What is LEAD?

Social Work Legislative Education and Advocacy Development

Wednesday, February 29,2012

The Goals of LEAD in Indiana

To promote social justice by facilitating participation in the legislative process.

Create community and legislative environments where social work values are accepted and implemented.

Educate participants about the importance of influencing state policy by participating in the electoral process and advocating for statewide actions.

What is LEAD? Legislative Education and Advocacy

Development (LEAD) is an annual event planned by a dedicated group of professionals and students working through the NASW-Indiana Chapter.

The first LEAD was on Feb. 2, 2000 with approximately 200 participants. LEAD 2011: 422 participants LEAD 2010: 250 participants even with snow storms and icy roadsLEAD 2009: 575 participantsLEAD 2008: 625 participants

LEAD Day in the Past

13th Annual LEAD Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The State House

200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

For the Latest NEWS on 2012 LEAD:

www.naswin.org

and select the “Advocacy/Public Policy” tab To find the location on a map click here

For parking information click here

To see a map of the State House Rotunda meeting area click here

To view a YouTube clip of LEAD click here

2012 LEAD Day Schedule Statehouse tours at:

9:00 & 9:30 AM 12:00 & 12:30 PM (Each tour lasts 30 minutes)

General LEAD Session:

10:00 to 11:30 AM

Students can then go to individual appointments with Legislator(s) or attend hearings.

Lunch will be on your own, click here to view dining options located near the State House or bring your own lunch.

Ways to prepare for LEAD

Find out who represents you at the General Assembly at: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/

Make contact (email or phone) to schedule a time to talk on February 29

Review legislation ahead of time being considered by the General Assembly online at: http://www.in.gov/legislative

Ways to prepare for LEAD Continued…

Find out about your legislator’s position on issues of concern to you. Click here to view legislator’s positions on

specific issues.

Review the general priorities this year decided by interim study committees:

State Budget- click here for Indiana’s State Budget

Ways to prepare for LEAD Continued…

Contact legislators to set up appointments following the General LEAD Session. http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/

Prepare talking points ahead of time on specific legislation to discuss with legislator. Click here for samples of talking points

Your professional image matters View Professional Image for LEAD here

Social Work Practice Skills Demonstrated

Meeting with a legislator & building a relationship

Writing an action letter or email

Collaborating and networking with others

Influencing the legislative process

Navigating the system

Being empowered by being knowledgeable

For specific details, see the “Public Policy and Advocacy: Yes You Can!” PowerPoint

Feedback From LEAD Participants:

“Being in the State House and seeing the process in person made policy class research and study come alive”

“Hearing from NASW leadership enhanced my ability to identify with the profession”

“I gained a feeling of empowerment and increased confidence in own policy practice skills”

“This experience helped me make a connection between policy and practice”

Works Referenced Byers, K. (2000). “Lobby Day 2000: Organizing and mobilization strategies that work.”

Paper presented at Politics, Policy, and Social Change: An Institute for Social Work Educators and Practitioners, Atlanta, GA, June 17-20.

Byers, K., Hymans, D., Wagner, M. (2001). “400 voices at the State House: Empowering students in policy practice.” Paper presented at the 2001 Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, Dallas, TX, March 8-11.

Cummins, L. & Byers, K. (2000). “Teaching policy practice skills: An integrated model.” Presentation at the IASWE Annual Program Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, October 6.

Dickinson, J. & Byers, K. (2001). “Educating Students to Influence State Policy: What is the Status in BSW Programs.” Presentation at The Policy Conference: Bringing It All Together, Charleston, SC, June 16-19.

Keller, T. (2001). Student debates in policy courses: Promoting policy practice skills and knowledge through active learning. Journal of Social Work Education, 37, p343+ (electronic version)

Rocha, C. (2000). Evaluating experiential teaching methods in a policy practice course: The case for service learning to increase political participation. Journal of Social Work Education, 36, p.53+ (electronic version)