Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD)
CALLING ALL SOCIAL WORKERS!
We will be hosting our annual Legislative Education Advocacy and Day (LEAD) on Monday, March 31, 2025. We are especially excited for this year because for the first time in four years, we will be hosting LEAD in-person at the state house, rather than virtually on Zoom.
LEAD offers students a unique chance to take a direct approach with advocacy by using hands-on tactics to uplift issues they are passionate about and engaging in macro social work practice. By the end of the event, we hope these social workers and early professionals understand the importance of legislative advocacy and lobbying, have an awareness of NASW’s current legislative priorities, and possess adequate experience and knowledge to lobby their representatives in their future practice.
This event includes remarks from impressive keynote speakers, a how-to session for lobbying, and panel discussions related to some of the bills on our legislative agenda. Directly following the event, attendees are encouraged to lobby their legislators – this is the most important part of the program.
REGISTER FOR LEAD 2025 HERE
WORKSHOP OVERVIEWS
There will be four different workshops offered for attendees to go to depending on their interests and what they registered for. Each workshop will go into great detail regarding specific bills from our legislative priorities. Workshops will feature panelists from different backgrounds and areas of expertise who will answer set questions regarding each:
- The SUPER Act
- Creates a state funded grant program for MSW students in practicum placement, removes the exam requirement for the LCSW, and allows LICSWs to receive continuing education credits for providing supervision
- Social Work Interstate Compact
- Would reduce barriers to license portability by allowing social workers with bachelor’s, master’s, and clinical licenses to serve clients in other compact states
- Overdose Prevention Centers
- Would create a pilot local option for the creation of overdose prevention centers, or safe consumption sites, so that towns and cities in Massachusetts can open these centers if they so choose
- Lift Our Kids
- Sets a minimum for financial assistance at 50% of the federal poverty level - $1036/mo. for a family of three. Financial assistance will be increased by 20%/yr until the goal is met, effectively lifting all families in the commonwealth out of Deep Poverty
Meeting with your legislators (Meetings should be scheduled a month before LEAD):
Scheduling a meeting with your legislator is easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Find your legislator's contact information (hint: use this link here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator)
2. Call or e-mail your legislator.
Example script: Hi, my name is _________ and I am a constituent (resident if not a registered voter) of Rep./Sen. ________. I'd like to set up a meeting with them regarding bill# ________.
3. Find a time to meet with your legislator or their aide. (Note: Aides are crucial to keeping their legislators informed and are just as important to meet with).
Be sure to bring any fact sheets related to your bill and, of course, your personal stories about how this bill would affect you or your clients. Want more guidance on what to chat about when meeting with your state senator or state rep? Click here!
Note: Legislators will often schedule coffee hours or other times for you to meet with them in the district. Check out their social media pages to find out when! To schedule a meeting with legislators, folks should begin by finding their state senator and representatives here and reach out to the appropriate offices. If folks have any questions or need assistance, they are encouraged to reach out to Brianna Silva at bsilva.naswma@socialworkers.org, Dakota Armstrong at intern1.naswma@socialworkers.org, or Audrey Leopold at intern2.naswma@socialworkers.org.
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
- 9:30-10:00am - Attendees arrive / network / folder pick up
- 10:00 - 10:15am - Opening Remarks
- 10:15-10:30am - Special Guests to Declare March Social Work Month
- 10:30am - 11:15am - Lobbying/Advocacy 101
- 11:30 - 12:30pm - Workshops
- 12:30pm - Attendees leave to lobby their legislators and pick up lunchbox
- END OF EVENT
LUNCH OPTIONS (to-go-lunch)
- Turkey and cheddar sandwich
- Basil BLT
- Greek salad (GF)
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
Sponsorships
The opportunity to sponsor LEAD 2025 is now available. Please contact Brianna Silva at bsilva.naswma@socialworkers.org to learn about the different sponsorship options.
