Call for Workshop Proposals

Proposals Due January 30, 2026

We invite you to submit an educational workshop proposal(s) for the in-person conference. NASW-AR Chapter welcomes submissions of proposals to be presented at the 2026 Chapter Conference. Our theme is Social Workers: Defend. Uplift. Transform. The conference will be held March 18-20, 2026, Little Rock Marriott, Little Rock, AR.

NASW invites compelling proposals that address a wide range of topics related to, but not limited to, social work action. Please review the Guidelines to assist in preparation for submitting a proposal. The presenter(s) of proposals selected are required to register for the conference by February 6, 2026. If presenters do not register for the conference by the due date, your proposal acceptance will be rescinded.

NASW will focus on best practices, policies, social work history, and research findings that incorporate social work action and collaboration. Proposals are encouraged in all social work areas and at all levels of practice.

Presenters are invited to submit proposals in one of these primary issues/topic areas:

  • Administration/Supervision
  • Advocacy
  • Caregiving
  • Child Welfare
  • Children and Families
  • Clinical Practice
  • Community Organization
  • Cultural Competence
  • Criminal Justice/Juvenile Justice
  • Disabilities
  • Social Work Ethics
  • Ethnicity & Race
  • Health Care
  • Substance Use
  • Teen and Young Adults
  • Housing/Homelessness
  • Higher Education in Social Work
  • Immigrants, Refugees, and Displaced Persons
  • Interpersonal Violence
  • LGBTQ+
  • Mental Health
  • Older Adults
  • Political Social Work
  • Private Practice
  • Research & Program Evaluation
  • School Social Work
  • Service Members/Members/Military/Veterans
  • Social Work Leadership
  • Supervision
  • Technology

Cultural Diversity issues related to any of the above areas are strongly encouraged.  

Educational content must be post-graduate (BSW) level.

Presentation formats: 90-minute sessions will be scheduled on Thursday and Friday, March 19 and 20, 2026 except for supervision which is 2 hours.

Submission

  • Use the electronic application located on the chapter’s website. No hand-written or PDF submissions will be accepted. If pdf application is submitted, proposal will not be accepted.
  • Submit proposal no later than January 30, 2026   
  • Submit electronically to: The proposal format can be found on our website at www.naswar.socialworkers.org

Communication

  • The primary presenter will be the individual whom NASW will contact questions, decision of the Program Committee, and notice of date and time of session scheduled.  The primary presenter is considered the individual that signs the 2026 Presenter Agreement included with the Workshop Proposal Abstract.
  • The primary presenter will be notified of the Program Committee’s decision by February 6, 2026.    Notification will be made via email.
  • NOTE: The annual conference will be in person.
  • It is the responsibility of the primary presenter to share information from NASW about the proposal status and the conference details with any co-presenters.
  • All workshops will be Thursday, March 19th and Friday, March 20th 2026..  Times that a presenter absolutely cannot present during the designated time of sessions MUST be included on the form.   Due to the volume of proposals received, specific time requests cannot be honored.
  • The proposal form includes a section to indicate if the presenter(s) is willing to present the educational program twice during the conference.   If you indicate yes, you may be asked in advance and/or during the conference should a presenter cancel at the last minute, to present your offering for a second session.
  • Upon request, the Chapter will provide the primary presenter with results of attendees’ evaluation within ninety days following the conference.

Student Co-Presenters

  • Social Work students from CSWE accredited schools will only be considered as co-presenters with their Social Work faculty.   The faculty member MUST present a minimum of 60% of the program and indicate agreement to this requirement on the submitted proposal.   The faculty members agree to be responsible for the students’ presentation content and method(s) of presentation.

Proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

  • The topic is consistent with the 2026 conference theme.
  • The submission adheres to the conference proposal guidelines.
  • The abstract is well organized, concise, and clearly written.
  • The author clearly states the purpose and learning objectives of the presentation.
  • The abstract provides evidence of the author’s knowledge of the topic.
  • The topic and content are evidence-based.
  • The subject contributes to a balanced conference program.

Conference Registration

The full conference registration fee for the primary and additional presenters will be reduced if

  1. Registration fees are completed by February 6, 2026.
  2. On-line registrations will be accepted for presenters. The individual who signs the NASW-AR CHAPTER 2026 Presenter Agreement, is considered the primary presenter .  submitting by check or money order, the registration fee must be received and postmarked by February 6, 2026 at P.O. Box 5599, Pearl, MS 39288.
    Presenter Type Price
    Primary Presenter Registration NASW Member $150.00
    Student Presenter (BSW or MSW) NASW Member $50 *Member number required
    Primary Presenter Registration Non-Member $225.00
    Student Presenter (BSW or MSW) Non-Member $65
  3. The Chapter does not reimburse travel, lodging, and meal expenses of workshop presenters.  

If your organization or agency wishes to exhibit during the conference to promote your organization’s services, please contact the Chapter office or check out our website. Register exhibits by February 28, 2026! No payment will be accepted after February 28, 2026.

Should you have any questions about the workshop proposal submission process, please contact the office at 601.936.0557 or email:rvirgil.naswar@socialworkers.or We look forward to your submission.See you at the 2026 Annual NASW AR Conference, Social Workes: Defend, Uplift, Transform.

If you are not attending the conference, but wish to purchase tickets to the Social Work Advocates’ Dinner, you may do so here.


Student Poster Presentations

Join us at the 2024 NASW Conference and participate in the Student Poster Presentations and Competition! All BSW and MSW students are welcome to participate. This is a fun way to practice your presentation and networking skills in a supportive environment. This is also a good way for the social work programs around the state to highlight student accomplishments.

There will be designated times at the conference for you to present your work. The poster sessions will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2023. You will be asked to stand with your poster 2 times during the day for about 1 hour each time to discuss your poster with conference attendees as they walk through the poster session. Your poster presentation should take 8-10 minutes.

Poster Categories

Category 1: Innovative programs or interventions from field placement (internship) experience. Innovative is defined as new ways to address old problems. Programs or interventions may include therapeutic models, funding sources, partnerships, or other cutting-edge ideas for helping social work clients or the social work profession.

Category 2: Public policy that is current or relevant to social work practice. Public policy poster submissions must include the following: poster defines the social policy or issue clearly; poster states the policy as it currently is and analyzes its strengths and limitations; poster identifies vulnerable and at-risk populations and specific ways in which these groups are impacted by the current policy; poster incorporates the six core values of the social work profession identified in the NASW Code of Ethics into the overall policy analysis; poster states at least five recommendations to improve current policy. These recommendations should incorporate all levels of social work practice and may include examples of how other states have addressed this same policy issue.

Category 3: Graduate research project or practice evaluation. This should be a completed project. This may be the student’s work OR something that a student worked on with a faculty member or community practitioner. (Masters students only)

Poster Presentation Proposal Requirements

Submit a poster presentation proposal by February 29, 2024.

You may submit a poster presentation proposal using the downloadable Student Poster Proposal Form or by completing the Google Form: Student Poster Proposal.

The proposal must include:

  • Your name and email address.
  • Whether you are a graduate or undergraduate student.
  • Presentation/Poster category (see above) and title of presentation.
  • 3 learning/educational objectives.
  • 100 word abstract of presentation.

Size of poster. Poster should be no smaller than 2×3 and no larger than 3×4. Poster should be hard backed and appropriate for display on an easel. Tri-fold poster boards are acceptable but note that a tri-fold does not display as well as a flat poster on an easel.

Benefits of Presenting

  • Opportunity to show your work to peers and professional community.
  • Opportunity to network with other social workers (students and professionals).
  • Potential recognition of high quality work in poster competition. One winner will be selected from each category, in addition to an overall BSW winner and an overall MSW winner. Winners will be announced at the conference awards ceremony on Friday.

Awards

An award will be given in each of the 3 poster categories. For categories 1 and 2, there will be an award for a BSW and MSW student or team. For category 3, there will be an award for an MSW student or team. There will also be an award for overall best poster. The awards will be presented at the awards luncheon on Friday.

Other items of note

  • Presentations should be creative and interesting.
  • Be prepared to discuss your poster.
  • Please put your name and the name of your school on the back of the poster.
  • You may submit proposals for team presentations. Please limit teams to 6 members or less.
  • Submit proposals by completing the Google Form or by completing the downloadable Proposal Form in Word format only and email to Holly Barron at hbarron.naswar@socialworkers.org by February 29, 2024.
  • Late submissions may not be listed in the conference program.

2024 NASW Arkansas Annual Awards Luncheon

Friday, March 15, 2024 | 12:00 – 2:30 pm

Join us in honoring leaders in the profession and community who fully embody social work values and in celebrating Social Work Month! We are proud to honor the following outstanding leaders!

Honorees will be announced soon!

If you are not attending the conference, but wish to purchase tickets to the 2024 Annual Awards Luncheon, you may do so here.