In looking ahead throughout 2025, the NASW Metro DC Chapter already has been working to educate DC City Council members and to advance policy priorities even before the first 2025 Legislative Committee meeting convened January 7. 

Below are the issues on which the chapter plans to focus in 2025 as your primary advocate to policy makers. We have taken guidance from the Policy and Social Justice Committee, member survey results, coalition partners, and the new edition of the NASW Social Works Speaks policy guidebook.

• Passage of a Social Work Compact to allow license mobility with compact states (Hired a lobbyist to assist with this coalition effort)
• Enforced parity (equal reimbursement) for clinicians 
• Extended telehealth protections
• Funding for internships and scholarships
• Human rights, including a ban on child marriage 
• Anti-discrimination protections, including those of immigrants and LGBTQIAS2+ individuals and students
• Gun violence prevention
• Mental health programs and funding, including school-based initiatives
• Homelessness and affordable housing 
• Voting rights 

The chapter continues to have strong relationships with numerous City Council members and will be investing more time and resources in our advocacy program to educate newly elected officials, strengthen City Council ties, and voice our policy priorities within coalitions and the council. 

In addition, the chapter and NASW National will be closely monitoring any proposals from the incoming Trump administration that could affect access to or quality of behavioral health services or harm social justice causes. Mayor Bowser has said she had a “great meeting” with President-Elect Donald Trump to discuss possible workforce collaborations, January 20 inauguration preparations, and other topics. 

DC City Council meets year-round except for short breaks. That means consistent advocacy and relationship-building are vital. To achieve this robust advocacy agenda for 2025 to advance your needs and interests as a social worker, the chapter needs help from volunteers! 

Please consider volunteering for the NASW Metro DC Policy and Social Justice Committee in 2025! This is NOT a time-consuming service opportunity, but your expertise and leadership are vital to helping the chapter fully represent social workers in the Metro DC area. Advocacy work is a powerful way to give back to the profession, live the NASW Code of Ethics, and meaningfully leverage your social work passion. Email Executive Director Debra Riggs at driggs.naswdc@socialworkers.org if interested.

Together, we can fight against poor policy proposals, educate decision makers about possible solutions and real-life policy impacts, and rally our allies to ensure positive change.