Setting Up and Maintaining an Interjurisdictional Registry Troy Elliott Association of Social Work Boards Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Who We Are ASWB is the organization of the social work regulatory boards in 49 states, Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan Mission is consumer protection Primary responsibility – social work licensing exams (about 25,000 administrations annually) Other services include disciplinary databases, continuing education provider approval, social work registry, licensure application processing

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona The problem Individual regulatory board requirements make it difficult for social workers licensed in one jurisdiction to become licensed in another jurisdiction. The public suffers when qualified social workers are not accessible Support for regulation among the professionals begins to suffer

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Possible solutions We weren’t altering the time-space continuum here. Lots of things have been/are being tried – plenty of models out there. Fast endorsement Compacts Reciprocity agreements For us, endorsement model was the best fit.

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona The big idea Establish a repository for primary source information relevant to social work licensure, and a create a verification acceptance process that will be quickly and easily adopted by member regulatory boards. Then lunch. After lunch—this whole Iraq thing.

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona What we had going for us Some infrastructure in place: Database of examination candidates Disciplinary databank already in place Examination information already in place

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona What we had going for us A record of service to members Disciplinary databank and HIPDB reporting system in place Score transfer program in place Examination program widely used—high degree of satisfaction Continuing education provider approval program growing

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona What we had going for us Connection to potential customers Some visibility with candidates “Capture” of some data already happening (exam scores, disciplinary actions)

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Challenges we anticipated – more or less Cost – programming, education, marketing, staff Social work’s “non binary” licensure structure (levels of licensure based on education, length of post degree experience, and type of experience) Slow growth Need for repository to (potentially) hold more than just primary-sourced, verifiable licensure-related information Resistance to change

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona What we didn’t count on The degree to which we didn’t understand board operations The degree to which some boards didn’t understand board operations Labor-intensiveness Degree of social worker familiarity with licensure process Resistance to change

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Timeline, 2002 March – August 2002: Preliminary staff planning Boards surveyed Sample record summary developed Software and hardware needs Research other professions (FSMB, NCARB, etc.) September 2002:Focus group with 9 board administrators October 2002:Refinements based on focus group November 2002:focus group with 5 board administrators December 2002:continued research with FSMB credential program

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Timeline, 2003 February 2003: Focus groups—12 MSW students VCU; 5 MSW students UNC Chapel Hill; 12 BSW students UNC Pembroke March 2003:Focus group with 4 practicing licensed social workers March – August 2003:Database development; cost analysis September 2003:Registry director hired October 2003:Pilot program begun in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota Marketing efforts begun—letters mailed to dept. heads in schools of social work in pilot states; passing candidates

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Timeline, 2004 November 2003 – March 2004:Marketing continues – brochure developed, website content created, mailings to ASWB volunteers, schools of social work March 15, 2004:Registry program debuts nationally

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Where do we stand now? As of August 1, requests for applications received 232 paid applications 105 transfers (85 in/to MA) Annual Fees: $60; $35 students; $30 MA applicants

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Is it a success? Not yet. “Buy in” from regulatory boards slow “Critical mass” of registrants not yet reached Chicken-and-egg - A large number of registrants, lots of transfers are needed to demonstrate benefits to boards and get buy-in; social workers are reluctant to pay for a service that doesn’t have broad participation from jurisdictions.

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Board buy-in What’s the problem? Identifying the decision-makers Decision-makers “distance” from ASWB Varying interpretations of what is “required” Mechanism for dealing with summary document Suspicion

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Registrant buy-in What’s the problem? Comfort with/knowledge of marketing Learning curve for new social workers – do they know they need us? Identifying our opportunities Harder to sell to longtime social workers – the ones who best understand how we could help

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona If we had to do it all again… Would we? Probably. But with some changes. Pilot program kind of useless More investment in marketing; more involvement in marketing up front Earlier cost analyses Better understanding of individual board operations/personalities (personal visits?) Contracts with regulatory boards

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona If we had to do it all again… On the other hand, some things are working Database well-designed, integrates easily with existing resources Exam registration program a crucial link to customers Application review contracts very beneficial Pricing does not seem to be prohibitive Direct mail marketing returns acceptable Customer satisfaction high

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Wanna try it yourself? First, ask yourself a few questions Would the program support your core mission? Is there another organization better suited? How long can the program be subsidized? Is there an expectation that the program would break even/produce revenue over expenditures? What kind of exit strategy exists? Are there ways for the program to expand in the future? Do you have a clear understanding of member board workings? What kind of relationship do you have with your member boards currently? Would this program put those relationships at risk? How will document storage be handled? How many people will be needed to operate the system? Do you have the space?

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona Political Know board operations Know decision-makers “Well-educated” membership High name recognition Strong track record Perceived need among members Supportive organizational leadership Funds to devote to outreach Technical Database capabilities Adequate hardware Ability to handle credit card transactions Reliable programmer Document storage capabilities Funds to devote to additional staff Commercial Comfort with marketing Marketing capabilities Knowledge of most promising markets Name recognition Perceived need ‘Well educated” potential customers Multiple ways of accessing potential customers Funds to devote to marketing Next, take an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses in at least three core areas: Do your strengths at least balance out your weaknesses?

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. Finally, choose an inspirational quote. Print up t-shirts for your project team. If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. -Attributed to Steven Wright

Presented at the 2005 CLEAR Annual Conference September Phoenix, Arizona For more information Troy Elliott, Communications Director Association of Social Work Boards (800) (540) (fax)