The Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) is a network of social work organizations and leaders who seek to further the field of hospice and palliative care. Its mission is two-fold: For people experiencing serious illness, SWHPN and its members are dedicated to advancing the role of psychosocial care for the seriously ill, providing relief from pain, improving quality of life, supporting family and friends, assisting with difficult decision-making, and helping in dealing with trauma, grief and loss.

As a professional network, SWHPN also seeks to create a coalition of social work and psychosocial organizations and schools, related initiatives, and programs that will build consensus on key issues in order to strengthen their voice in interdisciplinary forums and advocate for social work and psychosocial care within the larger hospice and palliative care community.

General Assembly - Continuing Education Unit’s That They Care About
Each year, the SWHPN holds their General Assembly, an annual conference where over 400 social workers gather to share resources and learn from some of the top leaders in the field.  The General Assembly provides up to 16 CEUs, curated specifically for hospice and palliative care professionals.  The classes and workshops are educational, but also give insight into fun, new ways to approach patient and family care.  The program “Implementing an 8-Week Yoga & Mindfulness Program for Bereaved Parents” provides new approaches to helping families while “Using Social Media to Enhance Your Practice” will teach you how to use technology to locate and share information and resources.

The Community: Support
The SWHPN creates a community of people and provides a place where social workers can tell their stories, share their resources, and keep up-to-date on the issues that affect their profession.  We all know that caregiver burnout is real, and sometimes being the only social worker among an office full of nurses and doctors does not allow a proper outlet to share their frustrations.  By creating a safe place where social workers can unite and support one another, the SWHPN has given each member a voice.

Member Benefits: Why Should You Join the SWHPN?

  • Discounted registration for the annual SWHPN General Assembly
  • Free online access to the Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care (hard copies upon request)
  • 24/7 online access to a members-only virtual community of practice
  • Discounted registration to SWHPN webinars
  • Expert advice from our “Hear from the Experts” online series
  • Continuing education programs
  • Representation on national forums for the promotion of social work in palliative care
  • First looks at professional conferences for social workers in the field.
  • Timely information about continuing education and employment opportunities in the field
  • Opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and fellowships

How to Join:
If you’re interested in becoming a member, go to the membership signup page or email Natalie: [email protected].

Links:
Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network
Membership Sign Up
2017 General Assembly