Process of Advocacy

Practice Committees

Advocacy in NASW-MD begins with the practice committees.  Practice committees are composed of NASW-MD members who share concern for the same issues.  These individual committees focus on particular areas of concern for social workers.  A chairperson is appointed by the Chapter President for each committee. Meeting on a monthly basis, the practice committees discuss social issues to decide which are the most important.  They then submit these issues of concern to the Legislative committee.

The Following Committees Make Recommendations to the Legislative Committee:

Aging Committee
Children, Youth and Families Sub Committee
Forensic Committee
Private Practice Committee
Social Workers in Schools Committee
Social Workers Unravelling Racism Committee 

Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee is made up of appointed members and liaisons from each of the Practice Committees.  During their monthly meetings, the Legislative Committee discusses the concerns of each of the Practice Committees with the goal of creating an agenda of the issues that NASW-MD wishes to place focus upon during the year’s Maryland Legislative Session.

Lobbyist

NASW-MD employs a Lobbying Firm which keeps the Legislative Committee abreast of the progress with its agenda.

Legislative Agenda

• Engagement with the Maryland Department of Health Workgroup on Social Worker Requirements for Licensure
  
• The Social Work Licensure Compact
  

Testimony

After the Legislative Committee has established an agenda, members may offer verbal or written testimony to support their agenda before the legislature.  Testimony allows NASW-MD members to go before legislative committees and advocate their position on certain bills and regulations of concern.