Research support

ASWB provided research support to member boards on a range of topics. Member boards ask for help with research when they have been asked to explore, respond to, or provide support for a legislative effort. Some recent topics ASWB has researched for members and other stakeholders include how jurisdictions process applications, the use of background checks of licensure candidates, licensing fees charged by each jurisdiction, and regulations that pertain to electronic practice.

Application processing

IT and Member Services began development of a new modular software platform that will support contract services such as preapproval and application processing for members. The new software lets social workers apply online and gives member boards a portal to track applications and review progress. Board staff of the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners are the first to use the new dashboard and platform. With the customized software, preapprovals for Colorado applicants average 14.35 days from application completion to exam approval.

The original Registry software made contract services feasible for ASWB, and now that we’ve got this new modular approach in place, we can build the new Registry software within that same framework when we begin updating it later this year.Jennifer Henkel, director of member services

Member training

A new Executive Leadership Training brought together pairs of regulatory board chairs and board administrators from ten jurisdictions and focused on developing leadership skills and building strong partnerships. In addition, two sessions of New Board Member Training were held, one in Washington, D.C., and the other in Little Rock, Arkansas, which was attended by four members of the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board. The Member Services and Volunteer Engagement and Outreach departments coordinated the training sessions.

[Executive Leadership] training has helped me bond to the board’s administrator. We were halfway there, but this pushed us all the way there.Leigh Hudson, chair of the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board

Continuing competence

The ACE program debuted a new handbook for providers that consolidates and clarifies the information needed to complete a successful application or renewal, categorized according to the 29 standards that ACE providers must meet. ASWB signed a memorandum of understanding to become an associate member of the Joint Accreditation collaborative. Beginning in 2019, providers accredited by Joint Accreditation may expand their offerings to social workers by adding ACE approval to their credit listings.

Read the new ACE Handbook

Redesigned members site

The Communications and Marketing team redesigned the members section of the ASWB website to include a Get Involved section based on member and staff input. The goal was to provide easy access to information that is pertinent to volunteers, members, new members, and administrators. In addition, meeting registration was moved to a new member platform , where board members and board staff can create a user profile that tracks their participation in ASWB activities.