Title: What’s Always Been at Stake: Examining the Impact of the Socio-Political Climate on the Social Work Profession
Date: Monday, October 19, 2026; 5:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Presenter: Lee Westgate, MBA, MSW, LCSW-C, (he/him/his)  
Synopsis: The exponential rise in harmful and overtly discriminatory bills in state legislatures across the country coupled with efforts to erode the fundamental rights and freedoms of historically marginalized people continues to harm population-wide health and wellbeing. There remain relentless efforts to compromise individual legal and human rights as evidenced in the systematic targeting of structurally vulnerable populations to include people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, and children. Social workers practice at what has become a complex intersection evidence-based, bio-ethical practice and politically motivated interference in and the delivery of care. Parallel to this, the social work profession must continue to work toward embracing an anti-oppressive approach to practice through reckoning with its own problematic professional roots. This session will examine the phenomenon of criminalization of social care and underscore the critical need for political action by the social work profession.

Register here.

Theories of Ethics & the Implications for Social Work 
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026; 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Please note: This workshop will be available to watch live at  Allegany College of MD/12401 Willowbrook Road/ Cumberland, MD 20502. Contact  casnyder@allegany.edu to reserve your seat! 
Presenter: Ashley McSwain, LMSW, MSOD
Synopsis: Ethics is a branch of philosophy that examines moral principles—rules or standards governing the conduct of an individual or a group. It is a systematic way of determining what is right and wrong, and what people ought to do. Unlike simply adhering to custom or law (morality), ethics involves the critical analysis and reasoning behind moral choices. Ethics provides frameworks for decision-making when actions affect others, particularly in situations involving conflicting values.

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The Use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Treating Non-Traditional Diagnoses
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026; 9:00 am - 12:15 pm
Presenter: Suzanne Cox,  MSW, MS, MBA, LCSW-C
Synopsis: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed as an approach to treating individuals at high risk of suicide, most of whom met criteria for the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. In DBT, consumers learn skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. As DBT has evolved, the potential for its application with other populations has been recognized and expanded. This workshop will focus on the use of DBT for treatment of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)/psychosis and examine how DBT can work to enhance the effectiveness of traditional treatments. Limitations of DBT as an intervention for treating individuals with SPMI/psychosis will be explored.

Register here.

Washington County Social Work Alliance - VLunch & Learn - John Hopkins Memory Care Family Checklist
Date: Monday, Oct 5th 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Presenter: Mark Tesoro, MA, 
Cognitive and Behavioral Health Specialist, Maryland Department of Aging
Speaker Bio: Mark Tesoro is a Cognitive and Behavioral Health Specialist at the Maryland Department of Aging. He has a background in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology from Loyola University Maryland. For a decade Mark was the Program Coordinator for the Division of Cognitive Neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital where he conducted research and worked with patients with memory and language disorders. Mark’s role at the Department of Aging is part of statewide effort to address the challenges that impact healthy aging and longevity. His current focus is on expanding services to build the dementia capabilities of Maryland’s aging services network. Mark works to improve dementia navigation services delivered by the Maryland Access Point network by collaborating with local Area Agencies on Aging, state partners, and diverse stakeholders throughout Maryland. 
Synopsis: Families caring for people with dementia often feel overwhelmed and unprepared. Each family has their own unique needs, but all of them need guidance on what to do, what to expect, and how to prepare for the future. Johns Hopkins University, in partnership with the Maryland Information Network and Maryland Department of Aging, has developed a tool that can help.  The Johns Hopkins Memory Care Family Checklist is an innovative resource that helps families impacted by dementia identify their needs, access reliable information, and connect to supports to help them develop a larger care plan.

Register here.

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.

Register here.