Northeastern Conferences for Social Work
• SWHPN 6th Annual General Assembly
• NASW Massachusetts 2018 Symposium
• ADEC 40th Annual Conference
• 7th Annual Yoga Service Conference
• National Council for Adoption Conference
College graduation isn't the end of the educational road for LBSW and LMSW practitioners because continuing education credits are mandatory from events like social work conferences.
As the birthplace of America's social work movement, the Northeast is a historically popular place for conferences. Social workers congregate in convention centers from Maine to Capitol Hill to carry on the mission of the first almshouses built in Philadelphia in 1713. Conferences are can't-miss opportunities to learn the most effective practices being applied to protect our nation's most vulnerable.
Here are five conferences for social workers in the Northeast to consider attending in 2018.
1. SWHPN 6th Annual General Assembly: Boston, MA
March 11-13, 2018
Devoted to "Forging New Models," the Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) will hold its 6th Annual General Assembly in Spring at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. For an Early Bird member rate of $385, the three-day, Northeast social work conference will draw nearly 500 attendees to discuss innovative practices for treating life-limiting conditions. Chaired by Grace Christ, DSW, the event will include exhibitors like Canadian Virtual Hospice and 100+ CEU-incurring sessions.
2. NASW Massachusetts 2018 Symposium: Framingham, MA
April 12-13, 2018
Featuring keynote speaker and NYT best-seller Jackie Woodside, LICSW, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Massachusetts Chapter will host its 2018 Symposium in April for over 1,000 licensed practitioners. As New England's largest biennial conference for social work, the two-day event will award CEUs for dozens of micro and macro workshops at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel. The Expo Hall will also hold 100+ premier organizations like VA Boston Healthcare and Eliot Community Human Services.
3. ADEC 40th Annual Conference: Pittsburgh, PA
April 25-28, 2018
In April, the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) will invite bereavement social workers to its 40th Annual Conference at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Sponsored by TAPS, the four-day event costs members $682 for attending customized sessions about the latest clinical thanatology practices. Offering up to 31 CEUs, the mega social work conference will include the Living Legacy Circle Breakfast, Service of Remembrance, and Book Fair for self-publishers.
4. 7th Annual Yoga Service Conference: Rhinebeck, NY
May 11-13, 2018
At the Omega Institute in New York's gorgeous Hudson Valley, the 7th Annual Yoga Service Conference will begin in May with tiered tuition prices from $195 to $420. Unlike most Northeast social work conferences, this three-day event will focus on uplifting health through mindfulness practices inspired by Hinduism and Buddhism. Centered on the theme "Finding Healing and Justice in Community," the highly interactive Zen workshop will have faculty like Rhonda Magee and Rolf Gates teaching asanas.
5. National Council for Adoption Conference: Washington, DC
June 20-22, 2018
The National Council for Adoption will head to Washington, DC, in June to observe Congressional Advocacy Day and host a three-day conference from the Hotel at UMD in College Park. With the motto "United We Stand," the event provides social work CEUs in 40+ sessions sharing modern practices for serving youth, parents, and guardians involved in adoptions. Child social workers with NCFA membership are charged $435 until January 31st for networking with over 300 field colleagues.
Penciling time in your busy 2018 schedule for conferences can greatly improve your chance of meeting your community betterment goals. Attendees often describe conferences as the highlight of their professional year because of inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, social networking events, and exciting travel sights. Whether you're from New England and the Mid-Atlantic or not, these social work conferences in the Northeast are worth your time.
See also: 20 High-value BSW Degrees in Metro Areas with Top Salaries for Social Workers