Legislative Social Policy Committee

NASW-Michigan's Standing Committee Addressing Legislative & Social Policy - Engaging members in legislative advocacy 

The Chapter’s Legislative/Social Policy (LSP) Committee recommends Board positions on social and legislative action and develops the Chapter’s legislative advocacy agenda.  The Committee educates and engages the membership in the legislative process, administrative actions, and ballot initiatives that affect social workers and their client populations.   NASW has a strong commitment to political action and advocacy and this Committee provides a way for the Chapter and its members to engage in critical political issues. 

This Committee develops its legislative agenda and responds to State and Federal legislative initiatives by working closely with the chapter’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to review, develop and advocate for State and Federal Legislative and Budget actions that benefit social workers and Michigan’s citizens.  It comprises a cross section of member social workers from various fields such as child welfare, gerontology, health care, corrections, mental health, education, community development, LGBT, public policy and domestic violence and women’s issues.  It is a resource for the Chapter’s government relations staff and lobby firm and coordinates meetings for members with State legislators.
 

The Chapter’s Legislative Agenda encompasses a variety of issues vital to social workers, the social work profession, and the well-being of the populations served by social workers.  Recent initiatives have included: 

• Partial student loan forgiveness for individuals who pursue BSW & MSW degrees who commit to work in high need areas
• Pay equity with other human service fields
• Requiring individuals with LMSW degrees in certain supervisory positions
• Social Work workforce development – promotion of social workers placement in human service and non traditional settings – where they can make a difference
• Advocating passage of 2008 ballot measures addressing medical marijuana and stem cell research

Legislative & Social Policy issues being monitored or advocated by the Committee for 2010 involve advocating legislative action on:

• Mental Health Parity 
• Second Parent Adoption
• Anti- Bullying
• Juvenile Competency to Stand Trial – ensuring social workers are included in those professions that can provide a competency evaluation 
• Public Defense Reform for indigent youth and adults – ensuring social workers are included in the defense process
• State Resolution urging National Adoption of Convention of Rights of the Child
• Protection of our elder population against fraud and abuse
• Active involvement during the 2010 Legislative Session on:
• State Budget adequately funding basic needs (including many programs and services that are staffed or administered by social workers)
• State Tax reform that adequately funds services to assure the health, safety and welfare of MI Citizens

Legislation/Social Policy the Committee/Chapter will be promoting in the 2010 Legislative Session 

• Student Loan forgiveness for individuals achieving MSW degrees
• Requiring persons with LMSW degrees in certain supervisory positions
• Emergency Contraception
• Prevention of Dating Violence
• Abusive Workplace Prevention Act
• Involvement of School Social Workers in implementation of K-12 Education Reform
• Revision of Child Care Fund to encourage prevention services

LSP Committee Meetings

The LSP Committee meetings are regularly held the second Monday of each month from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the NASW Chapter office unless otherwise noted. (Call in Phone # will be provided for those unable to attend personally). NASW members are welcome to join the committee.  Please e-mail Linda Burghardt at LBurghardt@ nasw-michigan.org. 

The meetings for the 2010-2011 year are:

• September 13, 2010
• October 11, 2010
• November 8, 2010
• December 13, 2010
• January 10, 2011
• February 14, 2011
• March 14, 2011
• April 11, 2011
• May 9, 2011
• June 13, 2011

LSP Forum