To the NASW National Site                                                                Mississippi Chapter News

NASW, MS Legislative Day

On February 19, 2008,  256 social workers and social work students and faculty gathered at the capitol to meet with legislators and participate in a press conference and "social worker salary rally" with Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, Executive Director, NASW, Washington, DC, NASW, and MS Chapter President Taylor McGlawn, MSW,  Charles Araujo, LCSW, Legislative Liaison, and Executive Director Janice Sandefur, ACSW, LCSW.    Eleven colleges and universities were represented, including the nine schools with CSWE accredited schools of social work.  Many lawmakers stopped by the display and were supplied with information on bills of concern to social workers and the clients we serve. 

Thanks so much to all who attended, volunteered, and participated in the calls and contacts to our lawmakers on behalf of our profession!  We will be back next year!

President Taylor McGlawn addresses the crowd.

Angela Gaddis, left, and Jeannie Falkner, right, meet with NASW Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Clark.

NASW Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Clark and Mississippi State University, Meridian Campus students.

*******************************************************************************

Click here for the latest Legislative Update from The Clay Firm.

*******************************************************************************

Use this link to connect to more legislative and political information from NASW including national advocacy and issues of concern to social workers:

http://capwiz.com/socialworkers/ms  

**********************************************************************************************

2008 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA of NASW, MS CHAPTER

Maintain social work licensure with current language in the law

Oppose cuts to services that threaten the well being of at-risk populations and/or support full funding of services (i.e. DNS, Health, Medicaid, Mental Health, and K-12 education)

Support, if necessary, an increase in State revenue to fully fund services to at-risk populations

Support additional resources specifically for DHS Division of Family and Children Services

Support school social worker expansion

Explore options of (educational) loan forgiveness for social workers in critical needs area

Support affordable tuition for public higher education

You can access up to the minute information on all legislative activity as well as find out how to contact your Senators, Representatives and other elected officials by going to the Mississippi Legislative website: www.billstatus.ls.state.ms.us

Another link that provides legislative information on a state and national level is:  www.statepolicy.org

Find out who your personal Representative and Senator are by clicking on www.vote-smart.org and use your zip code, or clicking on http://capwiz.com/socialworkers/ms  

We are strong when we work together, and we appreciate your active support of issues concerning our profession and the clients we serve!