2025 Virtual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day

Unmute Yourself: Political Literacy is Professional Competence 

Thursday, October 16 | 9am - 5:30pm ET

Virtual - 6.5 CE Credits

NASW Michigan is dedicated to advocating for policies, legislation, and programs that advance justice and racial equity across sectors. The 2025 Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) is a day-long virtual conference designed to educate and empower 800-1,000 social workers and students from across the state on the most urgent and impactful issues in the field today.

At NASW-MI, we are committed to reimagining the future of social work. Our vision is a world where individuals and communities have access to equitable resources, and where policies, laws, and institutions uphold justice, rather than perpetuate harm. But to achieve this, we need passionate and forward-thinking professionals like you to join us. Together, we can build a future where social work leads the way in transformative change.

Event Schedule

*subject to change 

9:00 – 9:30 AM
Welcome & Announcements

9:30 – 10:30 AM
Morning Keynote – Mobilizing to Support Immigrant Communities
(1 Implicit Bias CE)

10:40 AM – 12:00 PM
Morning Breakout Sessions (1.5 CEs)

• Ethical Advocacy for All Beings: Social Work’s Role in Animal Welfare and Policy Change (1.5 Ethics Credits)

• From Practice to Policy: Ethical Pathways to Legislative Advocacy (1.5 Ethics Credits)

• Keeping Kids Safe: Take Action Against Child Abuse (1.5 General Credits)

12:00 – 12:30 PM
Speed Networking / Break

12:30 – 1:50 PM
Keynote – Beyond Criminalization: Confronting Bias and Building Housing Justice
(1.5 Implicit Bias CEs)

2:00 – 3:20 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (1.5 CEs)

• Equity in Care: Addressing Bias in Parental Leave Policy and Access (1.5 Implicit Bias Credits)

• A Workforce at the Breaking Point: Addressing Michigan’s School Behavioral Health Crisis (1.5 General Credits)

• Social Workers at the Library? Connecting Resources and Social Services (1.5 Ethics Credits)

3:30 – 4:30 PM
Keynote – Rights at Risk: Engaging Elected Officials: Advocacy in Action
(1 Ethics CEs)

4:30 – 5:30 PM
Virtual Career & Resource Fair

Presenters

Nick Cook, Director of Public Policy, Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness

Sarah Rennie, Director of Engagement, Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness

Caitlyn Stadler, MSW, State Legislative Director, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Justin Hodge, LMSW-Clinical, District 5 Commissioner, Washtenaw County

Sacha Klein, PhD, MSW, Associate Professor, School of Social Work Michigan State University 

Aisha Wells, Co-Deputy Director of Campaigns, Mothering Justice

Krystle DuPree, LLMSW, QDIP, QMHP

Aleysha Czartoszewski, Michigan Health Council

Katherine Frieden, Michigan Health Council

Justin Hodge, LMSW-Clinical, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, LLMSW, Ann Arbor City Council

Melissa Werkman, President, Children's Advocacy Centers of Michigan

Kat Layton, LMSW, Ypsilanti District Library

Cost

• Members: $85
• NonMembers: $110
  
• Students/Transition/Retired Members: $30
• Non Member Students: $45

***Students: Please verify with your school prior to registering individually***
Please email dhaskin.naswmi@socialworkers.org if you have any questions.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made more than 2 weeks before the event will receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the event are non-refundable. Cancellations made within 1 week of the event will incur a $25 cancellation fee.

Sponsors & Exhibitors

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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.

LEAD Champion - $4,000

• Acknowledgement during LEAD announcements
• Logo placed on the event website
• Acknowledgment pinned to chat section of platform 
• Acknowledgment post to chapter Facebook and Instagram accounts
• Acknowledgement in the conference program
• Four complimentary LEAD conference registrations
• Virtual LEAD conference exhibit table (see below for details)
• 30-60-second welcome video to be shown during opening announcements
• One specialized email blast to student members of NASW-MI 
• Ability to include content in two-chapter email blasts throughout the year 
        (a reach of nearly 6,000 social workers per email)  
• One year of a linked banner image on the NASW-Michigan website homepage

--Also Includes--

• 2026 Campaign School Sponsor - Social Work Mobilizer (Spring 2026)

- 3 complimentary registrations
- Opportunity to add 1 paper and 1 swag item to attendee bags
- Verbal acknowledgement of sponsorship during the event program
- Logo with hyperlink on main event registration website
- Logo in the event program
- Logo and hyperlink to Sponsor website added to each marketing email

Technology Sponsor - $1,500

• Acknowledgement during LEAD announcements
• Logo placed on the event website
• Acknowledgment post to chapter Facebook and Instagram accounts 
• Acknowledgement in the conference program
• Acknowledgment pinned to chat section of platform 
• One specialized email blast to student members of NASW-MI 
• Two complimentary LEAD conference registrations
• Virtual LEAD conference exhibit table
  

-- Also includes--

• 2026 Campaign School Sponsor - Digital Sponsor (Spring 2026) 

- 2 complimentary Campaign School registrations
- Verbal acknowledgement of sponsorship during the event program
- Logo on the main event registration website
- Logo in the event program
- Logo and hyperlink to Sponsor website added to each marketing email

Advocacy Partner- $500

• Acknowledgement during announcements
• Logo placed on the event website
• Acknowledgment post to chapter Facebook and Instagram accounts 
• Acknowledgement in the conference program
• Acknowledgment pinned to chat section of platform
• One complimentary LEAD conference registration
• Virtual LEAD conference exhibit table
• One complimentary Campaign School registration (Spring 2026)

Virtual Exhibitor - $100

• Listing on the exhibitor section of the conference platform, which will be viewable throughout the day
• Ability to include up to two handouts
• May include a video message (or standing image/graphic)
• Ability for attendees to submit their contact information for further information or follow up
• A live virtual exhibitor booth from 4:30-5:30pm where you can interact directly with conference attendees

Please contact Danielle at dhaskin.naswmi@socialworkers.org to sponsor or exhibit!