History of National Case Management Week

Plans for National Case Management Week began in 1998 as an effort to help move the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) forward. It was the first major initiative of the association since its merger with ICMA in 1995. The CMSA Board of Directors agreed to a Case Management Week celebration, which began with a single press release announcing the details during the week of October 10, 1999, the first anniversary of the newly established CMSA.

Later, it was decided to mark the second full week in October each year as National Case Management Week, and the idea quickly spread as other organizations also began to establish their own CM Week celebrations. In an effort to strengthen the movement, collaborate with other organizations, and avoid confusion about the celebration, CMSA approached those organizations about unifying the annual event and marking it during the same week.

Initially, CM Week was promoted only to CMSA chapters, but as interest in the event grew, CM Week promotions extended to employers, as well as the full membership. Nancy Skinner, RN-BC, CCM, an esteemed CMA Past President and Board Member, was instrumental in the creation of an officially recognized CM Week. She was the first to submit a request for and receive a state proclamation declaring a National CM Week in her home state of Tennessee. Since then, many CMSA chapters have followed suit in their respective states.

Almost 12 years later, CMSA promotes the National Case Management Week celebration extensively with an annual CM Week theme and logo design, as well as through member promotions, national press releases, online tools and resources, and sales of promotional products. CM Week items include lapel pins, t-shirts, totes, mugs, cups, luggage tags, and more. In honor of the week, CMSA members are encouraged to wear their pins and t-shirts, plan celebratory events for their colleagues, and have CM Week prize giveaways. CMSA also encourages members to share their CM Week celebration stories each year.