58th Annual NYSSWEA Conference
Date: November 5-7th, 2025
Theme: “Fostering Courage and Resilience in a Time of Great Uncertainty: Strategies, Solutions and Advocacy”
NYSSWEA 58th Annual Conference will take place from Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM through Friday, November 7, 2025, at 11:30 AM.
Registration:
Secure your spot today by completing the registration form. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited.
Stay Informed:
Stay tuned to our website for up-to-date information on speakers, sessions, and conference details.
We look forward to welcoming you to three days of dynamic workshops, networking opportunities, and inspiring discussions!
Conference Location:
Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs
Address: 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
You can make your hotel reservations for the conference by clicking the link below:
Room Block Code for Discounted Rates: SWA
For questions regarding accommodations, room reservations, amenities, or directions, please contact the hotel directly at (518) 584-4550.
Below are directions to the hotel:
58th Annual Conference
As a statewide organization, NYSSWEA offers our Annual Conference as a forum for exchanging ideas, information, and innovation regarding Social Work education, practice, advocacy, and research.
NYSSWEA cordially invites Social Work students, faculty, administrators, practicum instructors, and practitioners to present their latest findings, new ideas, and innovations that address the 2025 theme: Fostering courage and resilience in a time of great uncertainty: Strategies, solutions, and Advocacy.
In a world marked by rapid change, political upheaval, and social challenges, social workers stand at the forefront of advocating for vulnerable communities, fostering resilience, and leading transformative efforts for a more equitable society. This year's conference theme calls on educators, students, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to explore actionable strategies that empower individuals and communities to thrive despite adversity.
As we continue to navigate unprecedented times, it is critical that we reflect on how the current administration's leadership and policies impact the communities we serve. This conference will highlight innovative approaches to social work practice, advocacy, and community engagement while fostering an environment of courage and resilience—for us and the people, organizations, and communities we work with. We are interested in proposals addressing the intersection of policy change, systemic challenges, and the resilience-building processes necessary for social workers to meet today’s needs.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Cindy Bautista, Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW
We at NYSSWEA are thrilled to welcome our keynote speaker, Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW. Join us as she brings expertise, insight, and inspiration to this year’s conference.
Title: Anchored in Purpose: Leading with Heart and Hope in Transformative Times
In a world that is reshaping itself every day, our ability to lead with heart, hope, and a deep sense of purpose has never been more vital. In this keynote, Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas invites you to reconnect with your personal and professional journey, embracing your lived experiences as powerful tools for healing, leadership, and advocacy. Together, we will explore how vulnerability builds authentic connection, how uncertainty can open new doors for courageous action, and how staying rooted in our purpose helps us create lasting change. You will leave with renewed inspiration, practical strategies to nurture your well-being, and a deeper commitment to using your voice and vision to ignite change for yourself, your community, and the future of social work.
Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas is a dynamic educator, therapist, consultant, mindfulness facilitator, and social work scholar dedicated to advancing healing-centered practices, educational equity, and social justice. A proud Bronx native and first-generation Dominican American, Dr. Bautista-Thomas is deeply committed to honoring lived experiences, cultural identity, and community resilience in all areas of her work.
She serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Lehman College and the Social Work Club Advisor. She is also the Co-founder of Velocity Visions, Inc., and founder of Abundance Counseling Services, LCSW, PLLC. Her research focuses on school social work practice, the experiences of bilingual Latinx school social workers in K-12 settings, the integration of ancestral wisdom into social work education, and the critical role of self-care, wellness, and emotional intelligence in sustaining social work leadership.
Follow NYSSWEA’s Social Media Pages
Stay connected with us! 📲 Follow NYSSWEA on social media for the latest conference updates, resources, and highlights from our community of social workers, educators, and students. Don’t miss out—join the conversation today!
Social Media Picture
Conference Flyer Pic
Social Media Post Wording For Conference
📢 The 58th Annual Conference is coming November 5–7, 2025!
Theme: Fostering Courage and Resilience in a Time of Great Uncertainty: Strategies, Solutions and Advocacy.
This year, we’re bringing together educators, practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and students to reimagine how social work can lead with courage, resilience, and advocacy for a more equitable future.
🗓 Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this! Here is the Conference Link: https://nysswea.org/annual-conference
#NYSSWEA #NYSSWEAConference #NYSSWEAConference2025 #NYSSWEA58 #NYSSWEAAnnualConference
🌍 Theme Spotlight Post
In times of uncertainty and upheaval, social workers rise to meet the challenge.
Our 2025 conference theme calls us to reflect, reimagine, and take bold action:
✨ Strategies.
✨ Solutions.
✨ Advocacy.
Join us November 5–7 as we come together to foster courage and resilience for ourselves and the communities we serve. Here is the Conference Link: https://nysswea.org/annual-conference
#NYSSWEA #NYSSWEAConference #NYSSWEAConference2025 #NYSSWEA58 #NYSSWEAAnnualConference