2021 Virtual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day

Thursday, October 28, 2021

9am - 5:30pm

NASW Michigan is committed to working across sectors and advocating policies, legislation, and programs that promote justice and racial justice. LEAD is a day-long conference that educates 800-1000 social workers from across the state on the most critical and current issues in the field.

We at NASW-MI want to think broadly and lay a vision for the future of social work. We want to reimagine this field, and continue to work towards the day when individuals and communities have equitable resources. One, where policies, laws, and institutions do not exploit, oppress or further perpetuate harm. However, we cannot do this alone. We need incoming social work professionals and students like you with bold visions to help lead the way!

All sessions throughout the day will focus on creating a more equitable society post COVID-19, combating voter nullification, reproductive rights, our role in political and legislative environments and the future of the social work workforce. Due to the pandemic, we are also continuing to hold LEAD virtual, which we hope will also allow greater participation from all over the state.

We will have a keynote speaker Sheryl Kubiak, Ph.D., Dean of and a Professor in the Wayne State University School of Social Work and Founding Director of the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice. Prior to her current position, Dean Kubiak was a professor in the College of Social Science, Department of Social Work, at Michigan State University and a research associate in the Institute for Research on Women and Gender and the Substance Abuse Research Center – both at the University of Michigan. Dean Kubiak obtained her graduate degrees from the University of Michigan (MSW, 1988; PhD in Psychology, 2002) and a BA in Social Work with a minor in Business Administration from Madonna University (1987).

Dean Kubiak’s interest in the intersections between criminal/legal systems and behavioral health began 30 years ago when she developed and administered a long-term residential re-entry program in Detroit for pregnant women addicted to crack cocaine. Since then, Dean Kubiak has received funding from national (NIMH, NSF, NIDA) and state (MDOC, MDHHS) government, as well as foundations (i.e., Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Skillman, Flinn) to research and evaluate projects such as substance abuse treatment within prisons, mental health courts, and integrated substance abuse and mental health treatment for those involved in the legal system.

The conference will be virtual, again you must register to attend.

6.5 CEs will be awarded to licensed attendees.

NASW Student Members, Retired Members, and Transitional Members-$30

Student Future-Members-$45

NASW Members-$80, Future-Members-$100

***Students: Please verify with your school prior to registering individually***

For schools wishing to register groups, please click here to download the required registration file.

Please email tmccarthy.naswmi@socialworkers.org if you have any questions.

Tentative Schedule

• 9-9:30am. Welcome & Announcements. (Students Scholarships & Political Leadership Award)

• 9:30-10:30am. Morning Keynote (1 CE)

• 10:40-12. Breakouts #1 (1.5 CEs)

• 12-12:30pm. Speed Networking/Exhibitor Break

• 12:30-1:50pm. Afternoon Keynote (1.5 CEs)

• 2-3:20pm. Breakouts #2 (1.5 CEs)

• 3:30-4:30pm. Closing Keynote (1 CE)

• 4:30-5:30PM. Virtual Career & Resource Fair

Keynote Speakers

Shannon Lane, Leigh Chapman, Sheryl Kubiak

Workshop Information

Marijo Upshaw & Regina Ann Campbell

What’s Your Locally Owned Bakery Have to do with Elevating Equity? A Dialogue on Promoting Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Roles for Social Workers

Social workers experienced in entrepreneurship development discuss its important role elevating equity for persons from marginalized groups and communities.

Opportunity For All - Using Policy to Promote Equity

Justin Hodge

Using recent examples in Washtenaw County, Commissioner Hodge will explore how policy can be used to enact initiatives that promote equity and social justice

Centering Blackness: Reproductive Health Experiences

Cassy Jones-McBryde, Laura De Palma, Shanay Watson-Whittaker, Dr. Princess Currence

Please join us for a discussion that will focus on Black women and reproductive healthcare and address the impact of racism and disparities from a strengths- and solutions-based framework.

Voter Education, Suppression and the Importance of Voting

Sam Inglot, Patrick Schuh, Jamie Lyons-Eddy

Systems Change.... Painfully Slow Yet Possible

Nanci Hambrick, Terri Gilbert, Tyler Logan

What is systems change? What does systems change have to do with social work? This workshop is for people who want to pursue social justice by working to change fractured and siloed systems. Spoiler alert: working with systems has a lot of similarities to working with individuals!

Creating Workforce Changes within Social Work

Adam Cecil, Daric Thorne, Dani Hoover

Advancing Mental Health in the Muslim Community 

Dr. Farha Abbasi

Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities

LEAD is a cost-effective way to reach potential customers, students, and future employees, as well as to support the state's 30,000 social workers and 6,500 students. You will connect with qualified decision-makers and engage in direct communication that provides for an immediate exchange of information and questions. Please click here to review all of the sponsorship details or click on the option below to confirm your spot!

LEAD Champion - $4,000

• Acknowledgement during LEAD announcements
• Listing in The Bridge newsletter and on chapter website
• One conference app push to attendees
• Up to four complimentary conference registrations
• Virtual conference exhibit table (see below for details)
• 30-60 welcome video to be show during opening announcements
• Ability to include content in three chapter email blasts throughout the year (a reach of more than 5,000 social workers per email)
• One year of a linked banner image on the NASW-Michigan website homepage
• This sponsorship level includes a $500 donation to the Student Leadership in Diversity Scholarship Fund (funds one full scholarship)

Technology Sponsor - $1,500

• Acknowledgement during LEAD announcements
• Listing in The Bridge newsletter and on chapter website
• Ability to include content in one chapter email blast throughout the year (a reach of more than 5,000 social workers)
• Up to two complimentary conference registrations
• Virtual conference exhibit table

Advocacy Partner- $500

• Acknowledgement during announcements
• Listing in The Bridge newsletter and on chapter website
• One complimentary conference registration
• Virtual conference exhibit table