March is National Social Work Month and the social work students in Tallahassee are motivated to spread awareness about the profession. Social work students at Florida State University (FSU) and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) have teamed up on a National Social Work Month Kickoff week called “A New Era of Social Work” (#ANewEraOfSocialWork).

“A New Era of Social Work” aims to spread awareness about how the social work field is evolving and how a new generation of social workers contributes to this growth in the profession. All of the kickoff events will be held entirely through the Facebook Group @New Era of Social Work.

Here is a list of the events that will be held during the #NewEraofSocialWork kickoff week:

March 1st: Kickoff Day

This social media campaign introduces the four leaders of the participating FSU and FAMU social work student organizations.

• Margarita Amado-Blanco, President of the Student Association of Social Workers (@saswfsu)
• Caitlyn Bergman, President of the Macro Social Work Student Network (@mswsnfsu)
• Xarria Taylor, President of the Student Social Work Association (@famusswa)
• Ashanti White, President of the Social Work Association of Graduate Students (@famu.swags)

March 2nd at 7:00 pm EST: Mental Health x Clinical Social Work Panel (Facebook live)

This Facebook Live event features a panel of social work and mental health professionals, including Lisa Johnson, Ph.D., LCSW, HS-BCP, Corranda Williams, LMSW, A'Laina Newbold, MSW, RCSWI, Elyce Mandich, LMSW, and Catherine Moore, LCSW. The event highlights professional development and the journey towards licensure in social work and a deeper exploration of the mental health field held on the National Social Work Month Facebook page.

Wednesday, March 3rd: Social Work diaries

This social media campaign highlights student social workers and practicing social workers highlighting and commemorating what they are doing to establish a “new era of social work.”

Thursday, March 4th: Making it Macro Highlight + FSU SASW General Body Meeting

At 4:30 pm, FSU SASW hosts a general body meeting discussing misconceptions about social work, educating ourselves and building confidence in the profession.

• Zoom link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98077706233
• Meeting ID: 980 7770 6233

Friday, March 5th: Social Workers are Essential

This digital professional resource workshop with Annie Grier and Craig Stanley focuses on the National Association of Social Worker’s 2021 Social Work Month theme: Social Workers are Essential.

• Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/98187877597
• Meeting ID: 981 8787 7597

Saturday, March 6th: Community Clean-up

Students from FAMU and FSU will gather to clean up two areas in the Tallahassee community – Carter Howell Strong Park and Cascades Park. This outdoor event requires masks and social distancing.

• Morning Shift: 9 am – 11 am @ Carter Howell Strong Park
• Afternoon Shift: 1pm – 3pm @ Cascades Park

Visit @New Era of Social Work to participate and share the message that Social Workers are Essential! For any questions, contact Margarita Amado-Blanco at mma16j@my.fsu.edu.

A special thanks to all participating student leaders:

FSU Student Leaders:

• Margarita Amado-Blanco, President of the Student Association of Social Workers (@saswfsu)
• Caitlyn Bergman, President of the Macro Social Work Student Network (@mswsnfsu)
• Kanisha Scott, Vice President of SASW and Social Work Social Media Influencer (@thesocialworkfairy)
• Kiersten Kelley, MSW student and Social Work Social Media Influencer (@kiersten___kelley)
• Marina Margarites, MSW students and Social Work Social Media Influencer (@socialwork_sis)

FAMU Student Leaders:

• Jalaycia Lewis, MSW Student, FAMU, and Social Work Social Media Influencer (@thescialrecipe)
• Xarria Taylor, President, FAMU Student Social Work Association (@famusswa)
• Asia Hill, Vice President, FAMU Student Social Work Association
• Ashanti White, President, FAMU Social Work Association of Graduate Students (@famu.swags)