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 roads  LEAD 2009: 575 participants  LEAD 2008: 625 participants

LEAD Day in the Past

13 th Annual LEAD Wednesday, February 29, 2012 The State House 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN For the Latest NEWS on 2012 LEAD: and select the “Advocacy/Public Policy” tab  To find the location on a map click herehere  For parking information click herehere  To see a map of the State House Rotunda meeting area click herehere  To view a YouTube clip of LEAD click herehere

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.here

Ways to prepare for LEAD  Find out who represents you at the General Assembly at:  Make contact ( or phone) to schedule a time to talk on February 29  Review legislation ahead of time being considered by the General Assembly online at:

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.here  Review the general priorities this year decided by interim study committees:  State Budget- click here for Indiana’s State Budgethere

Ways to prepare for LEAD Continued…  Contact legislators to set up appointments following the General LEAD Session.   Prepare talking points ahead of time on specific legislation to discuss with legislator.  Click here for samples of talking pointshere  Your professional image matters  View Professional Image for LEAD hereViewProfessional Image for LEAD here

Social Work Practice Skills Demonstrated  Meeting with a legislator & building a relationship  Writing an action letter or  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 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 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 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)