NASW Chapters Promote Importance of Social Work Advocacy

Chapters

By Paul R. Pace

Advocating for social workers, their clients and sound social policies is an essential part of being a social worker. NASW chapters help ensure members and students in their communities learn about this cornerstone of the profession, which has a direct impact on social work efforts and people’s livelihoods.

One example is a presentation the NASW Florida Chapter hosted in March called “Advocacy 101 Training,” where they invited a leader from the Florida ACLU to discuss the importance of advocating for themselves and others.

Christina Cazanave-McCarthy, MSW, executive director of the NASW Florida and Virgin Islands chapters, said it is vital to collaborate with organizations like the ACLU so that social workers have the knowledge to advocate at the local level—like at school boards and county commissions—as well as state and federal levels.

“There’s never a time where we can’t advocate,” Cazanave-McCarthy said. “This is a wonderful time to bring clinical social workers, students and macro social workers together, because it is no longer a macro social worker’s job to advocate. It is all of our jobs to advocate.”

Katherine Perriel, senior statewide organizer for Florida ACLU, noted the Florida office was founded in 1965 and has 130,000 supporters. The organization focuses on supporting immigration, voting rights, free speech, and reproductive rights. If there is an issue that arises, the ACLU can join other organizations to help, she said.

“Why is advocacy so important to us?” Perriel asked. “It’s on us. Constituents have the power to make change at the (local, state and federal levels). It’s our job to make elected officials accountable. And we need to make sure voices are heard in the community and let officials know what we care about, and about the injustices going on in our cities that will not be ignored.”

The ACLU is a nonpartisan organization, she noted, and aims to ensure systems are equitable and that no one is left behind. The ACLU uses relational organizing, Perriel said. “That is organizing your personal network and relationships to build power and effect positive change.”

“I always advise if you are just getting started with advocacy, get started with the people you know,” she said. “You don’t have to immediately jump into talking to strangers. You have influence over your friends and family whether you know it or not.”

Perriel suggests identifying your spheres of influence, writing out your personal story, and then making an effective ask. She also discussed other levels of engagement that lead to effective advocacy. (Pictured Right: The NASW Indiana Chapter held its 26th annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) at the Indiana Statehouse. LEAD is designed to encourage Indiana social workers to participate in the legislative process, reaffirm Indiana policymakers’ embrace of social work ideals, and teach students and social workers the value of advocacy.)

“Make sure you are passionate about your cause,” she said. “No one will buy what you are selling if you are not passionate about it.”

Indiana

Like Florida, the NASW Indiana Chapter hosts regular legislative education sessions where organizers discuss the importance of social work advocacy and how bills become laws. They also explain the bills the chapter is following, said Beryl Cohen, MSW, executive director of NASW-Indiana.

On March 3, the chapter held its 26th annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) at the Indiana statehouse. LEAD is designed to encourage Indiana social workers to participate in the legislative process, reaffirm Indiana policymakers’ embrace of social work ideals, and teach students and social workers the value of advocacy.

“We do partner with the ACLU of Indiana on some things, and one of their folks spoke at our legislative advocacy day,” Cohen said. Several legislators and representatives from partner agencies also spoke at LEAD, many focusing on the importance of advocating for policies and legislation that are important to social workers. (Pictured Left: Social work students from the University of Southern Indiana attend NASW-Indiana’s Legislative Education and Advocacy Day at the state capitol.)

They emphasized the significance of the work we do as change agents, and that while it might feel like we are “chipping at rock,” it is important be patient and continue to advocate on policies and legislation that can affect social workers and clients and communities across Indiana, the chapter said in a recent message to members.

California

Carrying on the advocacy education tradition is the NASW California Chapter, which hosted its Policy Symposium in late March.

The event “is critical to our mission,” said Kimberly Warmsley, MSW, LCSW, executive director of NASW-California. “It provides an invaluable opportunity to connect social workers with experts, policymakers, and each other to engage in meaningful conversations about our communities’ pressing issues.”

The gathering offered attendees a deeper understanding of the policies that shape our work and the communities we serve, she said. Presenters educated members on state legislative processes and information, NASW federal priorities, what is an executive order, the types of legislative branches (state and federal), and why it is essential to join NASW to ensure policies that impact our profession and vulnerable communities are passed.

Warmsley said the symposium educates and mobilizes members to act. “We aim to strengthen our collective capacity to advocate for policies promoting social justice, equity, and well-being.”