Understanding Structural Racism: Implications for Social Work Practice
Title: Understanding Structural Racism: Implications for Social Work Practice
Date: Monday, October 5, 2026; 9:00 am - 12:15 pm
Presenter: Presenter: Kawana Webb, LCSW-C
Synopsis: Structural racism and implicit bias continue to influence access to opportunities, resources, and outcomes for many individuals and communities. This interactive training explores how historical and contemporary systems contribute to racial inequities across housing, education, healthcare, employment, and other social institutions. Participants will examine the impact of implicit bias on professional decision-making and explore strategies for advancing anti-oppressive social work practice. Through case studies, self-reflection activities, discussions, and practical application exercises, participants will strengthen their ability to recognize and address systemic barriers affecting clients and communities. Participants will conclude the training by developing a personalized Equity Action Plan to promote equity, accountability, and meaningful change within their professional roles.
Our experiences are shaped not only by our individual choices, but also by the systems and opportunities available to us. This interactive training explores how policies, practices, and systems in areas such as housing, education, healthcare, employment, and criminal justice can create advantages for some groups while creating barriers for others. Participants will learn how unconscious assumptions and biases can influence professional interactions, assessments, and decision-making. Through engaging activities, case studies, self-reflection, and discussion, participants will gain practical tools to recognize systemic barriers and promote more equitable outcomes for the individuals, families, and communities they serve. Participants will leave with a personalized Equity Action Plan that identifies meaningful steps they can take to support fairness, inclusion, and anti-oppressive practice in their professional roles.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Define structural racism and implicit bias.
2. Describe how structural racism operates across multiple social systems.
3. Explain the relationship between historical inequities and current disparities.
4. Identify examples of structural racism in social work settings.
5. Evaluate the influence of implicit bias on professional decision-making.
CE: 3 Cat I Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice Content - Anti-Racism
Cost: NASW Member - $50; Nonmember - $75; Retired Member - $30; Student Member - $10
Please Note: This workshop meets the one-time legislative requirement for the 2026 Structural Racism training.
Please Note: This workshop meets 3 Category I CEU requirement for Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice Content (Anti-Racism).
Register here.