calendar.
- Want to get involved in supporting the Unit's efforts? Join the steering committee.
- Want to know more about what happens at the State or National Chapter? Join our Unit and attend our membership meetings.
- New to social work? Please attend one of our continuing education and professional workshops.
- Are you a social work student? Let work together to create leadership and professional development opportunities.
Getting involved in the Unit is easy and based on your comfort level. The key is, getting involved. One of my favorite lines I heard from a social worker colleague was, "Our profession is social, that's why it starts with the word social.
We cannot do this job alone". With so much change happening around us, it is easy to get lost in the day-to-day work, feel alone in our telehealth or private practice, and forget about our commitment to ourselves.
Let our Unit be the place to be "social" and adapt to our communities changes together. As Unit Chair, it is my job to ensure the Steering Committee meets the needs of our members, but we cannot do that without your participation. Please reach out and let us know how we can support you and our communities better.
Warm Regards,
Christina Cazanave – McCarthy
Unit Chair
naturecoast.naswfl@socialworkers.org
Advocacy in Motion
The Florida legislative session in Florida is just a few months away. Still, bills are already being filed that greatly impact our clients, communities, profession, and our daily living. To stay on top of the Unit and Florida Chapters legislative priorities, please visit: http://www.naswfl.org/legislative.html
To find out who represents your community, please visit Ballotpedia to search for your public leaders at the state and federal level by clicking here: https://ballotpedia.org/Who_represents_me