civic health month logo

About Civic Health Month

Civic Health Month is a nationwide celebration held each August to showcase the strengthening relationship between health care, healthy communities, and civic participation. Over 200 hospitals, healthcare associations, and civic engagement organizations unite to celebrate Civic Health Month each August. NASW-NJ has partnered with Vot-ER to make it possible for social workers, including those in private practice, to participate in Civic Health Month activities, as well.

What Is Civic Health

Civic health describes the current capacity of a community to address issues that impact the well-being of its members. Research shows better overall community health occurs when civic health is high—when every citizen has a voice in the public policy decisions that affect their well-being.

While a variety of different metrics are used to assess overall civic health in a community, two that are especially relevant to social workers are voter registration and electoral participation rates. Improving civic health by increasing the number of engaged voters expands representation in shaping the policies that affect individual and community health and well-being. Empowering community members to register to vote and participate in elections is a critical action social workers and other health/mental health providers can take to improve not only community-level civic health, but also physical and mental health at the individual level. By checking in on these civic vital signs when talking to clients and colleagues, social workers can help promote better civic health in their communities and throughout our country.

From the settlement house movement in the 1920s to Human SERVE (Human Service Employees Voter Registration and Education Campaign) in the 1980s and to Voting is Social Work (National Social Work Voter Mobilization Campaign) today, social workers have encouraged people to vote. The profession has long understood that voter engagement increases individual well-being, promotes civic participation, and is essential to a robust democracy. Please join us as we continue this century-long tradition of our profession during Civic Health Month and throughout the year.

Voter Registration Badges

Vot-ER Badge User Guide

The Vot-ER community is made up of tens of thousands of healthcare professionals—including social workers like you—who are dedicated to bringing civic engagement to our healthcare system. By using the Vot-ER badge in your daily practice, you can help your clients prepare for each and every opportunity to advocate for their health at the ballot box.



Download your New Jersey Vot-ER Digital Badge

(customized for NJ practitioners/voters)
BADGE FRONT

(click to download and print)

Badge Front Thumbnail


BADGE BACK

(click to download and print)

Badge Back Thumbnail

Get more tips & tools at the
Vot-ER website

PHONE BACKGROUND
(click to download)


[NJ] Phone Background (1) (4) (2)

Civic Health Month Webinars
(click for more info)

Civic Engagement as a Social Work Intervention Where Macro Meets Micro (1)

Civic Engagement as a Social Work Intervention: Where Macro Meets Micro
Click the image above to watch the webinar.


Civic Health Check-up The State of Election Reform in New Jersey (1)

Civic Health Check-up: The State of Election Reform in New Jersey   Wednesday, August 17  

12:00 - 1:00pm
Register