NASW Ohio Region 2

04/23/2026

Melissa White, LISW-S, NBC-HWC is a fellow social worker, supervisor, and health and wellness coach. You don’t want to miss this event held on Zoom 💚🩷

🩷💚 You’re showing up for everyone else… but who’s checking on you?

Save the Date | May 21, 2026

May is a powerful month of awareness—recognizing Stroke Awareness, Mental Health Awareness, and Women’s Health.

Join us for a meaningful and empowering conversation that brings all three together:

Healing from the Inside Out: A Holistic Path to Heart Health & Whole-Body Wellness

This special presentation will explore the deep connection between mind, body, and heart health, with a focus on prevention, healing, and overall well-being for women and families.

🗓 Thursday, May 21, 2026
🕗 8:00 PM (EST)
💻 Live on Zoom
📣 Open to the Public

🎤 Featured Speaker:
Our sister, Melissa White, LISW-S, NBC-HWC
Supervising Licensed Independent Social Worker
Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach

Hosted by:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Epsilon Mu Omega Chapter
Dr. Carol L. Staten, President
Jeannine Baker, Program Chairman

Come learn, connect, and take a step toward healing—from the inside out.

04/23/2026

Social Work Students-join NASW Ohio Chapter before you graduate. Members receive so many benefits including help with resume writing, networking opportunities, discounts on insurance and more.

Don't forget to join NASW Ohio before you graduate! Students can join (or renew) for just $60 for the full year with access to all the benefits of traditional membership, including job search resources, license prep support, free CEUs, ethical consultation, networking opportunities, and more! When you join as a student, you also get access to discounted transition rates for membership when you renew in the coming years - saving you hundreds of dollars! https://www.naswoh.org/membership

04/23/2026

Ok NASW Ohio Region 2. We know we have a lot of social workers in our region that deserve recognition for the hard work that they do. We know we have several agencies that provide amazing services to those in our region. We also know our social work students work extremely hard writing papers, preparing for their licensure exam and while at their internships. Please nominate a social worker today. 💚💙

Nominations for the 2026 Ohio Social Work Awards are OPEN! Submit your nominations now for Student of the Year, Emerging Leader, Agency of the Year, Outstanding Service to NASW, Social Worker of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement! www.naswoh.org/awardnominations

04/21/2026

BIPOC social workers and BIPOC members of NASW Ohio and National Association of Black Social Workers are invited to join us this Thursday, April 23 from 6:00–7:15 PM for an in-person gathering centered on connection, support, and community.

NASW Ohio is proud to partner with the National Association of Black Social Workers to create intentional space for BIPOC social workers across Ohio to build relationships and support one another. Both NASW members and non-members are welcome, and there is no cost to attend.

Register here: https://www.naswoh.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1998466&group=

You can also join our community contact list to stay connected and receive updates about future gatherings: https://forms.gle/L69YMMVdAM6yMNYc9

04/21/2026

Calling all social workers. Come support Region 3 and join them for Pride in the CLE! NASW Ohio Shirts are only $20. Contact Stef Ash at stephanieash.net by 5/30/26 to register and join the fun! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️💚💙

04/18/2026

As intern Sincerity Gilliam finished her internship with NASW Ohio, she shared these parting words:

"As I close this chapter, I'm extremely grateful for the skills, confidence, purpose, and endless connections I have formed! NASW Ohio is more than just my professional association; it is where I feel uplifted and supported. When I first attended an NASW Ohio event, I never thought I would be on the other side. Thank you for choosing me to be the first Ohio Dominican University Intern. Thank you for the endless time and effort you all put into this organization. Despite any setback, they always find a solution. Thank you for showing me what true advocacy looks like and preparing me for my next career path. During my time here interning, I created a magazine exploring barriers in the healthcare system and I explored the effects insurance has on clients and the social work profession. To future interns, it is okay not to know everything. Be intentional with your experience and the connections you make!"

Thank you, Sincerity, for everything you brought to NASW Ohio during your internship. We are excited to see what your next chapter brings!

04/17/2026

Congratulations to our Region 2 Co-Director Salima Dunn on being selected as the winner of The Denis Hessoun Award for Professional Growth and Development. This award recognizes a social worker who has contributed significantly within the past year to his/her own professional growth and developmental, and/or the professional growth and development of others. Some examples are teaching, coaching, and/or mentoring other professionals, sharing resources with others and/or preparing for educational and/or licensure advancement. The award was named after Mr. Denis Hessoun, a former social worker at Akron Children's, who passed away from cancer in 2006. Please join us in celebrating social workers while encouraging professional growth and development within the profession.

Do you have a celebration that you want to share? Recent graduate? Recently passed your ASWB exam? Received your acceptance letter into the social work program? Let us know so that we can celebrate you and your achievements 📚 🧑‍🎓 👩🏾‍🎓 🥇💙💚

04/15/2026

Happy birthday to our Region 2 Co-Director Salima Dunn! 💚 We are grateful for your leadership and dedication to our field. 💙 Enjoy your special day! 🎉

Happy birthday to Salima “Sam” Dunn, our incredible Region 2 (Akron Area) Co-Director! Salima brings more than 20 years of social work leadership, advocacy, and community care to NASW Ohio, from child welfare supervision to diversity and inclusion leadership, and her current work supporting individuals and families through Akron Children’s Burn Institute and United Disability Services.

04/15/2026

04/04/2026

Happy Birthday to our Co-Director Renee Leber. Thank you so much for all that you do for Region 2 and for social workers in Ohio. Enjoy your day 💙💚

Happy Birthday to Renee Leber, NASW Ohio Region 2 (Akron Area) Co-Director! Renee’s leadership, dedication, and passion for supporting individuals, families, and communities continue to make a meaningful impact across Ohio. We are grateful for her commitment to the profession, her advocacy for trauma-informed care, and the energy she brings to NASW Ohio. Wishing her a wonderful birthday and a year ahead filled with continued success and joy.

03/31/2026

What a day! Thank you so much NASW Ohio Chapter for all of your hard work in making Advocacy Day a success. Next year, we invite as many social workers and social work students from Region 2 to come out, learn about the importance of advocacy, and try something new. As NASW Ohio Executive Director Danielle Smith stated today, we are not afraid to complete assessments so we shouldn’t be afraid to speak with our legislators on concerns they may not fully understand. Advocacy is the heart of what we do💚💙

03/31/2026

Out of 615 attendees, Co-Director Salima Dunn is ready for her first Advocacy Day experience. What a way to celebrate the last day of social work month💙💚