Take Action on NASW Priority Bills!

The legislative goals of NASW are to advance the social work profession by advocating for legislation that will protect and advance social workers in their professions and impact social and economic justice by restoring and supporting funding for effective human service programs.

We accomplish this by:

LOBBYING - NASW lobbies on human services budget items and social work practice issues on our Legislative Agenda.

TESTIFYING - NASW testifies at the State House in favor of our prioritized legislation and encourages members to come to hearings when appropriate. One such hearing was on July 14, 2005 opposing restoration of the death penalty in Massachusetts. (See September 2005 FOCUS for more on this effort.)

WORKING IN COALITIONS - NASW works actively with National NASW and in Massachusetts coalitions on issues such mental health parity, human services budget items, universal health care, welfare reform, and combating discrimination against immigrants, gay, lesbian and bisexual people, people of color, and people who are differently abled. We generally work in coalitions to counter assaults on human services and to advocate for tax and other economic reforms.

ORGANIZING AND ACTIVISM - Organizes local district meetings with lawmakers and social workers. Coordinates the highly successful and well attended Annual "Legislative Clearinghouse", a conference on Massachusetts human services legislation and budget issues, attended by social workers, advocates, clients, legislators and legislative aides. Works to increase the presence of NASW social workers at the State House advocating for key priority issues.

CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT (PACE) - NASW - PACE endorses Co-sponsors forums for gubernatorial and congressional candidates. Participates in the Commonwealth Coalition to endorse and work for progressive candidates seeking state office. PACE also endorses in local elections since we recognize that leaders often start on the local level and we want to work with them starting at the beginning of their careers.