Huge News!  In the final hours of the legislative session, we were able to secure two major policy wins: Title Protection in MN Counties, and Optum Billing Reimbursement for Clinical Trainees!   Context: Title Protection for MN Counties: The Context:  Social work is a 125-year-old discipline rooted in evidence-based theories. Graduates must commit to and abide by a rigorous Code of Ethics. The Problem: In Minnesota, county government is the only employment setting where staff can be assigned the title "Social Worker" without professional training or educational background. The Solution: Honor th...

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CMS has warned it could withhold up to $2 billion from Minnesota’s Medicaid program if required provider revalidations are not completed — putting care for 1.3 million Minnesotans at risk. As part of Minnesota Revalidate 2026, providers delivering services identified as “high risk” under the state’s Medicaid audit initiative must successfully complete revalidation by May 31, 2026. If you provide Medicaid services, make sure you understand whether this requirement applies to you and complete any necessary steps as soon as possible. More information: Providers' Roundtable: The providers' roun...

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We wanted to share an important update on the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact and where implementation currently stands.

As of May 18, 2026, 32 states have officially joined the Compact,  it will be 33 states in the coming days as we await the Alaska Governor signature on their legislation that was just passed. This marks significant progress toward increasing licensure portability and expanding practice opportunities for social workers across state lines.

The Compact officially became active on April 12, 2024, after the legislation was enacted in seven states. Since then, state commissioners have been appointed, the inaugural Commission meeting was held in September 2024, and the Executive Committee began meeting in February 2025 to guide implementation efforts.

Here are a few key updates:

• Multi-state licenses are not yet available, but current estimates suggest states may begin issuing them within the next 9–12 months.

• The Social Work Compact Commission is actively developing the rules, infrastructure, and data systems necessary to support Compact operations nationwide.

• Once implementation is complete, eligible social workers will apply for a multi-state license through their home state and, after approval, will be able to practice in all participating Compact states without needing additional licenses in those states.

• A social worker’s “home state” must be the state of their primary residence (domicile), regardless of where they work or hold additional licenses.

• Complaint investigations and disciplinary processes will continue to be handled by individual states, with information shared across Compact states through a centralized data system.

• Fees for multi-state licenses have not yet been finalized and will ultimately be determined by each participating state.

You can view the most current map of participating states here:

https://swcompact.org/compact-map/

If you have additional questions about the Compact, NASW-MN & ND Executive Director, Dr, Karen Goodenough, serves as Interstate Compact Rep, so we will continue sharing updates as implementation progresses and more information becomes available, and you can always reach out to: admin.naswmn@socialworkers.org.

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The application period for the NASW-MN Summer Fellowship in Political Action is now closed due to an overwhelming response from applicants across the state. We are incredibly excited to get to know the talented and passionate pool of emerging social work leaders who applied for this opportunity. Thank you to everyone who submitted materials and expressed interest in advancing social work values through advocacy and political engagement. Please be patient as we carefully review applications and prepare to move forward with next steps in the selection process.

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  The NASW MN Chapter is pleased to offer a short-term remote Summer Fellowship in Political Action designed to provide hands-on experience in advocacy, civic engagement, and the endorsement process. This fellowship is ideal for an emerging professional or student interested in the intersection of social work values and public policy. The fellow will play an active role in supporting our political action committee’s work to evaluate and endorse candidates for elected office in Minnesota who align with social work priorities. Key Responsibilities: Support the planning and coordination of candidate endorsement p...

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This June, social workers from across the country will gather in Washington, DC for the 2026 NASW National Conference, June 10–13 at the Marriott Marquis. This year's theme, "Beyond the Breaking Point: Connection Through Purpose and Power," centers the resilience, connection, and collective strength that define our profession.   Four days of dynamic sessions, networking opportunities, and professional development await, and we want to make sure you are part of it. If you have colleagues or peers who are not yet NASW members, this is a great event to share with them as well. Conference registration includes ...

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NASW Minnesota Chapter is seeking members from across the state with varied experience and expertise to help lead and represent our Chapter! Previous board or leadership experience is not required. All nominees will be asked to complete a brief application, and those slated on the ballot will be voted upon by Chapter Election in May.   Nominate yourself or a colleague by April 19th, 2026 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTKGRVM Open Positions to begin July 1, 2026   1-year Board Terms: BSW Student Represen...

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As our state continues to recover from the challenges brought on by Operation Metro Surge, we have been reminded just how strong and compassionate our community truly is. In the midst of difficult circumstances, we have witnessed remarkable support—not only within the networks we have built together, but also from friends and allies far beyond our immediate community.

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Thanks to your advocacy, we are one step closer to ensuring professional title accuracy for county social workers in Minnesota. While we celebrate this win, our work isn't done. The bill now heads to the House Floor, and we need to make sure every Representative understands why this is important for our profession.

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President Trump and Border Czar Tom Homan have announced that they plan to end “Operation Metro Surge”, the federal operation that flooded Minnesota, especially the Twin Cities, with thousands of federal immigration and customs enforcement officers since early December. For months, this large-scale federal enforcement operation has deeply impacted individuals, families, and communities across Minnesota, creating fear, instability, and significant harm. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents have led to significant backlash against the operation. Support for ending this occupation has garnered international attention, with people across the country and the globe sending love letters to Minnesota.

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At NASW-MN we are fielding calls and messages from our colleagues in other regions and states asking us about what our work looks like in these trying times.  Despite how much you may have read in the news about what the situation is like in our state, especially in our large cities, those of us who are in the middle of this ongoing federal operation know that what you are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg compared to what Social Workers and community members in MN are actually facing. 

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We are heartbroken and outraged by the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, community member, and caregiver who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. Mr. Pretti’s life was dedicated to healing others — caring for veterans and contributing to the health and wellbeing of our community. He died as he lived, striving to protect others from harm.

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Today, another U.S. citizen was killed by federal immigration enforcement.  This wasn’t an isolated incident and reflets a dangerous pattern that threatens community safety and public trust.

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NASW-MN has partnered with community organizations to identify those best equipped to provide support during this crisis. We are sharing this list for anyone seeking support, looking to get involved, or interested in making a donation.

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The National Association of Social Workers–Minnesota Chapter stands with our community in mourning the violent death of an unarmed woman, Renee Nicole Good, killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. This tragedy, and the broader federal enforcement actions that are unfolding across our city—including the use of force near public schools—have caused profound harm, fear, and disruption for our clients, colleagues, and neighbors. Schools have closed, families are afraid to leave their homes, and the need for safety rooted in care has never been more urgent.

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