One organization I looked into is NOHS National Organization for human services. I chose the
practitioner's membership for $95. It offers a quick guide and references when you need quick answers
to serve those in the community. It offers. "Opportunities to share research and expertise with the
human services community at conferences, in publications, and on media productions. Set awareness
of new strategies and evidence-based practices. Grow the next generation of counsellors. Leadership
opportunities with NOHS projects, committees, and leadership efforts." (NOHS)
c c NOHS also has a student membership that cost $35. It is geared to assist individuals to develop their
careers. It provides an "Opportunity to be featured in the Student Spotlight on LinkedIn and social
media. Access to Scholarships. Career Development. Job Board. Free résumé evaluation. Access to
Getting Hired in Human Services video series. Volunteering opportunities- shape the future of NOHS
and human services! Ability to present your papers and posters at NOHS conferences." (NOHS)
I was interested in finding out about child welfare but was lost on how to find the information.
After looking up two human services professional organizations the first I found was the American
counseling association.
According to, the ACA website, The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit,
professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the
counseling profession. Founded in 1952, ACA is the world's largest association exclusively
representing professional counselors in various practice settings.
(American counseling association, n.d.)
To join this organization as a student cost $105 for an annual membership. Benefits for membership
include professional ethics consultations, free continuing education credits, access to job boards,
career consultations, annual national awards, discounts for registrations for any of the Conferences
and expos, advocacy training with continuing education credits, and advocacy toolkit. If the member
has a practice they offer support for them by offering discounts on books in the bookstore, members
can get support by applying for a grant, discounts on software, rental cars.
I would join this organization if I were to decide to go into the counseling field. They offer a lot of
perks for members. I especially like the opportunity to continue my education for free and perks for
members who have a practice.
The next organization is the National Association of Social Workers Georgia Chapter. To join this
organization the membership fee depends on what type of degree program the student is in. If the
student is working on a Bachelor's or Master's in Social Work the annual fee is $60. For a student
working on their Doctorate, the annual fee is $179. For an Associate Student Membership, the annual
fee is $60. The National Association of Social Workers offers free ethics consultations. They also offer
different types of insurance coverage, such as “auto and home, life and disability, and wellness
insurance”( “National Association of Social Workers,”n.d.). The members will have the ability to
network and join online groups. If the member needs legal assistance and support for legal cases the
organization can assist them. Both the local and national chapters are included with annual fees.
Classes are offered to help members prepare for licensing exams. Lastly, they offer continuing
education classes, and some are free to NASWGA members. I don’t think I would join this
organization simply because they don’t offer enough. I would have to investigate other organizations
for social workers and compare the benefits for both.
For those working specifically in professional counselling, the ACA provides free access to
publications, discounts on conferences, and help with continuing education classes. The organization
works in a variety of settings and serves in multiple capacities, including helping people become a
counselor, therapist or psychologist. Membership fees vary based on profession level. ACA also
provides many online resources to its members, including mental health support information. As a
counsellor, you deserve a professional home where you can build community, deepen knowledge, and
develop your commitment to enriching lives and contributing to societal well-being. Through
whatever practice setting you choose, at whatever point in your career you might be, you can rely on
the American Counselling Association to offer you the guidance and support you need throughout
your professional journey. For students it is 105$
Benefits:
Discounted liability insurance (Free for Student members enrolled in master’s programs)
Professional ethics consultations
Opportunity to market your practice as guided by the ACA Code of Ethics
Free subscriptions to our award winning Counseling Today magazine and the Journal of Counseling &
Development
Free continuing education credits valued at $264
Targeted advocacy efforts for legislation and policy issues affecting the profession, such as Medicare
reimbursement and the interstate counseling compact
Advocacy action alerts and legislative news updates
Advocacy training and continuing education credit through events like Virtual Hill Day
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the
behavioral health of the nation.SAMHSA's practitioner training offers tools, training, and technical
assistance to practitioners in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders.SAMHSA’s
programs and campaigns offer information, training, and technical assistance to improve the quality
and delivery of behavioral health services across the nation. They provide number of resources to
practitioners, through links to other organizations.
I would join both these organizations because they fall within what I am passionate about and provide
information and support and training I would need for the career path I am heading.
One professional organization that students can become members of is the National Organization for
Human Services (NOHS). Membership for students costs $35 per year and they receive numerous
benefits that help launch their careers. These benefits include the opportunity to be featured in the
Student Spotlight in LinkedIn, access to scholarships, free résumé evaluation, job board access,
volunteering opportunities, and the ability to present their own papers at NOHS conferences (National
Organization for Human Services, n.d.). With all of the opportunities and support that NOHS provides
for individuals who are interested in working within human services, this is the organization I would
join.
Another organization that students can join is the National Human Services Assembly. The National
Assembly focuses on strengthening the bonds between various nonprofit human services
organizations that address many human service issues. The benefits of joining this organization
include unique learning and networking opportunities, involvement in an engaged network for
building partnerships, and addressing the challenges that require cooperation between organizations
(National Human Services Assembly, 2022). The application process begins with sending a note of
inquiry to membership@nassembly.org. I think that of these two organizations, NOHS is more
inviting to students compared to the National Assembly since I could not find much information
regarding students specifically for the application process with the assembly.
APHSA is a bipartisan membership organization that represents state and local health and human
services. It is committed to using all of their resources in influencing modern policies that support
strong families, connecting members to policymakers and human-serving organizations, and building
better communities through educational conferences and publications. Membership is for local, state,
and social leaders in human services. For the cost of a student, it is $85
Membership & Partnership Opportunities | APHSA
The vision of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) is a world with a
highly qualified and professional direct support workforce that partners with, supports, and empowers
people with disabilities to lead a life of their choosing. NADSP works to elevate the status of direct
support professionals by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, and advancing their
knowledge, skills, and values, through certification, credentialing, training, professional development,
and accreditation services. Cost on NADSP it depends on how many users for members and
nonmembers.
NADSP Membership Benefits
Receive an organizational discount on the E-Badge Academy
Obtain 10% discounted rates for NADSP Training (in-person/virtual)
Obtain 10% discounted rates for NADSP Curricula
Unlimited access the members-only section of NADSP website
Participation in ‘Learning Annex’ webinars covering a variety of topics
Live and archived “Let’s Talk” webinars which explore timely and critical topics
Receive E-Blasts with information about NADSP events, presentations, and other opportunities
Highlight your organizational logo and website link on NADSP website
Be part of a movement that elevates the status of direct support professionals
https://nadsp.org/
National Human Services Assembly. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nationalassembly.org/
National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/
American counselling association. (n.d.). About ACA. American Counselling Association | A
professional home for counselors. https://www.counseling.org/about-us/about-aca
American counselling association. (n.d.). About ACA. American Counselling Association | A
professional home for counselors. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from
https://www.counseling.org/about-us/about-aca
American Counselling Association. (n.d.). Join-reinstate today! American Counselling Association | A
professional home for counsellors. Retrieved December 13, 2022, from
https://www.counseling.org/membership
National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Membership types. NASW Home. Retrieved
December 14, 2022, from https://www.socialworkers.org/Membership/Membership-Types
National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Why join NASW? NASWGA. Retrieved December
14, 2022, from https://www.naswga.org/why-join-nasw-georgia
Stinchcomb, J. (n.d.). For practitioners. Member Clicks. Retrieved December 15, 2022, from. c c c c c c c
https://nohs.memberclicks.net/for-practitioners
Stinchcomb, J. (n.d.). For students. Member Clicks. Retrieved December 15, 2022, from
https://nohs.memberclicks.net/for-students
