Creating a voice from frustration

"Social workers take pride in being the only professionals trained to work with people in their environment, looking at all dimensions of the individual’s life. Our training comes from a nationwide system of accredited education programs, and is reinforced with practice standards, credentials, and state licensing regulations." - NASW

Last week was a shock to my system...and emotionally draining. As a social worker and someone who considers themselves highly politically engaged I was confused, outraged and at times scared about what was happening at the Michigan Capitol. So many bills (many of which I viewed as extreme and potentially damaging to the social work profession) were passed without prior notification or public input. We saw the largest protest in the state since Vietnam, individuals' pepper sprayed, horses brought out and the Capitol doors locked. While I may have disagreed with legislation in the past, I have never felt so completely outside of my own government and that my voice didn't matter.
It is important that social workers have an avenue to have their opinions heard and to advance the profession. NASW is the leading advocate for the social workers across the United States, but more social worker students and professionals need to make their opinions known and become advocates for the field. This blog was created to be another outlet for any social worker to share resources, opinions and feelings about the profession, their work or how NASW can better aid Michiganders.

-Duane Breijak, LLMSW
Director of Member Services, NASW-MI

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