NASW-MN Ethics Consultation Circles

Supporting MN Social Workers in Ethical Practice

Every 3 ^rd Wednesday of the Month – 12-1:30pm CST on Zoom

FREE & open to NASW members only – Registration Required – Group Size Limited.

 Are you struggling with an ethical dilemma? NASW-MN members can join us for free consultation with other social workers & earn 1.5 Independent Study CEU’s!

 Ethics Consultation Circles are a peer-based consultation space for NASW-MN members seeking support with ethical questions, dilemmas, or professional challenges. Groups are facilitated by a trained member of the NASW-MN Ethics Committee - experienced social workers committed to guiding peers through complex decisions. We aim to promote ethical, informed, and values-driven social work practice.

 What We Offer

• Ethical decision-making consultation
• Support for navigating workplace dilemmas
• Interpretation of the NASW Code of Ethics
• Resource sharing and referrals
• Facilitated reflection on values and practices
• CEU Hours-1.5 Ethics

Bring your Agenda Items! Common Topics may include:

• Confidentiality and boundaries
• Cultural humility and power dynamics
• Mandated reporting
• Workplace conflicts
• Dual relationships

Collaborative. Centered in Ethics.

Register for upcoming circles

September 17

October 15

November 19

December 17

Ethics & Boundaries: Practicing Self-Care in An Era of Moral Distress

2 CEUs - Ethics

Thursday, 11/20/25 - 10:00am-12:00pm CST via Zoom
Presenter: Sheng Lee Yang, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C
2 CEUs - Ethics
 
In today's complex and demanding human services landscape, practitioners often find themselves navigating ethical dilemmas and encountering situations that can lead to moral distress. This training course is designed to equip professionals in the human
services field with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to address these ethical challenges while prioritizing their own well-being. 

The course will provide guidance on maintaining healthy boundaries in client interactions, organizational dynamics, and professional relationships. Participants will learn how to  navigate ethical dilemmas with integrity and compassion, while safeguarding their own mental health. Course objectives will be  established through a combination of interactive lectures,  group discussions, and practical exercises.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define moral distress and learn how to recognize the stages of stress.
2. Recognize the practice of human services and its impact on moral distress and burnout.
3. Develop effective self-care strategies to mitigate burnout.
4. Utilizing the NASW Code of Ethics, navigate ethical dilemmas of self-care with
5. integrity and resilience.

About the Presenter
As a first-generation Hmong refugee, Sheng has transformed adversity into purpose. Now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker  and CEO of Us 2 Behavioral Health Care, she champions  culturally responsive, justice-driven mental health care. Her  experience spans public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Since  founding Us 2 in 2019, Sheng has created a welcoming space  for healing. A former professor and proud mother of two, her  work is rooted in empathy, equity, and a deep commitment to  community well-being.

Pricing
NASW Student/Retired Member $20
NASW Member $30
Not-Yet-Member $50

REGISTER HERE

Ethics & Boundaries: When Culture Impacts Decision Making

2 CEUs - Cultural Responsiveness, Ethics, or Supervision

Tuesday, 1/20/26 - 10:00am-12:00pm CST via Zoom
Presenter: Sheng Lee Yang, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C
2 CEUs - Cultural Responsiveness, Ethics, or Supervision

This course examines how one’s culture impacts decision  making in various treatment settings. Providers are constantly  faced with ethical choices resulting in ambiguous outcomes  and difficult decisions that may be morally confusing. Understanding cultural concepts enables providers to bridge the difference between themselves and diverse populations. Participants will acquire a better understanding of the ethical decision making process when cross-cultural conflicts occur  while addressing implications of unconscious biases.

The workshop will address these issues through a combination of interactive dialogue, focused discussion, applied practice  exercises, and small group work.

Learning Objectives

1. Examine personal attitudes, values, beliefs and culture.
2. Recognize and respond to appropriately to cultural differences in conflict resolution.
3. Identify professional and ethical obligations within social work, clinical and human services settings.
4. Utilize James Rest’s four components model in ethical decision-making.

About the Presenter
As a first-generation Hmong refugee, Sheng has transformed adversity into purpose. Now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker  and CEO of Us 2 Behavioral Health Care, she champions  culturally responsive, justice-driven mental health care. Her  experience spans public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Since  founding Us 2 in 2019, Sheng has created a welcoming space  for healing. A former professor and proud mother of two, her  work is rooted in empathy, equity, and a deep commitment to  community well-being.

Pricing
NASW Student/Retired Member $20
NASW Member $30
Not-Yet-Member $50

REGISTER HERE

Ethical AI in Clinical Practice: Reducing Documentation Burden While Protecting Client Privacy

Lunch N Learn Webinar

Friday, October 3, 2025 - 12-1 p.m. CT via Zoom

Presenter: Steve Kane, ACSW

1 CEU (Ethics) - FREE FOR ALL

This session will explore how artificial intelligence can ethically and securely support clinical documentation workfl ows in behavioral health. Participants will learn about HIPAA compliance considerations and best practices for integrating AI into daily practice. Attendees will also see a live demonstration of how AI-powered tools like AutoNotes can help reclaim valuable time, improve documentation quality, and stay on top of client care—without compromising confi dentiality.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the ethical considerations when using AI in clinical documentation.

2. Describe HIPAA compliance best practices for AI adoption in behavioral health.

3. Apply strategies to reduce documentation burden while maintaining care quality.

You will receive the access link the day before the webinar.

About the Presenter

Steve Kane holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California and blends his clinical training with over seven years of brand strategy and product marketing experience in healthcare and technology. As Director of Product Marketing at AutoNotes AI, Steve helps behavioral health providers reduce documentation burden through innovative, HIPAA-aligned AI tools. Before joining AutoNotes, Steve held roles at Mindbloom, Microsoft’s Bing, and Havas Health, leading high-impact campaigns, brand positioning initiatives, and community engagement strategies. He also founded Moonlight Health, a telehealth mental health support group program. Steve’s unique perspective bridges the worlds of therapy and technology, allowing him to speak to both the ethical and practical considerations of AI in clinical documentation.

Pricing and Registration

REGISTER HERE - FREE FOR ALL