Many associations for social workers exist at the national and state level. These associations help to keep workers in a given field, network or group stay informed of changes that may affect them. Social worker associations also provide legislative advocacy services and are instrumental in passing laws, such as social worker title protection, that maintain the quality and reputation of the profession.
Joining a social worker association may also present outlets for earning continuing education credits, networking opportunities that lead to employment, access to research and databases or other benefits and services.
Below is an extensive, but by no means comprehensive, list of associations for social workers that may prove beneficial. The associations have been grouped by category. Follow the links for more information on what each association offers.
Global Social Worker Associations
International Federation of Social Work
International Association of Schools of Social Work
International Association for Social Work with Groups
National Social Worker Associations
Association of Social Work Boards
Society for Social Work and Research
Association for Community Organization and Social Administration
Network for Social Work Management
Social Work Education Associations
Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors
Council on Social Work Education
Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work
National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work
Network Associations
National Rural Social Work Caucus
North American Association of Christians in Social Work
National Association of Black Social Workers
National Association of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Social Workers
Latino Social Workers Organization
Social Workers Helping Social Workers
Clinical Associations
Clinical Social Work Association
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work
Health Care Associations
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care
American Case Management Association
American Public Health Association Social Work Section
Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network
Association of Oncology Social Work
Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work
National Association of Perinatal Social Workers
National Kidney Foundation of Nephrology Social Workers
Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV and AIDS
School, Children and Families Social Worker Associations
American Council for School Social Work
School Social Work Association of America
Child Welfare League of America
Social Welfare Action Alliance
Other National Associations
National Organization of Forensic Social Work
Association of VA Social Workers
Kentucky State Social Worker Associations
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Kentucky Society for Clinical Social Work
